Ocala, Florida — A Blessed Trinity Catholic Church usher was arrested after he was caught on surveillance video stealing money from the collection plate.
On November 3, the church directly contacted the Marion County Sheriff’s Office in regards to an usher they believed was stealing money.
Investigators met with the reportee, whose identity MCSO concealed from the police report, and Father Pat to discuss the suspicious activity.
During the meeting, Father Pat told detectives that the suspect, Mario Condis, 60, had been attending more than one mass within the same day and they do not typically have parishioners who “are that Holy.”
Between the dates of October 18 and November 1, surveillance cameras were utilized to capture Condis’ actions.
On November 8, investigators utilized the same cameras and witnessed Condis stealing money from the collection plates. Deputies then confronted him.
Initially, Condis told deputies that the $349.05 found in his possession was his. He later stated that it belonged to the church and he had planned to put the money in the main collection basket at the altar.
Condis was arrested and charged with Grand Theft and Petit Theft (x3).
Marion County – For more than 12 years Marion County Fire Rescue firefighters have helped meet the needs of families who are struggling to stay warm and bring joy into their homes during the holiday season. As part of this annual effort, MCFR firefighters are asking the community to partner with their Holiday Helpers Drive by donating clothing and toys to under privileged children this season.
In effort to give families hope for the holidays, firefighters will be collecting unwrapped toys and warm clothing for children of all ages from now through December 11, at each of MCFR’s fire stations. Firefighters can accept only new, unwrapped items. These items will then be given to families that local schools have identified as in-need.
Citizens can drop off items at MCFR Headquarters (2631 SE Third Street) or at any of the MCFR career stations listed below:
Anthony Station 1 Meadowood Farms Station 12 Friendship Station 21
Citra Station 2 Orange Springs Station 13 Rainbow Springs Station 22
East Marion Station 4 Salt Springs Station 15 Marion Oaks Station 24
South Forest Station 6 Shady Station 16 Weirsdale Station 27
McCoy Station 7 Silver Springs Shores Station 17 Rolling Greens Station 28
Orange Lake Station 9 Belleview Station 18 Spruce Creek Station 30
The Villages of Marion Station 10 Sparr Station 19 Ray Lloyd, Jr. Station 31
North Marion Station 11 Golden Ocala Station 20 Liberty Station 32
MCFR’s Holiday Helper’s toy and clothing drive is being spearheaded by Marion County Fire Fighters and the Marion County Fire Rescue Public Information Office. If you have any questions, please call Ms. Christy Moore at 352-291-8046.
MCFR Public Information Officer James Lucas said, “We are trying to make this year’s event the largest ever. We hope to reach out to 700 families who are in need.”
Ocala, Florida — The 32nd Annual Light Up Ocala will take place on Saturday, November 21, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
A wide variety of dancers and entertainers will be performing throughout the evening, including Extensions Dance Studio.
Entertainment highlights
A “Whoville” themed kids zone at the north stage zone, which incorporates the Brick City Plaza where the animated “Grinch that Stole Christmas” will show on the big screen.
The Downtown Holiday Skating Rink, “Let’s Skate Ocala” will open at the event. We have nearly doubled the size of the rink last year, which will allow more space for you, your family and friends!
Junior Sunshine Christmas Parade which will weave through downtown streets and includes more than 1,000 youth from the community.
Kids events and fun zones
Santa will be in his sleigh from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. to visit with children after the parade.
Then, Ocala will kick off the holiday season with the Lighting Ceremony that is scheduled to take place at 6:30 p.m.
Information to know
Stages for the event will be located on the corner of Fort King Street and South Magnolia Avenue, North Magnolia Avenue, and the Downtown Square and Citizens’ Circle. In order to accommodate pedestrian traffic between the north and south venues, SR 40/Silver Springs Blvd. will be closed adjacent to the square.
Ocala, Florida — The Paddock Mall, located at 3100 Southwest College Road, Ocala, will usher in the holiday season with Santa’s grand arrival this weekend.
