Large Amounts Of K2 In The Back Of A U-Haul [Click to Enlarge]Deputies raided a doughnut shop, and it wasn’t to enjoy the powdered treats.
An anonymous tip has led to a large drug bust and the arrest of three men in Dunnellon.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office received a tip around 7:30 p.m., Monday, September 16, 2013, from an anonymous caller who provided details about K2 being manufactured and stating that men were loading the synthetic marijuana into a moving truck.
Patrol units arrived at the closed doughnut shop located at 10155 Southwest County Road 484, and observed a man later identified as Fares M. Rabah, 41, exiting the back of a U-haul truck. Rabah was asked why he was there at the business and he told deputies that he was picking up empty packages of K-2 and was going to deliver them to Tampa.
Deputies asked Rabah if there was anyone else with him and he advised deputies that he had two friends who were inside the business, at which time Rabah gave deputies permission to enter the building.
According to authorities, once inside the building deputies made contact with two more men indentified as Ahmed H. Mohsin, 36, and Ahmad Khale Ahmad Warayat, 27. The deputies observed next to a pool table, multiple Ziploc bags containing packages of synthetic marijuana along with plastic table work stations which had containers with K-2 inside.
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The Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team was called out to the location, where it was then learned that the building was being used as a large scale manufacturing location for the synthetic marijuana known as K-2.
Inside the building agents discovered several bales of synthetic marijuana, scales, empty packages, cases of acetone, concrete mixers used to mix the product and more than 11,600 prepared packages of K-2. There were also several containers holding finished product waiting to be packaged as well as unfinished product waiting to be mixed.
Synthetic marijuana is an extremely dangerous mixture of illegal chemicals and ingredients sold in stores targeting young people, with bright colorful packaging that often features cartoon characters.
Florida’s Attorney General Pam Bondi has described the drugs as “more lethal than cocaine.”
All three men were arrested on one count each of Possession of a controlled substance and one count each of possession of drug paraphernalia.
They were booked into the Marion County Jail and are being held without bond.
Human Remains Found In Polk County [Click to Enlarge]Polk County, Florida — Homicide detectives in Polk County are conducting a death investigation after a man found human bones in the woods.
It was around 8:55 a.m. Tuesday, September 17, 2013, when a witness from Tampa was looking for scrap metal along North Wabash Avenue in Lakeland, between Memorial Blvd and Crutchfield Road, but instead of finding scrap metal, he found a human skull and bones.
The witness then called the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and reported the remains.
PCSO detectives and crime scene investigators are now processing the scene taking photos of the area, and conducting a thorough search of the woods trying to gather any additional evidence there may be.
The crime scene is located in the woods east of North Wabash Avenue, slightly south of Crutchfield Road.
The remains will be taken to the Medical Examiner’s Office for examination in hopes of identifying the deceased person and determining his or her cause of death. Investigators are saying that the bones do appear to be those of an adult body.
Photos of the bones are not being released at this time.
Ocala Post will continue covering this story as this is an ongoing investigation. Check back for further details.
Laquan Barrow [left] Edwin Summers [right]Silver Spring Shores — One of three suspects arrested in connection with an armed burglary that occurred on September 11, 2013, has been arrested again on drugs and gun charges.
Detectives, along with deputies, including one K-9 deputy, returned to Silver Springs Shores on Friday, September 13, 2013, after obtaining probable cause to confiscate the 2010 Dodge Charger that was used in an armed home burglary on Wednesday and believed to be owned by 22-year-old Laquan Barrow.
When detectives arrived in the area of the 9000 block of Spring Terrace, they spotted the Charger, which Barrow had just entered the driver seat of and left the residence.
According to authorities, detectives followed the vehicle driven by Barrow, who began making a series of turns and quick accelerations, stopping in another driveway as a detective was conducting a traffic stop on the Dodge Charger.
Barrow’s passenger later identified as Edwin Summers, jumped out of the vehicle and took off running but then stopped, returned to the vehicle, grabbed a pink “Hello Kitty” bag out of the car, and ran away again.
K-9 deputy Tyson Collins arrived with his dog Sig, and chased after Summers. A short time later, Summers, who was still in possession of the bag, was apprehended by Deputy Collins.
An inventory of the bag showed 449 grams of marijuana inside a gallon Ziploc baggie and a digital scale.
A detective ordered barrow to remain in the vehicle as he began to exit, which he hesitantly complied, according to authorities.
A search of the vehicle turned up a loaded handgun in the driver’s side door. When the detective was retrieving the weapon from the door, Barrow said, “It’s my aunt’s gun.”There was also a marijuana cigarette laying under the car on the driveway.
When Barrow was informed that the Marion County Sheriff’s Office was seizing the 2010 Dodge Charger, he stated, “I’ll just buy a new one, [it] just money, I got lots of that.”
As deputies were waiting for a tow truck to pick up the vehicle, a known associate of Barrow, identified as Gary King was sitting nearby and began to taunt the deputies saying, “You remember me cracka? I was the one you arrested before. We gonna keep doin what we do and you crackas can’t stop us.” King went on to say that the previous charges on Barrow have not stuck and these won’t. He said,” Money can buy yo freedom. He can just buy a new car. Money ain’t a thing. Next time we be driving a Mercedes, you dirty cracka b**ch.”
Both Barrow and Summers were arrested and taken to the Marion County Jail.
Summers was charged with one count of marijuana possession with intent to sell, one count of possession of drug paraphernalia and one count of resisting an officer without violence.
