Workers inspecting hole that a 1-year-old boy fell in.
Ocala, Florida — A 1-year old-boy died Sunday after he fell into a hole in a backyard behind Greenfields Apartments, located at 5390 SE 29th Place, Ocala.
According to a press release, Marion County Sheriff’s deputies received a call at approximately 11:00 a.m. in reference to 1-year-old Wyatt Steed who had wandered away from his guardian while walking around outside.
The hole was approximately 23 inches long and 30 inches wide. The sheriff’s office said they did not know how deep the hole was.
The bottom of the hole was also filled with water.
Deputies performed CPR on the child until medics arrived and transported the boy to the hospital, where he died at noon.
Residents, who did not want to be identified, said that they had heard rumors that the hole had already been reported, but nothing was ever done about it.
According to the sheriff’s office, a plumbing company was called out to repair and diagnosis the ground opening.
Photo that clearly shows that the chicken had been thawed and then refrozen. Ocala Post
[Last updated on August 6, 2015, at 4:35 p.m.]
Ocala, Florida — Ocala Post recently investigated the Marion Oaks Winn-Dixie following multiple complaints from consumers about food safety concerns.
During one incident, a reader contacted Ocala Post and stated that she noticed chicken in a Winn-Dixie coffin-freezer had apparently been thawed and then refrozen.
The customer said she tried to tell an employee, but he just rolled his eyes and walked away.
Approximately one hour after receiving the complaint, Ocala Post arrived at the store and investigated.
Ocala Post found that there were in fact dozens of bags of chicken that had been thawed and then refrozen. In fact, the bags of chicken were in the process of refreezing and were still a little on the soft side.
As with the customer, Ocala Post notified an employee who appeared to be taking inventory in the frozen section. Ocala Post informed the employee that there was chicken in the coffin-freezer that had clearly been thawed and then returned to the freezer.
The employee was asked to get the manager of the store.
The employee, with a confused look on his face, rolled his eyes and walked away.
After 22 minutes, the manager had not appeared, and the chicken remained in the coffin-freezer.
Ocala Post then contacted Winn-Dixie’s corporate office and apprised them of the situation.
Corporate Communications Manager Julianne Roberts said, “Such an allegation would represent a serious breach of company policy as food quality and food safety are a priority.”
Health officials told Ocala Post that if chicken were to be thawed at room temperature, refrozen, and then sold, it could potentially be a serious health risk to consumers.
During the investigation, Ocala Post learned that the Marion Oaks Winn-Dixie is not the only Winn-Dixie store to be investigated for the same matter.
In fact, it appears as though Winn-Dixie has a habit of refreezing thawed foods, including ice cream.
Amanda Chandler [DMV photo]Palm Bay, Florida — A police dispatcher was arrested on Monday and charged with eight (8) counts of Capital Sexual Battery and five (5) counts of Lewd and Lascivious Molestation.
According to reports, Amanda Chandler, 40, was having a sexual relationship with an 11-year-old boy.
Palm Bay police said Chandler is married and has two small children, ages 8 and 10.
Chandler was also a volunteer for Little League.
Everything came to light on August 1, when police responded to a Melbourne hospital in reference to an attempted suicide.
According to the arrest affidavit, Chandler’s husband notified police after his mother-in-law forced her way into a locked bedroom and found his wife on the floor.
According to reports, there were at least eight (8) pill bottles on the bedroom floor.
Chandler’s husband told police that the two of them had been arguing on and off about his wife’s relationship with a boy who lived next door to them.
The husband stated that the boy would come over to the couple’s residence when he was not home and have sex with his wife. On one occasion, he came home and found the two in bed kissing.
He said the boy was hanging all over his wife.
The husband also found text messages on his wife’s phone. In the text messages, Chandler confessed her love for the boy.
Some of the messages were sent just moments before she attempted to overdose on medication.
One message read, “I will most likely be gone by the time you read these messages.”
She also referred to the boy as her soul mate.
The boy told investigators with the Department of Children and Families that Chandler would touch his penis and he would touch her vagina. He said that the two were having a sexual relationship.
During questioning, Chandler told detectives that she and the boy started a sexual relationship in February, and that the two of them have had oral sex multiple times. She said they had sexual contact a week before her arrest date.
Palm Bay Police Commander John Resh said he is sickened by the situation.
Chandler survived the overdose and will have to face the charges. If convicted, she could be facing life in prison because the boy is under the age of 12.
Chandler has been with the agency for nearly three years. The agency began termination proceedings the moment they learned of Chandler’s involvement with the boy.
If anyone has information on this case, or knows of children that might have been in contact with Chandler, you are asked to contact Detective Jasmine Smith at 321-733-3028.
Ocala, Florida — The Marion County Sheriff’s Office arrested an Ocala man and charged him with six (6) counts of Sexual Assault by a Custodian on a 15-year-old Female.
According to investigators, the victim had been sexually abused since the age of four (4).
On Monday, Deputy Marques responded to Northwest 3rd Place, Ocala, after the victim’s mother reported that her daughter had asked for a pregnancy test.