Families can get up-close and personal with Santa and ring in the holiday season with treats and crafts in the Food Court, followed-by a parade around the perimeter of the mall with Santa and his friends aboard a big red fire truck courtesy of the City of Ocala Fire Rescue. Upon return to his Winter Wonderland set sponsored by Taylor College, kids can enjoy crafts from Fun 4 Ocala Kids, a character meet and greet by Ocala Princess, and face painting by Fabulous Faces Entertainment.
This year, Paddock Mall will be also hosting a series of exciting Santa events including Pet Photo Night and Sensitive Santa.
Santa will be available for photos throughout the season, beginning Saturday, November 7, following the arrival parade, through Wednesday, December 24. For a full list of Santa Photo hours, visit http://www.paddockmall.com/.
Santa arrives on Saturday, November 7, and the hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Ocklawaha, Florida — The skeletal remains of an unidentified person were found by three fisherman on Thursday at approximately 3:30 p.m.
According to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the remains were found by three fishermen at a remote location between the 6300 and 6500 block of Southeast 149th Court Road, Ocklawaha.
According to a press release, the bones were located adjacent to an unnamed lake and were visible from a walking/travel path surrounding the lake.
Shortly after the call came in, MCSO Major Crimes detectives and evidence technicians responded to the scene for processing.
Detectives will be conducting a joint investigation with the Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the gender, identity, and cause of death.
Victor Daniel Garcia and a photo of injuries that Deputy Galler sustained.
Ocala, Florida — Officials say an illegal immigrant from Mexico was arrested after he broke into a house, assaulted a young woman, then later attacked two deputies.
Victor Daniel Garcia, 19, entered a house located in the 1000 block of Northwest 112th Court, Ocala, through a window and immediately made his way to a back bedroom where a young woman was sleeping. Garcia broke the bedroom door to gain entry.
According to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Garcia attacked the woman by punching her several times with a closed fist while she was in bed.
The victim told authorities that she attempted to leave the bedroom, but Garcia grabbed her by the neck and tried to strangle her.
The victim was finally able to break free, retreat to her roommate’s bedroom, and call 911. The victim then ran out of the residence.
When deputies arrived at the incident location, they found Garcia hiding in a bathroom.
According to reports, as Deputy Peters attempted to handcuff Garcia, he broke away and punched the deputy in the face. The force of the punch broke the deputy’s $300 pair of glasses.
The arrest affidavit states, “Deputy Peters utilized a vertical fist punch to create distance between [Garcia] and the deputy. [Garcia] then closed the distance between he and the deputy, and Garcia’s movements caused the vertical fist punch to be deployed at [Garcia’s] facial area.”
Garcia then struck the deputy several more times with a closed fist.
According to reports, Deputy Peters had to utilize the vertical fist punch to create distance between himself and Garcia approximately four more times.
Outside, Deputy Galler was walking around to the front of the residence to check on Deputy Peters.
Deputy Galler reported that as she got to the front of the residence Garcia ran out, leaped from the top of the stairs, and slammed her in the face with his elbow on the way down.
Deputy Peters then escorted Garcia to the ground.
Deputy Galler stated that Garcia continued to resist and tried to kick her several times while she attempted to restrain his legs.
Two more deputies had to assist with gaining control of Garcia.
Garcia was then handcuffed and placed into the back of a patrol car.
While Garcia was in the back of the patrol car, he was able to move his hands from behind his back to his front.
Garcia was then removed from the patrol car, at which time he resisted and was escorted to the ground. A Hobble was then utilized to secure Garcia in the back of the patrol car.
He was charged with Burglary with Assault and Battery, Resisting Arrest with Violence, and Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer (x2).
Garcia is being held on a $65,000 bond. His next court date is scheduled for December 1, 2015.
Officials did not say whether or not Garcia would be deported.
Both deputies are expected to make a full recovery from their injuries.
