Photo taken on October 7, 2015. 104 mph on Interstate 10 in North Florida. [Courtesy of Trooper G. Bedingfield]
The Florida Highway Patrol said that education is the key when ensuring that the general public understands Florida traffic laws, and that they are doing everything possible to spread the word about traffic safety.
On a daily basis, troopers say that there is one statement that they always hear: “I thought I was allowed to go 5 or 10 mph over the speed limit.”
FHP said, “We want to set the record straight, because that statement could not be more false.”
Troopers said the speed limits are just that, the limit. And it is set to ensure the safety of everyone on the state’s roadways.
Article continued below
Photo taken on October 7, 2015. 120 MPH on Interstate 10 in North Florida. [Courtesy of Trooper W. Tyre.]
Florida Statute 318.18 explains that 1 to 5 mph over the posted speed limit in a REGULAR speed zone will result in a warning for that violation. However, up to 5 mph over the posted speed limit in a school, construction, or enhanced penalty zone can result in a citation (ticket) which is subject to a double fine.
“It is important to note that while someone cannot receive a citation for up to 5 mph over the speed limit in a REGULAR zone, it is still a traffic violation for which a motorist can be stopped,” FHP said. “The best advice we can give is simple; don’t exceed the speed limit. [Not exceeding the speed limit] could save your life, or someone else’s.”
Ocala, Florida — A Mexican man, who is wanted for two murders in Marion County, and was an assassin for Mexican drug lords, pleaded guilty Tuesday to nine counts of murder in California.
Jose Manuel Martinez, 53, was arrested in 2013 after he crossed the border from Mexico into Arizona. He was then sent to Alabama, where he confessed to another murder that he had committed within that state.
During questioning, he told investigators that he had killed between 30 to 40 other people during his career as a contract killer.
According to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, they still have an active arrest warrant for Martinez from a November 8, 2006 case, when Martinez lured Javier Huerta, 20, and Gustavo Olivares-Rivas, 28, from their Volusia County homes and then drove to Marion County.
Article continued below
Javier Huerta [left] and Gustavo Olivares-Rivas. [Deceased]Martinez brought the two victims to a building and pretended he needed an estimate for a construction job. While at the alleged construction site, Martinez took $210,000 from the two men. He then forced them to bind each other with zip ties and told them to get into the back of the truck, where he shot them to death.
According to reports, Huerta was dealing in large quantities of cocaine from his home in Volusia County. Gustavo-Olivares ran a legitimate construction business, and was just an innocent co-worker of Huerta’s. Authorities say that Huerta used Gustavo-Olivares and got him mixed up in the drug debt.
Article continued below
Nissan truck found on the shoulder of U.S. 19 on November 8, 2006.
Detectives said that Martinez then abandoned the truck on the side of the road.
Their bodies were discovered in the backseat of the Nissan truck after a passing motorist reported seeing it parked on the shoulder of U.S. 19, in the Ocala National Forest.
Martinez was identified as a suspect after his DNA was found on a cigarette butt that was inside the truck.
Article continued below
Mountain Dew can with cigarette butt.
When Marion county detectives learned that Martinez had been arrested in 2013 and extradited to Alabama, they drove to Alabama to question him. Detectives said that Martinez confessed to the murders and gave specific details about the case.
In 2013, Marion County Detective T.J. Watts said, “He didn’t want them to be able to identify him at a later date, so that’s why he killed them. But normally, when he collects debts, he kills people.”
Martinez’s Defense attorney Thomas Turner said, “I found [Martinez] to be polite and a likable individual. He has a good personality as far as talking with him.”
Martinez will be sentenced next month to life in prison without the possibility of parole under the terms of a plea deal.
Marion County officials will now meet with the State Attorney’s Office to determine if Martinez will face trial in Marion County.
Florida — On Tuesday, October 6, 2015, the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee, in an 8-4 vote, approved HB 163 in its first round and paved the way for open carry in the State of Florida.
The Bill’s sponsor, Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz, says this will make Florida safer, and many agree.
Gaetz says that the states that currently allow for open carry have much lower crime rates. In fact, areas that allow open carry have virtually no crime at all. He said the statistics maintained by the Department of Justice are undeniable.
Some law enforcement agencies have lashed out against the bill due to verbiage contained within it.
