Police: Tampa psychiatric patient raped another

TAMPA - A 39-year-old St. Joseph's Hospital psychiatric patient was arrested on two counts of sexual battery after, police said, he forced himself onto a patient who was in the room across the hall from his.

Thomas Kelly Bolduc (left), whose address is listed as "at large," is accused of entering the unidentified 32-year-old woman's room Thursday at about 2:48 p.m. and forcing her to the ground in the bathroom. He then raped the woman twice, police said, threatening that he would kill her if she told anyone. Police said Boulduc admitted the offense, and physical evidence was collected at the scene.

The woman patient has minor physical injuries, police said. Bolduc was taken to a Hillsborough County jail, where he remains without bail.

Kim Wilmath, Times staff writer

*

Police: Tampa man wields machete at his cousin

TAMPA - A family argument fueled by alcohol and a machete put a Tampa man behind bars.

At about 6:45 p.m., Juan Carlos Alvarez-Lopez, 46, (left) was arguing with his cousin, who lives with him at 2016 E Ocaloosa Ave., an arrest affidavit states.

Alvarez-Lopez grabbed a machete and tried to stab the unidentified cousin in the stomach, but the cousin snatched the weapon away, police said.

Then they used their fists.

Police found Alvarez-Lopez passed out drunk beneath a car, according to the affidavit. The cousin suffered minor cuts to his stomach and hands.

Alvarez-Lopez was taken to the Hillsborough County Jail, where he remains without bail.

Kim Wilmath, Times staff writer

Another CVS robbed at gunpoint

ST. PETERSBURG - Another pharmacy was robbed at gunpoint over night, according to the St. Petersburg Police Department. It is not known if this robbery is connected to the string of recent ones.

The incident happened at the CVS at 22nd Avenue N and 34th Street. No one was injured, and a description of the suspect has not been released.

Check back here for updates.

Kim Wilmath, Times staff writer

Police: Clearwater robberies target Hispanic men

CLEARWATER -- Clearwater police say they've noticed a pattern in recent armed robberies: Hispanic males are the targets.

Since January, more than 50 robberies appear to share similar locations, suspect and vehicle descriptions, methods of operation, and victim descriptions, police said. Despite a few recent arrests related to those incidents, the pattern has continued.

Five of six armed robberies since October happened around Drew Street and U.S. Highway 19. In all the cases, at least one of the victims was a Hispanic male and the suspects were black males between 17 and 25 years old. In 16 robberies, the suspects wore masks. The majority of crimes occurred between 10 p.m. and 2:30 a.m. on every day of the week.

Most of the time, suspects were armed with handguns, police said. They knocked the victims to the ground, punched or kicked them or held guns to their heads before taking victims' wallets and money. In two of the cases, a victim was shot.

Besides extra patrols, Clearwater police are distributing fliers in English and Spanish to residents of the targeted area. They also have offered several safety tips: walk or ride with others, be aware of surroundings, don't carry large amounts of cash and avoid dark areas.

Anyone with information about the robberies should call the Clearwater Police Department tip line at (727) 562-4422.

Kim Wilmath, Times Staff Writer

*

Police seek two men in Oldsmar robbery

OLDSMAR -- Detectives are searching for two suspects in a Wednesday night robbery at a Wal-Mart in Oldsmar, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

About 9:45 p.m., a man robbed two employees of the Wal-Mart at 3801 Tampa Road while a second man waited outside in a getaway car.

The first robber is a white man, in his mid to late 20s, last seen wearing a black hoodie and jeans. The only description available on the man in the vehicle is that he is a white. There is no description of the vehicle at this time.

No further information is available. Check back here for updates.

Kim Wilmath, Times Staff Writer

*

Woman shot by boyfriend in Tampa, deputies say

TAMPA -- A 50-year-old woman was shot in the neck by her boyfriend Tuesday evening, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.

Ranaye M. Donnelly, of 2010 51st St., was taken to Tampa General Hospital awake and alert after being shot just behind her ear, said J.D. Callaway, a spokesman for the Sheriff's Office.

At 5:40 p.m., deputies responded to a call of shots fired at Donnelly's address and began chasing a 36-year-old man, according to Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Debbie Carter. The man was later identified in an arrest affidavit as Donnelly's boyfriend, Julian Luhan (pictured), of the same address. Deputies say the two got into an argument that escalated to the man shooting Donnelly.

Lujan was caught on 47th Street near 19th Avenue minutes later, and deputies found a gun, but it is unclear if it was the weapon used in the shooting, Callaway said. The arrest affidavit states that Lujan admitted to the offense.

Lujan initially refused to identify himself to police, Carter said. When deputies were able to confirm who he was, he was booked into the Hillsborough County Jail without bail.

Robbyn Mitchell and Kim Wilmath, Times Staff Writers

*

Pinellas deputy suspended one day over traffic stop

Pinellas sheriff's Sgt. John Daniels has been suspended for one day after pulling over two Pasco deputies in September and letting them go even though he knew they had been drinking.

Daniels, who has almost 30 years on the force, served the suspension Saturday.

In the Sept. 21 stop, Daniels spotted a Dodge Charger driving 98 mph and weaving around other cars in a no-passing zone on Keystone Road in Tarpon Springs. By the time he caught up, the Charger was stopped at an intersection and the passenger was standing outside the door urinating.

Jose Berrios was in the driver's seat with glassy eyes and breath smelling of alcohol, Daniels wrote in his report. Berrios identified himself and his passenger, Kurt Hentschel, as Pasco deputies. Berrios told him they'd been out drinking.

Daniels asked Berrios whether he would like to take a breath test; the Pasco deputy declined, Daniels' report said. Daniels went no further with the investigation -- no Breathalzyer, no field sobriety tests -- and let the deputies call for a ride home.

Berrios was initially placed on desk duty, then fired in October. A Pasco spokesman said Berrios' actions that night caused Sheriff Bob White to lose confidence in the deputy's ability to do his job.

Hentschel, who returned to regular duty, is still under an internal affairs investigation.

In a Pinellas Sheriff's Office memo, Daniels was found to have violated the sheriff's general order regarding performance of duty.

Molly Moorhead, Times Staff Writer

*

Ex-letter carrier gets probation for stealing gift cards on postal route

TAMPA -- A former U.S. Postal Service letter carrier was sentenced today to a year's probation for stealing gift cards from residents' mail along his St. Petersburg route.