Ocala, Florida — On November 3, Marion County Sheriff’s Deputy Kimberly Bray responded to the Kangaroo gas station located at 3550 North Highway 41, after the store manager reported that a woman was unconscious in her car parked at the gas pumps.
When Deputy Bray arrived, she found a woman, later identified as Melissa Williams, 28, passed out behind the wheel of her car.
According to reports, as the deputy was knocking on the driver’s side window, she saw a clear bag with a crystal-like substance resting on Williams’ chest. It later tested positive for methamphetamine.
When Williams finally woke up, the deputy asked her to step out of the vehicle. The deputy reported that as Williams stepped out of the vehicle, she noticed that she was holding a marijuana grinder in her left hand.
Williams was then placed in handcuffs.
During a pat down , the deputy found a plastic bag in Williams’ right pocket, which contained marijuana. Additionally, a search of the car turned up crack cocaine.
Williams admitted that the marijuana and grinder were hers, but denied knowing about the methamphetamine and crack cocaine.
She was charged with Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Pedro, Florida — The Marion County Sheriff’s Office said law enforcement officials were met with gunfire as they attempted to serve a warrant on Wednesday morning.
According to MCSO Lt. Ryan Robbins, SWAT members and agents with the Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team (UDEST) were shot at while serving a high-risk drug search warrant at 332 Southeast County Road 42.
One of the suspects was wanted for trafficking in oxycodone.
Officials said that SWAT team members repeatedly announced their presence and attempted to call the occupants out of the house while surrounding the home. During that time, the SWAT team was fired upon by a man inside the home.
One SWAT team member returned fire.
According to a press release, “Shortly after the gun fire ended, three male subjects exited the residence and have been detained for questioning. Medics responded to the scene to evaluate all involved. No one was injured during this incident to include SWAT team members or subjects within the residence.”
Lt. Robbins stated, “Sheriff Chis Blair immediately requested the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) respond to the location to conduct a complete investigation into the shooting.”
Booking photos will be released when they are made available.
Levy County — A Marion County Sheriff’s deputy was killed and two others were injured in a crash at approximately 3 a.m.Sunday.
Florida Highway Patrol troopers said that a 2000 Yamaha motorcycle, driven by Deputy Tevyn D. Gadson, 22, was traveling north on CR-331A at an “unsafe speed” when he slammed into the rear-end of an E-Z-GO golf cart, driven by Lawrence O. Heath, 20.
The impact caused the golf cart to leave the road onto the right shoulder, overturn on its right side, and land on its wheels.
The motorcycle continued in a northwesterly direction, left the road, and crossed a sidewalk along CR-331A, where it struck a street sign on the south shoulder of Northeast 42nd Place and started to overturn.
According to reports, the motorcycle then crossed over Northeast 42nd Place and slammed into a utility pole.
Heath and his passenger, Cedrick D. Brooks, 20, were transported to UF Health Shands, Gainesville, with serious injuries.
Gadson was also transported to UF Health Shands, where he was pronounced dead.
Troopers said it is unknown at this time if alcohol played a part in the crash.
Gadson was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
He was hired on with MCSO in 2014 and resigned in September of 2015.
William Nunnally [left] and Karla Rondan-Diaz’Orlando, Florida — Two Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights scare actors have quit and more are expected to follow, after they were attacked by guests.
According to a police report filed with the Orlando Police Department, William Nunnally, 28 was arrested on October 21, after he punched an actor, and Karla Rondan-Diaz, 32, was arrested on October 23, when she kicked a stilt walker two times which caused him to fall to the ground.
On Monday, police filed a report with the State Attorney’s Office and asked them to file battery charges against Brandon Keaton Brown of Fort Myers. Police say he intentionally kicked an actor in the face while he was passing through the Walking Dead House this past weekend.
Universal released the following statement:
“The safety of our team members and our guests is our most important priority. We have a zero-tolerance policy that can include prosecution of anyone suspected of compromising the safety of our team members,” he said in a statement. “Our scare actors receive special safety training and we staff our event with uniformed law enforcement officers and team members whose role is to keep everyone safe.”