Summers has since been released on a $51,000 bond.
Barrow was charged with one count of possession of marijuana with intent to sell, one count of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, one count of possession of drug paraphernalia, and one count of possession of marijuana less than 20 grams.
Matthew Cordle [Mugshot]COLUMBUS, Ohio — An Ohio man who confessed in an online video of killing a man while drunk driving is set to plead guilty sometime tomorrow, September 18, 2013.
The defendant Matthew Cordle entered a preliminary plea of not guilty last week.
The plea of not guilty was a procedural move allowing a judge to be assigned in order to accept the guilty plea.
Matthew Cordle’s defense attorney, Martin Midian said, “Matthew’s pleading guilty as soon as possible so that he can get his message out and express to the family how sorrow he is for what happened,”
Cordle confessed to killing Vincint Canzani in a video, Canzani’s family says that the attention that the case has gotten is forcing them to relive the nightmare over and over again.
On September 18, 2013, Cordle will plead guilty to aggravated homicide, making good on his pledge to accept full responsibility for the crash. The court will decide after the plea is entered whether or not to allow Cordle out on a $255,000 bond. If Cordle is released on bond he wants to immediately begin spreading his message about the dangers of drinking and driving.
Critics say that the video confession of Cordle will most likely become a Public Service Announcement, and Cordle could stand to make money from it. If Cordle uses the death of Vincint Canzani to profit, the family could file a civil lawsuit against Cordle in conjunction to a wrongful death lawsuit the family is entitled to file.
Canzani’s family says they just want this case to be over so they can move on and stop reliving it day after day.
At this point in the case it is unclear if the family has any plans to file a civil lawsuit.
Washington, DC – The Metropolitan Police Department has released the names of seven of the decedents who were victims in the Washington Navy Yard shooting.
The decedents have been identified as:
59 year-old Michael Arnold
53 year-old Sylvia Frasier
62 year-old Kathy Gaarde
73 year-old John Roger Johnson
50 year-old Frank Kohler
46 year-old Kenneth Bernard Proctor
61 year-old Vishnu Pandit
At 8 a.m. this morning, Aaron Alexis,34, living in Texas walked into the headquarters of the Naval Sea Systems Command killing 12 people and wounding many others including officers. Three shots were fired at Building 197, and as what some thought sounded like construction work continued, the realization set in that a gunman was firing on them.
Original reports suggested there were two gunman , however the FBI announced about an hour ago there was only one shooter.
Alexis spent nearly four years in the Navy as a full-time reservist from May 2007 until he was discharged in January 2011 for misconduct, according to a summary of his personnel records released by Navy officials at the Pentagon.
Officials says Alexis had full access to the Naval Yard because he was working as a contractor.
Witnesses say Alexis didn’t say a word, he just raised his rifle and began shooting. As the chaos unfolded witnesses could hear people screaming, “Where is he? Where Is He?”
The terror was massive one witness explained. Screams, glass shattering, and multiple gun shots continued for hours, it was a blood bath.
Tim Jirus, a Navy commander says he was in an alley where he thought he was safe, talking to another man when he heard gunshots echoing between the buildings. He turned to see where the shots were coming from and when he turned back around the man he was talking to had been shot in the head, and fallen to the ground.
Witnesses say they heard “Get down! Get down! this is the police”, gun shots, more glass breaking, and more terror.
Reports say Alexis was finally shot and killed.
Witnesses say the confusion and terror was overwhelming, and was nothing short of a nightmare.
During a press conference the FBI said they do not have a motive and are asking anyone that may have information about Alexis to come forward by calling 202-727-9099.
The FBI says further details may be released as they come in, however some details may be withheld at times in order to protect the integrity of the investigation.
New developments are literally happening by the minute, Ocala Post will continue to follow the investigation and share any reports received from D.C. authorities.
The names of the additional decedents are being withheld pending next of kin notification.
At 11:33 p.m. We received this update from D.C. authorities:
“The Metropolitan Police Department would like to inform the public that the shelter in place recommendation has been lifted for the area.”
UPDATE September 17, 2013, 12:09 p.m.
Five additional decedents have been identified as:
51 year-old Arthur Daniels of Southeast, Washington, DC
51 year-old Mary Francis Knight of Reston, Virginia
58 year-old Gerald L. Read of Alexandria, Virginia
54 year-old Martin Bodrog of Annandale, Virginia
52 year old Richard Michael Ridgell of Westminster, Maryland
Officer Randall Kerrick [Mugshot]Charlotte, North Carolina — A car crash turned fatal for a former Florida A&M football player, however it’s not the car accident that killed him.
In the early hours on September 14, 2013, Jonathan Ferrell crashed his car into trees and had to climb out of the rear window in order to escape the crash. After crawling out of the window, police say he walked nearly a half a mile to a nearby house looking for help.
According to police reports, Ferrell was viciously banging on the door of a house at 2:30 a.m. in an attempt to get the attention of someone that may have been home. A frightened woman answered the door thinking it was her husband , but when she saw Ferrell standing there she slammed the door, hit her panic button, and called 911 because she did not recognize him.
The women reportedly told dispatchers the she thought someone was trying to break into her house.
When police arrived they say Farrell began running toward them, one officer tased Ferrell, but Farrell did not stop; that’s when Randall Kerrick fired his gun hitting Ferrell 10 times. An investigation shows that Ferrell did advance on Randall Kerrick, however his force has been deemed excessive and Kerrick did not have the lawful right to discharge his weapon.