Part of HB 163 specifies that any law enforcement officer may arrest a person for unlicensed carrying of concealed weapon only upon probable cause that such violation is being committed. HB 163 provides that a person licensed to carry a concealed weapon may also openly carry such firearm or weapon; provides liability for person or entity who infringes on specified rights; provides exception; provides that certain persons & entities have no immunity; revises legislative findings concerning possession & carrying of weapons & firearms; revises provisions concerning construction of provisions.
Gaetz says that the bill is intended to fully protect citizens who are licensed to open carry from being harassed by law enforcement, unless an individual is committing a crime.
“Even if someone looks suspicious with a gun on their hip, police would be bound to stay away,” gun law expert Charles Rose said. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
Democratic Rep. and former police officer Dave Kerner opposed HB 163. He said that he was worried that a criminal might be able to take a gun from someone if they were practicing open carry.
In a survey conducted on inmates by the Department of Justice, it showed that criminals are not afraid of police. Instead, the survey showed that criminals are more afraid of armed citizens.
The survey asked: What deterred criminals more, armed victims or the police? The results were stunning. More than 57 percent of felons polled answered 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 is 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 ordinance was mandatory. Subsequently, residential burglary rates 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 criminals 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.”
HB 163 also reads, “The right to bear arms is a fundamental and individual right that exists in any place that a person has the right to be, subject only to exceptionally and narrowly tailored restrictions that employ the least possible restriction on the right in order to achieve a compelling government interest.”
In addition to open carry, many feel that Florida teachers should be able to carry a gun while on campus.
In Arkansas, where teachers are now known as guards and are permitted to carry 9mm handguns, they have had zero incidents since the policy was enacted. Utah teachers have been carrying weapons in schools for more than a decade now. The state has never had a mass shooting in its schools and has never had an accidental shooting or problems with students getting their hands on a teacher’s gun.
One Florida school official said, “Their schools are the safest and the kids are more behaved than that of students in Florida schools.” However, the bill that would allow for teachers to carry handguns never made it off the ground.
As for open carry in Florida, HB 163 will now head to four more committees before heading to a full floor vote.
Marion County, Florida — On Tuesday, October 6, 2015, the Marion County Board of County Commissioners voted to relocate the “Five Flags Over Florida” historical flag display — from the front of the McPherson Governmental Complex — and replace the Third National Confederate Flag, which is one of five flags that are part of the display.
In a unanimous vote, commissioners took action to move the display to an area closer to the Marion County History Museum. The motion included designating a secondary location on the complex, should soil conditions not support placing the display closest to the museum. As part of the vote, commissioners agreed to replace the Third National Confederate Flag with the First Flag of the Confederate States of America to resemble similar flag displays in other areas of Florida.
The museum is located in the back of the McPherson complex.
Article continued below
First Flag of the Confederate States of America
“This discussion has created more opportunities for us to look at how we display our county’s historical artifacts on the McPherson Complex,” Commission Chairman Stan McClain said. “I wish to thank all of our citizens for their valuable input and patience as we evaluated this flag display.”
The area currently used by the flag exhibit will continue to display the U.S. flag, with the addition of flags of the agencies represented at the Fallen Officers Memorial.
Funding for the relocation of the historical flags display will be generated through private donations, with no use of tax dollars.
Commissioners said that Tuesday’s decision followed months of research and citizen input, including commissioners’ review of flag relocation recommendations by the Marion County Historical Commission, one of the county’s advisory boards. The Commission had tasked the advisory board with said review during a July meeting.
We want to hear from you. What do you think about the decision?
Ocala, Florida — On Sunday, Marion County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to 12170 Southwest 43rd street, after a woman reported that her dog had been poisoned.
Susan Graham told deputies that she had taken her 10-year-old Jack Russell, Tinker, to an emergency animal treatment center when she found her dog sick and vomiting. She said that she noticed that her dog had ingested food that she had not fed it.
According to the animal hospital, a blood test showed that the dog was suffering from Ethyl Glycol poisoning, or antifreeze poisoning.
Animals are attracted to antifreeze because of its aroma and sweet taste, but it is extremely toxic, especially to the kidneys.
Antifreeze poisoning occurs in two phases. In the first phase, the animal typically appears lethargic, disoriented, uncoordinated, and groggy. The symptoms usually appear quickly — 30 minutes to one hour after ingestion — and can last for several hours. If a pet is behaving this way, call a veterinarian immediately. The second phase, which can last up to three days, is characterized by symptoms such as vomiting, oral and gastric ulcers, kidney failure, coma, and usually death.
