Ocala, Florida — This year will be the 47th annual God and Country Day festival, Marion County’s largest firework show.
Activities begin at noon and will continue until the fireworks are over.
Take your family and enjoy old fashioned sack races, balloon toss, ceremony of the flags, train rides, inflatable water slide, bounce houses, kid games, and more.
The entertainment includes XRT Dance Crew, Jay Bailey Backwoods Country-boy and more to come.
Visit the arts and crafts expo and grab a bite to eat from the food vendors.
At dark, the half hour long spectacular firework display will light up the sky.
The festival will be held on July 4, at the Golden Ocala Property, located at 7340 US-27, Ocala, 34482.
The parking entrances are off of 225A, South of Hwy 27, and there is a parking fee of $5 at the entrance.
Florida — Today, the seven-member Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) voted to postpone bear hunting in Florida in 2016. Although the framework for bear hunting in Florida remains in place, there will be a zero hunt objective set for 2016, and the Commission could consider future bear hunting in 2017.
Nick Wiley, FWC executive director said, “Although hunting has been demonstrated to be a valuable tool to control bear populations across the country, it is just one part of FWC’s comprehensive bear management program. I am proud of our staff who used the latest, cutting-edge, peer-reviewed science to develop a recommendation for our Commissioners to consider. Our agency will continue to work with Floridians, the scientific community and local governments as our focus remains balancing the needs of Florida’s growing bear population with what’s best for families in our state. I would like to thank all seven of our Commissioners for their leadership on this important issue.”
Not holding a 2016 bear hunt will give FWC more time to work with stakeholders, local communities and the public to better develop the important role hunting plays in Florida’s comprehensive bear management program. FWC would also continue to work with local communities and the public to advance innovative ways to reduce human-bear conflicts with the understanding that a bear hunt in 2017 could be considered as an important conservation activity to control Florida’s growing bear population. This would allow time for staff and Commissioners to address conflict bear population data to ensure any future hunts are focused where needed.
This year, FWC will implement, monitor and measure the $825,000 investment for local communities to reduce human-bear conflict. Florida is a national leader for investing on the reduction of human-bear conflicts in communities, and FWC will continue to work with local governments to keep families safe. More details on that funding will be announced in the near future.
FWC said that their comprehensive Black Bear Management Program has achieved many accomplishments, such as:
FWC hired additional staff, and now employs 30 staff and contractors across Florida who focus on bear management. The additional staff have helped launch the integrated Wildlife Incident Management System to track all bear data along with other species.
FWC has responded to more than 21,000 calls regarding bears, performed more than 700 site visits regarding bear conflicts, and provided outreach and educational information to nearly 50,000 people.
FWC established Bear Stakeholders Groups in each bear management unit and a Statewide Technical Assistance Group. These groups have allowed hundreds of Floridians to provide feedback and assistance on managing Florida’s growing bear population.
FWC trained over 1,600 local responders from 68 agencies and partner organizations on how to best handle bear conflicts.
FWC developed an MOU with WastePro in the Panhandle to quickly provide affordable bear-resistant trash cans to area residents.
FWC has worked with the Legislature to enhance penalties for illegally feeding bears.
FWC has taken steps to protect more than 185,000 acres of bear habitat statewide.
FWC bear biologists completed the most comprehensive, scientifically rigorous assessment of bear population size and range ever done in Florida.
FWC will continue to advocate for local governments to adopt Bear Wise ordinances.
Ocala, Florida — For the third time since June 13, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a home invasion shooting.
According to reports, the incident occurred on Northeast 44th Place, in MCSO’s North Central district, Ocala, on Tuesday, at approximately 2 a.m.
There were several people home at the time of the home invasion.
Investigators said that an unknown suspect kicked in the front door to the residence and shot one of the occupants.
The victim, a 36-year-old male, was transported to an undisclosed hospital, where he underwent surgery and is recovering from his injuries.
This is an ongoing investigation.
Anyone with information can call the Marion County Sheriff’s Office at 352-732-9111, Crime Stoppers at 352-368-STOP, text a tip to 274637 using keyword 368-STOP, or visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com. Anonymity is guaranteed.
Adults living in Marion County who are overweight and diagnosed with prediabetes can take advantage of a program proven to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. National Diabetes Prevention Program classes are offered by Marion County UF/IFAS Extension Service in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and are scheduled to start at 9 a.m. on Aug. 4 at Marion County UF/IFAS Extension Service, 2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala.
The National Diabetes Prevention Program is a community-based program consisting of 16 weekly classes followed by an additional six monthly meetings for continued success and accountability. Trained professionals will educate and encourage pre-screened participants on losing weight and staying physically active to help prevent diabetes. This program has enabled participants to lower their risk of diabetes by more than 50 percent and lose 5-7 percent of their total body weight.