After speaking with the victim, the deputy learned that Joseph Timothy Baker, 41, had been sexually abusing the 15-year-old for the past 10 years.
The victim said that when she was four (4), Baker put her on the bed, put his hands inside her pants, and digitally penetrated her. She said that afterwards, Baker told her that it was their secret.
According to reports, Baker performed oral sex on the victim and also forced her to perform oral sex on him.
The victim said that during one encounter, Baker pulled down her pants and attempted to have sex with her. She said she pulled up her pants and ran off crying. Baker then approached her and asked, “Did I hurt you?” Baker then asked, “You know I love you, right?”
According to the arrest affidavit, the victim’s mother was not home during the sexual encounters.
The victim said that Baker would often buy her gifts and give her candy.
During questioning, Baker demanded an attorney.
Baker was arrested and transported to the Marion County Jail.
Ocala, Florida — It was a little disheartening to see all the Marion County citizens rally for the Confederate flag recently. Not that they shouldn’t be allowed to show their enthusiastic support for whatever cause they deem worthy, but the fact that they then show such little support for the Fire Department and Sheriff’s Department in this county is upsetting.
These are the issues that affect us closely and they choose to keep silent about them. The county commissioners are on the verge of destroying our fire department, which would affect every single one of us residents. Yet where are the rallies of citizens? Where are the trucks, cars and motorcycles driving on the roads in support of these men and women? Where are the people packing the commission chamber to voice their displeasure?
With the exception of a handful of residents that came out to the last rally and spoke to the commissioners, they’re nowhere to be found. These commissioners will not allocate the needed resources for these hardworking men and women, who by the way, risk their lives for you, unless the other citizens force them to. They are underpaid and understaffed and are leaving this unappreciative county to go to other, more friendly, departments.
What is one of the ideas to save money? Well, they came up with removing the language concerning the staffing requirements for firefighters to man the trucks. What does that mean? When a fire truck comes to your aid because your house is on fire, there could only be two firefighters on the truck. That means a) one will have to go in alone to do a search and rescue if someone is in the house (extremely dangerous) or b) they would have to wait for back up to arrive, wasting precious time in getting to you or a family member trapped in the fire.
The other idea was two half-cent sales taxes (for a total of 1%) for infrastructure and public safety. One would assume that they would use one of the half-cent taxes for infrastructure and one for public safety. That’s a start, but Commissioner Zalak has a different take on it. In his radio interview he said he would take 75% of the total 1% tax for infrastructure and the other 25% would go to public safety. While my car’s alignment is very important to me, I’d rather have a fully staffed fire truck show up if my house were burning.
You see where their priorities are?
It’s just not in their makeup for our public safety or the safety of our first responders to be a main concern; it’s how they can save money. They’ll spread the first responders even thinner across the county. And of course, the most important thing is that they didn’t raise any property taxes. Who else but the citizens of this county should help pay for our own safety?
From what I’ve witnessed of this group, they’re not likely to come around anytime soon. It seems to have turned into a pissing match between them and the fire department and to some extent, the sheriff’s department. To put it bluntly, they just really don’t seem to care. The firefighters can’t do it by themselves, and they shouldn’t have to. The residents should have their backs. It’s very sad that the fire department feels the need to hold rallies outside the commissioner’s offices just to get the public’s attention.
These political officers need to be removed from office this next election. If you’re not going to support the firefighters or police vocally, at least make sure to support them at the polls and elect people who are willing to fund these crucial services correctly.
Ocala, Florida — A mother and a 6-year-old boy are in critical condition following a two-vehicle crash Monday morning.
The relationship between the woman and the boy is unknown at this time.
According to reports, at approximately 9:47 a.m. the Marion County Public Safety Communications Center received a 911 call in reference to an accident near 6500 Northwest Highway 225A, Ocala.
Crews from Marion County Fire Rescue Golden Ocala Station 20 were the first to arrive on the scene. MCFR Meadowood Station 12 arrived a short time later.
Upon arrival, crew members found that a Hyundai and a Chevy Suburban had collided.
According to FHP, the Hyundai Elantra, driven by Theresia “Terri” Conley, 31, was stopped on the west shoulder of County Road 225A, south of Northwest 62nd Place, preparing to make a U-Turn. 6-year-old Zachary Bode was a passenger in the vehicle.
The Chevy Suburban, driven by John Peterson, 73, was traveling southbound on County Road 225A.
Conley turned into the northbound and southbound lanes of County Road 225A, in front of Peterson.
The front of the Suburban then T-boned the left side of the Hyundai, which caused the Tahoe to veer onto the right grassy shoulder and hit a fence.
The Hyundai came to its final rest on the southeast grassy shoulder of County Road 225A
Photos courtesy of James Lucas, MCFR [Click photo to enlarge]The woman and the boy were trapped inside the Hyundai. Firefighters from both stations worked to extricate them from the wreckage.
According to FHP, all occupants were wearing there seat belts.
Conley was transported to Ocala Regional Medical Center and the boy to UF Health Shands in Gainesville.
According to FHP, as of August 5, at 12:18 p.m., the boy was listed in critical but stable condition. The woman remained in critical condition.
