Ocala Post (Ocala News) - Archive

Polk County confirms 11th rabies case

Ocala Post

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December 10, 2019

On Wednesday, December 4, 2019, PCSO Animal Control responded to Towering Pines Drive in Lakeland, in reference to a fight between a dog and a raccoon.

The owner of the dachshund separated the two animals and confined the raccoon until Animal Control responded and took it into custody.

The raccoon was sent to the state laboratory in Tampa to be tested for rabies, which was confirmed two days later.

This is the 11th confirmed case of rabies in Polk County.

The dachshund was immediately vaccinated and will remain at home under a 45-day quarantine.

“Here’s a great example of responsible pet ownership and why it’s so important to keep your pets vaccinated against rabies. If you see a wild animal in distress, or if one of your pets interacts with a wild animal, contact Polk County Animal Control immediately.” -Grady Judd, Sheriff.

2019 Belleview Christmas Parade

Ocala Post

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December 9, 2019

2

The Belleview Christmas Parade will be held on Sunday, December 15, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.

The parade will be on 441, beginning at the intersection of 441 and 110th St. and ending at Robinson Rd. and 441.

The Theme is “A Little Town Christmas.”

The Parade will feature police cars, ambulances, high school bands, and Santa Claus, who will appear at the very end of the parade.

Christmas Parade Participants:

Floats may arrive after 9 a.m., but must be in position and completely decorated by 11 AM. Riders on floats must be in the line-up no later than 12:30 PM.

All participants are to be picked up at Lake Lillian in Belleview. Marching Units should instruct participants to park their vehicles at Lake Lillian and walk to their check in point on SE 110th Street.

Check In as follows:

Bands – The field on the corner of SE Stetson Rd and SE Lillian Cir.
Marching Units – Walk to The Villages Health System on SE 110th St.
Horse Units – Behind Chamber Building
All Others – Please meet at Lake Lillian and walk to your Line-Up space.
You may call the Chamber office at 245-2178 on Thursday, December 12th to get your Parade line-up number.

Please give your line-up number to all of your participants prior to the day of the Parade.

Articles may be handed out by people walking on the parade route, but nothing can be thrown or passed out from the floats.

Your line-up number must be displayed on your entry in order to be judged. (You will be given a number to display before the Parade begins.)

Entry numbers cannot be changed.

Failure to enter other than from the suggested route may result in you being faced in the wrong direction or unable to turn corners because of other units already in place.

Performing entries are to perform in front of the Chamber Building in order to be judged. Judges will be seated at the Chamber.

If you have any questions, please call the Chamber at 352-245-2178.

2019 Ocala Christmas Parade

Ocala Post

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December 9, 2019

0

The Christmas Parade assembles at the McPherson Complex and disperses at Tuscawilla Park on Saturday, December 14, at 5:30 p.m.

It officially steps off at SE 25th Avenue and E Ft. King Street and proceeds north to Silver Springs Boulevard. It then turns west onto Silver Springs Boulevard and continues until NE 8th Avenue where it turns north and officially ends at NE 8th Avenue and NE 3rd Streets.

The following is a list of road closures that will be in effect for the Ocala Christmas Parade.

Road closures effective Saturday, Dec. 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.:

SE 25th Avenue from E Fort King Street to SE 14th Street

Detour routes

NE 25th Avenue (southbound) – E Fort King Street to SE 22nd Avenue to SE 14th Street, back to SE 25th Avenue
SE 25th Avenue (northbound) – SE 14th Street to SE 30th Avenue to E Fort King Street to NE 36th Avenue to State Road 492, back to NE 25th Avenue

Road closures effective Saturday, Dec. 14 from 3 p.m. to midnight:

State Road 40 from NE Third Street to N Pine Avenue/US 441
SE/NE 25th Avenue from SE 14th Street to State Road 492
E Fort King Street from SE 30th Avenue to SE 22nd Avenue
NE 8th Avenue from State Road 40 to NE 14th Street/State Road 492

Detour routes

State Road 40 (eastbound) – US 441 to NW/NE 14th Street/State Road 492, back to State Road 40
State Road 40 (westbound) – NE 3rd Street to NE 25th Avenue to State Road 492 to US 441, back to State Road 40
SE/NE 25th Avenue (northbound) – SE 14th Street to SE 30th Avenue to E Fort King Street to NE 36th Avenue to State Road 492, back to NE 25th Avenue
NE/SE 25th Avenue (southbound) – State Road 492 to NE 36th Avenue to E Fort King Street to SE 30th Avenue to SE 14th Street, back to SE 25th Avenue
E Fort King Street (westbound) – SE 30th Avenue to SE 14th Street to SE 22nd Avenue, back to E Fort King Street
E Fort King Street (eastbound) – SE 22nd Avenue to SE 14th Street to SE 30th Avenue, back to E Fort King Street
NE 8th Avenue (southbound) – State Road 492 to US 441 to State Road 40 (westbound) or State Road 492 to State Road 40 (eastbound)

There may be other minor road closures as determined by the Ocala Police Department.

Any chairs placed along the parade route prior to Wednesday, Dec. 11, will be removed by the City of Ocala Public Works Department. This policy is in place as a precaution to prevent chairs from interfering with vehicular and pedestrian traffic. To retrieve chairs that have been removed, please contact the City of Ocala Public Works Department at 352-351-6733.

Roaches, rat droppings main reason for closure of popular Ocala restaurant

Ocala Post

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December 9, 2019

70

The Ocala WingHouse Bar & Grill, 2145 E Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala, was immediately shut down after an emergency order was issued on December 3, following a consumer complaint. The restaurant was allowed to reopen on December 4 but will need a follow-up inspection after a time extension was given.

The Department of Business and Professional Regulation cites violations of Florida’s sanitation and safety laws, which are based on the standards of U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Food Code. High Priority violations are those which could contribute directly to a food-borne illness or injury and include items such as cooking, reheating, cooling and hand-washing.

Many of the offenses were repeat violations.