The program helps residents understand how diabetes affects their health. They will learn about nutrition and meal planning, staying physical activity, how to shop and cook healthy, coping with stress, developing a support network, and more. If you have prediabetes, now is the time to take charge of your health and make a lifestyle change.
The deadline for registration is July 28 and class space is limited. For eligibility requirements and to register, contact Extension Agent Nancy Gal at 352-671-8400 or nancy.gal@marioncountyfl.org. For a flier and class schedule, visit www.marioncountyfl.org/extensionservice.
A burglar was taken to a local hospital after he was shot by an occupant of the home he had entered.
On Sunday, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office responded to Ocala Park Estates, in reference to a burglary in progress with shots fired.
According to a press release, the suspect, Victor Alex Etherington, 27, knocked on the victim’s kitchen window, where she was standing, and demanded that she let him in.
The 54-year-old victim told deputies that, because she did not recognize the man, she told him to leave.
That is when Etherington kicked the front door open and gained entry to the residence.
According to reports, the victim retreated to her upstairs bedroom, locked the bedroom door, called 911, and armed herself with a .22 caliber handgun. She then hid in her bedroom closet.
Etherington followed the victim upstairs and made entry to the bedroom. Once inside, he removed his shorts, which he had defecated in, and made entry into the closet.
Deputies stated that the victim fired one shot and struck the suspect in his abdomen.
According to a press release, deputies arrived and short time later and forced entry to the home.
They found the naked and bleeding suspect hiding behind the bedroom door.
Etherington was transported to Ocala Regional Medical Center, where he underwent surgery. He is currently in the Intensive Care Unit listed in stable condition.
According to detectives, they believe that the suspect lived at the location for approximately 12 years before he moved.
Detectives said he may have been disoriented due to being intoxicated.
Marion County — An Umatilla teen died Saturday when she failed to negotiate a curve and lost control of her vehicle.
The crash happened at approximately 8:50 p.m.
Yesenia Ventura, 17, who was driving a 2000 Saturn, was headed eastbound on County Road 42, Marion County, when she failed to negotiate a curve in the road.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Ventura veered from the roadway and onto the eastbound shoulder of Southeast 294 Court Road. She then attempted to re-enter the roadway, but overcorrected her steering.
Ventura’s vehicle rotated across both lanes of CR-42, flipping multiple times. The vehicle collided with approximately 57 feet of wire fencing.
Ventura was partially ejected through the passenger side window.
Troopers said that the vehicle came to rest on its right side and that, Ventura was lying face upward on her back. Her upper body was pinned underneath the car, while the bottom portion of her body remained inside the vehicle.
According to FHP, Ventura was not wearing her seatbelt.
Florida — Is Florida under attack? Many Floridians say yes, as many organizations refer to Florida as the wild west. This includes many LGBTQ organizations.
The Human Rights Campaign, the largest LGBTQ rights organization in the country, on Friday, stated that the organization is supporting stricter gun laws and want all “assault” rifles ban. Namely, the AR-15, which is nothing more than “dressed up” hunting rifle.
The National Action Network Central Florida Chapter is taking aim at Floridian’s right to keep and bear arms.
NAN is just one of many organizations that have used the June 12, terrorist attack on Pulse nightclub to push their anti-gun and gun control agendas.
In a June 12th email, Lawanna Gelzer, President of the National Action Network Central Florida Chapter, said, “Greetings, I was awakened to hear about another shooting in Orlando, FL this morning. First, to all the families and victims I offer my prayers and sincere condolences for your loss. I have just learned that this shooting is the worst mass shooting in history of United States of America; this sadly hurt me to my core. I am sad to report that 49 people are confirmed dead and 53 injured from the mass shooting at the popular nightclub Pulse. Gun Violence is spiraling out of control and it’s time for all of us to make difference.”
Gelzer went on to say, “Take action is [sic] now. Guns kill people. This is a Public Safety Issue. Floridians, we must lead to way now to get Gun Legislation to protect our Families and Friends.”
Gelzer has organized an anti-gun event, which is scheduled for June 18, 2016. The event will take place at the Village Square community room on the second floor, located at 927 South Goldwyn Avenue, Orlando. The meeting is slated for 1:00 p.m.
NAN claims that extended background checks, possibly beyond the FBI, and more intense training for permit holders, would prevent gun violence.
However, according to the FBI, the Department of Justice, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, gun offenses are statistically not committed by permit holders. In fact, those who possess a concealed carry permit are typically law abiding citizens.
So here is the question everyone is asking: Would more gun control really keep guns out of the hands of a criminal?
Statistically, the answer proves to be no. After all, laws only work for those who follow them. Furthermore, gun-free zones are the hardest hit areas, as far as gun violence is concerned. Officials say criminals prey on gun-free zones and that, the chances of a criminal attacking an area where there would be armed citizens, or where the criminal knows the business owner has a gun, is highly unlikely. A reasonable person could conclude [that] is why pawn shops and gun shops never get robbed during business hours.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, said, “‘Gun control’ doesn’t keep guns away from criminals, just like making drugs illegal doesn’t keep drugs away from them.”