Universal refused to speak about specific incidents involving employees.
Some of the actors are asking that Universal stop selling alcohol. The actors say that alcohol plays a big part in the way they are treated by guests.
Police said that at least two people who were removed from the park after they assaulted actors were heavily intoxicated.
ThemeParkInsider publisher Robert Niles also thinks that Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights should stop serving alcohol. He said alcohol is already banned at Halloween Horror Nights at Universal’s Hollywood park.
Records show that compared to Universal Orlando, the Hollywood park has far less incidents that jeopardize an actor’s safety.
Many of the actors have turned to social media to express their frustration.
We want to hear from you. Do you think Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights should ban alcohol? If they did, would you still go?
Evergreen Elementary dean of students Patrick Sasnett
Ocala, Florida — Evergreen Elementary dean of students Patrick Sasnett was arrested following allegations that he exposed himself to a grandmother.
The Reverend Patrick Joseph Reddick Sasnett
Sasnett is also a Pastor at the African Methodist Episcopal Church, located at 718 Northwest 7th Street, Ocala.
The victim stated that she was called to the school on October 26, because her grandchild had received some sort of disciplinary action.
During the conversation, the victim told Sasnett that she was not satisfied with the outcome of the discipline and would be pursuing the matter further.
The victim stated that as she was leaving Sasnett’s office, she bent over to pick something up off the floor. She said it was at that time that Sasnett stated, “Look what you do to me.”
The victim told police that when she turned around, she saw Sasnett standing with his erect penis exposed to her. The victim also described the color of Sasnett’s underwear.
Sasnett told deputies that the victim “was very flirtatious.”
Sasnett stated, “I did play along with the flirting, however, I did not take it any further.” He told deputies that the victim had also given him her phone number.
When deputies asked if they could see Sasnett’s underwear he became nervous. Deputies reported that Sasnett voluntarily showed them his underwear, which matched the description given by the victim.
Sasnett turned himself in to the Levy County Jail on Wednesday. He was charged with Exposure of Sexual Organs and released on a $500 bond.
He was placed on administrative leave with pay pending the outcome of an investigation.
Former Deputy Cody Hoppel [top], Dustin Heathman [bottom left], and Derrick PriceOcala, Florida — Former Marion County Sheriff’s Deputy and SWAT Team member Cody Hoppel, 31, pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday for the beating of a Marion Oaks man. Then, Hoppel dropped a bombshell and also pleaded guilty to the beating of a Williston man in an unrelated case.
Hoppel is the fourth of five deputies to plead guilty to the August 7, 2014, beating of Derrick Price, 44, of Marion Oaks.
Former Deputies Trevor Wade Fitzgerald, 32, James Louis Amidei, 32, and Adam Crawford, 31, pleaded guilty in July of 2015.
The fifth deputy, Jesse Terrell, refused to plead guilty and had to be fired from the agency, unlike his colleagues who resigned from the MCSO. Terrell has refused to take a plea deal because he does not feel as though he has done anything wrong.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the arrest was recorded on surveillance video at two local businesses located on Marion Oaks Boulevard. The video has been the key evidence in this case.
That video tells a different story than what the five deputies wrote in their reports.
Price, along with his attorney, has stated numerous times that if the businesses had not captured the beating, the deputies probably would have gone unpunished since they were not wearing body cameras.
The court documents read as follows, where Cody Hoppel, Adam Crawford, and Jesse Terrell are respectively referred to in court documents as deputies 1, 2, and 3.