The violations are were as follows:

Cleaned and sanitized equipment or utensils not properly stored. Glasses wet nested in the server station. Also, plates on the front counter not protected. Also, brown bowls and plates in the clean dish area not protected.
Dead roaches on-premises. Seven dead roaches on the sticky pad under counter in the dining area at pass thru window.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Over prep table on cookline.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. On cookline. Removed.
Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. On several pans in a clean dish area.
Open dumpster lid. On two dumpsters. Trash and cardboard dumpsters.
Storage of tools on a shelf above or with clean equipment and utensils, single-service items, and/or clean linens. Large screwdriver on prep table under slicer.
Displayed food not properly protected from contamination. Ice at the front counter is not protected while not in use.
Live, small flying insects in the kitchen, food preparation area, or food storage area. One live fly under dish pit. More than 15 live flies under hand sink at the front counter
35A-04-4 High Priority – Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Ten rodent droppings in debris on the floor behind toilets in the lady’s room. More than 15 rodent droppings in the frame of reach in make table on cookline also, nibbled a piece of bread. 12 rodent droppings in red roll cart in the back kitchen area. 10 rodent droppings on the floor near oil tank in the kitchen. One dropping in the chemical storage room. More than thirty rodent droppings under the bag in box soda rack. 8 droppings in a cabinet under the front counter.
Interior of reach-in cooler soiled with accumulation of food residue. Sidewalls of the chicken cooler on cookline. Also mold-like substance on the interior of the ice machine.
Paper towel dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense paper towels. Sink on the cookline.

Man wanted five people killed, fed to pigs

Ocala Post

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December 5, 2019

15

Man wanted five people killed, fed to pigs

murder, hitman, ocala news, ocala post, — Gary Bangstad

A 76-year-old Marion County man, identified as Gary Bangstad, who was incarcerated at the Marion County Jail, offered another inmate $4,000 and a car to have four people killed and their remains fed to pigs and alligators, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday.

The man wanted the inmate to draw a map of a mobile home so he could show where each person he wanted to have killed would be sleeping.

Bangstad stated that he had previously hired someone else, but that person had committed suicide before carrying out the job.

According to reports, an inmate told a corrections deputy that Bangstad approached him about the offer on October 20 and that, he had the request in writing. The “contract to kill” was signed by Banstad.

The letter outlined who Bangstad wanted to be killed, where the victims would be found, how he wanted them killed, and the price he was willing to pay.

Bangstad told the inmate he wanted “everyone whose name was on the note to be fed to the pigs or alligators” in order to “leave no evidence” behind.

Records show that Bangstad was charged Wednesday with five counts of Solicitation of Murder.

Suspects wanted after walking out of restaurants without paying

Uncategorized

Ocala Post

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December 5, 2019

11

ocala post, ocala news, daytona, thieves, — Photos of the VCSO

Three suspects – two women and a man – are being sought after they scammed three different east Volusia restaurants out of a night’s dinner.

All three incidents occurred at a Houligan’s restaurant in different cities in Volusia County; the most recent occurred on November 23, at 1725 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach.

The trio entered the restaurant at approximately 5:30 p.m. and ordered a meal that totaled $90.52.

After the suspects finished eating, two of them went outside to smoke and the third proceeded to the restroom before exiting the restaurant.

After staff searched the parking lot, they found that the three had walked out without paying for their meal.

Sheriff Mike Chitwood is seeking information to help identify these individuals who are suspected in all three incidents.

The suspects are shown in surveillance photos taken at the Ormond Beach Houligan’s, 1110 W. Granada Blvd. when that restaurant was victimized in October.

In September, the same type of incident occurred at the Port Orange Houligan’s, 1396 Dunlawton Ave.

So far, only the Daytona Beach restaurant has filed a police report with the Daytona Beach Police Department.

In each case, the suspects ordered the same food and drinks and walked out without paying.

The suspects might live in another county.

Anyone with information about these suspects or any of these incidents is urged to call the Sheriff’s Office non-emergency number at (386) 248-1777. Or to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida at 1-888-277-8477 (TIPS) or online via the P3Tips mobile app. You could receive a cash reward for your information.

Duck hunters should be aware of changes in the law

Ocala Post

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December 5, 2019

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T.M. Goodwin Waterfowl Management Area, southern Brevard County, Florida; March 14, 2017.
Photo by Tim Donovan

Duck hunters should be aware of the daily bag limit for mallards has been reduced to two birds, of which only one may be female.

“Since 1998, mallard populations in eastern North America have steadily declined by approximately 20%. Over the same period, mallard harvest in the U.S. portion of the Atlantic Flyway has decreased by about 40%,” said Andrew Fanning, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Waterfowl and Small Game Program coordinator.

“Current data suggest eastern mallards can no longer support a 60 day, four-bird daily bag limit. A recent survey indicates hunters value more hunting days over larger bag limits, so the Atlantic Flyway Council and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service chose to reduce the daily bag limit rather than the season length,” Fanning said.

Other hunters should be aware of a change in applying for opportunities at the FWC’s public dove hunting fields that are expected to maximize participation. The hunts are on the same special-opportunity dove fields, but the permit cost has been eliminated.

“Each dove field manager was provided the choice of how to arrange the permitting to maximize participation on their respective dove field,” Fanning said. “Some fields have dove quota permits for all three of the hunting phases, some only have permits for phase one, and Allapattah Flats removed all permitting requirements.”

License and permit requirements

The first thing you’ll need to participate in these hunting opportunities is a Florida hunting license. Residents pay just $17 for the year. Nonresidents have the choice of paying $46.50 for a 10-day license or $151.50 for 12 months. You also need a no-cost migratory bird permit. And if you plan to hunt one of Florida’s many wildlife management areas, you also must purchase a management area permit for $26.50.

Or, you may opt to get a Lifetime Sportsman’s License. This license allows you to hunt and fish in Florida for the rest of your life, even if you move away. It’s also a great holiday gift idea for family members who appreciate the outdoors.

All licenses and permits you need are available online at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com, at county tax collectors’ offices or license agents, or by calling 888-HUNT-FLORIDA (888-486-8356).

Waterfowl and coot season

The second phase of the waterfowl and coot season opens statewide Dec. 7 and runs through Jan. 26. In addition to the previously mentioned license and permit requirements, duck hunters must get a Florida waterfowl permit ($5) and a federal duck stamp ($28).

The daily bag limit for ducks is six, but you need to know your ducks before heading afield because there are different daily limits for some species. For instance, within the six-bird limit, there may be only one mottled duck, one pintail, and one fulvous whistling-duck.

Only two of your six-bird limit may be mallards (of which only one may be female), canvasbacks, black ducks, scaup or redheads; and three may be wood ducks. And you may have no more than four scoters, four eiders and four long-tailed ducks in your bag. All other species of ducks may be taken up to the six-bird limit, except harlequin ducks. It is prohibited to take harlequin ducks.