Elminio Dion Thomas, 42, was also fined $500, the approximate value of the gift cards that Thomas pleaded guilty to stealing. Prosecutors said he had already paid restitution.

"I would just like to apologize for my mislapse," Thomas told U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas B. McCoun III, who sentenced him for the misdemeanor offense of opening mail without authority.

"This is a pretty stupid error on your part to think that one, you could do this, and two, you could get away with it," McCoun told Thomas.

According to court records, Thomas opened about 10 pieces of mail on his route between September 2007 and January. A 13-year veteran with the U.S. Postal Service, he was assigned as a letter carrier to the post office on Fourth Street N in St. Petersburg.

Thomas used the gift cards on purchases at Wal-Mart, Target and Sam's Club stores in Tampa and Brandon. Court records show that during a trip to Sam's Club to use one of the stolen cards, Thomas was captured on surveillance video showing his identification card. He was also wearing his postal service uniform in the video, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

"It's beyond me why people would jeopardize a good career for such minor gain," the judge said.

Kevin Graham, Times Staff Writer

*

Judge orders Gotti trial moved to New York

TAMPA -- A federal judge today granted a defense motion to move the racketeering and murder trial for John Gotti Jr. from Tampa to New York.

Defense attorney Charles Carnesi had argued that Gotti stood a better chance of receiving a fair trial if the case was moved to New York, where the crimes charged in a federal indictment against Gotti took place.

Prosecutors argued against the venue change, saying that Gotti actively tried to expand the reach of the Gambino crime family into the Tampa Bay region through valet parking and other businesses.

Kevin Graham, Times Staff Writer

*

Deli owner shot for second time, family says

ST. PETERSBURG -- Six years ago, Narendra Patel was shot in the chest during a robbery at his deli in St. Petersburg.

Patel survived.

Monday night, Patel was robbed and shot again at his deli. And police and family members said it appears he will survive again.

The robbery Monday occurred about 10:30 p.m. at Patel’s Star Deli, 2451 Fifth Ave. N.

Two males, one wielding a gun, barged in the store and robbed Patel, then shot him, police and family members said.

Sunny Patel, the man’s nephew, said Patel gave money to the robbers but was shot anyway.

“You give up the money, you’re not supposed to be shot,” Sunny Patel said. “That’s what we always thought.”

Police said Narendra Patel was in stable condition at Bayfront Medical Center late Monday night. Police and family members said they expected him to live.

Police did not release descriptions of the robbers late Monday.

Patel survived a shooting in 2002 even though he was hit in the chest. The robber fired two more shots at Patel, but they missed him. The robbers got away with $80.

Three men, including a 19-year-old who fired the gun, were arrested in that robbery.

The shooter, Christopher J. Russell, was sentenced to life in prison after he was convicted of robbery and attempted murder.

Sunny Patel said he doesn’t believe this second shooting will scare his uncle out of the business.
“He didn’t quit the last time,” he said. “He’s not going to give it up this time.”

-- Nicole Hutcheson, Times Staff Writer

One dead, three badly injured in high-speed crash

BEALSVILLE -- A Riverview man died and three companions were severely injured early this morning after their car went into a spin at nearly 100 miles an hour on State Road 60, hit a street sign and chain link fence, then rolled over and over, throwing everyone out as it tumbled.

The Florida Highway Patrol says Christopher Ramos, 33, of Riverview had been behind the wheel of the decade-old Dodge Stratus, and died at he scene. The injured were identified as Estanislao Vela, 36, and David Vela, 32, both of Plant City, and David Alan Jones, 21, of Lithia.   

The wreck occurred around 2:30 a.m. just west of the Polk-Hillsborough county line. The car had just crossed English Creek and was heading west toward a curve. FHP Sgt. Steve Gaskins said none of the occupants were wearing seat belts, and all the passengers were intoxicated.

FHP investigators estimate Ramos had been traveling about 97 miles per hour. He was so severely injured that it took several hours to positively identify him, they said.

-- Times Staff

Aquarium employee charged with grand theft

TAMPA --  A Florida Aquarium employee was arrested and accused of using the businesses credit card machine to pay himself under the table, according to jail records.

The arrest report said Pollard A. Cobb Jr., 22, of 3221 Lancaster Lane, voided purchases to award refunds at least four times for a total of $14,999 and then swiped his own pre-paid debit card through the credit machine to receive the money.

He's being charged with four counts each of grand theft in the third degree, fradulent use of a credit card and use of scanning device to defraud.

Cobb is being held at the Orient Road Jail on $24,000 bail.

--Robbyn Mitchell, Times staff writer

[Photo: Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office]

Two black Friday bank heists and one attempt may be linked

PLANT CITY -- Local law enforcement agencies are searching for a man they believe was involved in two bank robberies and one failed attempt on Friday, according to Plant City Police.

At 10 a.m., a man rode up to Colonial Bank at 1707 S. Parsons Ave. in Brandon on a bicycle and tried to conceal his face with a ski mask or wig, said J.D. Callaway, a spokesman for the Hillsborough County Sheriff's office. Colonial Employees locked the doors before he could enter and the man rode away on the bike to a silver SUV before driving away.

An hour later, a man with a similar description and clothing, sporting a fake beard, arrived at the Regions Bank in Plant City at 2303 N. Thonotosassa Road on a bicycle, said Lt. Jerry Stwan, of Plant City Police.

He walked in, showed a gun and demanded money, Stwan said. The robber left the bank on a bike but Plant City officers arrived within minutes with helicopter and K-9 units, so the robber dropped the bike and the cash in the bushes north of the plaza and eluded arrest, Stwan said.

And just after 1 p.m., a man with a similar description to the Plant City and Brandon robbers entered a Synovus Bank at 4003 W. Neptune in Tampa and brandished a gun. He told everyone get on the floor and told the tellers to give him money, said Tampa Police in a news release.

He left the bank on foot.

"We think they might all be connected," Stwan said.

If you have any information about any of these crimes, please call Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay at 1-800-873-8477.

--Robbyn Mitchell, Times staff writer

Machete-wielding woman jailed on Thanksgiving

TAMPA -- For one Tampa woman, Thanksgiving night was occupied with death threats, machete-brandishing and a trip to jail.

Annette Jenkins, 46, of 401 E Columbus Drive, (pictured) apparently wasn't happy when her brother invited someone over at 10:25 p.m. When the unidentified woman entered Jenkins' home, Jenkins armed herself with a machete, stating, "If you don't get out, I'll kill you." according to an arrest affidavit.

