By Laura C. Morel
Crime/Immigration Reporter
With every new year comes new stories.
The year 2012 will include lots of trial stories for the Bradenton Herald. From Delmer Smith III's trials to Kieron James' arraignment, here's a look at what court dates the Bradenton Herald will be covering (and definitely live tweeting, too) this coming new year:
Jan. 6: Kieron James, the driver who allegedly fatally struck 5-year-old Kimora Samuel earlier this month, has his arraignment scheduled for this date. James turned himself in and admitted to authorities that he hit Kimora while driving his girlfriend's Kia. He pleaded not guilty, court records show.
Feb. 6: The trial for Gregory Kennon is slated to begin. Kennon, 24, is charged with first-degree murder and armed burglary. On July 12, 2009, Kennon and two others barged into an apartment in DeSoto Village Apartments and fired shots. One gunshot struck Crystal Johnson, who was six months pregnant, in the chest. She and her baby died.
Feb. 27: Delmer Smith III, who was sentenced to life in prison this week for breaking into and ransacking a Sarasota home after tying up an elderly woman, will be in court next year, too. In this case, Smith allegedly grabbed a 61-year-old woman from behind and forced her into her Bradenton home, an arrest warrant affidavit shows. Once inside, Smith placed a gun to the victim’s face and said, “Where is your purse ... I need crack,” the affidavit shows.
July 16: Smith is slated to be in court once again, this time for a murder charge. He is charged with bludgeoning Kathleen Briles to death with an antique sewing machine in her Terra Ceia home on Aug. 3, 2009. He also faces a burglary charge. If found guilty of murder, he could face the death penalty.
If you're on Twitter and want the most recent news on Smith's trials, you can look at my live tweets from inside the courtroom, ending with the hashtag #smithtrial.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Reader's tip leads to sex offender's arrest
When editor Marc Masferrer looked at this morning's arrest list, he recognized one name: Cedrick Lane.
He asked me to call the Manatee County Sheriff's Office and find out the circumstances of Lane's arrest. He was on our "Featured Fugitives" gallery, Marc pointed out, so it *might* be a tip from one of our readers.
He was right.
Detective Dan Hutto called me back and confirmed my editor's suspicions. Someone who saw Lane's mugshot on our website recognized him. Lane was arrested for failing to register as a sex offender.
Other readers have phoned in tips to authorities after clicking through the array of mugshots posted on our "Featured Fugitives" gallery. Hutto sends the newspaper photos every week of people wanted by the sheriff's office.
Another suspect arrested last week was also recently featured on the list. SUR 13 gang member Britney Vela, 19, was arrested for racketeering charges.
Here's this week's "Featured Fugitives" gallery, updated every week.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
A $1,000 misunderstanding at the Palmetto gun buyback
By Laura C. Morel
Crime/Immigration Reporter
It was a gun buyback to remember.
Not just because only one firearm was turned in during the New Life General Baptist Church's first gun buyback event on Saturday.
A second man walked into the church to turn in a Glock. But when he found out he would only get a $50 Visa gift card, he couldn't believe it.
He swore he'd read in the Bradenton Herald that residents would receive $1,000 in exchange for a gun.
"Fifty dollars?" he said. "That's not worth it."
The man walked out of the church, gun in hand.
Outside in his car, he showed me the article.
Here's the line that led to the confusion: "Palmetto police donated $1,000 to the buyback, and the church chipped in another $300 to purchase the gift cards. But Parker said the church needs more money to buy as many gift cards as possible."
I pointed to the last five words. "Ohhhh," he said, adding, "I just needed money."
He got in his car and left.
Pastor McArthur Sellars chuckled. "Just a misunderstanding," he said.
Crime/Immigration Reporter
It was a gun buyback to remember.
Not just because only one firearm was turned in during the New Life General Baptist Church's first gun buyback event on Saturday.
A second man walked into the church to turn in a Glock. But when he found out he would only get a $50 Visa gift card, he couldn't believe it.
He swore he'd read in the Bradenton Herald that residents would receive $1,000 in exchange for a gun.
"Fifty dollars?" he said. "That's not worth it."
The man walked out of the church, gun in hand.