Many states feel that “Open Carry” is the best policy.
The Department Of Justice conducted a massive survey among convicted felons. The survey asked: What deterred criminals more, armed victims or the police? The results were stunning. More than 57 percent of felons polled that criminals are more worried about confronting an armed victim than they are about the police.
Researcher Gary Kleck proved that 92 percent of criminal attacks are deterred when a gun is presented by the victim or in plain sight to criminals, without a shot ever having to be fired. Open carry has been proven time and time again to deter crime. States that have open carry such as Alaska, have an extremely low crime rate.
The gun debate is not anything new. It has been in the spotlight since the early 80’s. In 1982, Atlanta suburb Kennesaw passed an ordinance that required all households to have a gun. The residential burglary rate subsequently dropped 89 percent in Kennesaw, compared to the modest 10.4 percent drop in Georgia as a whole.
Thirty years later, the residential burglary rate in Kennesaw is still 72 percent lower than before the ordinance was passed. Proving that when thugs know a citizen is armed, they will not proceed. It mirrors that old joke, “criminals will never rob a doughnut shop because that’s where all the cops are.”
It should also be noted that, states such as Arkansas and Utah, allow their teachers to carry handguns. In those states, there have been zero incidents in the schools since a state law was passed, which allows teachers to carry.
Ocala Post reached out to the NRA, however they were not available for comment.
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Do you more gun control will prevent criminals from obtaining guns and committing crimes? Leave your comments below or visit this topic on Facebook.
Jaquaries Q. Jones [left], and Delta Modican Jr.Ocala, Florida — Delta Modican Jr., 17, a teen wanted for his involvement in a Silver Springs Boulevard shooting, has been arrested.
On Thursday, Ocala Post published a wanted bulletin for two teens who shot Kiyoshi Blair, 19, on June 9, 2016. Not being politically correct, Ocala Post published their full names and photos.
Thanks to the readers, shortly after the story was published, Modican’s mother turned her son over to OPD.
In an e-mail to Ocala Post, OPD Public Information Officer, Sergeant Cynthia Barnes, wrote, “Thank you for all of the assistance you (meaning Ocala Post) give.”
Ocala Post gives thanks to its readers and those who cared enough about the community to share the story.
On Friday, Modican made his first court appearance.
According to OPD, the teen’s mother requested that Blair be released on house arrest, but the judge denied her request.
So far, Modican has been charged with Accessory After the Fact.
On June 9, Ocala Police Department police officers responded to the 2700 block of East Silver Springs Boulevard, in reference to a shooting.
Upon arrival, police found Blair lying on the ground at Northeast Third Street and East Silver Springs Boulevard. He had been shot multiple times.
Blair was transported to a local hospital, where he underwent surgery. He is currently recovering from his injuries.
During the investigation, detectives determined that Blair had been shot by Jaquaries Q. Jones, 16.
A second suspect, Modican, was wanted for Accessory After the Fact.
According to Sergeant Barnes, warrants were issued for both teens.
Jones is wanted for attempted Second Degree Murder.
Anyone with information on the location of Jaquaries Jones, is asked to contact Detective M. Buetti at 352-502-5116, the Ocala Police Department at 352-369-7000, Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP, or text 274637 using keyword 368-STOP. Tipsters can also visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com. Anonymity is guaranteed.
Jaquaries Q. Jones [left], and Delta Modican Jr.Ocala, Florida — On June 9, 2016, Ocala Police Department police officers responded to the 2700 block of East Silver Springs Boulevard, in reference to a shooting.
Upon arrival, police found Kiyoshi Blair, 19, lying on the ground at Northeast Third Street and East Silver Springs Boulevard.
Detectives stated that Blair had been shot multiple times.
Blair was transported to a local hospital, where he underwent surgery.
During the investigation, detectives determined that Blair had been shot by Jaquaries Q. Jones, 16.
A second suspect, Delta Modican Jr., 17, is wanted for Accessory After the Fact.
According to OPD Public Information Officer, Sergeant Cynthia Barnes, warrants have been issued for the arrest of both teens.
Jones is wanted for attempted 2nd Degree Murder.
Anyone with information on the location of Jaquaries Jones and Delta Modican Jr. is asked to contact Detective M. Buetti at 352-502-5116, the Ocala Police Department at 352-369-7000, Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP, or text 274637 using keyword 368-STOP. Tipsters can also visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com. Anonymity is guaranteed.
Following the terrorist attack at the Orlando, Florida, nightclub, Pulse, the Orlando Police Department said they had a difficult time tracking down next of kin for the deceased.
Investigators said [that] is because many of the cell phones, which belonged to the deceased victims, were locked.
The following is a tip which could help authorities notify your next of kin or spouse in any type of emergency.