The best treatment for Ethyl Glycol poisoning is Vodka.
Graham said that after she was notified that her dog had been poisoned, that she immediately suspected her neighbor.
Deputies made contact with Evelyn Maxson, located at 12150 Southwest 43rd Street Road, and questioned her about the poisoning.
Evelyn told deputies that her son, Noah L. Maxson, 19, had poisoned a neighbor’s pet in the past. However, she stated that she did not believe that her son had poisoned the Jack Russell.
Due to Noah not being home, the deputy made contact with him via phone. During the conversation, Noah confessed to poisoning the dog.
According to the arrest affidavit, Noah told deputies that he poured antifreeze into a Gatorade bottle that he had cut in half and mixed the antifreeze with boiled eggs. He then placed the half bottle on the other side of Graham’s fence.
Noah said he poisoned the dog because it was barking at his hens and he was worried that the dog would attack them.
Deputies reported that Noah also attempted to conceal his crime by burning the evidence.
Noah was arrested and charged with Animal Cruelty-Cause Cruel Death Pain and Suffering.
He was released on a $2,000 bond.
According to Dr. Londono with the University of Florida Emergency Animal Treatment Services, Tinker only had a 20 percent chance of survival.
Ocala, Florida — Thrill The World Ocala is back for its fifth year this October.
This is Ocala’s Biggest Fall Festival and you won’t want to miss it and is being sponsored by Extensions Dance Studio and Just Entertainment, Inc.
Thrill the World Ocala is an annual attempt at the Largest Simultaneous Dance with Michael Jackson’s Thriller.
Every year, zombies get together and try to break Ocala’s record by dancing to Thriller on the Ocala downtown square. In 2014, they had over 130 zombies dancing, 110 vendors, bounce houses, DJs, Old ‘Skool cover band, and many food trucks. There were over 5000 people who attended the event.
Extensions Dance Studio and Just Entertainment, Inc. are currently looking for zombie dancers to help break Ocala’s record. Pre-registration is $5 per dancing zombie and includes two rehearsals at Extensions Dance Studio, located at 2303 Northeast Jacksonville Road, Ocala. The rehearsal dates are Wednesday October 14th and Thursday October 15th at 6:45 p.m. For those who do not pre-register, that’s okay too. On the night of the event, participants can register for $7.00 at the sign in table. Each dancer will be required to have an armband. There is no age limit and no dance experience is necessary. The young and the young at heart are encouraged to attend and have a great time dancing.
In addition to the dancing, there will be other activities, which includes FREE Trick or Treating for the kids at each of the 149 vendors that are participating. Attendees can visit the vendor booths for candy and take a look at the products and services each vendor will be showcasing. Additionally, there will be a classic car show, haunted house, foam dance party, bounce house, face painting, bungee runs, a costume contest, and so much more.
Music will be provided by the local rock band Old ‘Skool, DJ Larry Spangler and Johnny “DJ Rocket” Sanchez.
Join them on Saturday, October 17th, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
For more information, contact Extensions Dance Studio at 352-694-0601.
Ocala, Florida — Ocala orthopedic surgeon, Michael K. Riley, 49, was killed in a tragic accident over the weekend at his home located at 13025 South Highway 475, Ocala.
According to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Riley was killed while attempting to attach a boat and trailer to his vehicle.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Even though the investigation is ongoing, investigators said that there was nothing suspicious about his death.
Riley practiced medicine at The Orthopaedic Institute, located at 1710 Southeast 16th Avenue, Ocala.
Exact details of of how this accident occurred have not been released.
Florida — Once again, Walt Disney World has raised its prices, making it more difficult for the average family to visit the theme park.
For many, the “Happiest Place on Earth,” has become the most expensive place.
According to Disney, a new color-coded annual pass system will replace the old annual passes at all Florida-based theme parks.
Disney’s Platinum Plus Pass, which is the most expensive at $776.39 — a $85.20 increase from the Premium Annual Pass — will include one year of admission to all 4 Walt Disney World theme parks (during normal operating hours) and the ability to go from park to park on the same day—with NO blackout dates—plus theme park parking and admission to two Disney water parks*, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex* and Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course*. Disney PhotoPass downloads*, special offers for stays at Disney Resort hotels, and valuable discounts on dining, merchandise, recreation, and tours are also included.