Ferrell was unarmed at the time of the shooting.
Jonathan Ferrell (24) [Click to Enlarge]Officer Randall Kerrick was arrested and charged with voluntary manslaughter, which under North Carolina law involves killing without malice using ”excessive force” in exercising ”imperfect self-defense.”
Officer Kerrick was transported to Mecklenburg County Jail and was later released on a $50,000 bond, according to the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office website.
Officer Kerrick has only been on the force since April 2011.
Jonathan Ferrell’s Car
Further details have not been released, and it is still unclear if Farrell was injured in the car accident prompting him to seek help at a nearby house, according to police reports.
Jonathan Ferrell, 24, had recently moved to North Carolina after leaving Tallahassee, Florida to be with his fiancé, and to start a new life with her.
Summerfield, Florida — A 10-year-old boy is in critical condition after he was partially ejected from the ATV he was riding in as a passenger.
According to Florida Highway Patrol, the off road vehicle was traveling through an open field on private property in the 5000 block of County Rd 42 in Summerfield.
The driver of the vehicle, 11-year-old Tyrone Oneal, was originally traveling in a northbound direction when he made a sharp left turn causing the Polaris Ranger Crew to tilt over on the passenger side tires.
Neither the driver nor passenger was wearing the vehicles seat belts. Martez Hawkins, 10, was partially ejected and was air lifted to UF Health in Gainesville where he remains in critical condition.
The driver of the ATV was not injured.
UPDATE September , 17, 2013
The 10-year-old boy, Martez Hawkins, who was injured in an ATV accident off of a property located on County Road 42, has been pronounced dead at UF Health Shands in Gainesville.
Hawkins was partially ejected from the Polaris Ranger Crew when the driver made a sharp left turn.
The driver 11-year-old, Tyrone Oneal was not injured in the accident.
Michelle Obama Drink-Up Campaign Misleading To The Public
Michelle Obama launches a campaign to promote a healthier life by encouraging America to drink more water. The First Lady claims drinking more water has made her family healthier, given them more energy, and helps a person’s focus.
Experts say Michelle Obama has her facts dead wrong, and she should not inform the public about issues she knows nothing about.
The CDC recommends at least four cups of water per day, but say there isn’t any nutrient content in water that would increase a person’s energy. Water, unless purchased as a vitamin water does not contain any nutrients value whatsoever. In fact, city water that comes from the tap is chlorinated, therefore sterilizing the water completely.
While it is always important to stay hydrated, experts cannot believe the claims that Michelle Obama is making in regards to her “Drink-Up Campaign.”
Critics say this is clearly a political popularity move on her part, and the campaign will only stand to benefit the American Beverage Association, the company promoting the campaign.
Dr. Stanley Goldfarb of the University of Pennsylvania said “Her claims are only supporting urban myths.” He went on to say that, “drinking more water in a day will not give you more energy, make you focus better, or in general make you live a longer and healthier existence.”
Goldfarb says that most Americans are already adequately hydrated, and telling Americans to drink more water in order to gain more focus and energy, is completely misleading and overstated.
Drinking too much water can actually be harmful, there is such a thing as water intoxication. While water intoxication rarely happens, it can happen. Small children are more susceptible to water intoxication than adults, but again, it rarely happens.
If she wanted to make a real statement she could have said, “drink water instead of soda”, however that is not likely to happen due the campaign being supported by the American Beverage Association, and the companies in that group sell soda.
And so the old story goes, don’t believe everything you hear, even if it comes from the First Lady.
The voting has been extended for Project Drive-Inand four more projectors will be donated to the Drive-In with the highest votes.
The Ocala Drive-In opened in 1948 and was renovated in July of 2011.
The Drive-In is truly a piece of Ocala’s history, and residents are most certain to be devastated if it were to close its doors forever.
In an age of technology, families rarely communicate as they did 20 years ago. Families 20 years ago didn’t text one another from the next room, stay glued to Facebook from a smart phone, or play video games all day. Instead, families talked more, they enjoyed the outdoors together, and watched family movies together on a Friday night.
The Ocala Drive-In symbolizes what is right in our community and within a family. The Drive-In allows you to sit outside or in your car, allows your children to meet other children, and most important it allows you to enjoy that family movie how it was meant to be watched, as a family. Providing it’s age appropriate of course.
Sandra St. Denis E-mailed Ocala Post, and she is genuinely concerned about the Drive-In closing its doors. Sandra wrote, “If you can spread the word, we can help the Ocala Drive-In.” She added, Voting has been continued. They are giving 4 more projectors away. PLEASE VOTE , We are being given another chance to SAVE The OCALA DRIVE-In. PLEASE VOTE PLEASE PLEASE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE!”
Sandra we hear you loud and clear, and Ocala Post will do its part to spread the word as much as possible, but ultimately it is up to the residents of Ocala to make that vote. Visit Project Drive-In or text vote20 to 444999.
As Ocala Post wrote in the first article in regards to the Drive-In:
News is usually about the negative, but for residents that call Ocala home, it’s about saving a piece of Ocala’s history.
For years, drugs have plagued the American society, destroying the lives of millions, and tearing families apart. Addicts never intend to become hooked on drugs; most say they were just going to try a drug once and usually at a party or friend’s house.
Kay Bretton, a licensed Mental Health Counselor & Certified Addictions Professional, told Ocala Post the feeling a person experiences from that first high can never be achieved again, which causes a person to use more of the drug or switch to a more potent drug. Eventually, chasing that high becomes all the person can think about and nothing else in their life matters at that point.