“The video footage depicts the unnecessary and unreasonable use of force by three deputies who beat, kicked, and kneed a fully compliant Price while Amidei and Fitzgerald failed to intervene to protect the arrestee, despite having the opportunity to do so. Deputy 2 kneeled down at the right side of Price’s head and shoulder, Deputy 3 positioned himself immediately above Price’s head, Deputy 1 took a position at Price’s left side, and Fitzgerald straddled the back of Price’s legs as Deputy Amidei hovered above the deputies directly behind Deputy 1. At no time did Price resist the deputies or pose a threat in any fashion. After Deputy 2 initially grabbed Price’s left arm from Price’s right side, pinning Price’s right arm to the ground, Deputies 1, 2, and 3 began beating Price as [he] lay on the ground.”
Williston Case
On June 1, 2014, Hoppel participated in a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team operation, located at 17161 Northwest 162nd Terrace, Williston, Florida.
The suspect, Dustin Heathman, 36, had an outstanding arrest warrant for violation of probation for driving on a suspended driver’s license in Levy County. Sources say that the charges in Levy County were dropped.
According to reports, Heathman had barricaded himself inside the residence.
MCSO deputies and SWAT responded to the scene. The SWAT Team utilized a military vehicle known as a Lenco BearCat Armored Personnel Carrier (APC), or Light Armored Vehicle (LAV).
MCSO stated SWAT was dispatched because Heathman’s father had told them that Heathman had weapons in his possession.
The arrest affidavit alleges that, after several hours of negotiations, Heathman fired at the SWAT Team at which time they returned fire.
Heathman eventually surrendered.
According to the plea agreement, Heathman exited his residence and was given verbal commands by a member of the SWAT Team to walk to the rear of the BearCat, which was parked in front of the residence. At one point, Heathman was ordered to stop, remove his shirt, and drop his shorts down to his ankles. Heathman complied with all of the orders.
The U.S Attorney’s Office stated that Heathman was fully compliant and continued to obey verbal commands and walked slowly with his hands up to the rear of the BearCat. At no time did Heathman pose a threat to anyone at the scene.
The court documents state, “As soon as Heathman made it to the rear of the vehicle, and before he was given any verbal commands, he was grabbed from behind by Hoppel in a bear hug and slammed to the ground face-first for the sole purpose of inflicting injury to [Heathman].”
The report states that this was done despite the fact that force was not was necessary to subdue Heathman.
Hoppel testified that while he was punching Heathman in the face, two other SWAT Team members were standing next to him. Hoppel stated that at least one of the two SWAT members participated in the beating. At that time, Heathman was fully compliant and subdued, and did not pose a threat to the SWAT Team.
Not one of the SWAT Team members came forward to report the incident. Moreover, the arrest affidavit makes no mention of Heathman engaging in a physical altercation, resisting arrest, or how Heathman’s face sustained injury, other than to say his ear was hit by “flying” glass.
However, Heathman’s booking photo tells a different story, which was not immediately available after his arrest.
In a statement released to Ocala Post, Sheriff Chris Blair said, “The news of former Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) employee Cody Hoppel pleading guilty to use of excessive force and civil rights violations against Dustin Heathman came to light during Hoppel’s plea hearing on Tuesday in federal court. After the shooting incident occurred between MCSO’s SWAT Team and Heathman on June 1, 2014, an extensive agency shooting review was immediately conducted by the MCSO. All Sheriff’s Office employees involved, including Hoppel, were sworn in to give their testimony of the events. At no time during his sworn testimony to the MCSO detective did Hoppel give any indication, or make any claim, of wrongdoing or violation of any law related to the Heathman arrest. To that end, his statements to federal authorities on Tuesday are in direct conflict with the statement he gave under oath to the MCSO detective during the agency review of this incident. As an agency, we will continue to be transparent to best serve the citizens of Marion County. This type of behavior is absolutely unacceptable, and we will not condone this type of activity.”
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, not one law enforcement officer or SWAT Team member was wearing a body camera, nor were there any dash cam recordings at the time of the incident.
Since the day of his arrest, Heathman has stated that he was beaten and mistreated by MCSO staff. His family has been very open about the incident on social media and has stated numerous times that the arrest affidavit provided to the media was fabricated.