Outside in his car, he showed me the article.
Here's the line that led to the confusion: "Palmetto police donated $1,000 to the buyback, and the church chipped in another $300 to purchase the gift cards. But Parker said the church needs more money to buy as many gift cards as possible."
I pointed to the last five words. "Ohhhh," he said, adding, "I just needed money."
He got in his car and left.
Pastor McArthur Sellars chuckled. "Just a misunderstanding," he said.
Friday, December 16, 2011
List of 48 child predators arrested in FDLE investigation
Laura C. Morel
Crime/Immigration Reporter
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement announced Thursday that 48 child predators were arrested after a six-month computer sex crimes investigation was conducted.
The investigation, which began in July, was dubbed Operation Amalgamate.
And in case you were wondering, the word "amalgamate" means "to bring or combine together or with something else," according to Webster's dictionary.
FDLE's Computer Crime Center and Attorney General Pam Bondi's Child Predator Cybercrime Unit conducted the investigation.
Their findings: "child sex predators in chat rooms, utilizing instant messaging, texting, dating sites, social networks and even online classified ads," an FDLE media release said.
I called FDLE's public information office to check if any of the suspects were from Manatee County. They sent me an e-mail listing the suspects. None are from Manatee. There is one from Sarasota.
In case you're curious, here's the list:
Barnes, Christopher M., 08-31-87, Tampa – Hillsborough County
Two counts computer pornography; one count attempted sexual battery
Belledent, Karl Edwin, 03-26-96, N. Miami – Miami-Dade
One count computer pornography, four counts of sexual battery, four counts of sexual performance by a child; one count of extortion
Billings, Michael D., 06-11-69, Leesburg – Volusia
Two counts computer pornography; one count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device
Blyth, Dennis Richard, 11-25-47, Daytona Beach – Volusia
Two counts computer pornography; one count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device
Brandstedter, Cristy, 01-23-49, Land O Lakes – Pasco
10 counts of child pornography
Briggs, James Michael, 11-28-61, Fort Myers – Hardee
Two counts computer pornography; one count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device
Brown, Gene Hamilton, 02-01-61, Cantonment – Escambia
Three counts of child pornography
Brown, Kris Karl, 04-29-75 – (No residence address) – Broward
20 counts of child pornography; one count of computer pornography
Brown, Michael Robert, 08-04-80, Dade City – Volusia
Two counts computer pornography, one count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device, one count of cannabis under 20 grams; one count of possession of drug paraphernalia
Bueno, Alvin Grullon, 11-14-81, North Lauderdale – Broward
25 counts of child pornography
Calloway, Dustin S., 04-15-86 (No arrest affidavit and no residence address) – Leon
Carver, Ricky Lamar, 02-26-71, Jacksonville – Leon
Five counts of computer pornography
Chu, Anthony, 06-15-87, Orlando – Orange
10 counts of child pornography
Coons, Zachary, 06-07-93 (No residence address) – Leon
Two counts of computer pornography
Deloge, Steven Robert, 05-22-74, Jacksonville – Duval
One count of computer pornography
Echevarria, Nelson, 04, 09,80, (No residence address) – Broward
One count of cannabis under 20 grams, one count of possession of drug paraphernalia; one count of possession of a weapon or ammo by a convicted felon
El-Refai, Sherif, 10-19-87, Tampa, Florida – Hillsborough
Two counts of computer pornography; one count of attempt lewd and lascivious assault
Figueroa, Carlos Alberto, 02-26-85, Miami – Miami Dade
Three counts/violations of The Florida Sexual Predator Act
Fluery, Douglas, 08-03-53, Sunrise – Broward
