337 Calendar Street Port Charlotte Fl Blue Prints
Suspected shooter dies
in ATV crash soon after alleged shooting
By Jeff M. Hardison © July 8, 2022 at 2:12 p.m.
LAKE CITY – A 40-year-old Lake City man died within 15 to 30 minutes after allegedly being suspected of a shooting, which occurred in Columbia County n U.S. Highway 90 and Northwest Turner Avenue, according to information in a Florida Highway Patrol press release sent today (Friday, July 8) at 10:19 a.m.
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The next-of-kin of the driver of the ATV who died, the FHP said, were notified before the press release was sent.
Columbia County Sheriff's Office is investigating the shooting, the FHP said.
The driver of an ATV failed to negotiate a left curve while heading southbound on Southwest Mount Carmel Avenue at 3:13 a.m. today (Friday, July 8), the FHP said.
The ATV left the roadway to the right and went into the west ditch, which caused the front left of the ATV to hit a concrete block, according to information in the FHP press release that is based on information from crash investigator and homicide investigator FHP Cpl. Aaron Brannon.
After the collision, the ATV continued traveling south into a wooded area, the FHP said. The driver, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was thrown from the ATV as it overturned multiple times, the FHP said.
That driver is considered a suspect in a shooting, which occurred in the area of U.S. Highway 90 and Northwest Turner Avenue approximately 15 to 30 minutes prior to the crash, the FHP said.
People stop attempted carjacking
Suspect arrested for felonies
MCSO seeks more help from the public
Normad Eliud Rosario-Otero
Mug Shot By MCSO
By Jeff M. Hardison © July 7, 2022 at 9:12 p.m.
OCALA – An elderly female victim had the presence of mind to slow an attempted carjacker long enough for another person to grab the man and hold him until deputies arrived on Tuesday afternoon (July 5), according to information in a July 7 press release from Marion County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer Zachary Moore.
On Tuesday afternoon, Marion County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) Major Crimes Detective Andrew Canterberry arrested Normad Eliud Rosario-Otero, 51, of xxx for attempted carjacking, burglary of a conveyance with a battery, attempted burglary of a conveyance, and attempted burglary of a dwelling, Moore said.
Combined bonds for the suspect are set at $100,000, Moore said.
On July 5, MCSO received reports about a suspicious person, later identified as Rosario-Otero, at the intersection of Southwest State Road 200 and 60th Avenue, in Ocala, Moore said.
When deputies arrived at the scene, it was discovered that Rosario-Otero had attempted to burglarize a nearby home when the homeowner confronted him, Moore said, causing him to flee toward the intersection.
At the intersection, Rosario-Otero attempted to enter multiple vehicles and ultimately made entry into the vehicle of an elderly female through the passenger side door, Moore said.
The elderly victim advised that Rosario-Otero grabbed the steering wheel and her arm, and reached his foot over to press the gas pedal, but the victim was able to keep pressure on the brake pedal, Moore said. The woman said another man removed Rosario-Otero from her vehicle, at which time he was restrained with a belt prior to law enforcement's arrival, Moore said.
Rosario-Otero was transported to MCSO Central Operations for questioning. During the interview, he claimed to have used cocaine, Xanax pills, and alcohol the evening before and stated he did not recall the incident, Moore said.
The suspect was arrested and transported to the Marion County Jail.
MCSO Major Crimes detectives believe that there may be more victims due to the fact that witnesses observed Rosario-Otero attempting to enter multiple vehicles at the intersection of Southwest State Road 200 and 60th Avenue. Any person with information about this incident, is asked to please call Detective Andrew Canterberry at 352-438-5932.
Two people die at I-75 rest stop By Jeff M. Hardison © July 7, 2022 at 8:12 a.m.
Photo By FHP
ALACHUA COUNTY – A man and woman from Lompoc, California, died Wednesday afternoon (July 6) in a crash at a rest stop in Alachua County, according to information from the Florida Highway Patrol. The next-of-kin were notified before the press release was sent, the FHP said.
A 2020 Freightliner semi tractor-trailer was parked in the southbound rest area parking lot of the Payne's Prairie Rest Area parking lot off of Interstate-17 in Alachua County, the FHP said. That vehicle was driven by a 58-year-old Ruskin man, the FHP said in the press release based on information from homicide investigator FHP Cpl. Gabe Keyes.
A 2015 Tesla, driven by a 66-year-old woman from Lompoc, California, with a 67-year-old man from the same city as a passenger, was southbound on I-75, the FHP said, before it exited for the rest area.
The vehicle went into the parking lot toward the semi, the FHP said, where the Tesla slammed into the rear of the seemi's trailer, where it came to final rest.
Both Tesla occupants were pronounced dead on scene, the FHP said. Gainesville Fire Rescue responded to extricate the driver and
Passenger, the FHP said.
As of May of 2020, the Florida Highway Patrol stopped providing names of people and some other information from crashes as part of its press releases.
Prior to May of 2020, the FHP formerly provided that information via those public records in its press releases.
The FHP and some other law enforcement agencies in Florida are abiding by a version of something known as "Marcy's Law" of California, which is allegedly used to protect victims of crimes. The Florida version of "Marcy's Law" was adopted after Florida voters chose to change the Florida Constitution to exempt more public records from view.