Questions have also been raised as to how Sheriff Blair did not know that Heathman had been beaten since Blair delivered a video statement from the scene on the day of the incident.
Heathman supporter Jenny Brown wrote, “Dustin is innocent. He never tried to kill anyone. No cops were injured, yet while he was in handcuffs, they beat him so severely he got a concussion, fractured eye socket, and a damaged ear. Real honorable, huh? Just like Soviets. They were the aggressors. They showed up with guns out right from the start for something which the Supreme Court itself says isn’t even a crime.”
Assistant Public Defender Peter Sziklai said that MCSO relied on old information, did not get the address correct on Heathman’s arrest warrant, and should not have been on his property in the first place.
Heathman has been held at the MCSO jail since his arrest. He was charged with 10 counts of Attempted Murder on a Law Enforcement Officer.
The deputies were charged with one count each of Deprivation of Rights under Color of Law, specifically, failure to intervene to stop the assault, resulting in bodily injury to Price.
The felony charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, a term of supervised release of not more than three years, and a special assessment of $100 per felony count.
Hoppel would face an additional charge of Deprivation of Rights under Color of Law for the beating of Heathman. This, too, would carry a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, a term of supervised release of not more than three years, and a special assessment of $100 per felony count.
The deputies could also be forced to pay restitution to both Heathman and Price.
Ocala, Florida — The Florida Highway Patrol would like to remind all drivers that Florida Statute 316.217(1)(b) states that all vehicles being operated on the roadways of Florida must have its low-beam headlights on while it is raining.
However, using your emergency flashers is against the law while a vehicle is in motion. According to Florida Statute 316.2397(7)(a), emergency flashers should only be used if a vehicle is lawfully stopped or disabled.
Driving with your headlights on in the rain increases your visibility to other drivers and reduces the risk of accidents.
Florida — Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials said they will have to make some adjustments before the next bear hunt.
This past weekend, Florida had its first bear hunt in 21 years, and it had to be shut down early because FWC underestimated the success of the hunt.
According to officials, 3,778 bear-hunt permits were issued and the quota was for 320 bears.
Officials ended the hunt Sunday night with after 298 bears were reported to have been killed.
Tammy Sapp, Communications Manager with the Division of Hunting and Game Management said, “FWC had mechanisms in place for daily monitoring of the harvest and season closure, so when the harvest approached the statewide objective of 320, FWC was prepared and stopped the hunt.” She added, “The East Panhandle and the Central bear management units (BMUs) were closed for the rest of the season beginning Sunday, Oct. 25 while the North and South BMUs were closed to hunting beginning Monday, Oct. 26.”
The total harvest for the four bear managements units open during the 2015 bear hunt was 298. The breakdown by Bear Management Unit is as follows:
East Panhandle BMU = 112 bears
Central BMU = 139 bears
North BMU = 25 bears
South BMU = 22 bears
According to FWC, while harvest was higher than expected in the East Panhandle and Central BMUs, success rates were comparable to other states with similar hunt structures and were within sustainable limits. The higher-than-expected harvest in the East Panhandle likely reflects a higher bear population in that unit and indicates that the population is significantly higher than the East Panhandle’s 2002 population estimate of 600 bears.
However, the hunt did not come without problems.
The FWC law enforcement division continues to investigate cases concerning violations that occurred during the recent bear hunt.
At least one of those cases under investigation concerns a hunter taking or attempting to take a bear by baiting it in the Central BMU.
One individual in the Central BMU was cited for taking or attempting to take a bear by baiting it.
During the bear hunt, one criminal citation was issued in the Northwest Panhandle BMU for killing a cub bear that weighed 42 pounds. Another hunter in the Central BMU was issued a warning for taking an 88 pound bear. In addition, FWC officers addressed hunters without permits and are investigating any out-of-season harvests. Overall, FWC says that hunter ethics and compliance during the bear hunt were high.
Many have turned to social media to express their outrage after hunters were allegedly heard bragging that the bears killed did not attempt to run.