Mark Weekly [left], Cheyanne Jessie [center], and Meredith Leeann JessieLakeland, Florida — A 25-year-old Central Florida woman is behind bars following the murder of her 6-year-old daughter and 50-year-old father.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office released a detailed report of the incident on Monday morning.
On August 1, 2015, Polk County Sheriff’s deputies responded to 5221 Drane Field Road, Lakeland, in reference to a missing persons call.
Upon arrival, deputies met with Cheyanne Jessie. She told deputies that she had dropped off her daughter, Meredith Leeann Jessie, at the aforementioned location to stay with her father, Mark Ivan Weekly, on July 18.
Cheyanne stated that her boyfriend, Matthew Munroe, received text messages from Mark on July 19, which stated that Mark was leaving Florida with 6-year-old Meredith. The messages also indicated that Mark’s belongings should be sold or disposed of.
When questioned about the text messages, Matthew told deputies that he and Cheyanne had previously argued about Meredith’s behavioral problems. He said that he told Cheyanne that if she didn’t get control of Meredith, he would leave her. Matthew also told deputies that when he and Cheyanne were shopping, she had asked him if he believed a human body would fit into a plastic tote. Additionally, she asked how long maggots take to consume a human body.
Cheyanne stated that since the text messages, she had been returning to her father’s house to remove property.
A friend of Mark, Vicki Parker, told deputies that on July 18 Mark had told her he planned to visit Georgia and was waiting for Cheyanne to provide an address for Meredith’s paternal grandparents. Vicki said that she became suspicious when she returned to the residence on July 22 and witnessed Cheyanne removing property from inside the residence.
During the investigation, Cheyanne signed a consent to search waiver for her father’s residence.
Upon entering the residence, deputies saw a sofa and love seat that had been covered with fresh white sheets. When the sheets were removed, investigators found large stains that tested positive for blood. Investigators also noted that the couch had been slashed multiple times.
According to reports, the residence was overtaken by the smell of decomposing flesh and there were a large number of dead flies throughout the residence.
Investigators then questioned Cheyanne about their findings.
At first, she told deputies she returned to the house on July 18 and got into an argument with her father. She said he insinuated that she was a bad mother.
Cheyanne said that Mark attacked her and that during the attack a knife fell from her pocket. She said that Mark pushed her on the floor, straddled her, and punched her in the head. She said that he then reached for the knife and attempted to stab her.
Cheyanne claimed that during the struggle, her daughter ran to her defense and was stabbed in the throat by Mark. She said that after the girl was stabbed, she fell onto the sofa.
She said it was at that time that Mark attempted to stab her again; however, she was able to punch him in the throat, take the knife from him, and stab him in the chest. She said she was then able to throw Mark off of her, at which time he landed on the love seat.
Cheyanne stated that after she threw him on the love seat, he reached for a semi-automatic handgun that she kept under the sofa. She said that as her father raised his arm to fire the weapon, she pushed his hand upward and toward his head. She said the gun then discharged and a bullet struck him in the head.
She told investigators that she then grabbed the weapon and fired it several more times.
Cheyanne then changed her blood soaked clothes, grabbed the gun, and left the residence.
Then, on July 20 through July 22, Cheyanne returned to the residence so she could clean up.
Investigators reported that Cheyanne purchased air freshener from Walmart to cover the smell of the decomposing bodies and “bug bombs” from Lowes to kill the flies.
Cheyanne used a shovel to scrape bodily fluids and human decomposition matter from the living room floor.
Investigators said the house was wood framed and had a crawl space under it. They said that the floors were so saturated with blood, that it had soaked into the wood floor and was dripping under the house.
During the cleaning process, Cheyanne stated that she took the bodies of her father and daughter and placed them into plastic totes. She then loaded the totes into her father’s Suburban.
It was later determined that the totes that Vicki had witnessed Cheyanne removing from the home contained human remains.
Cheyenne stated that after she loaded the bodies into the SUV, she drove to another residence located approximately 300 yards from Mark’s residence where she stored the totes in a shed, which was not climate controlled.
Investigators located the shed and removed the totes. They confirmed that the totes did contain the human remains of her father and daughter.
According to the arrest affidavit, investigators determined that after Cheyanne dropped off her daughter on July 18, she returned to her father’s house armed with a handgun and a knife.
She then entered the residence and murdered her father and 6-year-old daughter.
Cheyanne then attempted to conceal the crime by sending fake text messages from Mark’s phone. Additionally, she cleaned the murder scene and attempted to dispose of the bodies.
Jessie was charged with two counts of First Degree Murder and one count of Tampering with Evidence.
She is being held without bond at the Polk County Jail.
PCSO Public Information Officer Donna C. Wood said that an autopsy will be conducted in order to determine the number of gunshots and/or stab wounds each individual sustained.
Marion County Fire Rescue [E18] mows patents lawn after he fell and sustained serious injury.Belleview, Florida — While an elderly man was mowing his yard Friday morning he fell and suffered serious injuries.
Marion County Fire Rescue E18 and R18 were dispatched and promptly responded to the location of the incident.
Upon arrival, both units began treatment.