Two counts of computer pornography, one count of attempted lewd and lascivious assault; one count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device
Fochs, Donald William Jr., 06-23-73, New Port Richey – Pasco
One count of solicitation of a minor for sex acts
Gutierrez, Omar, 06-02-83, (No residence address) – Orange
Two counts of computer pornography
Hudnall, Richard, 11-30-56, Jacksonville – Leon
Two counts of computer pornography
Ingersoll, Michael, 05-16-84, Arvada, Colorado – Volusia
Two counts computer pornography; one count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device
Jarrell, Jason, 05-01-80, Tallahassee – Leon
Two counts of computer pornography
Kalinowski, Edward L., 06-27-52, Daytona Beach – Volusia
Two counts computer pornography; one count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device
Kessler, Phillip Michael, 01-10-76 (no arrest affidavit) – Bay
Lentovich, Eric Joseph, 08-27-75, Ft. Myers – Hardee
Two counts computer pornography; one count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device
Leon, Hector Ramon, 12-26-65, Greenacre – Palm Beach
10 counts of child pornography
Martinet, Christian, 04-10-87, Pembroke Pines – Broward
30 counts of child pornography
Martinez, Jorge M. Jr., 09-26-89, West Park – Broward
One count of child pornography; one count of computer pornography
Masters, Rickey O., 07-17-46, Hollywood – Broward
10 counts of child pornography
Milboer, Scott Andrew, 01-113-78, Naples – Collier
Two counts of computer pornography, one count of attempt lewd and lascivious assault; one count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device
Mizner, Stephen, 03-14-70, Sarasota – Sarasota
Two counts computer pornography, one count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device; one count attempted sexual battery
Moss, Mario Dwayne, 12-08-84, Lake City – Columbia
10 counts of child pornography
Orr, Curtis, 04-09-70, (No residence address) – Broward
24 counts of child pornography
Peixoto De Almeida, Marcus F., 11-03-73, Hallandale Beach – Broward
20 counts of child pornography
Perez, Jorge Arturo, 04-14-83, Boca Raton – Palm Beach
Possession of child pornography
Rains, Paul David, 05-08-49, Orlando – Orange
10 counts of child pornography
Rees, James F., 10-28-60, Deltona – Volusia
Two counts computer pornography; one count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device
Sauleda, Donovan A., 05-13-86 (no arrest affidavit) – Wakulla
Shelley, Dean A., 12-15-59, Palm Harbor – Hillsborough
Two counts of computer pornography; one count of Attempt Capital Sexual Battery
Stowell, Kevin A., 10-26-58, Port Richey – Pasco
10 counts child pornography
Torres, Michael, 12-11-76, Oakland Park – Broward
30 counts of child pornography
Vela, Francisco Javier, 07-10-77, Greenacre – Palm Beach
One count of child pornography
Walker Rober Lee Jr., 10-09-77, Orlando – Orange
10 counts of child pornography
White, Harvey, 03-13-53 (No residence address) – Broward
10 counts child pornography
White Leon, 07-12-52, Davenport – Osceola
10 Counts of child pornography
Crime/Immigration Reporter
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement announced Thursday that 48 child predators were arrested after a six-month computer sex crimes investigation was conducted.
The investigation, which began in July, was dubbed Operation Amalgamate.
And in case you were wondering, the word "amalgamate" means "to bring or combine together or with something else," according to Webster's dictionary.
FDLE's Computer Crime Center and Attorney General Pam Bondi's Child Predator Cybercrime Unit conducted the investigation.
Their findings: "child sex predators in chat rooms, utilizing instant messaging, texting, dating sites, social networks and even online classified ads," an FDLE media release said.
I called FDLE's public information office to check if any of the suspects were from Manatee County. They sent me an e-mail listing the suspects. None are from Manatee. There is one from Sarasota.