Experts said the bears did not run because they are not used to being prey.
FWC Public Information Officer Greg Workman said that they are also aware of a Facebook post written by a man who claims that an FWC officer returned an undersized bear to a hunter after he was cited.
Thomas Ninesevenx Allison wrote, “This underweight bear (91.8pounds – 5 lbs for the net) was killed by the man driving this vehicle… with this license number. The bear was then confiscated by this FWC LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, whose name is Mike Fletcher. Officer Fletcher then drove up the road and had the hunter who illegally killed the bear follow him. I got curious and drove after them and found the FWC LAW ENFORCEMENT officer on the side of the road returning the bear to the hunter who illegally shot it.”
Allison also posted several photos of the underweight bear.
Workman said, “This particular issue has come up numerous times in the past few days. I can assure you the hunter did not have the bear returned to him. The officers merely drove down the road so they could perform their duty of writing up the appropriate paperwork on the hunter. The bear wasn’t given back, but confiscated.”
Officials said that the person who posted the information has also encouraged people to share it. Officials warn that the information is completely false and nothing more than propaganda in an attempt to halt future bear hunts.
Ocala, Florida — On Saturday, October 31, 2015, the Paddock Mall is hosting a Boo Bash and Mall-O-Ween mall-wide Trick-or-Treating event.
The Boo Bash will be held at 4 p.m., and Mall-O-Ween from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
This event, located at 3100 Southwest College Road, Ocala, is free to the public.
This event is a safe, indoor, air-conditioned, and entertaining alternative to traditional outdoor Halloween activities and will offer free trick-or-treating fun that the whole family can enjoy.
The Paddock Mall is inviting all little ghouls, goblins, and boo’tiful princesses to come have a spooktacular’ time.
Michael Eugene Smith [left] and Gary Edward KingBenetria Robinson, 19, was gunned down at the Cloud 9 nightclub in Ocala.
Ocala, Florida — The Marion County Sheriff’s Office has arrested two more criminals involved in the shooting that took place at the Cloud 9 nightclub on September 13, 2015.
These arrests make a total of three in this case, after Laquan Ria’Mel Barrow, 24, was arrested on September 21, 2013.
Six people were shot on the night of the shooting. Benetria Robinson, 19, was shot twice — once in the head and once in the shoulder — and died at the scene.
On Monday, MCSO detectives arrested Gary Edward King, 20, and Michael Eugene Smith, also 20.
Both suspects have been charged with one count each of Second Degree Murder and five counts each of Attempted Second Degree Murder.
Detectives stated that they found a total of 21 spent shell casings at the scene, which had been fired from three different handguns.
According to reports, Ocala Police Department officers were in the area when the shooting occurred. Their body cameras recorded the sound of the gunfire. All 21 shots were fired in approximately five seconds.
King has previous arrests for Resisting Arrest, Breach of Peace, Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Tampering-Destroying Evidence, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Smith has previous arrests for Operating a Vehicle Without a License, Hit and Run, Shooting Into an Occupied Dwelling, Possession of a Firearm by a Delinquent, Possession of Marijuana, Failure to Appear (x2), Possession of Synthetic Marijuana, Robbery with a Firearm, Possession of a Weapon by a Convicted Felon, and Possession of Cocaine.
Belleview, Florida — A Belleview teen was arrested after she assaulted a pregnant woman on Sunday.
Marion County sheriff’s Deputy Vernon Reese responded to the Kangaroo store located at 7590 East Highway 25, after a call came in about a physical altercation.
The victim, 18, told Deputy Reese that she was standing at the rear of her vehicle about to pump gas when a silver minivan pulled up to the other side of the pump where she was standing.
Several people, including Justice Amber Gough, also 18, jumped out of the van and began yelling at he victim.
According to reports, Gough yelled, “Do you still want to fight me?” The victim then replied, “No, I don’t even think about you.”
The two were still arguing when Gough pulled out a sausage and threw it at the victim’s vehicle. The victim then stated, “I don’t want to fight you, and I am pregnant.”