Although not every vehicle crash involves crime victims, which may have been the legislative intent of the Florida version of "Marcy's Law" approved by voters, the FHP adopted its current blanket exclusion of some information as part of its process in sending press releases.
Although the FHP adopted this new practice, not every law enforcement agency has done so.
For instance, the Chiefland Police Department, the St. Petersburg Police Department and the Ocala Police Department all have provided crash information in press releases or traffic crash reports, except when there is an actual victim of a crime, as demonstrated in the reports provided to the press since the onset of the FHP's revision in its press release practices in May of 2020.
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Suspects Jailed June 27 through July 3, 2022
Published July 5, 2022 at 9:12 p.m.
Suspects Jailed June 27 through July 3, 2022
Published July 5, 2022 at 9:12 p.m.
Suspects Jailed June 27 through July 3, 2022
Published July 5, 2022 at 9:12 p.m.
Internet cafés are OK for White Springs
By John S. Koch
Independent News Services
Published July 4, 2022 at 11:12 a.m.
WHITE SPRINGS -- The White Springs Town Council held a special meeting recently to repeal a previous ordinance outlawing internet cafés from operating operate in White Springs. White Springs is a town in Hamilton County. Hamilton County is part of the Third Judicial Circuit, which includes Columbia, Dixie, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee and Taylor counties.
The new ordinance requires owners to have two armed security guards and 24-hour surveillance. The regulation forbids serving alcohol on the premises and from operating past midnight.
In total, 10 individuals spoke against the ordinance, and one person spoke in favor. The council voted 4-1 to approve the ordinance, saying the town needs the money because of a budget deficit.
FWC law enforcement actions
in Tri-County Area found
One BUI arrest
and undersized fish citations issued
By Jeff M. Hardison © July 4, 2022 at 11:12 a.m.
LIVE OAK -- A request for public records on June 28 from activities by the law enforcement part of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) brought records sent via email on July 1.
The FWC provides a statewide Division of Law Enforcement Weekly Report which is very brief. The FWC Division of Law Enforcement has a motto to "Patrol, Protect, Preserve."
That weekly report shows some of the law enforcement activity by the FWC from the various regions of the state.
These reports represent some of the many activities the FWC handles over specified weeks; however, it does not include all actions taken by the FWC Division of Law Enforcement, which is very active, especially since the former Florida Marine Patrol was merged with the FWC decades ago.
These requested reports were from the Tri-County Area of Levy, Dixie and Gilchrist counties that were in a set of reports in the weekly digest of FWC Division of Law Enforcement reports in the May 13-19 period. There are six regions of the FWC.
The regions of the FWC are Northwest Region, North Central Region, Northeast Region, Southwest Region, South Region A and South Region B.
The Tri-County Area is in the FWC North Central Region. All of the 17 counties in this FWC region are Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Citrus, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Nassau, Suwannee, Taylor and Union counties.
Charles King of the FWC noted he was unable to locate a written report for the "distressed vessel offshore," which was among the records sought from the FWC by the daily news website.
Another report requested involved a drowned person. The drowning was turned over to the Gilchrist County Sheriff's Office, King noted.
Following are some of the results from that cursory search of public records regarding FWC law enforcement action in Levy County, Dixie County and Gilchrist, provided by the FWC when requested.
LEVY COUNTY
Gary Mason Clark
Mugshot By LCSO
Gary Mason Clark, 42, of Chiefland was arrested May 14 for boating while under the influence (BUI) of alcohol or other drugs. This operation of a vessel while normal facilities are impaired is a second degree misdemeanor, just like the version on land where a person is operating a motor vehicle and it is known as DUI.
Clark also reportedly was charged with another second degree misdemeanor for allegedly refusing to submit to a blood test, breath test, or urine test, according to the narrative of the incident. And he was cited for not having a fire extinguisher on the boat.
FWC Officer Corrie Bell and FWC Officer Michael Jovanov were on water patrol on the Suwannee River when they stopped a 1999 19-foot Godfrey Marine Co. open motorboat to conduct a vessel safety inspection, according to records.
FWC Officer Jovanov noted in his report that he and Officer Bell were on the Suwannee River, near Fanning Springs State Park, at approximately 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 14, when they "observed a vessel leaving the Suwannee Belle Landing
Restaurant traveling in a careless manner northeast in the Suwannee River on the Levy County side of the river."
In Bell's report, he noted that "we had to take action to avoid possible collision on the Levy side of the river due to a vessel leaving the Suwannee Belle restaurant."
The vessel piloted by Clark came across the river into the FWC boat's path of travel in a careless manner on the Levy
County side of the river, Officer Bell noted.
The FWC officers following the vessel to the Joe Anderson Sr. boat ramp on the Dixie County side of the river, where Bell saw Clark park his vessel in a manner that obstructed the boat ramp, according to records.
When Clark exited his vessel, he proceeded up the hill while in an evasive manner, Bell noted. Officer Jovanov exited their patrol vessel and contacted Clark. They returned to the vessel, where Bell asked Clark if he was the captain of the vessel and he said that he was, according to records.
Officer Bell noticed that Clark smelled of alcohol and was displaying several indicators of impairment, which are well-documented in the narrative, including the results recorded after Clark consented to standard field sobriety tasks, according to records.
After completing the tasks, Officer Bell arrested Clark for BUI and booked him into Levy County Jail.