When society thinks about the side effects of drug addiction it is usually the health aspect of drug use. A secondary spin-off of drug addiction is job loss, leaving an addict without the economic means to purchase drugs. Without the finances to obtain drugs, addicts are using the most affordable methods possible to achieve that next high: hazardous chemicals, household cleaners, and solvents.
Experts say the more creative an addict who manufactures designer drugs — such as methamphetamine — becomes, the more dangerous the drug will be.
Methamphetamine is currently America’s curse, however, a newer drug in Russia makes crystal methamphetamine look like vitamin C, and it has authorities in America on edge.
The Russian drug is known in America as Crocodile, or in Russia Krokodil. It earned its name from the way it makes a person’s skin look green, scaly, and bumpy. It originated in Siberia as a homemade substitute for the pain killer desomorphine, which is about ten times more potent than morphine.
Krokodil is said to be 100 times more addicting than methamphetamine and heroin combined.
The drug made its way into Russia in 2002 and quickly gained popularity among the poor as a much cheaper alternative to heroin.
According to Russian officials, over 30,000 people per year die in Russia due to heroin addiction, making up for a third of drug related deaths globally. However, heroin addicts are now turning to Krokodil; creating an entirely new epidemic in Russia. There are an estimated one million users of Krokodil in Russia.
According to drug agents, the Russian government refuses to make the drug or the ingredients to manufacture the drug illegal.
In Russia, all of the ingredients used to make Krokodil including codeine can be purchased over the counter from a single trip to the store. And with a cook time of only 30 minutes, it’s like any other trip to the grocery store.
Dr. Ayrn O’Connor, a medical toxicologist in Arizona, says users of Krokodil only have a one to two year life expectancy from the time a person starts using the drug. It is the volatile chemicals and other ingredients used to make the drug that diminishes a person’s life expectancy so rapidly.
A list of some of the dangerous ingredients include:
Codeine
Paint Thinner
Gasoline
Hydrochloric Acid
Iodine
Red Phosphorous
Recently there were two confirmed cases of Krokodil use in Arizona, and that has drug and health officials worried. DEA agents say this drug would be devastating to the United States and are warning the public to stay away from this drug.
Health officials said that in the beginning stages of the “rotting process,” doctors unfamiliar with Krokodil – at first glance – might assume a person has not been controlling their diabetes because of similar characteristics. A common place for the rotting to take place is the feet, because addicts often shoot up in-between their toes. Addicts have also been know to inject the drug into their tongue or gums.
“While methamphetamine and heroin are guaranteed to give you a slow and painful death, if you want to speed up the process, take this drug,” DEA Supervisory Agent Sue Thomas said. Adding, “It will rot you from the inside out; leaving you with gaping wounds that will leave bones exposed and horrible abscesses…it’s a horrific death.”
Thomas said, “Even though it kills quickly and causes horrible pain and illness, hard-core addicts may still turn to Krokodil.”
Article continued below
Krokodil Causing The Flesh To Rot Off The Bone
Heroin withdrawals can last anywhere from five to ten days, often described as the worst flu you’ll ever have in your life. However, Krokodil withdrawals can last up to a month and addicts have to be injected with extremely strong tranquilizers, otherwise an addict would pass out from the pain or stroke out.
Authorities say very few people have survived an addiction to Krokodil, but if an addict does survive, they are left with permanent damage such as a speech impediment, erratic movements, or complete loss of motor skills. On many occasions, authorities have described the Krokodil epidemic as a real life Zombie Apocalypse because Krokodil causes a person’s skin to literally rot off the bone, and the brain to shut down leaving the addict with an empty gaze on his or her face.
The DEA is hopeful that by warning Americans about the dangers of using Krokodil, they will have common sense and help keep a flesh-eating epidemic from spreading through the United States.
Christopher Dwight Allen [Mugshot]Jacksonville, Florida — A forensic investigator has been arrested after reports of jewelry of a deceased woman being stolen led investigators directly to him.
Agents from the Florida department of Law Enforcement arrested Christopher Dwight Allen, 46, of St. John’s on September 13, 2013, on charges of official misconduct, dealing in stolen property, and false verification of ownership on pawnbroker transaction forms.
The investigation began back in May of 2013, after family members of a Hamilton County woman claimed several pieces of jewelry; a ring, watch, and necklace had been stolen from their loved one following her death.
Agents reviewed pawn broker transactions that indicated Allen sold over 60 items of jewelry to various pawn shops within the last 12 months according to FDLE reports.
Allen worked as a forensic investigator at the District 4 Medical Examiner’s Office in Jacksonville and investigators suspect at least some of the items pawned were stolen from deceased persons he had access to at the facility.
Allen was arrested at the medical examiner’s office around 7:30 Friday morning and booked into the Duval County Jail on a $150,009 bond.
Polk County, Florida — Sheriff Grady Judd has his work cut out for him.
A group of 15 teenage real-life “Mean Girls” is reportedly under investigation in connection to a recent suicide of a 12-year-old girl.
Rebecca Ann Sedwick, jumped to her death Tuesday morning after she was literally bullied to her death.
Sheriff Grady said, “Rebecca was absolutely terrorized on social media for more than a year before killing herself.”
Her body was found at a former cement plant, where she reportedly climbed to the top of one of the towers, jumped, and fell nearly 60 feet to her death. She was reported missing after she did not return home from school.