While R18 transported the patient to the hospital, E18 cleared the call in order to become available for other possible emergencies.
Selflessly, instead of returning to the station, E18 personnel stayed behind and finished mowing the elderly man’s lawn for him.
Crew members said that it only took a short time to finish the lawn.
Emergency workers said that although lawn service won’t be found in the Marion County Medical Protocols or Fire Department SOG’s, “Doing the right thing” section, it doesn’t need to be written down for those who have sworn an oath to put others first.
“From all of us at Firehouse 18 and MCFR, we wish you a full and speedy recovery sir,” MCFR said.
There were a total of five deputies involved in Price’s arrest. The remaining three deputies have been identified as Cody Hoppel, Adam Crawford, and Jesse Terrell, referred to in court documents as deputies 1, 2, and 3.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the arrest was recorded on surveillance video at two local businesses located on Marion Oaks Boulevard.
Officials said that Fitzgerald sat on Price’s legs during the beating, while Amidei stood by and watched the beating.
Since the incident, all five deputies have been on suspension.
According to federal court documents obtained by Ocala Post, Fitzgerald and Amidei 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 3 years, and a special assessment of $100 per felony count.
One of the Elements of the Offense listed for Count one was: the [deputies] deprived Price of a right secured or protected by the Constitution or laws of the United States, namely, the right to be free from unreasonable seizure, which includes the right to be free from unreasonable force, In this case, the Information charges that the [deputies] violated Price’s right to be free from an unreasonable seizure because (1) Marion County Sheriff’s Deputies used unreasonable force against Price, (2) the [deputies] knew the force used was unreasonable; and (3) the [deputies] failed to intervene.
The “Factual Basis” contained within the court documents spelled out the actions of the deputies on August 7.
The five deputies participated in an operation that included the execution of multiple search warrants, including one for Price’s home.
After officers learned that Price had fled his home when officers arrived, they searched for him for nearly an hour, when Price was spotted in the area of 100 Marion Oaks Boulevard, Ocala.
Fitzgerald was in a truck with deputies 1, 2, and 3. Amidei approached the area on foot, when the deputies saw Price run into a parking lot of a small strip of businesses.
Deputies in the pick-up truck drove ahead of Amidei.
Amidei stated that it was at that time he saw that Price had stopped running, put his hands in the air, kneeled on the ground while his hands remained raised, and laid flat on the ground with his arms stretched out with his palms facing down.
The court documents note that: at that time, Price had fully surrendered, his hands were visible, he was compliant and non-resisting, and he did not appear to pose any threat to the deputies, himself, or others.
Amidei approached Price as Fitzgerald and deputies 1, 2, and 3 exited the pick-up truck and surrounded Price.
The court documents read as follows:
“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.”
Amidei stated that during the assault on Price, his focus was principally drawn to Deputies 1 and 3. Deputy 1 repeatedly struck Price in the ribs with his knee, while Deputy 3 repeatedly punched and kicked Price in the face, head, neck, and shoulder.
Amidei stated that he had a sense that Deputy 2 was striking Price, but was not sure where or how many times the Deputy had struck Price.
Fitzgerald, however, had a better vantage point. He saw Deputies 1, 2, and 3 beating Price.
The court document states that, “Fitzgerald saw Deputies 1, 2, and 3 using unnecessary force under the circumstances.”
Fitzgerald stated that he saw Deputy 2 punching Price in the head, neck and shoulders.
Both Amidei and Fitzgerald stated that there was blood covering Price’s face and the pavement.
Records stated that at no time was any force necessary to be used upon Price once [he] surrendered, other than to place handcuffs on him.
Court documents note, “[Price] did not spit, kick, strike, move, threaten, or resist officers in any way. Price was compliant and immobilized during the entire time of the beating.”
Knowing that the beating was wrong and could subject all the deputies to liability and/or prosecution, Fitzgerald submitted falsified reports in an attempt to cover up the fact that they had violated the law.
Amidei also submitted falsified reports. Additionally, he made false statements to Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigators while under oath.
The falsified reports included a charge for resisting arrest.
This case has gained a large amount of attention from the black community, namely because all five officers are presumed to be white.
Amidei and Fitzgerald have not been taken into custody yet. They remain free on their own recognizance until their sentencing.
On Thursday, Amidei and Fitzgerald surrendered their Passports to the Clerk of Court.
The two have also been advised that they can no longer be in possession of a firearm or other weapon.
While out of custody, they must also report any contact with law enforcement personnel, including questioning, arrests, or traffic stops.
The video has not yet been released to the media.
You can read the original story, view all photos, and see all those arrested in the drug raid here.
Ocala, Florida — An IRS phone scam taking place across the country has surfaced in Marion County.
On July 25, a Marion County resident, who had been fortunate enough not to fall victim to the scam, contacted Ocala Post.
According to the IRS, the calls have become more sophisticated, which often times leads a person to become a victim.
The IRS said that some victims have been told they owe money to the IRS and it must be paid promptly through a pre-loaded debit card or wire transfer. If the victim refuses to cooperate, they are then threatened with arrest, deportation or suspension of a business or driver’s license. In many cases, the caller becomes hostile and insulting.