FWC Officer Marcus Reith, who was with FWC Officer Ryan Gilbert as they were conducting water patrol in Levy County on that day and time, was called by Bell to transport BUI suspect Clark, according to records. Officer Reith was the law enforcement officer who was told by Clark that he would not submit to a breath test, according to records.
Clark was released from jail on $10,000 bond, according to records from the Levy County Sheriff's Office.
DIXIE COUNTY
FWC Officers Austin Sheffield was on offshore patrol at 6:40 p.m. on May 14, according to records, when he observed a vessel traveling easterly toward Horseshoe Beach with several fishing rods displayed from the vessel.
The officer was on patrol at Shired Island, Dixie County, when he observed two individuals Juan Rodrigues, 23, and Jocsan Blas Ibarra, 28, both of Live Oak, in a 1980 16-foot Rhyan-Crafts Boats open motorboat.
Officer Sheffield observed the two people actively fishing in a that vessel near a bridge, according to records.
Officer Sheffield conducted a resource inspection, and the fishermen were found to be over the bag limit of trout and redfish. The fish were seized and returned to the water. The users were cited accordingly, records showed
FWC Business and Public Records Administrator Hollie Weathersbee provided the assistance required to obtain the public records, which included pictures of the undersized fish being placed next to a ruler before they were returned to the water.
Taylor County joins By Jeff M. Hardison © July 2, 2022 at 10:12 a.m.
other coastal counties with shark bites
First shark bite recorded
in Taylor County since 1958
This International Shark Attack File map of Florida shows that as of 2021, there were zero confirmed shark bites in Taylor County. Now, there has been one.
TAYLOR COUNTY –
Deputies with Taylor County Sheriff's Office, along with Taylor County Fire and Rescue and Century Ambulance EMS, responded to Keaton Beach that Thursday to provide emergency assistance to a juvenile who had sustained a shark bite while scalloping near Grassy Island in water approximately five-feet deep, the TCSO said.
The girl was bitten by an undetermined type of shark, described as approximately nine feet long, the TCSO said.
A family member reportedly jumped in the water and beat the shark until the juvenile was free, the TCSO said. The victim was taken by helicopter to a Tallahassee hospital with serious injuries, where she underwent surgery and is expected to fully recover, the TCSO said.
Swimmers and scallopers are cautioned to be alert, vigilant, and practice shark safety, the TCSO said.
The International Shark Attack File notes tips to keep safe this summer in regard to shark bites:
* Swim with a buddy
* Stay close to shore
* Don't swim at dawn or dusk
* Don't swim around schools of fish or where people are fishing
* Avoid wearing jewelry
* Avoid excess splashing
As for shark bites, The International Shark Attack File (ISAF) is the world's only scientifically documented, comprehensive database of all known shark attacks. Initiated in 1958, there are now more than 6,800 individual investigations covering the period from the early 1500s to the present.
The International Shark Attack File is housed at the Florida Museum of Natural History and is the only scientifically-generated database that documents and monitors shark attacks on a global basis. While most attack investigations are performed by ISAF staff as parts on ongoing research, the File benefits from a globally-distributed network of collaborating regional scientists who investigate attacks in their own regions (and in some cases maintain regionally-oriented databases) and cooperatively forward reports to the ISAF.
ISAF records show that as of 2021, Volusia County had the most bites since 1958 with 337 being recorded there.
After that, from most to least bites in Florida counties, the ISAF shows the following numbers from 1958 through 2021: Brevard 155; Palm Beach 81; Duval 46; Saint Johns 45; Martin 40; Saint Lucie 37; Indian River 22; Miami-Dade 19; Monroe 17; Broward 16; Pinellas 13; Bay 9; Collier 8; Lee 8; Nassau 7; Sarasota 7; Flagler 6; Escambia 6; Manatee 5; Okaloosa 4; Gulf 2; Franklin 2; Charlotte 1; Santa Rosa 1; and Walton 1.
Two suspected juvenile felons caught By Jeff M. Hardison © July 2, 2022 at 6:12 a.m.
A Ford truck reported stolen and crashed by a 14-year-old Williston boy sits as an example of the how juvenile criminals cause the same problems to victims that are caused by their adult counterparts.
Photo Provided As A Professional Courtesy of the LCSO
BRONSON – Victims in the Morriston area of Levy County recently learned the suspects who stole their vehicles are juveniles, who enjoy lighter justice than their adult counterparts in Florida, according to information in a recently press release from the Levy County Sheriff's Office.
Rico Ridgeway, 14, and Kaden McCurdy, 16, both of Williston are suspected felons, according to information in a Friday afternoon (July 1) LCSO press release.
The LCSO began receiving calls from individuals in the Morriston area near the end of June, the LCSO said, where the people reported their vehicles were being stolen. Other vehicles stayed at the owners' homes but they had been broken into, the LCSO said.
Thieves stole valuables or the entire vehicles, the LCSO said, only to dump the owners' means of transportation, after the criminals took them for "a joy ride."
Almost every time deputies located a stolen vehicle, the LCSO said, it had been damaged and required extensive repairs.
On Tuesday (June 28), the LCSO press release from July 1 noted, suspects stole a Ford truck. A person saw the theft in progress and called 9-1-1, the LCSO said. LCSO law enforcement officers found the vehicle being driven by a boy. A chase began, the LCSO said, and the child wrecked the vehicle. The driver fled from the scene and ran into the woods, the LCSO said, where detectives caught him after a short foot pursuit.