Jenkins was charged with aggravated assault and taken to the Hillsborough County Jail, where she remains on bail of $2,000.

-- Kim Wilmath, Times Staff Writer
[Photo provided by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office]

Deputies find dad passed out in car with 5-year-old

TAMPA -- A 28-year-old man was arrested early this morning after deputies found him unconscious behind the wheel of his car with his 5-year-old daughter in the passenger's seat.

Marco Antonio Gonazlez-Ramirez, with no known address, (pictured) was found by Hillsborough County sheriff's deputies in a black Volkswagon at Blossom and Idlewild Avenues. Deputies said his blood-alcohol content was about .17 -- more than double the limit at which a person is deemed impaired. He was unable to stand unassisted, deputies said.

Gonzalez-Ramirez was taken to the Hillsborough County Jail, where he remains on bail of $2,750. His daughter is now in the custody of her mother, Gonzalez-Ramirez's ex-wife.

-- Kim Wilmath, Times Staff Writer

[Photo provided by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office]

Stolen car crashes into house after chase

GULFPORT -- The pursuit of a stolen car ended with a crash into a Gulfport home Thursday night, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

At about 10 p.m. Thursday, a deputy spotted a silver 2006 Saturn Vue speeding on Bay Pines Boulevard in Seminole. A computer check on the car revealed that it had been reported stolen on Nov. 3. The deputy followed the car onto Tyrone Boulevard as he called for assistance.

The driver of the Saturn, Joe Lewis Bradford, 20, of 4057 Ninth Ave. S in St. Petersburg, (pictured above) saw the patrol car behind him near 71st Street N and began to flee, deputies said. Two deputies chased after him.

A few minutes later, deputies said, Bradford lost control of the Saturn, crashing into a Gulfport home, 1202 58th St. S. Bradford and his passenger, Darryl Jenkins, 20, 4702 15th Ave. S in St. Petersburg, (pictured left) ran from the car.

Deputies secured the area with two K-9 teams. At about 10:45 p.m., Jenkins was found hiding in the yard of a nearby home. Bradford was found about 30 minutes later in a different yard.

Both suspects suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the crash, and Bradford was bitten in the leg by a police dog during his arrest. They were both taken to Bayfront Medical Center, pending a transfer to the Pinellas County Jail.

Police later found cocaine and a handgun in the stolen car. The handgun had been reported stolen on Dec. 15, 2007.

Bradford was charged with grand theft of an automobile, grand theft of a firearm, driving with a suspended license, possession of cocaine, leaving the scene of a crash with injuries and felon in possession of a firearm.

Jenkins was charged with grand theft of an automobile and resisting arrest with violence. He also had outstanding warrants for violating probation on unrelated charges of cocaine possession, selling cocaine and failure to pay child support.

-- Kim Wilmath, Times Staff Writer
[Photos provided by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office]

St. Petersburg couple get prison in pot conspiracy

TAMPA -- A St. Petersburg couple was sentenced to federal prison today on charges of conspiracy to distribute marijuana, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Keith Pritchett, 30, was sentenced to 9 years and 3 months in prison, while Monique Pruitt, 29, received 3 years and 10 months in prison for her role.

Prosecutors said that from sometime in 2003 until February 2008, Pritchett participated with unnamed co-conspirators to distribute marijuana in the St. Petersburg area and elsewhere. Authorities said he used tractor trailer trucks to ship multi-kilogram quantities of the drug from Arizona to St. Petersburg.

Senior U.S. District Judge Susan Bucklew enhanced Pruitt's punishment for placing her son's life in danger at the time law enforcement executed a search warrant at home.

Agents went to 4225 Cortez Way South in St. Petersburg on Feb. 15 to execute a search. When Pruitt learned that law enforcement was coming, prosecutors said, she placed her 10-year-old son and two duffel bags filled with marijuana into her vehicle and tried to flee.

Authorities later stopped her.

-Kevin Graham, Times staff writer

4 arrested in Tampa grow house raids

TAMPA -- Four men were arrested and nearly 200 marijuana plants were seized at two Tampa grow houses Tuesday afternoon, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.

At about 4:30 p.m., sheriff's office detectives raided 9019 Tree Valley Circle, where they found 152 marijuana plants, high-power lights and electrical equipment. During the investigation, detectives discovered that another house, 833 Lutz Lake Fern Road was also used as a grow house. They found 36 more plants there. The total street value for the marijuana is $540,000, according to the detectives.

The suspects -- Jesus Fonseca Sanchez, 55, of 9019 Tree Valley Circle; Lazaro Avila Perez, 43, of 8680 Leeward Drive; Jasan Arguelles, 27, of 833 Lutz Lake Fern Road W; and Frank Cendeno, 35, also of 833 Lutz Lake Fern Road W -- were charged with manufacturing, trafficking and possessing marijuana, in addition to theft of electricity and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Perez and Cendeno also were charged with violating probation -- Perez for an older DUI charge and Cendeno for formerly possessing cocaine, possessing drug paraphernalia and a DUI charge.

They all were taken to the Orient Road Jail.

-- Kim Wilmath, Times Staff Writer

Arrest made in St. Pete gas station robbery

ST. PETERSBURG -- A 45-year-old man was arrested Tuesday night in connection with the Nov. 10 armed robbery of a Sunoco Gas Station on 34th Street N.

Pinellas County sheriff's deputies charged Darryl L. Everett, left, 6049 32nd St. N, with armed robbery and violation of felony probation. Deputies had received a tip from someone who recognized him on the store's surveillance video.

Everett was arrested without incident and admitted to the armed robbery, deputies said. Records show that he was released from state prison in July after serving 12 years on charges including burglary, robbery and possession of cocaine.

- Kim Wilmath, Times Staff Writer

[Photo provided by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office]

Deputies seek would-be bank robber in Apollo Beach

APOLLO BEACH -- A man who tried robbing a bank in Apollo Beach this afternoon is also suspected in a bank holdup Friday in Brandon, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said.

The man entered a Bank of America branch at 203 Apollo Beach Blvd. at 2:33 p.m. and handed a teller a note saying he had a bomb and demanding "large denominations of money," sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter said. When the teller explained that she didn't have the amount of money the man wanted, he grabbed the note and ran out of the bank.