Rebecca shared her plan to commit suicide with an online friend who lived in North Carolina, but sadly that friend never reported it to his parents or authorities. Rebecca told the boy, “I’m jumping, I can’t take it anymore” then changed her screen name to “That Dead Girl.”
Rebecca’s mom told deputies that she reported the bullying to Rebecca’s school, but the school failed to do anything. Crystal Lake Middle School administration has been questioned, however, they told officials that they have to investigate in order to get more information in regard to the bullying.
Investigators with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office have confiscated cell phones and several laptops. They plan to extract information from those computers and phones in order to determine who was involved and if criminal charges will be filed.
Sheriff Grady said, “If we can get any evidence of a criminal offense, the person or persons involved will be punished.”
If the investigation reveals that school officials and or teachers were notified, but nothing was done to protect Rebecca, criminal charges could be filed against them as well.
Two of the girls under investigation reportedly went to Rebecca’s house after her body was found, and told her mom they were sorry. Sources say the girls were told to leave the house.
So far, several social media messages directed toward Rebecca have been recovered.
One message read, “why don’t you just kill yourself,” another “nobody likes you,” and “why are you still alive?”
Family, friends, and community members are outraged and are demanding answers. Many say they blame the parents of the 15 girls that are being investigated.
One parent said, “If the kids are bullies, then the parents probably are too.”
Sheriff Grady said in a press conference, if evidence implicates the 15 girls, they face felony criminal charges.
“If you bully somebody online and it’s reported to us, and we can build a credible case, we will charge you,” he said.
This is the second case in Florida in less than a year, where a teen has killed herself after being bullied. Pasco County high school student Jessica Laney,16, hung herself In late 2012 after being bullied online through a website called Ask.fm.
In June of 2013, Florida passed a bill that makes it easier to bring felony charges against bullies and anyone involved, and the bill includes cyberbullying.
In Florida, “bullying” means: systematically and chronically inflicting physical hurt or psychological distress on one or more students.
It may involve:
Teasing
Social exclusion
Threat
Intimidation
Stalking
Physical violence
Theft
Sexual, religious, or racial harassment
Public humiliation
Destruction of property
If you or someone you know is the victim of bullying or cyberbullying, please, report it immediately.
Helicopters, rescue workers, EMT’s, rushing water, and other officials will be the scene in Denver Colorado for weeks to come.
The flood that has hit Colorado is causing damage in mass proportions. Water moving at such high speeds, and with such great force that it has knocked houses over in the matter of seconds.
As the death toll rises, so does the water level, as the rain keeps pounding Colorado residents.
Boulder County is doubling the number of rescue workers today in an effort to try and locate 172 people that have yet to be accounted for, authorities told Denver Post.
Mandatory evacuations were issued on both banks of the South Platte River in Morgan County, the towns of Orchard, Goodrich, Weldona, Longmont, Muir Springs, Denver, Larimer County, Boulder, and the list goes on.
As floodwater overwhelms municipal sanitation plants, officials have imposed ever-increasing limitations on water use. Residents that are still in their homes, have been asked to stop using the shower, minimize flushing toilets, washing dishes , and running washing machines. Portable toilets are being distributed to residents that can be reached.
Seven helicopters are continuing rescue trips in Larimer County, evacuating 1,200 people stranded in Pinewood Springs between Lyons and Estes Park along U.S. 36, and 100 people in Big Elk Meadow off Larimer County Road 47.
In Boulder, teams continued their search.
“There might be further loss of life,” Sheriff Joe Pelle said in a news conference Saturday. “It’s certainly a high probability…With an army of folks and an air show we’re hoping to reach everyone as soon as possible.” He went on to say, “It’s a sinking feeling, not knowing if you can save them all.”
By the end of the day, officials are hoping to have at least 15 helicopters assisting in search and rescue missions in Boulder and surrounding areas.
Rescue workers and other officials, say they know it’s dangerous and safety is a concern, but they will continue to search for every missing or stranded person they can.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to residents in Colorado.
John Paul Stanton [Mugshot]Brooksville, Florida — A man in Brooksville has been arrested for promoting sexual performance by a child following the execution of a search warrant on his home.
John Paul Stanton, 31, of Brooksville was arrested on September 10, 2013, by The Florida Department of Law Enforcement Tampa Bay Regional Operations Center Cyber and High-tech Squad without incident after a search warrant was served at his residence located on Spring Lake Hwy in Brooksville.
During the search of Stanton’s home agents recovered video and photographic images of pornography involving children.
The FDLE was assisted in this investigation by the Tampa Bay Area Cyber Task Force which includes homeland Security Investigations, Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, and the Lakeland Police Department. The Hernando County Sheriff’s office also assisted in the investigation which will be prosecuted by the Office of the State Attorney, 5th Judicial Circuit.
Stanton was charged with 10 counts of promoting sexual performance by a child and one count of possession of child pornography.
He was booked into the Hernando County Jail on a $52,500 bond.
Andrew William Roberts [Mugshot]Andrew William Roberts, 32, of Fort McCoy has been charged with molestation after being accused of having inappropriate contact with a minor.
The victim reported that Andrew Roberts had watched her take a shower, grabbed her vaginal area over her clothing, and touched her breast on different occasions. Investigators interviewed the victim on July 11, 2013, at Kimberly’s Center in Ocala where she stated that Roberts had touched her breast and buttock area over her clothing, on several occasions.
Andrew Roberts was interviewed about the incidents on August 14, 2013, which was recorded on digital video and placed into evidence. During the interview Roberts denied ever touching the victim inappropriately.