Ridgeway now faces more felony charges after that crash, the LCSO said, after being identified as a suspect in two additional grand theft auto incidents.
McCurdy also became a subject of felonious activity, the LCSO said, as detectives determined he participated in other crimes being investigated by both the LCSO and Williston Police Department (WPD).
"Ridgeway is no stranger to our detectives," LCSO Lt. Scott Tummond said. "He had been arrested just four days prior (to the June 28 arrest) for another vehicle theft, but was released from juvenile detention.
"Why, because car theft is not considered a violent crime," Tummond continued. "Ridgeway has six pending cases in juvenile court, not counting his newest charges."
Detectives know this is not an isolated incident and that Ridgeway and McCurdy are not committing these crimes alone, Tummond said. LCSO detectives worked alongside the WPD as detectives furthered the investigation. As a result, WPD detectives solved seven car burglaries reported in the City of Williston, Tummond said.
"Since this crime spree began," Tummond said, "detectives have recovered five stolen vehicles, suspect these two (Ridgeway and McCurdy) are involved in 10 additional car burglaries reported in the county and have been involved in two vehicle pursuits; all amongst other criminal acts."
These cases are all active and are currently being investigated. Detectives are seeking assistance and request anyone who has information to please call the LCSO.
LCSO Detective Ryan Sullivan is the lead investigator and can be reached at 352-486-5111 ext. 360. Those who wish to provide a tip but want to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 1-877-349-8477. Tipsters could be eligible to receive a cash reward.
Three of four judge candidates Story and Photos
speak at forum in Williston
This graphic representation shows the approved ballot where people can fill in one circle to choose for whom they vote to be the next Eighth Judicial Circuit Court judge.
By Jeff M. Hardison © June 30, 2022 at 8:12 a.m.
WILLISTON –
Sean Brewer, AuBroncee Martin and Nathan A. Skop each had as many as seven minutes to speak. Given the rules in their candidacy, there were no questions and answers.
Dan Weisman, who like the other three candidates is an attorney that lives in Gainesville, was not at this forum.
Sean Brewer Sean Brewer spoke about his background, his family's background and then he told listeners about his traits, skills and experiences that reflect him as being a good fit on the judiciary.
Sean Brewer speaks to people at the June 24 event in Williston.
Since the latter part of his adolescence, Brewer grew up in Seminole (a city in Pinellas County). He graduated from Seminole High School in 1989. He started at the University of Florida in 1989. He put himself through undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of Florida and then at the University of Florida Fredric G. Levin College of Law.
Brewer graduated both from UF and then from the UF College of Law with honors.
He met the woman who would become his wife at UF in 1991, and Brewer said during the forum that is the most important thing that happened to him during his college years.
His wife Laura Quisling Brewer grew up in Gainesville, where her father was a doctor at Shands, candidate Brewer said.
They were married in 1995 while he was still in law school. This past May, they celebrated their 27th wedding anniversary. They stayed in the Gainesville area because her family was still in that area, Brewer said.
They raised and are raising three boys. Their three sons are Justin, 20, who will be a junior at UF in the fall; Kyle, 17, a senior in high school this fall; and Blake, 14, a freshman in high school this fall. Brewer said all three boys are hearty eaters.
Laura Brewer has been a teacher in Alachua County since 1996. She became a reading resource teacher who helps children in elementary schools. She brings them up to the point in their skill level where they are reading at the correct grade level with their classmates.
As for candidate Brewer's work history, he always lived in Gainesville. He started in his professional career in 1998 as an assistant state attorney with Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Brad King for four years. The Fifth Judicial Circuit includes Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion and Sumter counties.
All told, Brewer has been a prosecutor for 24 years in the two neighboring circuits, the Fifth and the Eighth.
Brewer specialized in prosecuting people who were charged with having committed crimes that hurt children and women, including sex abuse cases against children and women.
In 2002, as the couple awaited the birth of their first child, the assistant state attorney said he needed to work closer to home rather than commuting to the neighboring county.
In the Eighth Judicial Circuit, Brewer started in Levy County, where he served for about three years. Brewer said he got to know the people of Levy County during those years, and he loves the people of Levy County.
"I got to see the people of Levy County both on their best days and on their worst days," Brewer said. "It's a tightknit community. I've gone to the death scenes. I've been there in Levy County.
"There's one particular scene there that will never leave my mind," he continued. "There was a murder scene that I came to as an assistant state attorney with the police, right here in Williston."
While Brewer served in Levy County with the Office of Eighth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Bill Cervone, he handled 50 percent of the cases, including all of those cases where defendants were charged with crimes they allegedly committed against women and children, because that was his specialty.
When he and his wife had their second child, Brewer saw the need for him to serve in Alachua County to help his wife transport the two boys to school. With that transfer, State Attorney Cervone assigned Brewer to a unit dealing with felonies committed against woman and children.
After a couple of more years, Brewer became felony division chief -- or supervisor. He became the division chief of all crimes against women and children, which he did for 10 years.
For the next two and a half years after that, he became the division chief of the major gun crimes unit. These cases include mandatory minimum prison sentences of 10-to-20-years to life imprisonment.
As he switched to run for the circuit court judge position, he became the intake unit chief.
Having spoken about his background, his family and his service as a prosecutor, Brewer then shared insight about his helping in the community beyond his profession.