The man is between 5-foot-10 and 6-feet tall, 30 to 35-years-old and 165 pounds to 180 pounds, the Sheriff's Office said. He was wearing sunglasses and a shirt that read "Hill-Joiner Family Reunion." Investigators believe the same man robbed M&I Bank at 103 W. Bloomingdale Ave.

This photo was taken Friday during a robbery at an M&I Bank branch in Brandon.

(Photo coutesy of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office)

-- Kevin Smetana, Times staff writer

Cat, dog alert Dunedin man to fire

A late night fire in Dunedin caused $170,000 worth of damage to this home on Falcon Drive. The fire is under investigation. [Photo: Dunedin Fire Department]

Update: Charley the cat had a little help from Griffin's other pet, a Bullmastiff/bloodhound mix named Blondie. Blondie was nudging Griffin from one side of the bed, while Charley pawed and meowed from the other side, Griffin said Tuesday afternoon.  "If it wasn't for them, I probably would have slept through it," he said. | Click cat image to enlarge [Courtesy of Bay News 9 from video]

Update: The fire has been ruled accidental.

DUNEDIN -- His home was on fire when John Griffin was awakened by his cat's claws on his face.

It was about 12:30 a.m., when the black-and white alley cat, Charley, jumped on top of his human companion. Griffin ran outside his one-story wood-frame home at 1268 Falcon Drive, tripping over the cat as he did.

When firefighters got there, flames were shooting up about 45 feet into the air, and Griffin was attacking the blaze with a garden hose.

"He's a good cat," an exhausted Griffin said this morning in a telephone interview.

Griffin, 52, was uninjured, as was the cat and a dog in the home.

"Dozens of firefighters from Dunedin and Clearwater fire department battled the blaze for 40 minutes. The flames were raging so wildly, that homes on either side sustained blistered paint and melted blinds, said Division Chief Bill McElligott of the Dunedin Fire Department. Griffin's home sustained heavy fire and water damage, was deemed an unsafe structure by the Dunedin Buildings Department.

The fire was initially deemed suspicious in nature, but just after noon, fire marshalls determined that it was accidental. McElligott said it was likely caused by a faulty electrical wiring, though it was impossible to know for sure because of the extensive damage to the house.

McElligott said the flames were large for a small house. "The entire sky in this area of Dunedin was lit up," he said. "It was pretty spectacular."

McElligott told the Griffin that it was great his cat woke him up, but a smoke detector would have been even better.

- Luis Perez, Times staff writer

[Photo: handout]

Note to readers: How smart is your pet? Tell us.

Ex-Pasco doc gets 33 years, 9 months for child porn

TAMPA -- A former Port Richey family practice physician was sentenced today to 33 years and 9 months in federal prison for a conviction on child pornography charges.

Jurors found Dr. Richard Carino, 48, guilty on July 10 of three counts of receipt and three counts of possession of child porn.

Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth Kovachevich gave him the maximum sentence allowed by law.

"I see a deep darkness within you, sir," the judge told Carino. "It leads to an abyss. You have hurt so many people. You don't deserve to be out in the community."

At trial, Carino's ex-wife testified about turning in her then-husband to authorities after she discovered him viewing child porn. Autumn Carino told detectives about her husband's habits when Drug Enforcement Administration agents searched his office and home in 2005. Richard Carino had been under investigation for illegally dispensing prescription drugs online.

Carino's younger sister, Dawn Carino, also testified against him at trial. She told jurors that Richard Carino locked her into a bathroom and sexually abused her growing up when their parents were away. She was 11 at the time, she said, and he was 16.

Dawn Carino spoke at today's sentencing, telling the judge that the alleged abuse continues to affect her as an adult.

Defense attorney Charles Medlin objected to that testimony, which prosecutors used to enhance Richard Carino's punishment. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laurel Moore wanted to establish that Richard Carino had a propensity for sexual attraction to young children.

The judge allowed it.

"The damage you affected to your own name, which your family treasured, isn't just a disgrace," Kovachevich told Carino. "You have irrevocably damaged the name that your other family members carry."

-Kevin Graham, Times staff writer

"Prime suspect" may have been driving victim's car

TAMPA -- Authorities are now calling Vincent Brown the "prime suspect" in the killing of his ex-girlfriend Jennifer Johnson, the Tampa woman found dead last week.

Tampa police said today that detectives have learned Brown was in the Orlando and Altamonte Springs area on Nov. 15, the day Johnson is believed to have been killed. Brown may have been driving Johnson's black 1996 Infiniti.

They are asking anyone who saw him or the victim's vehicle to call police at (813) 231-6130. The car has chrome rims and a license plate that reads X760TK.

Johnson was seen on Nov. 14 arguing at a Tampa nightclub with Brown. The former couple went to Brown's parent's house at 3 a.m. on Nov. 15.

Johnson's family reported her missing the evening of Nov. 15, after she didn't show up for her 2-year-old daughter's birthday party. Brown turned himself in on an unrelated outstanding warrant the next day after seeing himself on the news.

Johnson's body was found Nov. 19 in an abandoned Lakeland house.

Earlier today, Brown was sentenced to 13 months in state prison for a probation violation.

He hadn't reported to his probation officer since summer for a 2006 cocaine posession charge. During his arraignment this morning, Judge Daniel Perry asked Brown why he suddenly decided to turn himself in, speculating that Brown wanted to start collecting disability insurance for an injured ankle.

Brown said he stopped reporting when his ankle flared up on a day when he was scheduled to check in with his probation officer. And as for why he came forward last week, Brown only said, "I was in violation."

The judge asked Brown where he'd been living. "I was staying with my girlfriend, Jennifer Johnson," Brown said. One of Johnson's friends, Ganae Norwood, left the courtroom in a huff.

"He's standing there talking about her like she's still living," Norwood said. "I know he had something to do with it."

- Colleen Jenkins and Kim Wilmath, Times staff writers

Tampa woman called 911 from car trunk before she died, police say

TAMPA -- Sometime before she died, Jennifer Johnson called a 911 operator to say she was in the trunk of a vehicle, Tampa police say.

Johnson, 31, was found dead Tuesday in an abandoned Lakeland house. The last time Johnson was seen alive, she was arguing with ex-boyfriend Vincent Brown at the Apollo Club late Friday. After that, police said, she went to Brown's parents' house at 3 a.m.