Oftentimes, the scammers target immigrants who speak limited English.
On July 24th, Marion County resident Chelsea Barr received a phone call from 360-780-3756. She said the caller ID showed Forks, WA.
Barr said that it was a pre-recorded, robotic female voice.
The automated call stated, “We are glad we are finally able to reach you. This is the Internal Revenue Service, and we are suing you for fines you have failed to pay. Please call this number…”
Barr said she found it funny when the pre-recorded voice stated that, “They were glad to have finally reached her.” She said it was funny because no one had ever called before that day.
“We were smart enough not to fall for it,” Barr said. “I know there are a lot of gullible and trusting people out there and, since this was a pre-recorded robotic voice and not an actual person, I wanted to bring it to everyone’s attention.”
Barr said, “I hope this information helps others not to fall for this scam.”
Ocala Post contacted the IRS and was directed to several links on the IRS’s website.
Even though IRS scams are not new, this particular phone scam, which has become more sophisticated, was originally reported in 2013. It was later updated in November 2014.
A statement in a document published by the IRS reads:
“This scam has hit taxpayers in nearly every state in the country. We want to educate taxpayers so they can help protect themselves. Rest assured, we do not and will not ask for credit card numbers over the phone, nor request a pre-paid debit card or wire transfer,” says IRS Acting Commissioner Danny Werfel. “If someone unexpectedly calls claiming to be from the IRS and threatens police arrest, deportation or license revocation if you don’t pay immediately, that is a sign that it really isn’t the IRS calling.” Werfel noted that the first IRS contact with taxpayers on a tax issue is likely to occur via mail.
Other characteristics of this scam include:
Scammers use fake names and IRS badge numbers. They generally use common names and surnames to identify themselves.
Scammers may be able to recite the last four digits of a victim’s Social Security Number.
Scammers spoof the IRS toll-free number on caller ID to make it appear that it’s the IRS calling.
Scammers sometimes send bogus IRS emails to some victims to support their bogus calls.
Victims hear background noise of other calls being conducted to mimic a call site.
After threatening victims with jail time or driver’s license revocation, scammers hang up and others soon call back pretending to be from the local police or DMV, and the caller ID supports their claim.
If you get a phone call from someone claiming to be from the IRS, this is what you should do:
If you know you owe taxes or you think you might owe taxes, call the IRS at 1.800.829.1040. The IRS employees at that line can help you with a payment issue – if there really is such an issue.
If you know you don’t owe taxes or have no reason to think that you owe any taxes (for example, you’ve never received a bill or the caller made some bogus threats as described above), then call and report the incident to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 1.800.366.4484.
You can file a complaint using the FTC Complaint Assistant; choose “Other” and then “Impostor Scams.” If the complaint involves someone impersonating the IRS, include the words “IRS Telephone Scam” in the notes.
Taxpayers should be aware that there are other unrelated scams (such as a lottery sweepstakes) and solicitations (such as debt relief) that fraudulently claim to be from the IRS.
The IRS encourages taxpayers to be vigilant against phone and email scams that use the IRS as a lure. The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email to request personal or financial information. This includes any type of electronic communication, such as text messages and social media channels. The IRS also does not ask for PINs, passwords or similar confidential access information for credit card, bank or other financial accounts. Recipients should not open any attachments or click on any links contained in the message. Instead, forward the e-mail to phishing@irs.gov.
Several citizens in Marion County have reported being targeted by these types of scams.
More information on how to report phishing scams involving the IRS is available on the genuine IRS website, IRS.gov.
Ocala, Florida — A 3-week investigation into an auto theft resulted in two arrests this past weekend.
It all started on July 3, when deputies responded to the 11000 block of Northwest 8th Lane in reference to a grand theft auto.
The victim stated that he had left his 2005 Chevy pickup truck parked in his driveway, and when he awoke at 5 a.m., it was gone.
According to reports, the victim borrowed a friends truck to drive to work on the morning of the theft.
On his way to work, he spotted his pickup truck on Highway 441 and Southwest 27th Avenue. He said there was a man, later identified as Thomas Bowerman, 28, driving the truck.
The victim stated that he attempted to approach the man, but he drove the truck over the median and fled into oncoming traffic.
During the investigation, deputies located another stolen vehicle parked in the Pilot parking lot located at 4255 West Highway326.
A witness identified the person that had stolen the vehicle as Bowerman.
After learning the suspects name, it was determined that he had already been arrested and was in jail on unrelated charges.
Deputies then responded to the Marion County Jail to question Bowerman.
According to the police report, he told deputies that he had parked the car at Pilot in case he needed to get out of town fast. He stated that he knew about the other warrants, and was “on the run.”
When questioned about the pick-up truck, he said that it was given to him by Joyce D. Carpenter, 27.
Investigations revealed that Carpenter had stolen the truck and passed it onto Bowerman, who later gave it back to Carpenter. She then drove the truck to Georgia. While there, she pawned lawn equipment and tools that were in the truck when she stole it.
Carpenter then traveled from Georgia to Alabama, where she left the stolen truck parked in a Walmart parking lot.