The daily limit on coots is 15, and there’s a five-bird limit on mergansers, only two of which may be hooded.

You also may take light geese statewide during the waterfowl and coot season (Dec. 7 – Jan. 26), which includes the taking of snow, blue and Ross’s geese. There’s a 15-bird daily bag limit on any combination of these geese.

When hunting ducks, geese or coots, hunters may use only nontoxic shots. No lead shot may be used or even be in your possession – only iron (steel), bismuth-tin and various tungsten alloys are permissible.

And in the Tallahassee area, waterfowl hunters need to be aware of special regulations – Wednesday/Saturday/Sunday-only hunting, outboard motor restrictions, and a prohibition against hunting from permanent duck blinds. Go to MyFWC.com/Hunting/Regulations/Birds and read the sections on “Limited hunting days” and “Special regulations for Leon County and Lake Miccosukee” for more details.

Waterfowl hunting guide

Check out the FWC’s Guide to Waterfowl Hunting in Florida at MyFWC.com/Duck. It’s a valuable tool for beginning waterfowl hunters, but experienced waterfowlers will appreciate it, too. It lists public duck hunting areas, illustrates several decoy placement setups, gives scouting and hunting tips, and provides outstanding duck identification photos of most duck species you’re likely to see in Florida.

Dove season

The third phase of the mourning and white-winged dove season runs Dec. 19 through Jan. 31. The daily bag limit is 15. Check out the FWC’s dove hunting webpage at MyFWC.com/Dove for information on all FWC-managed dove fields and also tips on hunting doves.

Migratory bird hunting regulations

Shooting hours for waterfowl/coot season and dove season are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

The only firearm you’re allowed to hunt migratory game birds with is a shotgun, although you’re not permitted to use one larger than 10-gauge. Shotguns also must be plugged to a three-shell capacity (magazine and chamber combined).

Retrievers and bird dogs may be used when hunting migratory game birds. Artificial decoys and manual or mouth-operated bird calls also are legal gear for duck hunters. Birds of prey may even be used to take migratory birds by properly-permitted falconers.

You may hunt doves over an agricultural field so long as the grain has been distributed or scattered solely as a result of normal agricultural operation. However, you’re not allowed to introduce grain or other feed over an area for the purpose of luring birds.

Baiting rules are even more restrictive for ducks, geese, and coots. You cannot legally hunt waterfowl over manipulated agricultural crops except after the field has been subject to a normal harvest and removal of grain. However, you may hunt waterfowl in fields or flooded fields of unharvested standing crops. On lakes and rivers, feed – such as corn or wheat – may not be used to attract birds, even if the bait is quite a distance from where you’re hunting. And it doesn’t matter if you aren’t the one who scattered the bait. If you knew or should have known bait was present, you’re breaking the law.

Some other things you may not do while hunting migratory game birds include using live decoys, recorded bird calls or sounds, and electrically amplified bird-call imitations. Shooting from a moving automobile or boat and herding or driving birds with vehicles or vessels also are against the law.

By Tony Young

Residents should maintain heightened awareness, rabies active in the area

Ocala Post

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December 4, 2019

3

Residents should maintain heightened awareness, rabies active in the area

The Florida Department of Health in Marion County and the Department of Health in Sumter County want Summerfield, Oxford, and northwest residents of The Villages to be aware that a raccoon in their area has tested positive for rabies.

People who live or work in the area (particularly those who live north of Sumter County Road 202, south of Southeast Highway 42 in Marion County, west of Southeast 76th Champion Ave. in The Villages, and east of Sumter County Road 200) should maintain a heightened awareness that rabies is active in the area.

Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions:

– Avoid all contact with wildlife, particularly raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats, and coyotes. Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home.

Never handle unfamiliar animals (wild or domestic), even if they appear friendly.
Do not feed or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans or trash.
Keep rabies vaccinations up-to-date for all pets.
Keep pets under direct supervision so they do not come into contact with wild animals.
Prevent bats from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, churches, schools, and other similar areas where they might encounter people and pets.

An animal with rabies could infect other animals that have not received a rabies vaccination. Domestic animals are at risk if they are not vaccinated, while rabies is always a danger in wild animal populations. This notice is designed to give public awareness but should not give residents a false sense of security if their area has not been named.

Rabies is a disease of the nervous system and is fatal to humans and warm-blooded animals. The only treatment for human exposure to rabies is rabies-specific immune globulin and rabies immunization. Appropriate treatment started soon after the exposure will protect an exposed person from the disease.

If you have been bitten or scratched by a wild or domestic animal, seek medical attention and report the injury to your county health department. If your pet is bitten by a wild animal, seek immediate veterinary assistance for the animal, and contact your county’s Animal Services department.

Rabies in humans — Rabies/Pearson Education

Children get shopping experience of a lifetime

Ocala Post

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December 3, 2019

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Twenty children from Wyomina Elementary School, who were selected to participate in the Cathy’s Kids program, spent a cheerful morning with Ocala Fire Rescue firefighters.

At 9:30 a.m., Monday, a school bus filled with children identified by school personnel as members of families who could use a blessing during the holiday time, arrived at Walmart Supercenter on 19th Avenue Road.

Firefighters anxiously awaited to meet the children whom they would treat to the shopping experience of a lifetime.

Once children and adults were paired off, the crowd made their way into the store where clothes, shoes, and toys for the children and their family members were purchased.

When the shopping spree was complete, the group made their way to Tuscawilla Park for a fun-filled day. The children were able to play on the playground, play games, and eat pizza.

For years, members of the International Association of Firefighters Local number 2135 have honored the tradition set forth by Cathy’s Kids Founder, Cathy Fender, of gifting a child a morning of shopping followed by a trip to the park with undivided attention.

Thanks to donations from firefighters and sponsors such as Papa Johns and Wayne’s World of Paintball, among others, the tradition has continued.

Ocala Police Department upset over false crime rate report, Marion County crime rate facts

Byron Durning

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November 19, 2019

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Ocala Police Department upset over false crime rate report, Marion County crime rate facts

The Ocala Police Department, with good reason, is concerned and displeased over a recent article that depicted Ocala as being worse than Detroit for violent crimes.

The Miami Herald, in a November 15 article, reported that Ocala “notched the highest volume of firearm-related incidents in the country, overall, at 28.9 incidents per 10,000 people, according to Gun Violence Archive data comparing a four year period of 2014 to 2018, and studied by researchers at Security.Org.”

The Herald wrote, “Detroit followed Ocala and St. Louis came in third among the 10 major cities with the most firearm-related incidents.”