Tampa police spokeswoman Laura McElroy said Johnson's call to Plant City police 911 came in after 3 a.m. Saturday. Investigators would not release details about the call, saying it was critical to establishing a timeline for when Johnson was abducted and when and how she died.

"It is a very disturbing call, a very chilling call," McElroy said.

Brown, who has been named a person of interest in the case, is being held at the Orient Road Jail on unrelated charges. He remains uncooperative in the investigation, McElroy said.

Rebecca Catalanello, Times Staff Writer

*

Pair sought in afternoon bank robbery

TAMPA -- Deputies say a man and woman were in cahoots in the robbery of an American Momentum Bank on Wednesday afternoon.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, a woman (pictured at right) entered the bank at 15150 N Florida Ave. shortly after 10 a.m. and left. Forty-five minutes later, a masked man went into the bank with his hand under his shirt to imply he had a gun and demanded money.

Witnesses told deputies the man got away in a four-door silver Nissan Frontier pickup, similar to the one pictured, model year 2004 to 2007, with chrome tie bars on the truck bed. Authorities said the woman was driving.

If you have any information about the crime, call the Sheriff’s Office at (813) 247-8200 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-8477.

Robbyn Mitchell, Times Staff Writer

*

Body of missing Tampa woman found in Lakeland

LAKELAND -- The body of Jennifer Johnson, left, the Tampa woman missing since Saturday, was found in an abandoned Lakeland home last night, according to the Tampa Police Department.

Neighbors of the abandoned home found the body at 1810 Elliott St. about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. They went into the foreclosed house because they were thinking of renting or buying it, according to Jack Gillen, Lakeland police spokesman. Tampa police joined the investigation soon thereafter. The death was ruled "suspicious."

Her family members said police told them she was found partly clothed. Gillen said he could not confirm that detail, as it is part of the investigation.

Johnson's ex-boyfriend, Vincent Brown, remains a "person of interest" in Johnson's disappearance, said Tampa police spokeswoman Andrea Davis. Brown is in the Hillsborough County Jail without bail on probation violation charges. He turned himself in Sunday night and has not been cooperative, police said.

The couple had a history of domestic violence incidents.

Johnson's car was found in the parking lot of Oak Park in east Tampa on Monday morning. Her purse and wallet were inside.

On Tuesday, even before Johnson's body was found, an assistant state attorney said Brown was a "suspect in a murder case" during his first appearance in court. A spokeswoman later said the prosecutor misspoke, and Brown was a "suspect in the disappearance of a missing woman." Police have not publicly upgraded Brown's status to suspect.

The 31-year-old woman was last seen arguing with Brown at the Apollo Club on 40th Street late Friday night. Police said the couple then went to Brown's parents' house about 3 a.m.

Johnson didn't show up to the birthday party she planned for her 2-year-old daughter, Janice, on Saturday, leading family members to call police. The investigation continues. Check back with www.tampabay.com for updates.

Kim Wilmath, Times Staff Writer

*

One shot during flea market robbery

PINELLAS PARK -- A young St. Petersburg couple are in jail in connection with a Sunday afternoon armed robbery at the Wagon Wheel Flea Market that left one person shot and injured, deputies said.

Emanuel LaTorre, 20, left, and Aspyn Helle-Smith, 18, right, were arrested on one count each of armed robbery shortly after the 4 p.m incident, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

The shooting victim, identified only as 20 years old, was shot in the left ankle, deputies said. The victim was taken to Bayfront Medical Center with injuries not thought to be life-threatening.

Two suspects arrested in Pasco purse-snatch killing

HUDSON — Deputies this afternoon arrested the two suspects in Wednesday's purse snatching-turned-homicide of 62-year-old Linda Roma.

And one of them, Steve Anthony Cruz, was arrested on a charge of murder, according to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office.

Cruz, 38, and Lisa Michelle Dillard, 39, were arrested near the 7-11 convenience store on U.S. 19 near the Pasco-Hernando county line around 3 p.m. today, according to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office.

According to witnesses, Cruz was lurking outside the doors of the Hudson T.J. Maxx when Roma and her daughter Jenifer walked outside at 8:53 p.m. He went for Roma's purse, witnesses said, and in the ensuing struggle she fell to the ground and hit her head.

Roma, who took care of her 78-year-old husband Ralph, died the next day in a Tampa hospital from bleeding in the brain, according to the family.

Intense publicity surrounding the case helped deputies track the suspects down, according to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office.

Dillard was arrested on an outstanding warrant for violation of probation. Both will be booked into the Land O'Lakes jail within the next few hours.

Deputies believe Cruz escaped in a pearl or gray 90's Buick Regal driven by a female accomplice. Both suspects were later seen an hour later on a Wal-Mart Supercenter surveillance video trying to buy jewelry with Roma's credit card, deputies say.

The status of a third possible suspect is unknown at this time.

Jamal Thalji, Times Staff Writer

Jury convicts man in attacks on in-laws

TAMPA -- A federal jury today convicted a Sarasota man accused of ordering three attacks against his in-laws after they refused to keep supporting his failing business ventures.

Alex Shevgert, 52, was found guilty of conspiracy to travel with the intent to kill, injure or harass another person and two counts of aiding and abetting another person to travel and carry out the attacks.

Sentencing is Feb. 20.

Shevgert's parents-in-law, Grigori and Galina Komissarchuk, had fractured skulls after separate attacks in Florida and New York between September 2006 and April 2007. Prosecutors said Shevgert asked a friend to recruit a hit man whom he would pay to beat the Komissarchuks.

They were each attacked twice, but in three incident. Two attacks took place in the couple's Brighton Beach neighborhood in Brooklyn, N.Y., where they own interests in the taxi cab business. One attack took place at their Sarasota home after they left a party hosted at the nearby home of Shevgert and their daughter.

Largo police seek 2 robbers

LARGO -- Police have asked for the public's help in identifying two suspects in a Nov. 5 armed robbery at a Largo bank's ATM.

At about 9:00 that night, two men wearing hoods and masks approached someone at the ATM outside the Fifth Third Bank, 12360 Indian Rocks Road, according to the Largo Police Department. One of the suspects  put his arm around the victim's neck and brandished a gun. The suspects then took personal property from the victim using physical force.

Anyone with information about the two men should call Largo Police Det. Scott Gore at 727-586-7436.

-- Kim Wilmath, Times Staff Writer

Riverview man charged with assaulting roommate

RIVERVIEW -- A 37-year-old Riverview man was jailed early this morning after an apparently heated game of billiards.