On September 3, 2013, investigators interviewed Roberts again; this interview was also recorded on digital video and placed into evidence. During this interview he was questioned about specific conduct or contact with the victim.
Roberts denied having sex, skin to skin contact, watching her naked, or sexually penetrating the victim in any way. He added that he had not seen the girl naked since he changed her diaper when she was a toddler.
He admitted that he had patted her butt and pinched her breast in a playing nature as she was walking by in the living room, but it was not in any way for sexual gratification.
Roberts was already in the Marion County Jail on a $10,000 bond for a charge relating to lewd and lascivious battery on another victim when she was 15-years-old.
On September 11, 2013, Roberts received a new charge of Lewd and Lascivious Molestation and was given an additional $25,000 bond.
Detectives are asking anyone with information about Roberts’ contact with children please call (352) 368-3545. You can give an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers of Marion County at (352) 368-STOP or (352) 368-7867. Text tips to 274637 using keyword 368STOP.
[Mugshots]Ocala, Florida — After a trio of men committed violent crimes at a home in Silver Springs Shores, two men are in jail and a third is still on the run.
On September 11, 2013, deputies responded to a call for help in regards to a battery that occurred at a home located on Dogwood Trail Run in Silver Springs Shores.
Laquan Barrow, 22, Gerod Jackson, 21, and Howard Hill, 19, were reported to have assaulted five victims at the home and then fled.
When deputies arrived at the home, they were met by five victims who stated they had been sitting at the front entrance of the residence when a brown/gray Dodge Charger with tinted windows and chrome trim pulled into the driveway.
Victims say the three men jumped out of the vehicle at which time suspect Hill raised his arm pointing a firearm in the victims direction, pulled the slide back, and said, “And what mother f***er.”
The suspects gave chase into the residence as the victims fled inside the home in fear for their lives.
According to reports, once inside the home Hill held the gun to a female striking her in the head with a closed fist, pushing her down on the floor, and then pulling a 52” flat screen TV onto her.
A male victim went into a bedroom and hid inside the closet, but not long after heard the suspects trying to get in. He heard Barrow say to Hill, “Man give me my gun, why you bring my gun in here.”
Eventually Barrow and Hill forced the door open, ordering the victim to exit the closet and at that point, Barrow told the victim that he had taken the gun from Hill.
Once out of the closet the victim was face to face with Hill and Jackson. That’s when the victim says Hill lunged at him and a physical altercation ensued at which time Jackson began attacking the victim as well.
During the fight between the three men the victim reported that Hill had asked Barrow for the firearm back and said, “I’m going to shoot this mother f***er”, however he did not regain the gun from Barrow.
According to deputies, the fight continued outside and when the suspects realized one of the victims had called police they jumped back into the Charger and fled.
Deputies were able to locate the vehicle a while later at a home located on Spring Terrace in Silver Springs Shores.
Laquan Barrow and Gerod Jackson were arrested at the residence and transported to the jail.
Barrow was booked into the Marion County Jail on five counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill and one count of armed burglary of an occupied dwelling.
He is currently out of jail on a $30,000 bond.
Barrow’s criminal record shows previous arrests for armed burglary of an occupied dwelling and grand theft back in January of 2010 in which he was released just over an hour later on a $25,000 bond.
Barrow was arrested again in December of 2010 for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill, spending just five days in jail before being released on a $50,000 bond.
Gerod Jackson was booked into the Marion County Jail on five counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill and one count of armed burglary of an occupied dwelling with battery.
He is currently being held on a $40,500 bond.
Jackson’s criminal history shows previous arrests for fleeing to elude an officer and resisting an officer without violence back in February of 2013.
Howard Hill, who is still on the run, is the youngest of the three and perhaps has the most troubling background out of them all.
Hills arrest record shows that back in December of 2012 he was charged with one count of animal cruelty and one count of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon causing bodily harm or disability.
In March of 2013 Hill was arrested for aggravated assault with a firearm and then again in June of 2013 for battery.
Each time he was released on bond.
Hill is still at large and should be considered armed and extremely dangerous.
If you have any information as to the whereabouts of Howard Hill, you are urged to call the Marion County Sheriff’s Office at (352) 732-9111 or Crime stoppers of Marion County at (352) 368-STOP.
Marion County Board of County Commissioners Meeting September 12, 2013 [click to enlarge]“It is with great honor and pride that I stand ready to serve you, the citizens of Marion County.
I am humbled beyond words at the opportunity to work with you and my fellow board members in making the decisions involving growth management, solid waste, economic development, and the protection of our precious natural resources. These decisions will not only affect us, but our children and the future generations that will be lucky enough to call Marion County home.
It is my desire that during my time of service to you, the citizens of Marion County, that should you ever have any questions, concerns or suggestions you will not hesitate to contact me.”
Above is the statement of Kathy Bryant, Chairman of the Marion County Board of County Commissioners. She signed it, “Sincerely”, Kathy Bryant.
Two words that residents of Marion County do not believe belong in the same sentence is, Sincere and Kathy Bryant.
The first line of her statement indicates she is ready to serve citizens, however from the disposition she displayed toward citizens at last night’s board meeting while discussing the increase of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office budget, citizens would never know she cared.
As Sheriff Chris Blair made his entrance into the auditorium, the crowd roared with applause, however that was quickly dimmed by Kathy Bryant threatening to clear the room if the crowd did not quiet down.