In case you're curious, here's the list:
Barnes, Christopher M., 08-31-87, Tampa – Hillsborough County
Two counts computer pornography; one count attempted sexual battery
Belledent, Karl Edwin, 03-26-96, N. Miami – Miami-Dade
One count computer pornography, four counts of sexual battery, four counts of sexual performance by a child; one count of extortion
Billings, Michael D., 06-11-69, Leesburg – Volusia
Two counts computer pornography; one count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device
Blyth, Dennis Richard, 11-25-47, Daytona Beach – Volusia
Two counts computer pornography; one count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device
Brandstedter, Cristy, 01-23-49, Land O Lakes – Pasco
10 counts of child pornography
Briggs, James Michael, 11-28-61, Fort Myers – Hardee
Two counts computer pornography; one count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device
Brown, Gene Hamilton, 02-01-61, Cantonment – Escambia
Three counts of child pornography
Brown, Kris Karl, 04-29-75 – (No residence address) – Broward
20 counts of child pornography; one count of computer pornography
Brown, Michael Robert, 08-04-80, Dade City – Volusia
Two counts computer pornography, one count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device, one count of cannabis under 20 grams; one count of possession of drug paraphernalia
Bueno, Alvin Grullon, 11-14-81, North Lauderdale – Broward
25 counts of child pornography
Calloway, Dustin S., 04-15-86 (No arrest affidavit and no residence address) – Leon
Carver, Ricky Lamar, 02-26-71, Jacksonville – Leon
Five counts of computer pornography
Chu, Anthony, 06-15-87, Orlando – Orange
10 counts of child pornography
Coons, Zachary, 06-07-93 (No residence address) – Leon
Two counts of computer pornography
Deloge, Steven Robert, 05-22-74, Jacksonville – Duval
One count of computer pornography
Echevarria, Nelson, 04, 09,80, (No residence address) – Broward
One count of cannabis under 20 grams, one count of possession of drug paraphernalia; one count of possession of a weapon or ammo by a convicted felon
El-Refai, Sherif, 10-19-87, Tampa, Florida – Hillsborough
Two counts of computer pornography; one count of attempt lewd and lascivious assault
Figueroa, Carlos Alberto, 02-26-85, Miami – Miami Dade
Three counts/violations of The Florida Sexual Predator Act
Fluery, Douglas, 08-03-53, Sunrise – Broward
Two counts of computer pornography, one count of attempted lewd and lascivious assault; one count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device
Fochs, Donald William Jr., 06-23-73, New Port Richey – Pasco
One count of solicitation of a minor for sex acts
Gutierrez, Omar, 06-02-83, (No residence address) – Orange
Two counts of computer pornography
Hudnall, Richard, 11-30-56, Jacksonville – Leon
Two counts of computer pornography
Ingersoll, Michael, 05-16-84, Arvada, Colorado – Volusia
Two counts computer pornography; one count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device
Jarrell, Jason, 05-01-80, Tallahassee – Leon
Two counts of computer pornography
Kalinowski, Edward L., 06-27-52, Daytona Beach – Volusia
Two counts computer pornography; one count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device
Kessler, Phillip Michael, 01-10-76 (no arrest affidavit) – Bay
Lentovich, Eric Joseph, 08-27-75, Ft. Myers – Hardee
Two counts computer pornography; one count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device
Leon, Hector Ramon, 12-26-65, Greenacre – Palm Beach
10 counts of child pornography
Martinet, Christian, 04-10-87, Pembroke Pines – Broward
30 counts of child pornography
Martinez, Jorge M. Jr., 09-26-89, West Park – Broward
One count of child pornography; one count of computer pornography
Masters, Rickey O., 07-17-46, Hollywood – Broward
10 counts of child pornography
Milboer, Scott Andrew, 01-113-78, Naples – Collier
Two counts of computer pornography, one count of attempt lewd and lascivious assault; one count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device
Mizner, Stephen, 03-14-70, Sarasota – Sarasota
Two counts computer pornography, one count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device; one count attempted sexual battery
Moss, Mario Dwayne, 12-08-84, Lake City – Columbia
10 counts of child pornography
Orr, Curtis, 04-09-70, (No residence address) – Broward
24 counts of child pornography
Peixoto De Almeida, Marcus F., 11-03-73, Hallandale Beach – Broward
20 counts of child pornography
Perez, Jorge Arturo, 04-14-83, Boca Raton – Palm Beach
Possession of child pornography
Rains, Paul David, 05-08-49, Orlando – Orange
10 counts of child pornography
Rees, James F., 10-28-60, Deltona – Volusia
Two counts computer pornography; one count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device
Sauleda, Donovan A., 05-13-86 (no arrest affidavit) – Wakulla
Shelley, Dean A., 12-15-59, Palm Harbor – Hillsborough
Two counts of computer pornography; one count of Attempt Capital Sexual Battery
Stowell, Kevin A., 10-26-58, Port Richey – Pasco
10 counts child pornography
Torres, Michael, 12-11-76, Oakland Park – Broward
30 counts of child pornography
Vela, Francisco Javier, 07-10-77, Greenacre – Palm Beach
One count of child pornography
Walker Rober Lee Jr., 10-09-77, Orlando – Orange
10 counts of child pornography
White, Harvey, 03-13-53 (No residence address) – Broward
10 counts child pornography
White Leon, 07-12-52, Davenport – Osceola
10 Counts of child pornography
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Readers: Keep those news tips coming!