Police said Richard Hutton, 8012-1/2 Mays Avenue, was arguing with his roommate when he armed himself with a pool cue. A few punches were thrown, and, according to an arrest affidavit, Hutton told his roommate he would beat him up with the cops left.

Police were told that Hutton threw the cue in a river behind Hutton's home, but it couldn't be found. Hutton was charged with aggravated assault and tampering with evidence, both felonies. He was taken to the Hillsborough County Jail, where he remains on $4,000 bail.

Kim Wilmath, Times staff writer

Robbery suspect charged with murder

TAMPA -- He didn't pull the trigger, but now he's charged with murdering his friend.

Ramon Antonio Varela, 34, (pictured) was one of two men who robbed a Tuscany Point Apartment resident on Nov. 6, according to the Tampa Police Department. Varela and another man, Christopher Sherman, 22, tied up 21-year-old Anthony Velez to rob him, but Velez broke out of his restraints and fatally shot Sherman. Varela got away.

Hillsborough County sheriff's deputies caught Varela Thursday night. He was charged with three felonies: armed robbery with a firearm, kidnapping and second degree murder. Florida law allows such prosecution if someone dies during the commission of a felony, regardless of the manner of death.

Varela was taken to the Hillsborough County Jail, where he remains without bail.

-- Kim Wilmath, Times Staff Writer

Apollo Beach rape victims recognized suspects in sheriff's lineup

TAMPA -- The victims of an Apollo Beach rape that involved an illegal immigrant "immediately identified" two of the three suspects from a photo lineup, according to investigation reports released today by the Hillsborough State Attorney's Office.

The women, ages 24 and 31, identified Rigoberto Moron Martinez Jr. and Vicente Reyes-Carbajal, also called "Daniel," in a packet of photos shown by Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office investigators. A detective wrote in one report that when shown a packet of photos containing a picture of Jose Guadalupe Walle, a third suspect charged in a string of rapes and robberies in Pinellas and Hillsborough, the women made no identification.

Walle, who was 13 at the time of the alleged incident, has been charged as an adult and could face life in prison.

 

When the trio first began raping the women, the 24-year-old victim told her assailant that she had a serious STD, according to the written report. He'd pulled her shirt and bra up and her pants down. "I quickly told him I had a serious STF and that I was dying from it," she wrote in her statement to detectives. "He didn't believe me at first, but I told him that I was just looking out for him and I had papers to prove it."

The strategy worked -- at least for her. When the man walked away from her, he went to her friend and continued to sexually assault against the 31-year-old victim, according to records.

The records also reveal that while both women reported having had duct tape placed over their eyes, one said she could see through a small opening at the bottom of the tape. She was able to tell detectives where her rapists drove the night she and a co-worker were abducted from the Docks Bar and Grill in Apollo Beach.

She told detectives that the men stopped at a Bank of America automated teller machine, and she recalled being taken to a Chevron gas station near U.S. 41 and College Avenue.

Detectives obtained surveillance video from the gas station and identified a man matching the description and clothing described by the victim. The investigation report says that the woman identified the suspect.

After the captors finally released their victims on the side of I-75, the women made it to roadside call station and called for help. The 31-year-old was taken away on a stretcher, with a piece of duct tape stuck in her hair. The 24-year-old, records say, did not need medical assistance.

Records also show that detectives recovered condom wrappers, wine bottles, beer cans and duct tape from the scenes of the rapes. When detectives searched Martinez' Lincoln Navigator, they found a section of nylon rope in the driver's door, black electrical tape and masking tape in the center console and a New Lifestyle condom on the passenger side door.

Previous coverage: 3 arrested in rapes, robberies

Kevin Graham and Rebecca Catalanello, Times Staff Writers

Photo caption: From top, Jose Walle, Rigoberto Martinez and Vincente Reyes-Carbajal

Photos courtesy Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office

*

Man dies after fight on Tampa street

TAMPA -- When Tampa police responded to a fight at E Fairbanks Street and N Lamar Avenue last night, they arrived too late. The only evidence of the brawl was a 46-year-old Tampa man badly hurt on the corner.

Officers began administering first aid to Eddie James Ivy, of 811 E Frierson Ave., and transported him to Tampa General Hospital. He died there from blunt-force trauma to his upper body, police said.

The fight happened about 8 p.m. Police haven't caught the other people involved, two or three white males who drove away in a small silver two-door vehicle.

Anyone with information should call the Tampa Police Department at (813) 231-6130.

Kim Wilmath, TImes Staff Writer

*

Man gets 10 years in child porn case

TAMPA -- A Tampa man was sentenced today to 10 years and one month in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession of child pornography and producing sexually explicit photographs that involved an underage relative.

Raymond H. Brooks (pictured), 46, has been in custody since his arrest in June 2007. He told law enforcement investigators that he began viewing child pornography more than 10 years ago, according to court records.

In a sentencing memorandum filed in court, defense attorneys sought leniency from U.S. District Judge James S. Moody Jr.

Brooks, who faced a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years, has had a mental history of depression since he was 16 and reported being molested by his Boy Scout troop leader when his was 10 or 11 years old, the defense said.

"I recognize I had a compulsion and sought counseling, but it was a case of too little too late," Brooks told the judge. "As the head of my household, I was charged with building up my family, and instead I destroyed it."

Moody ordered that Brooks be placed on supervised release for 20 years after he has served his sentence. He must also register as a sex offender.

Kevin Graham, Times staff writer

[Photo: Times files]

*

Bollea criminal case back in court

Nick Bollea's criminal case was back in court today, six months after he pleaded no contest to a charge of reckless driving. Back in May, Judge Philip J. Federico set a status check for today to see about any possible restitution that Bollea would pay to John Graziano, the victim in the car crash.

On Wednesday, attorney Kevin Hayslett asked the judge to check back in another six months. He said there had been progress recently in the civil case and if that resolved satisfactorily, there might not be a need for the criminal court to assign restitution.

George Tragos, one of the two attorneys representing Graziano in the civil case, disagreed with the statement about progress. He said a scheduled mediation failed and now the case was set to go to trial.

Jonathan Abel, Times Staff Writer

*

Fisherman accused of using illegal net

The marine patrol at the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office arrested a fisherman Tuesday on charges relating to illegal fishing in the gulf.

According to the Sheriff's Office, on Tuesday at 9:40 p.m. Marvin Rankin Jr. was seen motoring his 25-foot skiff a quarter-mile south of Fast Eddie's Sound.