The County Commissioners meeting was jam packed with deputies, corrections officers, and citizens begging the Commissioners to increase the budget in order for Blair to have the ability to add more deputies.
Begging County Commissioners on an issue that many say, should be common sense.
The turnout was so great, the Fire Marshal had to step in and ask a portion of the crowd to stand outside of the packed auditorium.
People Waiting Outside Due To The Auditorium Being Packed Full [click to enlarge]All night there were stories about lack of deputies , failing equipment, and crimes against citizens.
One by one deputies expressed their concerns to the Commissioners and showed their support for their sheriff.
Chrisean Bollers of the MCSO, told Commissioners that the greatest threat to Marion County was not terrorists or criminals; the greatest threat was the people in the room.” (Meaning the County Commissioners.)
One woman told Commissioners,” look at the scars on my mouth, they are scars of a victim of crime.”
The support for the sheriff was overwhelming and the brotherhood among the Sheriff’s Office seemed to be more than just a brotherhood, it was more like family.
It was very clear to citizens that Sheriff Blair does care about his community and his employees.
At one point Sheriff Chris Blair got up to take a short bathroom break, but before returning to his seat he stopped to take the time and thank the citizens that were outside of the meeting listening on the overhead intercom; he thanked them for coming and said that he truly appreciated their support.
Employees of the Sheriff’s Office are not turning their back on Blair, nor are the citizens of Marion County, because it is more than evident that Chris Blair inherited the depreciation of $24 Million. The Commissioners allowed Sheriff Blair to walk right into the deteriorating Sheriff’s Office. Blair was put into office in January of 2013. Since that time he has uncovered a massive deficiency that was being swept under the rug so to speak, for years.
Blair said there were approximately between 20-30 graduates from the College of Central Florida’s Police Academy in the last three weeks.
“Not one of those graduates applied to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office“, said Blair. He went on to say, “what kind of message is that sending?”
Cadets will not apply to an agency that is underpaying its deputies by approximately $9,000 compared to surrounding counties. The starting pay at the Sheriff’s Office for deputies in roughly $28,500, while Ocala Police Department starts its officers at approximately $36,000. Deputies say the huge gap in pay is not the fault of the Sheriff, it directly falls upon the shoulders of the County Commissioners that the public elected to serve the citizens and employees of Marion County. Commissioners were not elected to serve for their own political agenda, said one deputy.
It was obvious that everyone that came to support Blair agreed on one thing: the small increase in property taxes is a small price to pay for the safety of deputies, corrections officers, and the citizens of Marion County.
There were very few people who disagreed.
Donald Barber, a business owner in Belleview, said he had voted for Blair but is now “disappointed” that the sheriff wants to increase spending. He begged the commission to “stand strong” and reject Blair’s spending increase. Barber was lucky to make it through the crowd outside the auditorium as his comments did not sit well with a vast majority of the citizens. One private citizen said, “I should have tripped him as he was walking by.” Many laughed under their breath, but the seriousness and importance of the meeting to citizens was very evident after Barber spoke.
Privatization of the jail was a huge topic of the night for corrections officers, but commissioners said they were not there to discuss privatization.
The commissioners told the crowd that the tour of the jail with executives from the Corrections Corporation of America was to explore “every possible option” before a tax increase was considered by the board, which has approval authority over the Sheriff’s Office’s budget.
Officials say the privatization of the jail by turning it over to Corrections Corporation of America would be the downfall of Marion County.
Ocala Post wanted to know more about Corrections Corporation of America, so we made some calls and did a little investigating.
Corrections Corporation of America is basically a company that preys on county jails and prisons when budget issues become a concern. CCA has been accused of mistreating inmates, mistreating employees, falsifying internal investigations, violating civil rights, falsifying hours that are reported to the state in which they are running a prison or jail, and have been the center of a major FBI investigation. Many of the allegations against CCA have turned out to be true yet the company remains in business.
Corrections Corporation of America has been referred to many times as, “The New World Order.”
Needless to say that the implied allegations by officials that CCA would be the downfall of Marion County, proved to be true.
Privatization of the jail would ruin lives in Marion County. Every corrections officer would lose his or her job if CCA were to take over. The Marion County unemployment rate would sky rocket.
Wives of deputies told the Commissioners they were afraid of losing their home if the budget was not increased. Wives, many with small children, said they feared for their husband’s life every time they walk out the door because of old equipment and lack of man power.
You could hear the pain in the voices of those who spoke. Worried family members and staff alike had different stories, but the same agenda; to implore the Commissioners to increase the budget.
During the meeting the Commissioner’s were told very bluntly, that they did not care about public safety.
Officials of the MCSO stated many times during the meeting, if the budget is not raised, crime will.
In the end Sheriff Chris Blair said to Commissioners, “It is a shame where this Sheriff’s Office is. I will never apologize for standing, and taking a stance for these people.” Adding, “don’t make me have to look you in the eyes and say I told you so.”
Courtney Lamar Carpenter [Mugshot]An Ocala man was arrested after taking a Marion County Detective on a chase to grandma’s house.
On September 10, 2013, around 3:00 p.m., a Marion County detective observed a beige four-door Buick driven by Courtney Lamar Carpenter, 31, of Ocala run a stop sign at SW 23rd Avenue and SW 7th Street.
As the vehicle turned eastbound onto SW 7th Place the detective activated his emergency lights in an attempt to conduct a traffic stop on Carpenter.
According to reports, carpenter then took off, crossing over into oncoming lanes. He drove between a mailbox and a fence, crossed two driveways, and drove between trash cans and a parked car.