“The Ocala numbers — 26 incidents in 2014 to 141 in 2018 — marks more than a 442% increase, the most in the country, according to the data. No other Florida city ranked among the Top 10 in that incidents category,” according to the Miami Herald.

While crime has in fact risen to an all-time high for Marion County as a whole, the information perpetuated by the Herald, as pointed out by OPD, is incorrect. The report released by Gun Violence Archive shows 151 of the addresses where the incidents occurred are not even in the city of Ocala, they are in the county.

OPD wrote, “Of the 491 incidents recorded for 2014-2018 in the Gun Violence Archive’s survey: 151 of the listed incidents occurred in the county; 259 in the City; and 81 addresses were unverifiable or “bad”. Of the 259 city addresses used in the survey, 27 of them did not include a date of occurrence.”

According to The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) data, the City of Ocala has seen a small percentage of an increase in violent offenses with a firearm. The report shows a 15.71% increase in violent offenses with a firearm from 2018.

This is a far cry from a 422 percent increase.

For Detroit, in 2017, there were 267 murders. The violent crime rate of 2,057 per 100,000 was the second-highest in the nation after St. Louis and roughly ten times the average rate of the suburban counties of metro Detroit which had violent crime rates below the national average of 394 per 100,000.

For Marion County, murder dropped by one — from 18 in 2016 to 17 for 2017.

Let’s take a closer look.

In 2013, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office reported to the media that Marion County’s crime rate had dropped 5.3 percent from the previous year. It was reported even lower in 2014. However, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, those claims were also false.

During a phone conversation, FDLE told Ocala Post that the crime rates and statistics are only as good as the agency reporting them. In other words, the reports provided by MCSO to the FDLE, at that time, had been manipulated and was missing important data used to properly calculate crime rates.

After discussing these crime rates with FDLE, it was determined that the crime reduction was only half true. Additionally, the reported 5.3 percent drop only pertained to the portion of Marion County patrolled by the Sheriff’s Department. According to FDLE, the statistics did not include the crimes that had taken place within the inner city. Moreover, the percentage did not include the vast majority of crimes that occurred in Marion County in 2014, such as drug offenses, prostitution, DUI arrests, etc.

In 2014, statistics showed that Marion County was listed as number 30 out of 67 counties for most dangerous. Ocala was number 17 in the state of Florida for most violent cities. Orlando comes in at number two and ironically, Miami Beach is number one. Again, a far cry from “the highest volume of firearm-related incidents in the country.”

The Annual UCR calculates crime rate – a calculation based on population; the total number of index crimes reported per 100,000 people, and crime volume – the total number of index crimes known to law enforcement.

In September 2014, OPD Police Chief Greg Graham, in a letter to the public, stated, “We are facing a crisis in the City of Ocala and Marion County that requires fervent prayer and your presence to show unity and help in this senseless crime spree that is affecting our communities.”

Following this, looking to be proactive, OPD announced that they were creating a task force that would target troubled areas of Ocala. The Department sent squads of officers out in the areas where violent crimes have been occurring in order to make contact with, and identify, persons of interest in the violent crimes currently under investigation, prevent more incidents from occurring, and to show a marked presence in the community.

OPD said, “The Major Crimes and Patrol Bureaus are actively working operations and task forces to bring this number back down and combat some of the trends in violence Ocala has been experiencing lately.”

Even though Marion County and Ocala have seen an increase in crime and Ocala has risen to the top 20 for most dangerous cities in Florida, it is nowhere near the level of violence that takes place in Detroit on a daily basis.

Furthermore, when calculating crime rates for the City of Ocala, a person cannot include addresses where crimes have occurred in the county because OPD does not patrol those areas.

Marion County as a whole currently has the highest incarceration rate in the state.

FDLE says that the overall crime rate in Florida has decreased by six percent.

Santa is coming to the Paddock Mall

Ocala Post

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November 11, 2019

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The Paddock Mall, located at 3100 Southwest College Road, Ocala, will usher in the holiday season with Santa’s grand arrival on November 22.

There will be a tree lighting, live music, hot cocoa bar, cookie station with Chick-fil-A, face painting, balloon artist, crafts, and much more.

A special VIP ticketed experience will be available from 5 to 7 p.m.

This experience is $25 for adults and $15 for kids and includes dinner by Chick-fil-A, kid’s cider bar, hot cocoa bar, as well as a champagne and bourbon bar. Guests with VIP tickets will also be the first to meet Santa beginning at 7 p.m. To purchase VIP tickets, visit www.paddockmallvip.eventbrite.com.

Santa will be available for photos throughout the season.

For more information, please call 352-237-1223.

Beluga whale plays fetch with boaters tossing rugby ball

Ocala Post

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November 11, 2019

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Beluga whale plays fetch with boaters tossing rugby ball

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Dispather was rude to victim before she died_OP

Chick-fil-A vs Popeyes

5 deputies beat unarmed compliant man -- Full Video[Full HD,1920x1080]

A beluga whale was recorded playing with a rugby ball being tossed by a group of people on a boat.

The footage was recorded by Alon Kowen, who captioned it: “Beluga Whale celebrating the Springboks victory somewhere close to the South Pole! Spot the Cape Town build Gemini Craft and the South African accents.”

In the video, the friendly beluga brings the 2019 Rugby World Cup ball to the South Africans on board the Gemini Craft, only to go and retrieve it for them when it’s thrown out again.

The beluga whale is an Arctic and sub-Arctic cetacean. It is one of two members of the family Monodontidae, along with the narwhal, and the only member of the genus Delphinapterus.

Ocala man remains behind bars, made Molotov cocktails, attempted to burn down DCF building

Ocala Post

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November 11, 2019

15

arson, dcf, molotov, ocala news, ocala post — Tommy Holt

An Ocala man is being held on a $125,000 bond after he was arrested for attempting to burn down the Florida Department of Children and Families Services building while it was occupied.

According to the Ocala Police department, Tommy Lee Holt, 26, devised eight bottles with wicks, described as Molotov cocktails, and intended to use them to firebomb the DCF building. The bottles were filled with diesel fuel.

Investigators said that Holt was carrying the Molotov cocktails in a beer box. Witnesses stated that Holt walked on to the property, dropped the box next to the building, and set it on fire. Additionally, investigators found a diesel filled container next to a picnic table at a business next door.

Holt was arrested and charged with Possessing-Manufacturing-Transporting a Bomb (x8), Possession /Placing a Destructive Device, and Attempted Arson of an Occupied Building.