Disney’s Platinum Pass, at a cost of $691.19, will include one year of admission to all 4 Walt Disney World theme parks (during normal operating hours) and the ability to go from park to park on the same day—with NO blackout dates—plus theme park parking, Disney PhotoPass downloads*, special offers for stays at Disney Resort hotels and valuable discounts on dining, merchandise, recreation, and tours.
Disney’s Gold Pass, at a cost of $584.69, is intended for Florida residents and Disney Vacation Club Members Only. The admission is for during most times of the year to all 4 Walt Disney World theme parks (during normal operating hours) and gives the pass holder the ability to go from park to park on the same day—plus theme park parking, Disney PhotoPass downloads*, special offers for stays at Disney Resort hotels, and discounts on dining, merchandise, recreation, and tours. Blackout dates do apply.
The seasonal pass has been replaced Disney’s Silver Pass, and will cost of 414.29 — $60 higher than the seasonal pass. The Silver Pass is for Florida residents only, and is for admission during certain times of the year to all 4 Walt Disney World theme parks (during normal operating hours). The pass holder has the ability to go from park to park on the same day—plus theme park parking, special offers for stays at Disney Resort hotels, and valuable discounts on dining, merchandise, recreation, and tours. Blackout dates do apply.
Blooms of the Florida red tide organism, Karenia brevis, are present along and offshore of Bay and Gulf counties and adjacent to Franklin County in northwest Florida, and along and offshore of Manatee, Sarasota, and Charlotte counties in Southwest Florida.
In the past week, K. brevis was detected in background to high concentrations in 11 samples collected in, and alongshore of, Bay and Gulf counties, and in background to low concentrations in 32 samples collected in and alongshore of Manatee County south to northern Charlotte County. One sample collected offshore of northern Lee County contained background concentrations of K. brevis.
Within the Gulf of Mexico, Karenia brevis was not detected in, or alongshore of, Escambia, Okaloosa, Franklin, Hernando, Pinellas, or Collier counties. No samples were analyzed this week from Santa Rosa, Walton, Wakulla, Jefferson, Taylor, Dixie, Levy, Citrus, Pasco, or Monroe counties.
Forecasts by the USF-FWC Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides show slight southeast movement of surface bloom patches over the next three days in Northwest and Southwest Florida.
“Obviously I am incredibly angry about this data breach and we will institute a thorough review of our relationship with Experian, but right now my top concern and first focus is assisting any and all consumers affected,” T-Moblie CEO John Legere said.
T-Mobile was notified by Experian, a vendor that processes their credit applications, that they experienced a massive data breach.
According to officials, the hacker(s) acquired the records of approximately 15 million people, including new applicants requiring a credit check for service or device financing from September 1, 2013, through September 16, 2015.
These records include information such as names, addresses, and birthrates as well as encrypted fields with Social Security numbers and ID number (such as driver’s license or passport number), and additional information used in T-Mobile’s own credit assessment.
Experian has determined that this encryption was most likely compromised.
T-Mobile said they are working with Experian to take protective steps for all of the consumers whose information was compromised as quickly as possible.
“Obviously I am incredibly angry about this data breach and we will institute a thorough review of our relationship with Experian, but right now my top concern and first focus is assisting any and all consumers affected,” T-Moblie CEO John Legere said. He went on to say, “I take our customer and prospective customer privacy VERY seriously. This is no small issue for us. I do want to assure our customers that neither T-Mobile’s systems nor network were part of this intrusion and this did not involve any payment card numbers or bank account information.”
Experian has assured T-Mobile that they have taken aggressive steps to improve the protection of their system and T-Mobile customer data.
Anyone concerned that they may have been impacted by Experian’s data breach can sign up for two years of free credit monitoring and identity resolution services at www.protectmyID.com/securityincident.
Experian said, “We continue to investigate the theft, closely monitor our systems, and work with domestic and international law enforcement. Investigation of the incident is ongoing.”
T-Mobile’s team will also be available and ready to help customers in any way they can.
Legere said, “At T-Mobile, privacy and security is of utmost importance, so I will stay very close to this issue and I will do everything possible to continue to earn your trust every day.”
Federal and international law enforcement agencies were notified. The investigation is ongoing.
T-Mobile customers are advised to monitor their credit closely, and report any suspicious activity to authorities.