Authorities said Rankin, a commercial fisherman, was going in large circles with the lights off, dragging a 450-foot monofilament gill net. These types of nets are illegal in Florida waters.

On board, deputies reported, Rankin had 250 to 350 pounds of ladyfish.

He was charged with using an illegal net, improper carriage of prescribed nets in Florida waters, and improper net marking requirements.

Rankin, 36, of Holiday, was released from jail on $5,500 bail.

Jonathan Abel, Times Staff Writer

*

Hillsborough deputies identify body found near Tampa apartments

TAMPA -- A 29-year-old man was found dead near a Tampa apartment early this morning, and Hillsborough County sheriff's deputies are calling it a homicide.

About 12:45 a.m., deputies discovered the body of Darrell A. Vance, 4411 Snapper St., (pictured) in a grassy area between two buildings at the Royal Park Apartments, 6919 Bonair Drive, off E Sligh Avenue.

It is not known how Vance was killed, only that he suffered upper body trauma, deputies said.

Vance had a fairly lengthy criminal record of mostly drug charges, according to records from the Hillsborough County Jail.

Kim Wilmath, Times staff writer

*

Tampa man charged with defrauding a temp agency

TAMPA -- A 43-year-old Tampa man was arrested after a temp agency accused him of forgery and receiving payment for jobs he did not do, according to a Hillsborough County arrest affidavit.

Keith Darrell Smith (pictured) of 1824 Cadillac Circle is charged with forgery, uttering a forged instrument, grand theft and scheming to defraud.

Workers Temporary Staffing of 1908 E Fletcher Ave told Tampa police that Smith turned in pay voucher's to the temp office with a foreman from Tampa Tank Inc.'s signature forged on them.

"He was fraudulently putting in for work he did not do, " said Lt. Stephen Hartnett, a spokesman for the Tampa Police Department.

Tampa Tank is a national engineering and construction company that builds storage silos for petroleum and other bulk storage items.

Liz Rice of Tampa Tank's human resources department said that Smith was never on her payroll and that he had briefly been part of a small group of laborers contracted from Workers Temporary Staffing. Workers Temporary Staffing paid Smith $19,557.75 since Aug. 15, the arrest report stated.

He's being held at Orient Road Jail with bail set at $10,500.

--Robbyn Mitchell, Times staff writer

Woman charged with hitting man with hammer

TAMPA -- Police arrested a 50-year-old woman they say struck a man with hammer following an argument, according to the arrest report.

The report said Carol Ann Sample (pictured) of 315 E. Fairbanks St. hit the man, who she has lived with for 10 years, in his waist and lower back causing him minor injuries.

While she was being arrested, police discovered a white substance residue in her purse that tested positive for cocaine, according to the report.

Sample is charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, possession of cocaine and possession of cocaine paraphernalia. She is being held at orient Road Jail where no bail has been set.

--Robbyn Mitchell, Times staff writer

Plant City man charged in shooting

PLANT CITY -- One Plant City man was jailed and another hospitalized after an argument turned violent Monday night, according to the Plant City Police Department.

Police said Jose O. Colon, 46, of 508 N Gordon St. in Plant City, (pictured) shot 22-year-old Jean Claude Lee in the chest outside Colon's home about 10:40 p.m.

Lee was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital with life-threatening injuries, and Colon was taken to the Hillsborough County Jail. Colon was charged with attempted felony murder and is being held without bail. Lee was in fair condition.

Colon and Lee have each been arrested several times in Florida. According to state records, Colon was charged in 1997 and 1999 with soliciting prostitution and in 2002 with domestic violence battery. Lee's record includes charges of aggravated battery and drug possession.

Kim Wilmath, Times staff writer

*

St. Petersburg resident injured in home invasion

A St. Petersburg resident was tied up and beaten during a home invasion on 18th Ave. S this morning, according to police.

A 911 caller at 2045 18th Ave. S. reported the incident at about 5:45 a.m., according to police.

At least two suspects, one of them armed with a gun, broke into the home and assaulted a male resident, police said. An ambulance took the victim to Bayfront Medical Center. His injuries were not life-threatening.

No one has been apprehended, and police are still investigating.

Luis Perez, Times staff writer

*

Getaway driver testifies at attack conspiracy trial

TAMPA -- The getaway driver testified today at the trial of a Sarasota man accused of hiring a hit man to attack his in-laws.

Sergey Zub, 41, of Brooklyn, N.Y., pleaded guilty last week to being part of a conspiracy that resulted in three attacks on Grigori and Galina Komissarchuk.

Alex Shevgert, 52, of Sarasota, is on trial at the federal courthouse in Tampa, charged with organizing the attacks on the Komissarchuks -- his in-laws and Russian immigrants with homes in Brooklyn and Sarasota.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Porcelli played parts of a secretly recorded conversation between Zub and Shevgert, with Zub saying he was upset that the FBI was asking him questions about an attack that took place in Brooklyn in April 2007. Prosecutors said Zub drove the 24-year-old hit man, Edmon Vardanyan of Tampa, to the Komissarchuks' Brighton Beach neighborhood in Brooklyn.

Shevgert didn't know the FBI was recording the phone conversation with Zub's permission.

Police: Car theft suspect donned blond wig, tried to flee

TAMPA -- Watch out for the blond wolfman.

About 1:45 a.m. Sunday, on the third level of a Tampa city-run parking garage at 1550 E Sixth Ave., a police officer stopped to investigate a suspicious vehicle. Upon approaching the car, a 2000 silver Crown Victoria, a man inside placed a blond wig on his head and started to drive away. The officer stopped him and found stereo equipment, burglary tools, a window-breaking tool, a BB gun, a blond wig and a wolf mask, police said.

A 1993 Chevy nearby had had its door lock popped and ignition broken, police said. The owner of that car, Michael Turner, identified the items in the Crown Victoria as his.

Angel O. Criado, 23, (pictured left in photos) and Vahid Osmanovic, 24, (right) were each arrested and charged with grand theft of an automobile. They were taken to the Hillsborough County Jail and have since been released on bail.

Kim Wilmath, Times staff writer

[Photos: Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office]

*

Five people charged with cruelty to dogs

TAMPA -- Deputies arrested five people and charged them with cruelty to animals and improper confinement Saturday after they were investigated by Hillsborough County Animal Services, according to  the arrest affidavits.