For example, if someone was seriously injured in a car accident, and the person’s phone was locked, this would allow authorities to see the emergency contact information without needing a pass code. Authorities would not have access to any other part of the phone. The emergency contact information would display on the front of the locked screen only.
For iPhones
Navigate to the Health App (white app with Heart), then navigate to the tab for Medical ID. This is where you would enter your information and enable it to show on the emergency screen. Then, navigate to your pass code screen, hit emergency, and you will be directed to the white screen. At the bottom left it will have your Med ID and all of your information.
For Android
Navigate to the settings tab. Once inside this menu, navigate to the “Lock Screen” tab. Once you have selected this tab, locate and click on the entry that reads “Owner Information.” Here you can enter your name and emergency contact information. Make sure the box next to “Show owner info on lock screen” is ticked (checked) and tap ‘OK.” Navigate to your home screen and lock the phone. When you turn the screen back on and it shows the emergency screen, your emergency contact information should scroll across the screen without needing to enter a pass code. (Note: If you have unread messages that are usually previewed on the front of the locked screen, they will need to be cleared first.)
Authorities say that every person in a family should have the feature enabled on their smartphones.
If you are not tech savvy and are unable to follow the aforementioned instructions, please contact your cell service provider.
Ocala, Florida — A 22-year-old man remains behind bars after he attempted to run over a man with his jeep, but struck his wife instead.
According to documents received by Ocala Post, Tyler James Ewing, was charged with Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, and Driving with a Suspended Driver’s License.
Investigators said that after having an argument on the phone, Ewing drove to the victim’s apartment, located inside of Jordan Court Apartments, and drove toward the victim.
The victim was standing outside.
Ewing drove his jeep directly into the path of the victim, but the man jumped onto the hood of the jeep.
Police said that while Ewing was still driving, the victim reached through the window and began punching Ewing in the face in an attempt to get him to stop.
However, Ewing kept driving and hit the apartment building.
According to reports, Ewing then “threw” his jeep into reverse, at which time the victim fell off the hood.
Ewing then fled the area.
As the victim walked toward his apartment, he saw his wife, who had been sitting outside in a wooden chair, on the ground. The wooden chair was in several pieces.
According to the police report, the wife, at one point, “passed out.”
Police reported that, while Ewing had the intentions of running over the man, Ewing struck the man’s wife instead. Police said Ewing had run over her foot.
While police were at the scene, Ewing returned to the area and surrendered.
Witnesses confirmed he victim’s story.
Ewing is being held on a $12,500 bond. His next court date is scheduled for July 12, 2016.
Courtney London [Deceased]Ocala, Florida — Investigators with the Ocala Police Department are investigating a shooting.
According to a press release, on Sunday, at approximately 11:49 p.m., officers responded to the 1948 Northwest Sixth Street, to reports of shots having been fired.
When police arrived, they found that the front door to the residence had been kicked in and Courtney London, 28, had been shot.
London was transported to Ocala Regional Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries.
Investigators said that this case is being investigated as a home invasion robbery.
London’s four small children were home when their father was shot.
London was well-liked within the community. Many remember him from his days working at the YMCA.
Anyone with information in regards to this crime is asked to contact the Ocala Police Department at 352-369-7029, the Ocala Police Department at 352-369-7000, Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP, text 274637 using keyword 368-STOP, or visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com. Anonymity is guaranteed.
Ocala, Florida — An off-duty Marion County sheriff’s deputy was sleeping when someone asking for help came to his door.
Ivan T. Sanchez-Alvarado, 26, and his girlfriend, had been at a bar drinking when Alvarado refused to leave the bar.
At one point, the girlfriend, who is also the victim, attempted to talk to Alvarado. However, he became angry, pushed her, and punched her on the left side of her face.
Several people witnessed the incident and then punched Alvarado in the face.
The victim then left the area and returned to her apartment.
Hours later, Alvarado showed up to the apartment. A juvenile, not knowing what had happened, answered the door and let Alvarado in.
According to reports, Alvarado immediately went upstairs, and while the victim was sleeping, jumped on top of her.
She began screaming “get out of my house and leave me alone.”
Alvarado then put both of his hands around the victim’s throat and began choking her.
The victim’s juvenile brother awoke after he heard the commotion.
Deputies reported that the brother then retrieved a knife from the kitchen, ran upstairs, and stabbed Alvarado. That is when the juvenile ran to the deputy’s house and knocked on the door.
Alvarado told deputies that he was only defending himself from the victim and refused to cooperate.
Alvarado was charged with Domestic Battery, Domestic Battery by Strangulation, and Violation of Probation for Fleeing and Eluding Law Enforcement.
According to state records, Alvarado has been in and out of jail sense he was a juvenile and had served time at the Florida Department of Correction.
At the age of 18, Alvarado was charged with, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Law Enforcement Officer (x3), Flee and Elude, and DUI.
He has also been arrested for Domestic Stalking.