Court records show that Holt had only been out of jail for three days before attempting to burn down the building.

The fire, which didn’t get very big, was contained to the outside and no one was injured.

Holt is a drug addict and has multiple cases with DCF. He has been labeled as an unfit father and has been accused of allowing his children to live in squalor. Sources say he may have also been partly responsible for the death of an infant but was never charged.

Holt’s next court date is slated for December 10.

17 people arrested during child pornography investigation

Ocala Post

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November 11, 2019

1

On Monday, November 4, 2019, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office concluded a month-long special operation to identify members of the community who possessed and shared child pornography.

The operation, code name, “Guardians of Innocence IV: Fall Haul,” was carried out by undercover detectives from PCSO’s Computer Crimes Unit, and resulted in the arrests of 17 people (16 of whom live in Polk county).

During the operation, one man was caught as he was attempting to meet a Frostproof child for sexual favors, two men were pursuing nude pictures from two different 13-year-old girls using Snapchat and Facebook, and another who admitted that if he didn’t look at child pornography, he would sexually batter children.

“The people arrested during this operation prey on the most innocent and vulnerable among us—our children. The undercover detectives who investigate these crimes have to see things that nobody should have to see, and no child should have to experience. Each one of these arrests has removed a predator from our streets and the internet,” said Sheriff Grady Judd.

The youngest person arrested was 19-years-old, while the oldest was 77-years-old.

At the time of arrest, detectives seized all known electronic communications devices belonging to the suspects, with forensic searches of those devices to follow. Those searches could turn up additional images and/or videos depicting child pornography, and the suspects would be additionally charged as needed. Attempts are also made to identify the children in various images and videos.

The 17 men arrested face a total of 626 charges (624 felonies, 2 misdemeanors). The combined prior criminal histories of all of the men include 114 felonies and 71 misdemeanors. One of the men is receiving government assistance.

Those arrested are as follows:

Bryan Murray, 54, from Frostproof. Murray used Facebook Messenger to pursue a young teenaged girl for sexual favors. He told the victim that he wanted to be her “sugar daddy,” and sent a nude picture of himself to her. He was arrested when he traveled to meet her at a park. Murray was charged with Attempted Lewd Battery (F2), Transmission of Material Harmful to a Minor (F3), Travel to Meet a Minor after Solicitation (F2), and 3 counts of Use of Computer to Lure a Minor (F3). Murray is employed as a truck driver.

William Hage, 76, of Lakeland. Hage has been retired for the past 14 years. Before that, he was an Assistant Principal at Seth McKeel Middle School. He had hundreds of videos and images of child pornography, with girls of various ages, one as young as 8-12 months old. When detectives executed the search warrant, Hage was involved in an online chat, telling an unknown person about wanting to see a 15-year-old wearing something sexy. Hage was charged with Promotion of Child Pornography (F2) and 252 counts of Enhanced Possession of Child Pornography (F2).

Dominic Bernardi, 19, from Orlando. Bernardi sent nude images of himself to a 13-year-old girl via Snapchat. He also requested and received nude images of the girl who said that she had felt pressured by Bernardi. He had made several statements that indicated that he knew the girl was a minor. Bernardi has been charged with Using a Computer to Solicit a Child (F3) and Transmitting Material Harmful to a Minor (F3). Bernardi told detectives that he is a student at the University of Central Florida.

Christopher Drennen, 20, from Bartow. Drennen had given his laptop to a friend and asked the friend to get rid of files on it, specifying the files on a note that said “naked pics of kids and other sh*t like that.”

The friend saw several images of nude children that she felt were inappropriate. A search of the laptop revealed three images of children exposed in a lewd manner and/or engaged in a sexual act. One image was a close-up of a nude 3-6-month-old girl. Drennen was interviewed in the Polk County Jail (on unrelated charges) when he stated that if he did view child pornography, he would never sexually batter a child in real life.

Drennen, who is unemployed, was charged with 3 counts of Possession of Child Pornography (F3).

Michael Arambulo, 34, of Haines City, told detectives that he was an ICU Registered Nurse at AdventHealth Heart of Florida Hospital for 5 years. Tips from NCMEC (National Center Missing and Exploited Children) led detectives to discover that Arambulo had been sending and receiving videos of pre-pubescent boys (some as young as 5 years old) in lewd poses and sexual situations with other children and adults. Arambulo was charged with Promotion of Child Pornography (F2) and 10 counts of Enhanced Possession of Child Pornography (F2)

Camillo Demaria II, 33, from Lake Wales was also arrested. Detectives learned from an NCMEC tip that Demaria had uploaded several images and videos of child pornography. He also has a conviction from a Winter Haven PD case in 2012, in which he sent a nude photo of himself to a child. Demaria was charged with 26 counts of Enhanced Possession of Child Pornography (F2). Demaria, who said he is unemployed, was in possession of methamphetamine at the time of his arrest and charged with that as well.

After following up on a tip, Felix Rocha, Jr. 27, of Haines City was arrested. Detectives searched Rocha’s cell phone and located a video Rocha had exchanged with another Facebook Messenger user which depicted two pre-pubescent boys involved in bestiality. Additional videos with child pornography were also found in his possession. Rocha was charged with 5 counts of Possession of Child Pornography (F2). Rocha works in construction.

An investigation into David Dailey, 42, of Auburndale, began following an NCMEC tip on his use of Facebook Messenger. During the investigation, detectives found 100 images of child pornography on a micro SD card and cell phone. Dailey was charged with Promotion of Child Pornography (F2) and 100 counts of Enhanced Possession of Child Pornography (F2). Dailey said he works as a laborer at WellDyneRx.

Donald Durr, Jr., 52, of Davenport: During an interview with detectives, Durr described himself as “a pervert, but not a monster.” An electronic tablet contained three images of child pornography, one of which depicted a girl between 5-7 years of age in a sexual act with an adult male, and a DVD created by Durr nine years ago which contained images of a 10 to 11-year-old girl exposing herself. Durr is charged with 8 counts of Possession of Child Pornography (F2) and 1 count of Promote Sexual Performance by Child (F2). Durr told detectives that he was a custodial worker for Walt Disney World Resorts.