"With three boys," Brewer said, "I have coached about 125 different sports teams at the youth level. We're talking (about) the three year olds all the way up to 14."
Brewer said he made the cutoff for coaching at middle school. With his youngest son now entering high school, he said he needed to find something else to do – and so he is running for office to be a circuit court judge, he joked.
Through his years of coaching, Brewer said he has enjoyed the opportunity to meet many families. To have been even in a small way a part of those many young athletes' lives, the gentleman said he feels honored.
Brewer told the audience that as he watched the installation ceremony for Williston Police Chief Mike Rolls recently, in the very room where he was speaking – the R. Gerald Hethcoat Community Center – he was approached by a woman who told Brewer that she was grateful to him for coaching her godson, back in 2005 when he was three years old.
"Now he's 21 and he's playing baseball in college," Brewer said, "and I coached him in T-ball. Obviously, nothing I did had anything with him going to college by playing baseball."
Brewer said she told him that she recognized him from the T-ball team picture where he was in it with her godson, back then, 18 years ago, and it is on the mantle at her home.
The traits, skills and experience that will make Brewer a good fit on the judiciary, he said, include trial experience.
"I'm a trial attorney," Brewer said. "That's what a circuit court judge does."
The attorney went on to say this duty covers trials, negotiations, hearings and every aspect of law, which he has been doing for 24 years.
"I've been with the families of the murder victims," Brewer said, "where we have to decide -- Where are we going with this case? What are we wanting to do to avoid some pain for you, but to get justice for your loved one?"
Brewer said he has been with the children who have been molested as he sat with their families. He knows children who would be willing to go through trial, but he knows, too, what having to testify as a victim of molestation can do to the child. He has negotiated multi-decade sentences for the perpetrators without making those children testify.
Also, however, he has gone through trials to bring those perpetrators to justice when they cannot be negotiated with.
By having three sons, serving as a coach and dealing with children who have been victims of crimes, Brewer said he is qualified to serve as a family law judge, which is a job that is part of being a circuit court judge.
AuBroncee Martin AuBroncee Martin reminded voters that electing a circuit court judge is a rare occurrence.
AuBroncee Martin speaks to people at the June 24 event in Williston.
Martin said that with this in mind, he is making sure everyone in the circuit will have an opportunity to see and hear from him as a candidate for circuit court judge.
"As a circuit court judge," Martin said, "we don't have any particular agenda. We can't come here and say 'If I am elected, I am going to do this,' or 'If I am elected, I won't do that.'
"The only thing that we can promise you," Martin continued, "the only thing that we can assure you – is that we will be fair and impartial."
Martin said therefore the voters can look at the candidates' experience and background to have some insight into the decision-making process the candidate will use if he is elected.
Martin has served as an assistant public defender for more than 24 years.
"I'm a felony division chief in the Public Defender's Office, here in the Eighth Judicial Circuit," Martin said. "And to be clear, Levy County is part of the Eighth Judicial Circuit. I've tried cases from first degree murder to driving while license suspended."
Martin is a former president of the Eighth Judicial Circuit Bar Association. He is an instructor at the Prosecutor/Public Defender Program, which is a statewide program offered by The Florida Bar. Martin trains both prosecutors and public defenders on trial advocacy, he said.
He is also a certified county and family mediator, which means he has experience in family law, as well as matters regarding eviction in civil circuit court.
In October, AuBroncee and his wife Telisha will herald their 24th wedding anniversary. They have three sons Jared, a student at Santa Fe College; Jason, a student at the University of North Florida; and Joshua Elijah, a seventh grader at Fort Clark Middle School.
He has been the chair of the Mid-Florida Big Brothers and Big Sisters. Martin has been an honorary member of the Martin Luther King Commission, which is a group of individuals who believe firmly in the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
"We are all created equal," Martin said, "and we all should be treated that way. And that legacy should continue."
As a judge, he intends to treat all people equally, Martin said.
Martin said the most important thing from his background is that he has been a public defender for 24 years.
"The thing about being a public defender," Martin said, "is that you're not always the most popular person in the room. Your clients are not the most popular person in the room. But you have a duty to represent those individuals.
"You have a duty to follow the law," Martin continued. "And to do what the law requires, and to do what is right. After 24 years, I have learned that my desire to do what is right, and what the law requires, is not connected to a pat on the back."
He went on to say that the Lord knows Martin serving in the profession related to justice is not connected to obtaining a lot of money, nor is it connected to obtaining a promotion.
"I have to have a sense of self-worth," Martin said, "and a drive from doing what the right thing is, at the right time. And I think that at its core, that is what a judge needs to do. A judge needs to look at what the law says, listen to the facts, and regardless of what everyone else may think, do what the law requires, and (do) what's right."
Martin reminded listeners that at the core of American democracy there are three pillars.
"You have military service," he said. "You have jury service. And you have voting."
The election to decide which of the four candidates is chosen is set for Aug. 23, Martin said.
"Come out and vote," he said. "People fought too long and too hard, for everyone to stay home on that particular day. So please, please, come out and vote. I hope you vote for AuBroncee Martin for circuit court judge."
Nathan A. Skop Nathan Skop told listeners that voting for who is the judge is important.
Nathan A. Skop speaks to people at the June 24 event in Williston.
As a circuit court judge, Skop said he will assure fair and equal treatment in providing justice for everyone in the community.