Alvarado was transported to a local hospital and treated for his injuries.
Alvarado is currently being held at the Marion County Jail in lieu of a $6,000 bond due to the fact that he violated the terms of his probation.
Ocala, Florida — Tropical Storm Colin could bring winds between 20-57 miles per hour. To be safe, efforts should made to secure lawn furniture, trash cans, or loose debris.
According to the U.S. National Weather Service, the biggest threat to Marion County will be heavy rain.
Peak rainfall has been projected to be approximately five inches for the Marion County area.
Rivers and tributaries may quickly rise with swifter currents. Small streams, creeks, canals, arroyos, and ditches may become swollen and overflow in certain areas.
Do not attempt to drive any vehicle through standing water.
Flood waters could also enter structures.
In preparation for rising water, the City of Ocala Municipal Government will be offering free sandbags to city residents, today, from 8:00 a.m – 6:00 p.m. at the following locations:
Tuscawilla Park (at the corner of 8th Ave. and 14th St.)
Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Complex (between SR 40 and MLK Jr, Ave., near College of Central Florida’s Hampton Center)
The limit is five per resident.
U.S. National Weather Service has warned that this storm has the capability to produce tornadoes, however as of 12:55 p.m., the flood risk remained the greatest concern.
Due to how quickly weather conditions could deteriorate, residents should frequently check back for updates, or visit our partners at AccuWeather.com/Ocala.
Ocala, Florida — On Friday, May 20, 2016, the State Attorney’s Office for the Fifth Judicial District indicted Sheriff Chris Blair for two counts of Perjury in an official proceeding and one count of Official Misconduct.
On June 2, 2016, the grand jury produced a 13-page presentment on the leadership of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, now suspended Sheriff Chris Blair, and his administration.
Many have stated that the indictment was nothing more than a political agenda in order to prevent Blair from being re-elected as sheriff.
Political agenda
“The [grand jury] is aware that an election for sheriff will be held this year and there are numerous candidates running for sheriff. We have conducted our investigation without regard to the political situation. We are aware that some who appeared before us may have done so for reason of their own. That possibility was weighed in our evaluation of their testimony. None of the challengers running for sheriff have appeared before us, nor have we heard from anyone speaking on their behalf.
We are also aware that, after the most recent sheriff’s election, another grand jury met to consider election law violation accusations involving Sheriff Blair. After the release of their report, which was critical of the sheriff, it was reported that [Blair] commented that the report did not reflect the grand jury’s feelings but were the opinions of “one attorney” who authored the report. While the State Attorney has provided us with legal advice as required by law, and has drafted documents on our behalf, also as required by law, the decisions and opinions expressed [in the presentment] are those of this body, reached in a secret deliberation, conducted outside the presence of the State Attorney and his staff.”
The grand jury met eight times over the last three months and heard from 35 witnesses, which included the sheriff, members of his command staff, current and former deputy sheriff’s ,civilians, and other law enforcement officers and executives.
Previous warnings
In December of 2015, Ocala Post received information from a source who stated that Sheriff Blair had long encouraged a culture of violence within the agency. The source stated that anyone who opposed him would be forced to quit, be fired, or reassigned to the jail.
The article sparked major controversy, however in light of the grand jury’s findings, the source appears to have been very accurate with the information that was provided to Ocala Post.
Performance measures
“Although statistics had long been a part of the evaluation of deputies by MCSO, upon taking office in 2013 [Blair] announced that he was ‘a numbers guy’ and that it was ‘all about the numbers.’ It soon became apparent to those in the patrol division that they performance was measured almost exclusively by the number of traffic stops and the number of arrests they made. It was called ‘activity’ but those two things were the main activities that mattered.
The sheriff personally met with supervisors to review the ‘activity’ of individual deputies. Those he determined to be too low were to be informed that, if they did not make more traffic stops and arrests, they would be removed from their chosen career path and transferred to the jail as punishment, even though most of them did not hold the proper certification to work as correction officers.[In addition, this tended to demean those who had chosen a career in corrections by treating an assignment to the jail as a punishment.] Other deputies who failed to keep high ‘activity’ were not given the work assignments to which their seniority would have otherwise entitled them. Instead, they were given areas and shifts that could be excepted to create problems for the deputy causing experienced and conscientious deputies to resign.”
According to the presentment, any employee who disagreed with the sheriff would be moved to the jail. In fact, Blair created many positions just to be able to have a place he could send any employee who disagreed with his unethical tactics, which included falsifying police reports.
During this time, Blair claimed that MCSO was short on experienced deputies, however an investigation revealed that he himself removed the experienced deputies who would go “against” Blair to do the right thing and uphold the law. Consequently, Blair’s actions and ego put Marion County citizens at great risk.
Along with manipulation of deputy performance statistics, Blair also manipulated crime statistics to make it appear as though crime in Marion County had dropped as a result of his election. This became apparent when Ocala Post contacted the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to verify the decrease in crime rate that Blair had released to the public.