Laura C. Morel
Crime/Immigration Reporter
Readers matter. Not just because they buy the product we create. Or because they hassle us -- and rightfully so -- if we make a mistake.
The Bradenton Herald got word of two stories this week after readers reached out with news tips.
On Wednesday afternoon, someone called my editor, Marc Masferrer, and told him a woman was killed after she was struck by a car in Bradenton Beach. I called authorities to confirm.
Sure enough, it was true. I went to the police station, picked up the report and wrote the story.
On Tuesday, another person called editor Jim Jones. The news tip: car accident on 45th Avenue East and 51st Street East in Bradenton.
That tip led to another story, this one about a garbage worker who was hit by a Jeep while he repaired his truck.
Moral of the story: If you're a reader and you hear or see something newsworthy, give us a buzz, whether it's via phone call, tweet or e-mail.
So keep 'em coming!
And you can follow or tweet me @LauraCMorel.
Crime/Immigration Reporter
Readers matter. Not just because they buy the product we create. Or because they hassle us -- and rightfully so -- if we make a mistake.
The Bradenton Herald got word of two stories this week after readers reached out with news tips.
On Wednesday afternoon, someone called my editor, Marc Masferrer, and told him a woman was killed after she was struck by a car in Bradenton Beach. I called authorities to confirm.
Sure enough, it was true. I went to the police station, picked up the report and wrote the story.
On Tuesday, another person called editor Jim Jones. The news tip: car accident on 45th Avenue East and 51st Street East in Bradenton.
That tip led to another story, this one about a garbage worker who was hit by a Jeep while he repaired his truck.
Moral of the story: If you're a reader and you hear or see something newsworthy, give us a buzz, whether it's via phone call, tweet or e-mail.
So keep 'em coming!
And you can follow or tweet me @LauraCMorel.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Two teens charged with burglary in Palmetto copper wire theft
HERALD STAFF REPORT
MANATEE — Two teens arrested Dec. 1 in connection with a copper wire theft have been charged with burglary.
Jacob Ramsey, 18, and a 16-year-old boy removed a large spool of copper from the abandoned home, a Manatee County Sheriff’s Office report states.
A sheriff’s deputy was patrolling the 700 block of 39th Street East in Palmetto at 4 p.m. on Dec. 1 when she saw a white Jeep pull out of a vacant house and leave at a high rate of speed, according to the report.
She caught up to the vehicle as it approached U.S. 41 and 39th Street East and conducted a traffic stop, the report states. As she approached the vehicle she noticed that there was wiring in the back seat and the suspects were covered in drywall dust.
The two suspects later told the deputy they entered the house without permission and ripped the wire out of the wall, the report states. The wire was seized from the vehicle along with a pair of wire cutters and a wrench that they used to break up the drywall, according to the report.
The property owner wanted to prosecute both of the suspects, the report states.
MANATEE — Two teens arrested Dec. 1 in connection with a copper wire theft have been charged with burglary.
 |
| Ramsey |
A sheriff’s deputy was patrolling the 700 block of 39th Street East in Palmetto at 4 p.m. on Dec. 1 when she saw a white Jeep pull out of a vacant house and leave at a high rate of speed, according to the report.
She caught up to the vehicle as it approached U.S. 41 and 39th Street East and conducted a traffic stop, the report states. As she approached the vehicle she noticed that there was wiring in the back seat and the suspects were covered in drywall dust.
The two suspects later told the deputy they entered the house without permission and ripped the wire out of the wall, the report states. The wire was seized from the vehicle along with a pair of wire cutters and a wrench that they used to break up the drywall, according to the report.
The property owner wanted to prosecute both of the suspects, the report states.
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