He then entered the roadway again crossing back over the westbound lanes and continued eastbound on SW 7th Place. The chase continued for several more blocks as Carpenter made multiple turns while running three stop signs according to an arrest affidavit.
The chase came to an end after Carpenter pulled into a driveway at the 500 block of SW 23rd Avenue.
The detective and another deputy approached the vehicle as Carpenter jumped out and began shouting at them. Carpenter was repeatedly ordered to the ground in which he would not comply forcing the detective and deputy to physically put him on the ground. He continued to resist arrest as the handcuffs were being placed on his wrists, according to an arrest affidavit.
Carpenter later uttered that he knew what he did was wrong, and he should have stopped but didn’t because he wanted to go to his grandmother’s house.
Carpenter was booked into the Marion County Jail on charges of Fleeing to Elude a Law Enforcement Officer and Resisting an Officer without Violence.
Nathan Francis Love [Mugshot]A Marion County man has been arrested and charged with having sex with a juvenile.
Nathan Francis Love, 22, of Ocala was arrested after investigators spoke with the victim who told them the sexual contact with Love happened while they “hung out”.
When Love was interviewed by detectives he admitted to having sexual contact with the victim. He also stated that he did in fact know the victim’s age, and that they had several sexual encounters.
Love was arrested and charged with Lewd and Lascivious Battery victim age 12 to 16.
He remains in the Marion County Jail on a $10,000 bond.
[Updated July 29, 2014, at 4:50 p.m. to include Winn-Dixie’s response]
When you receive the Winn-Dixie sale paper do you rush out to take advantage of the BOGO sales?
Well, you may want to think twice before you reach your hand into your wallet.
Ocala Post was contacted by a Winn-Dixie employee who gave us some information that was quite shocking. This employee does not want to be identified for fear of retaliation from the “Beef People.”
The employee claimed that Winn-Dixie marks up its prices double, sometimes triple the regular price, and then places a BOGO sticker on the product, namely, the meats.
Ocala Post decided to investigate the employee’s claim and what we found was nothing short of highway robbery.
During the recent BOGO sale on boneless skinless chicken breasts, we found the packs had been marked up double the price of a normal pack. A three-pack of chicken breasts weighing 2.41 pounds was $13.23. Winn-Dixie was charging $5.41 per pound by using the tactic of the BOGO sticker, making consumers feel they were getting a deal, but actually ripping off consumers.
Article continued below
Winn Dixie Buy One Get One Free Scam
Winn-Dixie was charging $18.98 for an eight-pack of boneless center-cut pork chops. And again, slapped the BOGO sticker on it.
After visiting Publix, Wal-Mart, and Aldi we found that Winn-Dixie was clearly taking advantage of consumers.
Winn-Dixie customer, Anita Rodriguez, said, “Calling a sale Buy One Get One Free, then marking up the price nearly more than double, is not a true BOGO.”
Boneless skinless chicken at Aldi came in at $2.39 per pound, Wal-Mart $2.49 per pound, and Publix was $2.99 per pound.
The boneless center-cut pork chops at Winn-Dixie, matched pound for pound, as well as the same cut of meat, were more than triple the price than that of Aldi and double the price of both Publix and Wal-Mart.
Ocala Post contacted Winn-Dixie via e-mail and phone, however, they have not responded to the allegations.
Ocala Post contacted the owner ofOOingle, a retail couponing site, and she said, “Yes, it is not uncommon for the ‘Buy One Get One’ to appear as double the price, but at times that is not the case. It is really up to the consumer to understand what the store’s best price is for meat and do the math before grabbing it out of the meat case. Meat prices, when ‘Buy One Get One,’ should always be divided in half based on the more expensive package. The time of year very often dictates meat prices and you just have to be smart about when and where you are buying it.”
Ocala Post also contacted the Florida Department of Consumer Services and they told Ocala Post that they could only investigate if Winn-Dixie was offsetting scales to make more on less product, or selling outdated foods. They recommended consumers call the Better Business Bureau or maybe the Federal Trade Commission if prices are being altered and misleading to consumers.
So, before you rush out to take advantage of that BOGO, beware of the price hikes by Winn-Dixie and shop around. You may be surprised to find the price is actually lower at a different grocer without the so-called “Buy One Get One Free.”
[Updated July 29, 2014, at 4:50 p.m. to include Winn-Dixie’s response]
Nearly one year later, Winn-Dixie finally responded to Ocala Post.
It has come to our attention that the article titled “Winn-Dixie Buy One Get One Free Scam” on your site has recently resurfaced, and we would like to make some clarifications on several of the article’s claims.
First and foremost, Winn-Dixie absolutely does not purposely increase regular prices of its products before placing them on a BOGO (buy one, get one) promotion. As background, products in our stores often rotate between any one of four pricing scenarios:
• Regular price, which is often associated with the white shelf tags that communicate everyday prices.
• Temporary price reduction (TPR), which temporarily reduces the regular price – typically for one or two weeks – when purchased with a Winn-Dixie Reward Card.
• BOGO, which is one product priced at the regular retail price with an offer of another product of equal or lesser value for free when purchased with a Winn-Dixie Reward Card.
• Markdown, which is an unadvertised reduction in price for a product that is approaching its sell-by date.
It is possible customers may see an item advertised at a lower price for several weeks (TPR), and then see the same BOGO item advertized weeks later at what appears to be a higher price. However, the BOGO price is simply matching the regular retail price at the time and not the TPR price.