Brett Kinney, 40, of Lake Alfred: During a proactive P2P or peer-to-peer (computer to computer) investigation regarding child pornography is available for sharing, Kinney told detectives that he had an addiction to child pornography, and has been viewing it for 22 years. Online, he would search for images of boys from toddlers to 10 years old. He has been charged with 1 count of Promotion of Child Pornography (F2) and 24 counts of Possession of Child Pornography-Enhanced (F2). Kinney said he was a Guest Experience Manager at Disney World.

Charles Mabry, Jr., 37 from Mulberry: Detectives discovered that Mabry was offering child pornography for trade on a P2P program (peer-to-peer). Detectives discovered various images and videos on his electronic devices. Mabry is charged with 1 count of Promotion of Child Pornography (F2) and 53 counts of Enhanced Possession of Child Pornography (F2). Mabry said he works in Quality Control for Florida Beef while finishing out a prison sentence under work release status.

Edgar Villegas, 28, of Davenport: An NCMEC tip reported two images depicting child pornography were uploaded at the same address. Villegas told detectives that he has an addiction to child pornography. He was on probation for Promote Sexual Performance by Child and Possession of Sexual Performance by Child since being released from prison in March of 2019. Villegas was charged with 2 counts of Possession of Child Pornography (F2) and Violation of Probation. Villegas said he works in lawn maintenance.

Mack Witherington, 77, of Auburndale. The investigation of Witherington began with an anonymous tip to CrimeStoppers. During the investigation, 15 images depicting child pornography were located on Witherington’s desktop computer, one of which was of a girl of about 2 years of age in a sexual act with an apparent adult male. Witherington has been charged with 15 counts of Enhanced Possession of Child Pornography (F2). Witherington is retired.

James Richardson III, 38, from Lake Wales: An NCMEC tip was received about an image depicting child pornography that was sent via Facebook Messenger. The investigation led detectives to Richardson, who by this time, was in the Polk County Jail on Violation of Probation and Possession of Methamphetamine charges. A search of Richardson’s cell phone, which was among his property at the jail, yielded two images depicting a girl between 6-8 years old involved in a sexual act with an adult male. Richardson has been charged with Possessing Depiction of Child Sexual Conduct (F3) and Promote Sexual Performance by Child (F2). Richardson is unemployed.

Mark Ott, 49, of Winter Haven: Detectives learned of child pornography being advertised for download and actively being shared at Ott’s residence. 27 child pornography files were located, depicting prepubescent girls (some as young as 3 months) engaged in sexual conduct, along with 47 images from downloads. Ott was charged with Promotion of Child Pornography (F2) 74 counts of Enhanced Possession of Child Pornography (F2). Ott said he worked as a mechanical engineer.

Rodney Montgomery, 51, from Polk City: NCMEC tips to detectives reported that more than 50 images of child pornography had been uploaded from a residence in Polk City. The investigation turned up multiple images of children between 5-10 years old in a lewd exhibition. Montgomery was arrested in a Pinellas County undercover operation in 2014 for traveling to meet two females (14 and 15 years old) and went to prison. He was released in January 2017. Montgomery is being charged now with 20 counts of Promote Sexual Performance by Child (F2) and 10 counts of Possession of Child Pornography w/ the Intent to Promote (F2). Montgomery was also charged with Sexual Offender Failure to Comply with Registration (F3). Montgomery said he worked in construction.

Jacob Jackson, 31, from Lakeland: Detectives followed up on an allegation that Jackson had made contact with a 13-year-old girl via Facebook Messenger, and asked her for nude photos after he had been notified of her age. He also attempted to video chat with the victim. When confronted by detectives, Jackson admitted that he tried to solicit pictures of the girl. Jackson was charged with Attempted Promotion of Child Pornography (F3) and Using Computer to Solicit a Child (F3). His brother, Jerrid Jackson who resides in the home, was also arrested for Failure to Register Residency as required as a registered sexual offender. Jackson is unemployed and was receiving SSI government assistance.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives charge 14 registered sexual offenders and predators during October initiative

During the month of October 2019, Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives in the Special Victims Response Team (SVRT) conducted an operation aimed at ensuring compliance with Florida’s registration laws for convicted sex offenders and sex predators (FSS 775.21 & 943.0435) within Polk County*. Detectives charged 14 suspects with failure to comply with sex offender registrations laws and/or violation of probation.

“Our detectives work hard year-round to keep track of convicted sex offenders and predators who reside here. We also monitor whether or not they remain compliant with the law. We know our citizens are concerned about predators and offenders being around children during events such as Halloween, so every year we conduct initiatives like this one. These 18 suspects learned the hard way that we take every one of the requirements seriously, and failure to comply will result in an arrest,” said Sheriff Grady Judd.

The 14 men arrested face a total of 49 charges (47 felonies, 2 misdemeanors). The combined prior criminal histories of all of the men include 219 felonies and 112 misdemeanors.

The following is a list of those arrested or charged and a summary of their offenses:

Titus Finley, 25, of 348 Honey Bee Lane, Polk City: Finley is a juvenile sexual offender based on a 2010 conviction for sexual Battery by a juvenile on a victim under 12 years of age. In May 2019, Finley was charged with one count of Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration Laws (F3) for having an unregistered vehicle. He had a warrant issued for Failure to Appear in that case. He is required to register his address quarterly and failed to do so in August. Detectives obtained a second warrant for that. Finley was arrested on October 3, 2019, after crashing on a stolen motorcycle. He was in possession of Meth and a concealed firearm at the time. He is still in jail with 12 charges, including grand theft of a motor vehicle, carrying a concealed firearm, display of a firearm during a felony, leaving the scene of a crash with property damage, DWLSR, and multiple failures to register charges.

James Earl Moorer, 52, of 515 Avenue J SE, Winter Haven: Moorer is a sex offender based on a 1994 conviction for lewd and lascivious battery on a child under 16 years of age. In January 2019 Moorer registered the above-listed address and was advised the location was not in compliance with statutes, as it is within 160 feet of Winter Haven High School. He changed the address to a motel. He also listed an employer, but while detectives conducted periodic checks, they learned he was no longer employed there and failed to register two other employers. He also had checked out of the motel and failed to list a registered vehicle. Moorer was arrested and charged with six additional counts Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration laws.

Darrell Williams, 34, of Haines City: Williams is a sex offender based on a 2006 conviction for lewd and lascivious battery on a child between 12-15 years of age. In 2018, Williams listed a home on Edna Holliday Drive as his permanent address. In September 2019, he re-registered the address. On October 2, 2019, the homeowner contacted PCSO to notify us that he no longer lived at that address. Williams was incarcerated in the Polk County Jail from August 27 – September 12, 2019, for resisting arrest, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and five counts failure to comply with sex offender laws, and has been out on bond since that time. Detectives obtained a warrant for his arrest for two counts Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration laws.