Jefferson Guinn [Left] and Daniel J. KrysalkaOcala, Florida — Jefferson Davis Guinn IV, 20, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for the shooting death of Daniel J. Krysalka, also 20.
Krysalka graduated from Forest High School as a star kicker for its football team. After graduating, he walked on to Florida University’s football team, where he played for the 2013 season. Teammates from his graduating class said Krysalka was one of the best kickers of all-time.
On March 8, Krysalka and Guinn were in an upstairs bedroom of a home located in the 2100 block of Southeast 15th Lane, Ocala, looking at their weapons — a Kel-Tec .380-caliber and a Kel-Tec 9mm. A third person, Ethan Hayhurst, was also in the room.
While the three were in the bedroom looking at the guns, Hayhurst made the comment that Guinn never cleaned his gun, the Kel-Tec 9mm. Hayhurst and Krysalka then told Guinn to take the gun apart so they could see how dirty it was.
According to reports, after taking it apart Guinn could not reassemble the weapon, so they watched a “how to” video on YouTube and Hayhurst put the gun together. Hasyhurst then handed the gun back to Guinn, at which point it was still unloaded.
Hayhurst said that Guinn was seated in a chair in front of Krysalka, who was seated on the floor.
Once Guinn was handed the gun, he inserted a magazine and racked a round into the chamber. Guinn then pointed it at Krysalka’s face and began making fun of people that had scolded him the night before for pointing an unloaded gun at someone. Hayhurst told the detective that the gun then fired and Krysalka fell backward. The bullet went thought Krysalka’s mouth.
Guinn plead guilty to Manslaughter with a Firearm on Wednesday.
In a statement to Ocala Post, Assistant State Attorney Nicholas Camuccio said, “This was a very difficult and emotional case for everyone that was involved. The Judge listened to the evidence and testimony from both sides before making his decision. That decision had to have been difficult for the Judge due to the very emotional nature of the testimony given on both sides.”
Guinn took full responsibility for the shooting and plead guilty because he did not want to “drag” Krysalka’s family through a long trial.
“In the end, the sentence given by the Judge was fair and appropriate for the circumstances,” Camuccio said.
Official Press Release – Want to help conserve Florida’s unique Everglades ecosystem? Then sign up for the 2016 Python Challenge™ competition and join the Florida Fish and Conservation Commission (FWC), the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida Inc. and partners to remove invasive Burmese pythons from public lands in south Florida.
Starting Thursday, Oct. 1, you can register for the Python Removal competition online at PythonChallenge.Org. If you are one of the first 200 people to sign up, you will receive a free 2016 Python Challenge™ T-shirt.
Compete to see if you can harvest the longest or the most Burmese pythons and win grand prizes of $5,000 in the team category and $3,500 in the individual category.
“We are providing training opportunities to teach people how to properly identify and safely capture Burmese pythons in the wild,” said FWC Commissioner “Alligator Ron” Bergeron. “Nonnative species are a problem for Florida – especially the one-of-a-kind Everglades ecosystem. The Python Challenge is empowering people to be part of the solution to this problem.”
In order to register for the Python Removal competition, which begins at noon Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, and ends at 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016, you must first take required online training. There are also opportunities for in-person trainings that include a hands-on component where you can practice handling and capturing pythons. Anyone can sign up for in-person trainings – whether or not they are participating in the python removal competition — starting Oct. 1. Training events will teach people how to identify, report and then safely and humanely capture Burmese pythons. Sign up for trainings at PythonChallenge.org.
Visit PythonChallenge.org for information about Burmese pythons, the unique Everglades ecosystem, how to register for the Python Removal competition, training opportunities and resources for planning your trip to south Florida to participate in next year’s events.
A Belleview woman died in a car crash Wednesday morning when she lost control of her vehicle and ran off the road.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, at approximately 1:48 a.m., a 2005 Nissan Murano, driven by Susan Michelle Ross, 49, was traveling south on Southeast 180th Avenue Road when, for unknown reasons, Ross lost control of her vehicle.
Ross then traveled across the northbound lane and onto the east shoulder, at which time she slammed into a concrete culvert, became airborne, and struck a tree.
The Nissan landed on its roof on the east shoulder of Southeast 180th Avenue Road, facing east.
Ross was pronounced dead at the scene by Marion County Fire Rescue.