Skop promised to be fair, impartial and committed to upholding the law and the United States Constitution.
"My values are very simple," Skop said. "I believe in God, country, and the Constitution. That's a core value here in rural counties."
Skop said he came from humble beginnings and that he has been an attorney for 15 years. Before that, he worked in the aerospace and engineering professions.
In addition to this, Skop earned an MBA.
Skop's background includes being appointed by the governor, and unanimously approved by the Florida Senate, as a commissioner on the Florida Public Service Commission.
While he was on the PSC, they decided questions of law and questions of fact, as well as making the final agency decisions, including granting the former Progress Energy Florida permission to build two nuclear-powered electric generation plants in Levy County.
That project never reached fruition.
Skop said he is a very experienced attorney, who has a background in criminal defense as well as in civil circuit court cases.
"I'm running for judge because we need good, well-rounded, qualified candidates," Skop said. "I'm a fresh set of eyes. The bench needs a fresh set of eyes. I'm not involved in the process of being a prosecutor or a public defender."
Like Brewer and Martin, Skop is a graduate of the University of Florida Fredric G. Levin College of Law. Also, Skop mentioned that he attended the same high school as Martin.
"Go Rams!" Skop said, and that comment was echoed from the back of the room, probably from Martin.
Skop is not married.
Man dies in ATV crash
Minor survives
By Jeff M. Hardison © June 29, 2022 at 8:12 a.m.
LAFAYETTE COUNTY – A 27-year-old man died Tuesday evening (June 28) in a single-vehicle crash, according to information in a Florida Highway Patrol press release. On June 28, at 7:45 p.m., a 27-year-old male was driving a Yamaha side-by-side ATV with a minor child in the passenger seat on private property at 947 N.W. Lafayette County Road 250, Mayo, the FHP said
Neither occupant of the vehicle was wearing a seatbelt, the FHP said in the press release based on information from crash investigator FHP Trooper Michael Thomas and homicide investigator FHP Cpl. Kyle Robinson.
The ATV overturned, ejecting the driver onto the ground, the FHP said.
The ATV overturned onto the driver, the FHP said, who was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash is being investigated by the Florida Highway Patrol, the FHP said in the press release sent at 2:10 a.m. on June 29.
As of May of 2020, the Florida Highway Patrol stopped providing names of people and some other information from crashes as part of its press releases.
Prior to May of 2020, the FHP formerly provided that information via those public records in its press releases.
The FHP and some other law enforcement agencies in Florida are abiding by a version of something known as "Marcy's Law" of California, which is allegedly used to protect victims of crimes. The Florida version of "Marcy's Law" was adopted after Florida voters chose to change the Florida Constitution to exempt more public records from view.
Although not every vehicle crash involves crime victims, which may have been the legislative intent of the Florida version of "Marcy's Law" approved by voters, the FHP adopted its current blanket exclusion of some information as part of its process in sending press releases.
Although the FHP adopted this new practice, not every law enforcement agency has done so.
For instance, the Chiefland Police Department, the St. Petersburg Police Department and the Ocala Police Department all have provided crash information in press releases or traffic crash reports, except when there is an actual victim of a crime, as demonstrated in the reports provided to the press since the onset of the FHP's revision in its press release practices in May of 2020.
Crash Report Purchasing
https://services.flhsmv.gov/CrashReportPurchasing/
Florida Crash Data
https://www.flhsmv.gov/traffic-crash-reports/crash-dashboard/
Victims' Rights Information
https://www.flhsmv.gov/victimsrights/
Man suffers gunshot wound
at family cookout in Levy County
OPD finds wanted man in Ocala
By LCSO Lt. Scott Tummond, Public Information Officer
Sent June 28, 2022 at 7:23 p.m.
Published June 29, 2022 at 8:12 a.m.
BRONSON -- On June 26, a man arrived at a Gainesville Hospital emergency room suffering from a gunshot wound.
The Alachua County Sheriff's Office was called and determined the subject sustained his injury at a home in the Bronson area of Levy County. Deputies from Alachua County contacted Levy County and deputies with the Levy County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) responded to an address in the University Oaks subdivision where the shooting occurred.
No reports of this shooting in this residential neighborhood were received by the LCSO 9-1-1 Center.
LCSO deputies and detectives began their investigation and learned that during a family gathering, Quyn Taras Barber, 23, of Ocala and the injured subject got into a heated argument.
Barber, who was armed with a handgun, pointed the weapon at the victim and fired one round. The victim was transported to the hospital emergency room by a family member where he was dropped off. The victim is expected to recover from this injury.
Detectives obtained a warrant for Barber for aggravated battery with a firearm and began actively searching for him. The Ocala Police Department (OPD) located Barber at an apartment building in the City of Ocala.
Barber was taken into custody and driven to the Marion County Jail where he was booked. He is being held in lieu of a $450,000 bond. Barber is expected to be transported to the Levy County Detention Center (also known as the Levy County Jail) where he will be held pending trial.
Operation Dry Water
is set to go for this weekend
Information Provide
By The USCG and Others
Published June 28, 2022 at 4:12 p.m.
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Law enforcement officers across the country will be on heightened alert for those in 2022 Operation Dry Water Weekend violation of boating under the influence laws as part of the annual Operation Dry Water weekend, July 1-4, 2022. Operation Dry Water is a year-round boating under the influence awareness and enforcement campaign focused on reducing the number of alcohol- and other drug-related incidents and fatalities.