David Michael Bryan, 46, of 814 North Kentucky Avenue, Lakeland (the Talbott House): Bryan is a sexual offender out of Wisconsin based on a 1993 conviction for second-degree sexual assault of a child, and a 1998 conviction for third-degree sexual assault. Detectives determined that Bryan moved to Georgia from Wisconsin, and then to Florida, and failed to register his address. Detectives confirmed with Talbott House personnel that he’s been staying there. He was arrested and charged with two counts Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration laws.

Jerrid Michael Jackson, 30, of Lakeland: Jackson is a sex offender based on a 2012 conviction for lewd and lascivious battery on a victim between 12-15 years of age. In 2017 Jackson registered an address on Spencer Lane and was advised the location was not in compliance with statutes, as it is too close to daycares and a park. He registered other addresses throughout the years, all of which were in compliance. During an unrelated investigation, detectives saw Jerrid at the Spencer Lane address, and he told them that he lives there. They began an investigation and also found an online account in his name. He was arrested and charged with eight counts Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration laws.

Enrico Conde, 51, of Lakeland: Conde is a sex offender based on a 2013 conviction for lewd and lascivious molestation on a victim under 12 years of age. Conde registered the Talbott House as his permanent address. When detectives checked with Talbott House personnel, they confirmed Conde never spent one night there and in fact was barred from the location. He was arrested and charged with two counts Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration laws.

Francisco Laza, 56, of 131 Maple Drive, Kissimmee. Laza is a sex offender based on a 2004 conviction in Puerto Rico for lewd and indecent acts. Laza failed to register in July 2019 and had three vehicles that were not registered. He was arrested and charged with four counts Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration laws, and resisting arrest.

Everett Johnson, 46, a transient in Bartow: Johnson is a sex offender based on a 1999 conviction for lewd and lascivious battery on a child under 16 years of age. Transients are required to register every 30 days. Detectives determined Johnson was late registering on five different occasions between February and September 2019. He was arrested and charged with one count Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration laws.

Kelvin Joyce, 55, a transient in Lake Alfred: Joyce is a sex offender based on a 1993 conviction for sexual battery by an adult on a victim under 12 years of age. Transients are required to register every 30 days. Detectives determined Joyce was late registering on two different occasions in 2019. He was arrested and charged with two counts Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration laws.

Michael Mack, 35, of 2520 US Hwy 92 West #8, Winter Haven: Mack is a sex offender based on a 2009 conviction for lewd and lascivious battery on a victim between 12-15 years of age. During an unrelated investigation, detectives learned Mack forced his way into a woman’s house and committed battery. The woman was his ex-girlfriend, who also told detectives that he was staying at the Lak Mar Motel. The address he registered is not the motel address. Detectives obtained a warrant for burglary with battery, and four counts Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration laws. He was arrested and remains in the Polk County Jail.

Guy Odell, 42, of 5630 Kemen Drive, Lakeland: Odell is a sex offender based on a 1998 conviction for lewd and lascivious battery on a child under 16 years of age. He has a prior arrest and conviction for failure to comply with sex offender laws. Odell was arrested in September 2019 for failing to register in July. He was arrested in October for failing to report a Facebook account, failure to update his FL identification card, and failure to report two registered vehicles (four counts Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration laws).

Russell Cowles, 41, of 534 Lazy Lake Drive East, Lakeland: Cowles is a sex offender based on a 2012 conviction for traveling to meet a minor to commit a sex act, and use of a computer to solicit a child. Cowles was arrested in August 2019 for failing to report a registered vehicle. He was arrested in October for failing to register two other vehicles that he has access to at his resident (two counts Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration laws).

Shannon Holland, 40, of 4926 Tropical Moon Lane, Auburndale: Holland is a sex offender based on a 2001 conviction for lewd and lascivious battery on a minor between 12-15 years of age. He was recently released from prison and is on felony probation until 2027. Detectives found a Facebook page belonging to Holland and also failed to register a cell phone. He was arrested for two counts Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration laws and Violation of Probation.

Gary Shields, 43, of 526 Lazy Lake Drive East, Lakeland: Shields is a sex offender based on a 2006 conviction for providing obscene material to a minor and lewd and lascivious exhibition on a victim under 16 years of age. He is on probation until 2023. Detectives were contacted by Shields’ probation officer, who let them know that Shields was in violation of his probation for not participating in and completing a sex offender treatment program. He was arrested for six counts VOP, and transferred to Highlands County.

*Convicted sex offenders and sex predators are required by Florida law to register and maintain updated information regarding the following identifying information: name; social security number; age; race; sex; date of birth; height; weight; tattoos or other identifying marks; hair and eye color; photograph; address of legal residence (or temporary residence); electronic mail addresses; Internet identifiers and each Internet identifier’s corresponding website homepage or application software name; home telephone numbers and cellular telephone numbers; employment information; driver’s license or Florida ID information; the make, model, color, vehicle identification number (VIN), and license tag number of all vehicles owned.

President and Vice President of the Lakeland Highlands Babe Ruth Baseball League arrested

Ocala Post

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November 11, 2019

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polk county news, Lakeland Highlands Babe Ruth Baseball League, fraud, ocala post — Blevins (left) & Sprague (right)

The President and Vice President of the Lakeland Highlands Babe Ruth Baseball League arrested were arrested and both charged with Scheming to Defraud over $20,000 and Grand Theft over $20,000.

“This is one of the highest thefts from a sports league in Polk County that I can remember. This is truly shocking behavior. Stealing from kids and parents–just terrible. We are glad that other members of this board sought transparency and made our investigation possible.” said Sheriff Grady Judd.

On November 4 and 5, 2019, Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives arrested 41-year-old Larry Blevins of Lakeland and 39-year-old John Sprague of Lakeland for Scheme to Defraud over $20,000, Grand Theft over $20,000. Blevins was President and Sprague was Vice President of the Lakeland Highlands Babe Ruth Baseball League (LHBRB) also known as Lakeland Highlands Baseball and Softball.

Detectives received information about possible fraudulent activity by the two men and began investigating in September of 2018. New board members at that time reviewed previous financial statements and discovered discrepancies. Detectives learned through their investigation between the months of August 2017 and September 2018, Larry Blevins and John Sprague engaged in a systematic ongoing course of conduct with the intent to deprive the LHBRB of U.S. Currency.