FHP said that they do not know what caused the woman to lose control of her vehicle.
Heroin removed from Jeep and apartment in New York.
Manhattan, New York — James J. Hunt, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s New York Division (DEA), Bridget G. Brennan, New York City’s Special Narcotics Prosecutor, New York City Police Commissioner William J. Bratton, and Joseph A. D’Amico, Superintendent of the New York State Police, announced the seizure of 46 kilograms of heroin (141 pounds).
On September 26, 2015, a team from the DEA’s New York Drug Enforcement Task Force – comprised of DEA special agents, New York City Police Department (NYPD) detectives and New York State Police investigators – conducted surveillance in the vicinity of 2830 Sedgewick Avenue, Bronx, NY, as part of an ongoing investigation into heroin distribution organizations operating in the Northeast region of the United States. The Special Narcotics Prosecutor’s Office works closely with the Task Force as part of ongoing efforts to intercept bulk heroin shipments passing through New York City.
At approximately 3:40 p.m., agents and investigators observed Ramon Rivas and Jose Rodriguez in a silver Jeep Cherokee parked in front of 2830 Sedgewick Avenue.
Agents and officers then approached the Jeep Cherokee and engaged Rivas and Rodriguez in conversation. Ultimately, the conversation led to a search of the SUV.
During the search, 48 pounds or twenty-two brick-shaped packages of powder — consistent with heroin — were found in a concealed compartment in the trunk of the vehicle. An initial field test confirmed that the substance was in fact heroin.
A subsequent search was conducted at the residence of Ramon Rivas, located at 2830 Sedgewick Avenue, Apt. 1J, Bronx. Two concealed compartments were found in the one bedroom apartment. Task Force members found six kilograms (13 pounds) of heroin in the floor of the bedroom closet and 14 kilograms (31 pounds) of heroin in a concealed compartment in the wall of the entrance-way closet. Agents also found $50,000 in U.S. cash in the wall’s concealed compartment.
Article continued below
Heroin seized from storage unit in New York.
After searching the apartment and car, members of the Task Force searched a storage unit belonging to Rodriguez located at Public Storage, 400 Nepperhan Avenue, Yonkers, NY, where four more kilograms (nine pounds) of heroin were seized.
DEA SAC James J. Hunt said, “Heroin is like a monster in a horror movie: just when you think it is gone, it reemerges with a vengeance. This massive load of heroin was destined for NYC streets and is a reminder that heroin trafficking organizations are targeting NYC for retail distribution and transshipments throughout the Eastern Seaboard.” He went on to say, “As of today, DEA New York Division has seized one third of all DEA seizures in the U.S., which exemplifies the significant role drug law enforcement play in NY by thwarting drug traffickers’ attempts to increase the number of heroin users via heroin loads into our city.”
Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan said, “Reducing the supply of heroin is critical to reining in the scourge of addiction. Today’s seizure will keep millions of packages of heroin from hitting the streets. I thank our law enforcement partners and investigators for their tireless efforts.”
New York City Police Commissioner William J. Bratton said, “This seizure prevented a staggering amount of heroin from flooding our neighborhoods with this highly addictive narcotic.” He added, “I commend our NYPD investigators and law enforcement partners for their ongoing efforts to stop the distribution of this deadly drug.”
The Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor is prosecuting Ramon Rivas and Jose Rodriguez. A criminal complaint charges both defendants with one count each of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree. Rivas and Rodriguez were arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court, 100 Centre St. yesterday before Judge Robert Kalish. Both defendants pled not guilty.
The heroin confiscated during this seizure was valued at $30 million dollars.
Dunnellon, Florida — On Monday, at approximately 11:45 p.m., the Florida Highway Patrol responded to a vehicle crash at 20290 Southwest Marine Boulevard, Dunnellon.
Marion County Fire Rescue and Rainbow Lakes Estates Fire Department units were already on the scene when FHP arrived.
The first of three MCFR units arrived to find a white 2006 Scion that had impacted two parked cars.
The driver of the Scion, Brian Edward Chase, 52, was trapped inside the vehicle. MCFR crews quickly extricated Chase and transported him to Ocala Regional Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.
According to the investigating trooper, the driver of the Scion was traveling westbound on Marine Boulevard when he lost control of the vehicle while traveling above the 35 mph posted speed limit.
The driver then skid onto the aforementioned property and slammed into a parked Ford truck and Hyundai.