Deputy Reese reported that Gough then approached the victim, punched her in the forehead, and scratched her neck.
The victim defended herself by punching back, at which time Gough retreated to her vehicle and fled the scene.
Gough was identified through her Facebook account and arrested at her residence.
Gough was untruthful about the incident, however, witnesses corroborated the victim’s story.
She was charged with Aggravated Battery on a Pregnant Victim (F). Gough was released on $5,000 bond.
Former Corrections Officer Kailee Vernae Remmele [left] and Cynthia Ann Gray – WANTED.[Last updated on October 26, 2015 at 1:33 p.m. A previous version of this article stated that CO Foiles witnessed Remmele give Gray money for drugs. However, it was actually another former inmate who stated [that] to CO Foiles. Foiles then relayed that information to investigators.]
Ocala, Florida—A Marion County Sheriff’s Office corrections officer, who resigned on September 22 amid an internal affairs investigation, was arrested after she turned herself in on Tuesday.
Ocala Post was made aware of the arrest by an unnamed corrections officer who was upset that the arrestee’s information was intentionally kept out of the jail’s booking database. In the past, officers have been able to hide their face from booking photos by utilizing Florida Statute 119, but in this case, the entire record was not present.
Kailee Remmele, 20, was arrested for a vehicle burglary, which took place on September 28. The burglary occurred at 7 Teak Place, Ocala.
According to reports, Remmele, along with her accomplice, convicted felon Cynthia Ann Gray, 25, stole a purse from a vehicle then used the victim’s credit card to purchase cigarettes, gas, cell phone, and cell phone screen protector. The purchases totaled $305.57.
The two were identified through surveillance photos posted on social media.
Article continued below
Surveillance video of Kailee Remmele [left] and Cynthia Gray.On October 4, Detective Dave Rasnick made contact with Remmele via telephone and asked her to come to his office for an interview. Remmele stated that she knew she made a mistake and asked if she would lose her corrections officer certificate. Detective Rasnick told Remmele that she should come in so they could talk, but she refused to cooperate.
A warrant was then issued for Remmele and Gray. According to records, Gray is still on the run.
The internal affairs investigation of Remmele was due to several policy violations.
Policy violations include fraternizing and showing favoritism toward certain inmates, including Gray while she was serving time for a previous arrest, taking out a loan so she could give $1,000 to Gray’s father to post her bail, calling in sick then going to the beach, and associating with wanted felons outside of work.
The internal affairs report stated, “Employees should not knowingly associate with felons when that association might compromise the Agency.”
Investigators became aware of Remmele’s beach trip to St. Augustine with Gray after another corrections officer saw the photos on Facebook and reported her. One of the pictures posted on September 1, showed Remmele and Gray hugging. They even bragged about having a good time at the beach while Remmele was supposed to be home sick.
One conversation that took place between the two after Remmele bonded Gray out of jail reads as follows—note that KP Remmy is Remmele.
The photos and messages have since been deleted.
During the investigation, it was determined that Remmele and Gray were dating.
While at a truck stop, Remmele was recognized by Corrections Officer Laura Foiles, who was there with her husband. Foiles also recognized Gray as a former inmate. During a conversation, in her own words, Remmele told CO Foiles that she and Gray “were together.” Foiles then asked, “What are you doing?” Remnele replied, “[Gray and I] hang out at night at the truck stop.”
Foiles also stated that another former inmate, Kayla Salter, told her that Remmele was giving money to Gray for purchasing drugs from others who were at the truck stop.
Remmele was suspended from her job with pay, but later resigned.
The following was the conclusion of the internal affairs investigation:
In regards to her arrest, she was charged with Burglary of a Conveyance, Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card, and Petit Theft.
According to the arrest affidavit, Remmele was being held on a $10,500 bond. It is not clear if she has bonded out of jail.
As of October 22, Remmele’s corrections certificate was still active.