MCSO deputies then contacted the Guntersville, Alabama Police Department, who located the truck at the Walmart.
Carpenter was located a short time later and arrested.
Bowerman was charged with Grand Theft Auto (x2). He was first arrested at the age of 19. He was a convicted felon by the age of 20. He has been arrested 16 times with more than 2-dozen charges.
He is currently being held without bond.
Carpenter was charged with Grand Theft Auto and Grand Theft. She has been arrested multiple times in Marion County, and like Bowerman, her criminal record began at the age of 19.
She was released on $10,000 bond.
According to reports, Carpenter has a disabled child. Police stated that when they found the truck the only thing left in it was a child car seat. It was not clear if the child was with her during her crime spree.
Information provided to Ocala Post suggested that Carpenter currently has custody of her disabled child.
St. Landry Parish, Louisiana — Lieutenant Higgins with St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office had a strong video message for a criminal who burglarized his favorite restaurant.
Lieutenant Higgins said, “Look at me son, I’m talking to you. The sheriff likes Stelly’s Restaurant, and so do I. The food here is good, and the folks are friendly. We’re going to identify you, arrest you, and put you in a small cell. After that, I’m going to have a cheeseburger here with fries and a Coke and leave a nice tip for the waitress. Meanwhile, your next meal will be served through a small hole in a cell door.”
St. Landry Crime Stoppers is offering $1,000 for the man who burglarized Stelly’s Restaurant in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana on July 8, and made off with hundreds of dollars.
The priceless video, which was recorded on July 23, has gone viral.
Troy Tulowitzki #2 of the Colorado Rockies reacts after flying out in the seventh inning of a game against the Cincinnati Reds at Coors Field on July 25, 2015 in Denver, Colorado. (Getty Images: Dustin Bradford)
The Rockies and Blue Jays opened up the final week of trading with a blockbuster deal, sending superstar shortstop Troy Tulowitzki to Toronto. The Rockies in return received shortstop Jose Reyes and much needed pitching prospects Miguel Castro, Jeff Hoffman, and Jesus Tinoco. The Blue Jays also received reliever LaTroy Hawkins in the trade. The Blue Jays lead the Majors with 528 runs scored, while their starting pitchers are tied for the third worst ERA in the AL at 4.38.
It seemed like the Blue Jays would have traded for a star pitcher like Cole Hamels instead adding another bat to their already powerhouse lineup.
“Getting better doesn’t have to mean a reliever or a starter,” Blue Jay General Manager Anthopoulos said. “When you have a chance to get the best player at a respective position and a guy that also brings some intangibles as well, it’s a rare opportunity and we wanted to take advantage of it.”
The trade deadline isn’t until Friday so look for the Blue Jays to added starters to their rotation in the coming days.
The Royals and Reds also had their own blockbuster trade when the Reds sent ace pitcher Johnny Cueto to the Royals for left-handed pitching prospects Brandon Finnegan, John Lamb, and Cody Reed. Cueto gives the Royals the ace they needed in their rotation while the Reds in return receive much needed pitching prospects in their farm system.
Cueto is on his last year of his contract and with the Reds doubtful to re-sign him it seemed as no surprise that they dealt him away to a playoff contender.
“I’m excited about my next chapter,” Cueto said with Reds catcher Brayan Pena serving as his translator.”I know they play baseball very good. I’m excited because I know it’s going to be good for my career and good for the team.”
The Royals were also making moves to help their fielding as they acquired Ben Zobrist from the Oakland Athletics for minor league pitchers Sean Manaea and Aaron Brooks.
Ocala, Florida — Since it began playing volleyball in 2011, the College of Central Florida volleyball team has made an impact on the national scene.
With three trips to the NJCAA National Tournament and a state championship in 2012, the Patriots have been a force to be reckoned with under coach Flavia Siqueira.
Several players who were part of past success at CF will be back at Patriot Gym for the alumni scrimmage against the current Patriot team this Saturday, August 1 at 2 p.m.
The event is free and open to the public.
Among the former CF standouts confirmed for the game are Raveen Golston, Brittney Brown, Vanessa Benke, Ella Kazarian, Amber Wyborny, Christine Pinder, Marina Adami, Cristina Llorens, Brittney Toney and Douwyna Montalvo.
Benke was named the NJCAA National Female Athlete of the Year after her sophomore year while Brown joined her as conference player of the year.
Kazarian earned FCSAA Tournament MVP honors, while Adami is the school’s single season and career assist leader.
Golston and Montalvo earned first-team all-conference honors and helped the Patriots to the state championship in 2012, while Toney, Wyborny and Pinder, a first-team all league pick in 2011, were also part of the opening surge for the program.
Nathaly Alvarez, Larissa Amorin, Julia Azevedo, Madara Bajare, Rafaela Fonseca, Licie Leite, Amanda Santos, Jussara Silva, Heather Bowersox, Chelsea Chavers, Alyssa Gage and Ashley Hagood are the newcomers for CF this season. Yaralismar Diaz Rodriguez is the lone returning player from the 2014 squad, which missed a fourth trip to the national tournament by one match.