In 2014 Ocala Post found 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.
However, Blair stated that crime in Marion County had dropped by 5.3 percent.
After discussing these crime rates with FDLE, it was determined that the crime reduction was only half true due to the fact that the 5.3 percent 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 offences, prostitution, DUI arrests, etc. Furthermore, Ocala Post was told by FDLE that the crime rate statistics are only as good as the information reported to them by the local law enforcement agency, which in the case of MCSO, were manipulated.
The false crime statistics are dangerous because it gave Marion County residents a false sense of security.
“[The grand jury] understands there is a need to keep statistics and there is a proper role for them in evaluating the performance of law enforcement officers. However, for those in the patrol division at the MCSO, statistics, and only two of them, seems to have eclipsed all other factors in their evaluation as a deputy.”
Even more disturbing, is how Blair and his administration manipulated the rate of crime clearance.
“For detectives, as opposed to patrol deputies, the most important ‘activity’ was their rate of crime clearance. Because of the high crime rate that was expected, there was often manipulation of statistics to achieve these numbers. For example, if there was a rash of burglaries in a given area, they might be ‘exceptionally cleared’ by attributing them to an individual arrested for burglaries in another area although there was no evidence connecting that individual to the first group of burglaries. Although this practice was said to be common [under the previous sheriff], Blair continued it.”
In other words, if detectives arrested an individual for burglaries that had occurred in Marion Oaks, they would also “pin” burglaries that had occurred in Silver Springs Shores on that same individual, even though there was no proof.
Vehicle Pursuits
Even though Blair denied it, he has been heard many times telling his deputies to “kick ass and take names.” Blair lives by the term, “we always get our man,” no matter the consequences or danger to other citizens.
“MCSO has a written policy about vehicle pursuits. The policy provides that any supervisor can cancel a pursuit if it appears appropriate to do so. In march of 2014, a deputy began pursuing a vehicle. The shift commander, a captain with many years experience, determined that the pursuit should be cancelled, in part because the deputy knew the identity of the driver so that a warrant for his arrest could be obtained and he could be arrested with the risk of a pursuit.
The sheriff personally addressed many of the patrol deputies and told them that the captain had made a mistake by cancelling the pursuit. [Blair] further instructed the deputies that if a vehicle pursuit was started the pursuit would continue until ‘the wheels fell off.'”
Blair denied making [that] statement, but multiple witnesses testified otherwise.
According to the National Institute of Justice, High-speed chases should be reserved for individuals who are considered extremely dangerous or pose a safety hazard to the general public. High-speed chases should not take place if a person’s identity is known, or is wanted for a misdemeanor violation.
“High-speed pursuits expose any [law enforcement agency] and the general public to a high risk of loss of life,” said the National Institute of Justice.
“On Friday, June 19, 2015, MCSO received a 911 call in which the caller said that her boyfriend had hit her, was outside when she was making the call, and that he had left before deputies arrived. She also provided the boyfriend’s name, date of birth, a description of his vehicle, and informed the 911 operator that there was a warrant for his arrest. During the subsequent pursuit, it was determined the boyfriend had been issued a traffic ticket for not having notified the DMV of his change of address. Because he failed to appear in court as directed by the traffic ticket, a warrant for his arrest was issued. During the pursuit deputies also determined that there were two passengers in the vehicle, in addition to the driver.
Responding deputies spotted the vehicle and attempted to stop it at 10:32 a.m. The driver fled and a pursuit was started. The pursuit lasted for over 42 minutes and covered 57 miles. This is an average speed of 81 miles per hour, but the speed clearly exceeded that at times. Several times during the pursuit the driver drove on the wrong side of the road into the path of oncoming traffic. At one time, both the fleeing driver and pursuing deputies were on the wrong side of a divided roadway. On other occasions the fleeing driver and pursuing deputies drove on the left of a double yellow line as they went around curves and over hills. Video of the pursuit also shows that it went through downtown Dunnellon and involved four of five different sheriff’s department vehicles as well as the department helicopter. In addition to driving on the wrong side of the road, deputies also drove through business parking lots and nearly hit a SUV that was passing by.
The pursuit went through portions of Citrus County, returned to Marion County, and continued on into Levy County. Once in Levy County, a MCSO marked unit used a PIT maneuver on the vehicle while traveling at a high rate of speed. The vehicle spun out of control and rolled over. One of the passengers (not the driver) had his arm cut off during the crash and a second passenger (not the driver) suffered brain damage. The driver was not injured and fled on foot, but was captured a short time later.”
MCSO policy allows for any supervisor to cancel a pursuit if it “exposes the public or deputy to more danger that can be reasonably justified.”
The chase was not called off because of Blair’s previous warning about continuing a chase “until the wheels fall off.”
This is just one of many pursuits that has put citizens at great risk. Some of the pursuits involved a person driving on a suspended driver’s license.