Troopers said that alcohol might be a factor in this crash.
Charges are pending the results of a blood test. This usually takes 4 to 6 weeks, depending on the caseload at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Ocala, Florida — A 24-year-old male faces multiple felony charges after he attacked a female who gave him a ride home.
The victim told Ocala Police that she was at Cowboys Saloon, located at 718 South Pine Avenue, Ocala, selling roses to customers when Emerson Ferrufino, 24, approached her and asked for a ride home.
She stated that she had known Ferrufino “for a while” so she agreed to drive him to his Ocala home.
According to reports, while the victim was driving, Ferrufino asked her to drive him to Citra, to which the victim replied, “No.”
The victim said Ferrufino then reached across her body with his right arm and put a knife to her throat.
Police said that was when the victim pulled into the Marathon gas station, located at 1010 South Pine Avenue, and called 911.
Moments later, Ocala Police Officers Moorehead and Ferguson pulled into the parking lot. They reported that the victim was running away from her attacker as they were arriving.
Police made contact with Ferrufino, who was standing near the victim’s vehicle. While speaking to the suspect, police observed a folding knife on the ground where he was standing.
Ferrufino told the police that he had not done anything wrong. Instead, he claimed that the victim had attacked him. He told police that the victim had cut his hand with a knife, but the victim said that the cut was already on Ferrufino’s hand when he entered her vehicle.
Ferrufino also stated that he and the victim were a couple and had a child together. However, the victim told police that she does not have a child with Ferrufino and that the two were not together.
EMS responded to the scene and treated the victim and bandaged Ferrufino’s hand.
Ferrufino was then handcuffed behind his back and transported to the Marion County Jail. Police reported that Ferrufino was uncooperative and was not coherent.
Upon arrival at the jail, police discovered that Ferrufino was able to move his hands to the front of his body. He had also unbuckled his seat belt. Additionally, Ferrufino had removed his bandage from his hand and attempted to eat it.
As the officer attempted to remove Ferrufino from the back of his patrol car, he refused to comply, “jerked away,” and began to swing his arms at the officer. The officer had to grab Ferrufino with both hands to gain control.
While Ferrufino was being searched inside the jail, corrections officers located two baggies of cocaine — one in Ferrufino’s underwear and the other in his right sock.
He was charged with Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon, Possession of Cocaine, Possession or Use of Drug Paraphernalia, Smuggling Contraband into a Detention Facility, and Resisting Arrest.
Ferrufino has had previous arrests for Domestic Battery, Retail Theft, Possession or Use of Drug Paraphernalia, Violation of Probation, Aggravated Battery on a Pregnant Woman, and Child Neglect.
Ocala, Florida — The Ocala Police Department arrested a teen after his employer reported that he had been stealing from the company.
Ocala Police responded to Macy’s, located at 3100 Southwest College Road, Ocala, in reference to an employee who was caught stealing money from the cash register.
According to Macy’s, Matthews Guzman-Zetino, 19, had been stealing cash from the business since August 8, and the store had been building a case against Guzman-Zetino since that time.
Store officials were able to provide police with detailed documentation of each theft.
Guzman-Zetino had stolen small amounts of cash that totaled $610, which was taken directly from a cash drawer.
According to reports, he also stole three Alfani T-shirts and one pair of Polo socks.
When questioned, Guzman-Zetino stated that he stole the money because he had lost his medical coverage and pays a lot for car insurance, so, he needed the extra money.
Guzman-Zetino told police that he had planned to pay back all the money he stole.
He was charged with Retail Grand Theft.
Guzman-Zetino was released from jail on a $2,000 bond.
Ocala, Florida — Ocala Police Department Lieutenant Billy Woods has implemented a safer way for citizens to exchange money and goods when using Craigslist, eBay, Facebook groups, and other websites.
Lieutenant Woods said that OPD has designated parking spaces in it’s parking lot, which are video monitored. This area will be known as the “E-commerce Exchange Zone.”
This will ensure the safety of Marion County residents when conducting e-commerce business.
Top: John Chiguina and Jessica Turner. Mugshot: Cheryl Johnson.
[Last updated on October 2, 2015, at 1:46 p.m.]
Ocala, Florida — On Sunday, September 20, the sun was just going down when John Chiguina, 37, and his girlfriend, Jennifer “Shelley” Turner, 42, decided to go for a ride on Chiguina’s black 2014 Kawasaki Vulcan motorcycle.