Upon assuming the duties of President and Vice-President, Mr. Blevins and Mr. Sprague obtained debit cards for the LHBRB bank accounts with BB&T. Mr. Blevins and Mr. Sprague each obtained debit cards and then used the cards to make purchases for their own benefit. Prior to Mr. Blevins becoming the president, LHBRB did not have any debit cards for the BB&T account and did not conduct transactions with any debit cards.

Detectives received the bank statements and learned there were purchases made at area merchants to include Wal-Mart, 7-Eleven, Publix, Amazon, Rightway Foods, Burger King, Facebook, Sunoco, and ATM withdrawals. Detectives also learned through the bank statements that Mr. Blevins was paying for his personal bills with funds from the league’s BB&T account. Mr. Blevins paid his personal Sprint, Lakeland Electric, and Charter Communications bills with the card.

Between August 2017 and September 2018, Mr. Blevins conducted transactions totaling $30,477.53 causing the league to suffer a monetary loss of the same amount.

Between October 2017 and September 2018, Mr. Sprague conducted transactions totaling $26,052.59 causing the league to suffer a monetary loss of the same amount.

Detectives confirmed with other board members of the league that none of the charges were questionable charges were authorized.

Blevens and Sprague were arrested late in the evening on November 4 and early in the morning on November 5th.

Light Up Ocala 2019

Ocala Post

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November 11, 2019

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The 36th annual Light Up Ocala will take place on November 23, 2019, from 4 to 9 p.m.

Watch downtown Ocala, 100 SE 1st Ave., come alive with sparkling lights and illuminated icicles.

Get in the holiday spirit as you shop from local vendors, sing along to holiday songs, take pictures in front of the tree, and meet Santa.

Corrections officer arrested for child molestation

Ocala Post

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November 7, 2019

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Corrections officer arrested for child molestation

Ocala news, Ocala Post, corrupt cops, cops and crime, sex offender — Corrections officer Keith Turner

A Lowell corrections officer, who is one of four officers being investigated for beating and paralyzing an inmate, has been arrested for child molestation.

Keith Mitchell Turner, 34, was arrested Wednesday and charged with two counts of Lewd or Lascivious Molestation. Sexual Battery, and Lewd or Lascivious Exhibition.

The investigation started when a young girl told a family member about the abuse. The girl stated that the abuse began in 2012 when she was approximately 7 years old.

During the investigation, investigators learned that there may be a second victim. Those fears were later confirmed.

Now, investigators believe that Turner may have even more victims.

Florida Department of Corrections Secretary Mark S. Inch said in an email that, in light of Turner’s arrest on the child molestation charges, Turner would be terminated immediately.

Records show that even though Turner was directly involved in the beating that left an inmate paralyzed, he was still employed with the FDOC.

Typically, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office conceals the identity of any law enforcement officer who has committed a crime. In this case, however, attorneys said the booking photo was released because Turner may have had other victims.

If you believe your child or know of a child that may have been victimized by Turner, call Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP. Tipsters can also visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com. Anonymity is guaranteed.

Double homicide suspect arrested following confession

Ocala Post

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November 7, 2019

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Double homicide suspect arrested following confession

ocala post, ocana news, jason cole, double homicde — Jason Cole

A man who killed two men last week has been arrested after he turned himself in to police.

Investigators had been looking into the double homicide after two men, Michael White, 22, and Lezhan Studivant, 23 were shot inside a vehicle on Halloween.

According to reports, Jason Cole, 25, called the Ocala Police Department on Tuesday and confessed to killing the two men.

Following the shooting, a passenger drove the victims to AdventHealth Ocala.

Cole fled from the vehicle after the driver, who had been shot, stopped the vehicle.

On Tuesday, Cole told police that he struck Studivant with the gun and then shot him numerous times. Cole then turned the gun on White.

Investigators say the dashboard of the vehicle was riddled with bullet holes.

Both victims later died from their injuries.

The shooting occurred in the 3000 block of Southeast 52nd Street.

Cole, who alleges that the killings were in self-defense, has been charged with two counts of Second-degree Murder and is being held at the Marion County Jail.

Toddler who was run over in driveway, identified

Ocala Post

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November 6, 2019

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The Ocala Police Department has identified the little girl as 18-month-old Paris Narre Lecorn.

Police say the grandmother, identified as Joleen Melanie Ellis, 45, had gone out to move a Chevy Uplander out of the driveway to unblock another vehicle.

When Ellis pulled the SUV forward, she ran over the 18-month-old.

The toddler, who had injuries to her head, was transported to Ocala Regional Medical Center where she died.

According to investigators, there were others outside when the incident occurred, but no one saw exactly what happened.

According to OPD, they are still investigating the incident to find out exactly how the toddler came to be in the driveway.

Investigators said they are waiting for blood test results to see if alcohol was a factor in the incident.

The investigation is currently being treated as an accident.

DEA issues warning over counterfeit prescription pills from Mexico

Ocala Post

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November 4, 2019

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DEA issues warning over counterfeit prescription pills from Mexico

drugs, mexico, fentanyl, ocala news — Photos courtesy of the DEA

The Drug Enforcement Administration is alerting the public of dangerous counterfeit pills killing Americans. Mexican drug cartels are manufacturing mass quantities of counterfeit prescription pills containing fentanyl, a dangerous synthetic opioid that is lethal in minute doses, for distribution throughout North America.

Based on a sampling of tablets seized nationwide between January and March 2019, DEA found that 27 percent contained potentially lethal doses of fentanyl.

Article continued below

“Capitalizing on the opioid epidemic and prescription drug abuse in the United States, drug trafficking organizations are now sending counterfeit pills made with fentanyl in bulk to the United States for distribution,” said DEA Acting Administrator Uttam Dhillon. “Counterfeit pills that contain fentanyl and fentanyl-laced heroin are responsible for thousands of opioid-related deaths in the United States each year.”

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Fentanyl and other highly potent synthetic opioids remain the primary driver behind the ongoing opioid crisis, with fentanyl involved in more deaths than any other illicit drug.

A lethal dose of fentanyl is estimated to be about two milligrams but can vary based on an individual’s body size, tolerance, amount of the previous usage and other factors.

Ocala PostOcala Newspaper - News without hiding the truth

Ocala PostOcala Newspaper - News without hiding the truth

Ocala PostOcala Newspaper - News without hiding the truth

Ocala PostOcala Newspaper - News without hiding the truth