The United States Coast Guard, state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies, recreational boating safety advocates and the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) are gearing up to spread awareness and prevent tragedies related to boating under the influence (BUI).
Participating agencies in Florida include: the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, USCG Station Yankeetown, USCG Station St. Petersburg, USCG Station Sand Key, Biscayne National Park, Brevard County Sheriff's Office, Charlotte County Sheriff's Office, Green Cove Springs Police Department, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, Imperial County Sheriff's Office, Lantana Police Department, Miami-Dade Police Department, Nassau County Sheriff's Office, Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office, Orange County Sheriff's Office, Port St. Lucie Police Department, Sarasota Police Department, St. Augustine Police Department, St. Johns County Sheriff's Office, USCG Station Destin, USCG Station Fort Lauderdale, USCG Station Fort Myers Beach, USCG Station Fort Pierce, USCG Station Islamorada, USCG Station Key West, USCG Station Lake Worth Inlet, USCG Station Marathon, USCG Station New London, USCG Station Panama City, USCG Station Pensacola, USCG Station Port Canaveral and Venice Police Department.
Alcohol use continues to be the leading contributing factor in recreational boating fatalities.
Since the commencement of the Operation Dry Water campaign in 2009, law enforcement officers across the nation have removed more than 4,700 impaired operators from the nation's waterways, preventing dangerous and potentially catastrophic consequences. Law enforcement agencies from every state and territory are expected to participate in the Operation Dry Water campaign, focusing their efforts on detecting impaired boaters and educating the public about the dangers of boating under the influence.
In 2020, 620 agencies from every state and territory took part in the Operation Dry Water weekend.
"Our mission is to ensure that everyone on the water has a safe and enjoyable experience," says Tim Dunleavy, NASBLA Chair. "This means that all operators and passengers should choose to boat sober all season long. Boating under the influence is a 100% preventable crime. Operation Dry Water, participating law enforcement agencies and our boating safety partners encourage boaters to stay safe by staying sober while boating."
Not only is alcohol use dangerous for operators, but also presents hazards to passengers as well. Intoxication can cause slips, falls overboard and other dangerous incidents. Where cause of death was known, nearly 80% of fatal boating incident victims drowned.
Passengers under the influence are at-risk of serious injury and death, whether the boat operator is sober or impaired, and whether the boat is underway or not.
For more information about Operation Dry Water visit http://www.operationdrywater.org.
UPDATE -- June 29, 2022 at 12:12 p.m.
The vehicle has been located.
FHP seeks pickup truck driver By Jeff M. Hardison © June 25, 2022 at 8:12 p.m.
who fled after fatal crash in Levy County
The bicycle the victim was pushing is seen here.
Photo Provided By FHP
Updated June 29, 2022 at 12:12 p.m.
LEVY COUNTY – The Florida Highway Patrol is seeking help from the general public in finding the driver of a particular Ford Ranger pickup truck.
A 47-year-old Morriston woman who was pushing a white in color bicycle on June 24 at 7 p.m. as she walked south on the right edge of Levy County Road 337 was hit by the southbound truck, the FHP said.
After the Ranger hit the pedestrian, the force caused her to be propelled onto the western grassy shoulder next to CR 337, about 500 feet south of Southeast 59th Place, the FHP said.
The woman was pronounced dead at the scene, the FHP said.
After hitting the pedestrian, the vehicle's driver fled the scene in the pickup truck, the FHP said.
* The vehicle has been found, the FHP said on June 29.
Chiefland student allegedly By Jeff M. Hardison © June 25, 2022 at 10:12 a.m.
points fake gun at Williston students
One gun seen above shoots bullets. One gun seen above shoots plastic projectile powered by compressed gas. If a law enforcement officer is faced with either pointing at him or her, they have about one second to decide their next action. The one pictured here that shoots plastic rather than lead was reported to have been pointed at school buses with Williston High School football players in it.
Photos Provided By LCSO
BRONSON – An alleged act that may reflect youthful indiscretion can lead to a felony arrest of a Chiefland Middle High School student, and it could have led to actual bullets flying, given the number of motorists who have actual weapons in this part of Florida, according to information in a Friday (June 24) press release from the Levy County Sheriff's Office, regarding an alleged Wednesday (June 22) event.
While no charges had been filed against any Levy County suspect as of Friday, the Gilchrist County Sheriff's Office previously arrested a Gilchrist County student for making threats of violence with a bomb. While a bomb was not found, state law was violated by that student allegedly causing fear to be instilled and school functions were disrupted -- and that Gilchrist County suspect was charged as a felon, as noted in a previous story in HardisonInk.com.
On June 22, the Williston High School football team was departing from Blue Springs, where the students and coaches had participated in a team-building retreat, the LCSO said.
A vehicle passed by the buses with the players when someone from inside a then-unidentified white Hyundai car thrust one of the above pictured weapons through the sunroof, the LCSO said.
Law enforcement investigators who located the toy allegedly used, noted how this toy looks like an actual weapon that can be used to kill several people within a relatively short time.
LCSO deputies and detectives flooded the area in an attempt to locate and stop the white Hyundai, the LCSO said.
Several of the Williston players believed the Hyundai was being driven by rival team members from Chiefland High School's football team, the LCSO said, and this proved to be true.