Little did the couple know that their lives would change shortly after they began their joy ride.
Ocala police said that Cheryl Johnson, 46, who was driving a white 1999 Mitsubishi Galant was traveling westbound on Northwest 35th Street.
At the same time, Chiguina was traveling eastbound on Northwest 35th Street, passing through the intersection of Northwest 2nd Avenue.
As Chiguina was passing through the intersection, Johnson made a left hand turn onto Northwest 2nd Avenue headed southbound. It was at that time that the Galant violated the right-of-way of the Vulcan and slammed into the left side of the motorcycle.
The impact crushed both Chiguina’s and Turner’s left leg. They were both transported to Ocala Regional Medical Center with severe injuries.
A short time later, Johnson stated that she also needed to go to the hospital because of her hypertension.
After hearing that Johnson would also be transported to the hospital, Officer Drue Hunley performed a computer check on her and discovered that Johnson did not have a valid driver’s license.
According to records, Johnson is considered a habitual offender.
With that, Officer Hunley immediately drove to the hospital and confronted Johnson. During the conversation, she admitted that she has not had a driver’s license for the past three years because she could not pay for auto insurance. Additionally, the vehicle she was driving belonged to her daughter.
“I never drive but I needed something from the store, so I drove my daughter’s car to get it. The next thing I knew, I was in a crash,” Johnson said. She went on to say, “I was blinded by the sun setting.”
Johnson was arrested and transported to the Marion County Jail and charged with Driving While License Suspended-Habitual Offender (F). She was released on Monday on a $2,000 bond.
Article continued below
Chiguina [left] and TurnerChiguina had to have his left leg amputated from the knee down and has undergone multiple surgeries since Sunday.
Turner’s left was broken in several places, and she, too, has had to have multiple surgeries to repair the damage to her leg.
Astonishingly for having just endured a very life-changing traumatic experience, the two have stayed strong, relied on each other for support, and have been in good spirits throughout the ordeal.
On Thursday, for the first time since the accident, Turner, with some help from hospital staff, was able to get out of bed. However, she is unable to maneuver without a walker.
The hospital has also been very accommodating, and at times, has allowed them to stay in the same room together.
In addition to the accommodating hospital staff, Turner’s and Chiguina’s Facebook pages have literally been filled with hundreds of get well messages.
On Thursday night, Turner wrote, “As the saying goes ‘what doesn’t kill us only makes us stronger’ this man is my rock and my soul mate. Our bond is unbreakable. With every new obstacle, he faces he amazes me. The man above made him especially for me. I love you with everything I am. Nothing will ever change that!”
Chiguina, wrote, “I survived, I will get to bother my Shells (his nickname for Turner) for many more years.”
The couple faces a long road of recovery, but they have a large support system behind them.
UPDATE
On September 29, Chiguina and Turner (Shells) were cleared for discharge from the hospital. They are now recovering while in the comfort of their own home.
When asked how he was doing considering the circumstances, Chiguina replied, “I can’t seem to get a leg up.”
Even after the dust settled and the nightmare set in as reality, Chiguina has maintained his sense of humor.
Chiguina, who has been employed by the City of Ocala for nearly 19 years, said that the city has been great to him.
“I’ve always felt in my almost 19 years of service that everyone was more than coworkers and friends, we’ve been more family than anything,” Chiguina said.
In addition to the couple’s long road of recovery and rehabilitation, they also face a mountain of medical bills. Therefore, a GoFundMe account was set up on their behalf.
Silver Springs — A silver Springs woman along with her cat and dog, died Thursday morning when her house caught on fire.
At approximately 2:25 a.m., Marion County Fire Rescue crews responded to a house fire, located at 2315 Southeast 175th Terrace Road, Silver Springs.
Article continued below
According to MCFR, 11 units — a total of 24 firefighters — arrived on the scene in just a little over six minutes to find the 1,600 square-foot house 50 percent engulfed in flames.
One occupant, Chris Bucher, was able to escape the fire. Firefighters performed a thorough search of the home and found Paulette Martin deceased.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office. MCSO will be assisting with the death investigation.
![Javier Huerta [left] and Gustavo Olivares-Rivas. [Deceased]](https://www.ocalapost.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Javier-Huerta-Gustavo-Olivares-Rivas-jpg.jpg)