CF’s regular season home opener will take place on September 29 against Florida State College at Jacksonville. The match against FSC-J is one of the seven home contests for the Patriot volleyball team.
CF will kick off the regular season on the road versus Pasco-Hernando State College on August 24 at 6 p.m.
Ocala, Florida — A homicide investigation is underway after police were notified that a man had been shot and killed Monday afternoon.
The victim has been identified as Kerman Dent Jackson, 23, of Ocala.
On Monday, Ocala Police said they received a 911 call in which the caller stated that a man had been shot at Village Green Apartments, located at 500 Southwest 33rd Avenue, and dragged into apartment 92B.
When Ocala Police arrived, they found Jackson’s body on the living room floor face down in a pool of blood.
It was later determined that he had been shot twice in the chest.
As police secured the perimeter, they made contact with Jervanie Jose Monserratt, 26, who stated that he was the person that had called 911.
According to reports, Monserratt stated that he was walking past lot 92B when he heard two or three “pops.” He said at first he thought it was fireworks.
Monserratt stated that as he got closer to the driveway, the door of the trailer “burst open” and two black males with dreads ran out.
He stated that as the suspects ran by he heard a male yell from inside the trailer, “I’ve been hit.”
Monserratt told police that when he went inside the trailer, he saw his friend, “Kern,” stumbling around holding his stomach. He said that is when he dialed 911.
Investigators reported that Monserratt told them that as he dialed 911, he received a phone call from a Chinese food delivery guy who was at his house with his order. Monserratt said he then left “Kern” to get his food from the delivery man. He then returned to the trailer.
While speaking with Monserratt, police noticed blood on his clothing and feet. When asked where it came from, Monserratt stated, “I became this bloody by attempting to help “Kern” up off the floor.”
Police then advised him that they would need his clothes for evidence. He was escorted back to his residence where he changed clothes.
Due to the inconsistencies with Monserratt’s story, he was transported to the Ocala Police Department for further interrogation.
During questioning, Monserratt told investigators that he had removed Jackson’s cell phone from the scene of the crime. He said he removed it because Jackson told him to use it to call police.
Based on this information, a search warrant was obtained for Monserratt’s trailer.
Upon executing the search warrant, police found Jackson’s phone and ten 30mg oxycodone pills. Additionally, a 9mm Ruger handgun was found on the ground behind the residence directly across the street from Monserratt’s lot.
When investigators returned to the police department, Monserratt had another story for them.
He told police that when he entered Jackson’s trailer, after he had been shot, he saw several bags of marijuana on the floor. He said he took them and hid them so Jackson would not get in trouble. When asked about the gun, he said he removed it from cabinet in Jackson’s trailer so he would not get in trouble.
Monserratt told police that he had the pills because he was selling them for someone else, but he would identify who he was selling them for.
Due to the facts in this case, Monserratt was arrested and charged with Tampering with Evidence, Possession of Oxycodone, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
Monserratt has a previous felony conviction for Battery on a Juvenile Probation Officer.
He is being held on $50,000 bond.
According to reports, there were multiple people outside when police arrived. Investigators said that most of the individuals they interviewed would not speak English, and those who did, would not cooperate.
The homicide investigation is ongoing. Stay tuned for more details.
Ocala, Florida — Marion County Commissioners unanimously agreed last Tuesday to schedule a workshop to discuss placing a one cent sales tax increase on the ballot in March 2016, amid long standing budget woes.
The issue, brought forth by Marion County Commissioner David Moore, would divide a local option one cent sales tax between public safety and infrastructure needs.
“Continuing to kick the can down the road is no longer an option when it comes to the needs of our community,” Commissioner Moore said in a statement. “One of the major purposes of local government is to provide for the fire/rescue and safety of the residents of Marion County.”
A date has not been set for the workshop, but it could not come soon enough with the hundreds of miles of deteriorating roads and an aging fire rescue and sheriff fleet. Just last week, three ambulances broke down while transporting patients to local emergency rooms; one patient was a heart attack victim.
According to state law, a local option sales tax could come in various forms, but the distribution must be specifically spelled out and voted on during a regularly scheduled election.
For Moore, he would like to see this done in March 2016, during the Presidential Preference Primary.
A proposed sales tax issue was discussed last year and a consulting firm was hired to help get it on the ballot; however, it died when commissioners could not agree on language to put on the ballot in a timely fashion.
Estimates from last year’s proposal showed that a one cent sales tax would generate between $35 million and $40 million of new revenue.
In 2013, the sheriff requested a half-cent sales tax for a term of three years that would have solved the budget problem. Something that many counties have done and continue to do. The commissioners dragged their feet on the proposed plan and by the time they realized the half-cent sales tax would correct budget issues, it was too late.
All municipalities would get a portion of those funds, and it would be divided among them by population, totaling 18 percent of what is generated.
Under Moore’s plan, this would leave approximately $7 million for Fire Rescue, $7 million for the Sheriff’s Office, and $14 million for other infrastructure and utility needs.
Currently, out of the counties that surround Marion County, only Alachua and Citrus counties do not have a local option sales tax.