Detectives found the occupants of the Hyundai and seized the weapon in question, the LCSO said.
Investigators determined the weapon was an "air-soft" gun. It fires a plastic projectile powered by compressed gas and is a toy. These toys can be customized to mimic the real thing, the LCSO said, adding "They are even used in mock battles and can be modified to precision accuracy. YouTube is full of these types of videos and the accuracy of the toy is astonishing."
This investigation is ongoing and charges are expected to be filed in the near future, the LCSO noted in the Friday press release. One charge being considered is that of aggravated assault with a firearm, a felony, the LCSO noted, adding "Florida Law allows this charge to be filed even though the weapon is technically a toy. Why? Because the victim(s) believed the weapon was real which placed them in actual fear."
Levy County Sheriff Bobby McCallum issued a strong warning to parents and children, the LCSO said.
"Consider the 'toys' you are allowing your children to have and how they could be improperly used," the LCOS noted. "Realize that actions have consequences. We will not tolerate this type of behavior or a violation of law at school or at school activities, and that they can lead to deadly results and the real possibility of retaliation.
"We are thankful this investigation determined that no real weapon was in the hands of our youth," the LCOS noted Sheriff McCallum as saying. "This situation could have ended much differently. Keep a watchful eye on your children and the 'toys' with which they choose to play."
FDLE arrests Panama City man
for child-oriented sex crimes
By Dana Kelly
FDLE Office of Public Information
Published June 25, 2022 at 9:12 a.m.
PANAMA CITY BEACH – FDLE agents and officers from the Panama City Beach Police Department (PCBPD) arrested Brian Aric Hodges, 36, of Panama City on one count of using a computer to seduce, solicit or lure a child and one count of unlawful use of a two-way communications device, both felonies.
Hodges was arrested Friday (June 24) following a joint undercover operation hosted by PCBPD in May. The goal of the operation was to identify offenders who targeted minors for the purpose of sexual solicitation and/or enticement.
On May 18, Hodges initiated text communications with an FDLE agent he believed to be a 14-year-old female. The texts contained lewd and sexual material.
Investigators say Hodges intended to meet the "girl" to engage in sexual activity. Based on the investigation, FDLE agents pursued an arrest warrant.
Hodges was booked into the Bay County Jail and the case will be prosecuted by the Office of 14th Judicial Circuit State Attorney.
14th Judicial Circuit Please visit the FDLE website to review tips for keeping your children safe online at: https://www.secureflorida.org/SF/Family-Safety/BPParents.
Former Tallahassee mayor and
gubernatorial candidate, and associate
charged with conspiracy,
wire fraud and making false statements
By the Press Office of the United States Attorney's Office
Northern District of Florida
Published June 22, 2022 at 3:12 p.m.
TALLAHSSEE -- A federal grand jury has returned a 21-count indictment against Andrew Demetric Gillum, 42, and Sharon Janet Lettman-Hicks, 53, both of Tallahassee.
The indictment was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida on Wednesday (June 22).
The Indictment alleges that between 2016 and 2019, defendants Gillum and Lettman-Hicks conspired to commit wire fraud, by unlawfully soliciting and obtaining funds from various entities and individuals through false and fraudulent promises and representations that the funds would be used for a legitimate purpose.
The Indictment further alleges the defendants used third parties to divert a portion of those funds to a company owned by Lettman-Hicks, who then fraudulently provided the funds, disguised as payroll payments, to Gillum for his personal use.
Both defendants are charged with 19 counts of wire fraud. Gillum is charged also with making false statements to agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The initial appearance is scheduled for this afternoon (Wednesday, June 22) at 2:00 p.m., at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee in the Magistrate Judge's Courtroom on the main floor.
The maximum terms of imprisonment for the offenses are as follows:
• 5 years: Making False Statements
• 20 years: Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud
• 20 years: Wire Fraud
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Stephen M. Kunz and Andrew J. Grogan.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a federal grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law. An indictment is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government's burden to prove guilt beyond and to the exclusion of reasonable doubt.
The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation's principal litigators under the direction of the United States Attorney General.
Two Florida men charged
with federal hate crime
By Amanda W. Videll
Public Affairs Officer | FBI Jacksonville
Published June 17, 2022 at 7:12 p.m.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A federal grand jury in Ocala, has charged two Florida men with committing a hate crime. The indictment charging Roy Lashley, 55, and Robert Lashley, 52, was unsealed today following the arrest of Robert Lashley.
This matter was investigated by the FBI Jacksonville Division, which is the Ocala Resident Agency, and the Citrus County Sheriff's Office.
Information in this story is from the United States Department of Justice.
The indictment alleges that on or about Nov. 17, 2021, the defendants, aiding and abetting one another, willfully caused bodily injury to the victim, a Black man, because of his actual and perceived race. According to the indictment, the defendants repeatedly called the victim racial slurs and repeatedly struck the victim with closed fists and an axe handle.
If convicted, the defendants each face a maximum term of 10 years imprisonment, three years of mandatory supervised release and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg of the Middle District of Florida made the announcement.
Trial Attorneys Maura White and Matthew Tannenbaum of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert E. Bodnar Jr. for the Middle District of Florida are prosecuting the case.
For more information and resources about the department's work to combat hate crimes, visit https://www.justice.gov/hatecrimes.
An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond and to the exclusion of reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Source: https://www.hardisonink.com/florida-police-news.php