Specialty units
Most citizens know about the many specialty units created by Blair after his election.
One of those units was the Tactical Investigations Unit (TIU). Deputies for this unit were handpicked by Blair. They were chosen based upon their high ‘activity’ and not their experience.
Many supervisors pointed out that some of the deputies were inexperienced, but Blair overruled them. Blair wanted the deputies because they were “high producers.”
During a meeting about the new unit, the deputies were told that their job was to “kick ass and take names.” The administration told the deputies that they knew there would be complaints, but they would be “handled.” The administration went on to say, “We don’t give a shit about complaints.”
“Although said flippantly, it was clearly inappropriate and, together with the other remarks, could easily be interpreted as a license to act outside proper limitation,” said the grand jury.
In fact, when the TIU disrupted a long-term investigation being conducted by the drug unit, drug agents complained to the Sheriff’s administration.
Like something from the movie Training Day or Street Kings, drug agents were told that the TIU had “free rein” to operate as they saw fit.
According to the presentment, uniform patrol deputies received that same message.
Interim Sheriff Emery Gainey’s response:
1) The Grand Jury proposed that the MCSO create a separate Internal Affairs Division to investigate use of force incidents and other internal matters. Upon his initial observations of the agency during his first week as Sheriff, Sheriff Gainey created a separate Internal Affairs Unit on May 27, 2016, before the Grand Jury’s recommendations were released on June 2. This unit will be made up of four experienced detectives and one executive assistant and will report directly to the Sheriff outside of the normal chain of command.
2) Sheriff Gainey agrees that all employees should be required to report any incident where they believe excessive use of force was used. The current MCSO policy has been further amended to reflect this recommendation. All employees will be trained on how to report such incidents and employees will be able to remain anonymous when reporting an incident.
3) The MCSO will not allow deputies or any other personnel to alter a report once it has been entered into the records system and approved by a supervisor. Any changes—and the reason for the change—will be entered as a supplement to the original report.
4) In the coming weeks, Sheriff Gainey will be creating a new Citizens Review Board to review cases of excessive use of force. Sheriff Gainey will be reaching out to community leaders and other local government officials to serve on this board. The MCSO will solely sponsor the board, allowing them to conduct their functions and make recommendations independently. Sheriff Gainey will strongly recommend that the new Sheriff, who will be elected by Marion County citizens in November, continue to support the existence of the Citizens Review Board.
5) Sheriff Gainey has no objection to the Grand Jury’s recommendation for the Florida legislature to change the existing state law to allow the state to prosecute law enforcement officers who commit criminal violations of an individual’s civil rights.
Additionally, Sheriff Gainey believes the MCSO needs to focus on putting quality over quantity, not only when referring to a deputy’s activity, but also with their relationships and communications with the citizens they serve. Prior to the release of the Grand Jury’s Presentment, Sheriff Gainey met with all patrol supervisors to further encourage this mentality be instilled among all MCSO patrol deputies.
Ocala, Florida — A man remains behind bars after Ocala police say he attacked a wheelchair-bound woman.
Details of the incident were made available to Ocala Post on Wednesday.
According to reports, police responded to the Starbucks, located at 36 South Magnolia Avenue, Ocala, in reference to an assault in progress.
Upon arrival, witnesses shouted, “He did it, I saw him do it.”
The suspect, later identified as Lester Justin Range, 26, was still in the area.
A witness told police that he saw Range “throw several punches” and strike a woman, who was sitting in a wheelchair, on her face. The witness stated that after Range struck the woman with his fist he “smashed” a beer bottle over her head.
The victim told police that she saw range digging through the trash outside of Starbucks. She stated that Range had removed beer bottles and was drinking any beer that remained in the bottles.
According to reports, the victim said, “Stop drinking beer from the garbage.”
Police say that is when Range ran over to the woman, punched her in the face several times, and then broke a beer bottle over her head.
When police approached Range, he became violent and resisted arrest. Several officers had to respond to the scene in order to gain control of Range.
Range was arrested and charged with Aggravated Battery with Deadly Weapon, Resisting Arrest, and Indirect Criminal Contempt of Court.
According to police, Range is a violent criminal and has been in and out of jail since he was a juvenile.
He has been arrested 17 times and was released from the Florida Department of Corrections in 2013, where he severed time for committing aggravated battery on a pregnant woman.
Range is currently being held at the Marion County Jail in lieu of a $11,000 bond. His next court date is scheduled for June 28, 2016.
The victim refused to be transported to the hospital, therefore EMS treated her at the scene.
Charles Wilkerson,[left], Matthew Hayes, [center], and Kenneth Williams.Ocala, Florida — Three career criminals were arrested after they kidnapped an Ocala man.
The Ocala Police Department responded to 2147 Northwest 1st Avenue, after a man who had been kidnapped was able to “sneak” a phone call and dial 911.