“I think David showed true leadership on Tuesday by stepping up and proposing this sales tax; and the rest of the commissioners did the right thing by agreeing to a workshop to look into funding essential services,” Ryan O’Reilly, spokesman for the Professional Firefighters of Marion County said. “Hopefully, these issues can be hammered out appropriately and quickly. We look forward to seeing what they and the community have to say about funding public safety and rebuilding our infrastructure.”
Commissioner Moore seems sincere about wanting to fund public safety.
“I am proposing that the County Commission put a Public Referendum on the March 2016 Presidential Primary election, a one cent sales tax for a period of 3 years commencing 90 days after the certification of the vote,” Commissioner Moore said. “We as a county can no longer ignore these needs of our community, and a sales tax will give the most equitable method to fund these needs.”
A half cent of the tax would be for infrastructure and utilities. The other half cent would be for Public Safety, divided equally for Capital items, between Law Enforcement and Fire Rescue.
Would you support a one cent sales tax increase?
UPDATE
The workshop has been scheduled for Aug. 12 at 9 a.m.
Allison Shear [left] and Kathryn AndersonOcala, Florida — Ocala Police made a double arrest as they attempted to serve a warrant on a felon over the weekend.
Ocala Police Officers Hall and Diesso responded to the 200 block Northeast 19th Avenue after they received a tip that a woman with outstanding warrants would be at the location.
While police were waiting in the area, a 2000 Honda pulled up and the suspect, Allison Shear, 19, exited the vehicle.
As the officers made contact with Shear, Officer Diesso approached the vehicle and made contact with a female, later identified as Kathryn Anderson, 20, who was sitting in the driver’s seat.
Officer Diesso reported that as he approached Anderson, he saw her place a pill container between her legs.
When asked about the container, Anderson handed it to the officer.
According to the arrest report, the pill bottle contained a small plastic baggie with methamphetamine, and under that was a 8mg tablet of Dilaudid.
Anderson did not have a prescription for the Dilaudid.
Shear was arrested on the outstanding warrant for Violation of Probation in a previous case in which she was charged with DUI Impairment and Possession of Cocaine. Additionally, she was charged with Possession of Drugs without a Prescription and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Shear is being held without bond.
Anderson was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of a Controlled Substance without a Prescription.
Ocala, Florida — Thieves are targeting vehicles in Ocala, and it doesn’t look like keeping your vehicle locked will stop them.
Over this past weekend, there were multiple vehicle burglaries at Jervey Gantt, Planet Fitness, the Aquatic Center & Dog Park, and YMCA. Additionally, there were multiple vehicle burglaries in the Fore Ranch area.
Detectives said that the thieves smashed windows in the vehicles and stole anything they could get their hands on.
Ocala Police are advising citizens to lock their wallet or purse in the trunk, if attending a gym, park, or any other place where you leave possessions in the vehicle.
At least nine vehicles were damaged during the weekend burglary spree. Damages were estimated to be in the thousands of dollars.
If you have any information about these burglaries, call 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.
Photo by Damon A. Easley [Click photo to enlarge]Micanopy, Florida — UPDATE — The man who fired at a FHP trooper Saturday morning, was located and shot dead after an exchange of gunfire between law enforcement and the suspect.
The suspect apparently ran after the gunfire was exchanged.
His body was found a short time later.
Alachua County Sheriff Sadie Darnell said that they do not know if he was killed by law enforcement or took his own life.
Not one law enforcement officer was injured during the manhunt.
At 2:19 p.m., southbound lanes for I-75 traffic were re-opened. At approximately 5:51 p.m., FHP announced that two northbound lanes — the inside and center lane — of I-75 at Micanopy were opened. FHP advised that drivers should use caution in that area.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) has taken over the investigation.
The deceased was later identified as Earl Jackson, 59, of Miami. Jackson’s family told FDLE that he was a corrections officer in South Florida and that he was having mental issues.
Those who knew Jackson do not believe he should have been shot. They feel that law enforcement should have questioned Jackson even though he was firing at police.
(ORIGINAL ARTICLE) A manhunt in underway after shots were fired at a Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Saturday morning as he attempted to assist a motorist.
Northbound traffic on Interstate 75 has been closed beginning at the 374 mile marker near Micanopy. Additionally, southbound traffic has been closed at mile marker 382 near Williston Road.
Motorists traveling northbound should exit in Marion County prior to entering Alachua County, and motorists traveling southbound should exit onto US 441, State Road 26, or at the intersection of Archer Road.
Drivers are urged to avoid this area until further notice.
Article continued below
Photo courtesy of Gainesville, Traffic @GACSmarttraffic
Traffic is being diverted onto US 441.
The closure is due to an armed suspect who fired several rounds from a handgun at a FHP Trooper.
The Trooper stated that he had arrived to assist a disabled vehicle when an unidentified black male began firing at him.
The black male then fled into the woods.
FHP troopers, Alachua County SWAT, ACSO deputies, and FWC have established a perimeter. The suspect is believed to be contained within the area.
I-75 northbound and southbound traffic will be closed for an undetermined amount of time.
This is a breaking story. Stay tuned for further details.