Police say the suspects, Charles Wilkerson, 64, Matthew Hayes, 60, and Kenneth Williams, 43, kidnapped a man that they believed had a large sum of money on his person.
The victim stated that Williams grabbed him from behind and placed him in a “head lock.” The victim told police that Williams then stated, “I know you have money.”
The victim was then forced inside the aforementioned residence.
Once inside, the suspects began demanding money from the victim.
According to reports, when the victim denied having any money, Williams punched the victim on the mouth and split his lip.
The victim was then forced into the back bedroom of the residence, at which time Wilkerson and Williams pulled out handguns and pointed them at the victim. Wilkerson fired a shot and hit the wall. He then stated that if the victim did not give him money that he would shoot the victim.
Again, the victim stated that he did not have any money.
Police say that the victim was then forced to remove all of his clothes so he could be searched.
When the suspects did not locate any money, they instructed the victim to sit at the kitchen table. The suspects told the victim they he would not be permitted to leave until he was able to “come up” with some money.
Investigators said that the victim was forced to sit at the table for hours while being tormented.
At some point during the incident the suspects left the room and the victim was able to call 911.
Police arrived a short time later.
The suspects denied any wrongdoing and refused to cooperate with police.
Wilkerson was arrested and charged with Kidnapping, Robbery with a Firearm, Aggravated Assault with a Firearm, and Possession on a Weapon by a Convicted Felon.
Including his most recent arrest, Wilkerson has been arrested 14 times on more than 40 charges.
He was released from jail on a $92,000 bond.
Hayes was charged with Kidnapping and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
He has been arrested 13 times and has more than 80 charges. Hayes is currently being held on a $40,000 bond.
Williams was arrested and charged with Kidnapping, Robbery with a Firearm, Aggravated Assault with a Firearm, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Battery, and Driving on a Suspended License (Williams drove a car to the residence).
He has been arrested 22 times and has more than 100 charges.
Williams is currently being held on a $94,500 bond.
A Fort McCoy woman is being held on a $51,000 bond following a DUI crash.
Florida Highway Patrol troopers say that on Sunday, Suzana Bici, 23, who was driving a 2005 Dodge Durango, was traveling westbound in the vicinity of Northeast 16th Avenue Road and Northeast 245th Street Road, when she lost control of the vehicle.
According to reports, Bici attempted to negotiate a left curve, but was unable to maintain control of the vehicle and keep it on the roadway. Bici then veered off the west shoulder of Northeast 160th Avenue and overcorrected when she attempted to return the vehicle to her lane of travel.
The Durango then began to rotate counter clockwise and crossed the roadway onto the east shoulder, where the vehicle flipped.
Joel Smerkers, 30, of Plant City, Brian Siders, 31, and Daniela Marie Galvan, 34, both of Brandon, were all passengers in the Durango.
Smerkers was pronounced dead at the scene.
Galvan was transported to Ocala Regional Medical center, where she is listed in critical condition.
Smerkers and Galvan were not wearing their seat belts.
Bici was charged with Giving False Information to Law Enforcement, DUI with Property Damage, DUI with Serious Bodily Injury to Another, DUI Manslaughter, and Killing of a Person or Viable Fetus.
Bici was also arrested for DUI on January 15, 2016, in Flagler County.
Major Tommy Bibb [left] and Major Don MainesOn Saturday, Marion County interim Sheriff Emery Gainey suspended two MCSO Majors.
According to a press release, Major Don Maines, who is over the Bureau of Professional Standards, and Major Tommy Bibb, who is over the Bureau of Special Investigations, have been placed on paid administrative leave.
Officials said that, at this time, no active MCSO Internal Affairs investigation is being conducted in relation to these suspensions.
The length of the suspension is unknown.
Sheriff Gainey said he knows these are tough decisions during very difficult times, but is dedicated to the task of providing a stable and professional law enforcement agency for the citizens of Marion County.
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE – On Friday, May 20, 2016, the State Attorney’s Office for the Fifth Judicial District indicted Sheriff Chris Blair for two counts of Perjury in an official proceeding and one count of Official Misconduct.
At 2:51 p.m. Friday, Blair was booked into the Marion County Jail. He was released on bond at 3:31 p.m.
According to court documents, Florida Governor Rick Scott has appointed the Attorney General’s Office Director of Division of Victim Services and Criminal Justice Programs Emery Gainey as the Interim Sheriff of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
According to officials, Blair was indicted because he knowingly made false statements under oath during the Dustin Heathman investigation.
During questioning, Blair stated that he did not see the severe injuries Heathman’s face, who had been beaten by members of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. Further investigation revealed that Heathman, who was in his underwear, had been escorted to a patrol car by deputies directly in front of Blair.
According to the Attorney General’s Office, Blair could face up to five years in prison on each count and $5,000 in fines on each count, if convicted.
This is a developing story. More information will be posted as it becomes available.