Cindy Pendleton Overton, 45; Sheila N. Overton, 18; Craig Alan Overton, 20; Cedric Leon Wilson, 24; and Irven Jay Brend, 39, all of 3015 N. 73rd St. had nearly a dozen dogs improperly confined in a residence with no electricity or running water, according to the arrest affadavits.

"The dogs were living in their own excrement," the arresting deputy wrote.

When animal services inspected the dogs, they found that four of them needed immediate medical care and one dog had a hind leg injury that made the leg swell to twice its normal size, the report said.

All five residents are charged with four counts of felony cruelty to animals and 11 counts of misdemeanor confinement of animals without food or water.

The Overtons, Brend and Wilson were taken to Orient Road Jail where bail has been set at $12,500 each.

--Robbyn Mitchell, Times staff writer

Ex-Marine with mental problems gets probation for identity theft

TAMPA -- Steven Lee Fickey doesn't hear the voices inside his head anymore, he said today in court.

The former Marine lance corporal takes anti-psychotic medication to stop them. Another prescription has helped curb his seizures, described by his defense attorney as a catalyst for his criminal behavior.

Fickey, 30, pleaded guilty in August to fraud and stealing the identifies of other Marines. Prosecutors said he used the names of current and former Marines to open accounts with the Army and Air Force Exchange Services and purchase more than $100,000 in electronics, china and filet mignon.

Fickey faced 12 to 18 months in prison. As of today, he'd already spent about 14 months in custody, defense attorney Rochelle Reback said.

"I feel like he has been adequately punished by being incarcerated for that period of time, and I feel that probation would be sufficient," U.S. District Judge Richard Lazzara said.

He also ordered that Fickey pay more than $76,000 in restitution.

Daughter of murdered Odessa lawyer asks for public's help

TAMPA -- The daughter of the Odessa lawyer and horseman whose Oct. 8 murder remains unsolved asked today for the public's help in finding his killer.

Kimberly Higgins, the 35-year-old daughter of 61-year-old Lawrence Higgins, who was found dead at his home Oct. 10, said her father had attended her Washington, D.C., wedding just a week before.

"Nothing I can do will ever bring him back, but if the person who did this is caught, it might prevent someone else's family from going through this," Higgins said at a Friday morning news conference outside the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.

Maj. Harold Winsett would not answer any questions about the ongoing investigation, but he released the descriptions of two suspicious vehicles seen near Higgins' home before the murder. He asked that anyone with information call the Sheriff's Office.

One vehicle is described as a champagne-colored dual-wheel pickup truck with an extended motor cab. Witnesses said it was probably a 2000-05 model with four tires on the rear. The second is an older orange Nissan or Datsun sedan with a loud muffler, a model from the 1980s.

Winsett would still not specify the manner of Higgins' death or speculate on potential motives or suspects. The Medical Examiner's Office previously said Higgins died from trauma to his upper body, a homicide.

Higgins' body was found in his home, 11523 Trotting Down Drive, by an unidentified business associate on Oct. 10. Winsett said he died two days earlier. Higgins was heavily involved in local horse racing and raced several of his own.

Kim Wilmath, Times Staff Writer

Man shot, killed, during attempted robbery of a friend, police say

TAMPA -- Tampa Police authorities have identified the victim of the early-morning robbery that led to the fatal shooting of one of two suspects.

Just after 11 p.m. Thursday, police said, two men visiting an acquaintance at Tuscany Point Apartments, 3350 W Hillsborough Ave., tied up the man and robbed him. The robbery victim, 21-year-old Anthony Velez, feared he would be killed, broke free, wrestled a gun away from one of the suspects and shot him.

The shooting victim died at the scene; the other robbery suspect fled on foot. Velez suffered only minor injuries.

Laura McElroy, Tampa Police spokeswoman, said police have "a pretty good idea" who the missing suspect is, but they're still looking for him. McElroy said the suspect could be charged with felony murder of his friend even though he didn't pull the trigger. If someone dies while committing a crime, state law says the suspect could face murder charges regardless of manner of death, she said. 

One of Velez's neighbors, Will Nieves, said Velez is a good guy -- but too trusting. Nieves and Velez have known each other since Velez moved in about a year ago. They used to play video games together, but Nieves said he stopped hanging out with Velez when he began spending time with a "not-so-great crowd," including the men at his house Thursday night.

"I've always talked to him like a big brother," Nieves said. "I told him, 'You've got to watch who you trust. In this world, not all that glitters is gold. Some people will hide behind a fake smile.'"

Kim Wilmath, Times staff writer

Tampa 18-year-old charged with arson

TAMPA -- An 18-year-old Tampa man was arrested and forcibly hospitalized after, police said, he started a fire in his kitchen and refused to leave as it burned Thursday night.

According to arrest records, Maurice Dwayne Joseph of 406 E Gladys St. told firefighters he sprayed lighter fluid on his kitchen counter and oven before the blaze.

When Joseph refused to leave the burning kitchen, even as he was showing signs of smoke inhalation, firefighters took him into custody and transported him to St. Joseph's Hospital, according to records.

He was charged with arson, a felony, and is being held without bail.

Kim Wilmath, Times staff writer

Sentencing of USF student rescheduled

TAMPA -- A sentencing set to take place Friday has been rescheduled for Ahmed Mohamed, a former University of South Florida student who pleaded guilty in June to providing material support to terrorists.

Mohamed, 27, must now wait until Dec. 18 to learn whether he will receive the maximum 15 years in prison or a lesser sentence for the crime.

One of Mohamed's defense attorneys, Linda Moreno, is in trial representing a defendant on terrorism-related charges involving the Holy Land Foundation in Dallas. Mohamed's sentencing will take place next month because of the scheduling conflict.

Mohamed posted a 12-minute video to YouTube in July 2007 demonstrating how to turn a remote-controlled toy into a detonator. The video's narrator, identified by investigators as Mohamed, speaks in Arabic and says the video was meant "to save one who wants to be a martyr for another day in battle."

Prosecutors have said Mohamed hated the United States and its laws, referring to the country as a "vile nation" and its citizens as "stupid Americans."

Mohamed and fellow student Youssef Megahed, 22, were arrested on Aug. 4, 2007, and charged with illegally transporting explosive materials after a South Carolina deputy stopped them for speeding and found the materials in their trunk. FBI investigators found the YouTube video and other evidence on Mohamed's laptop.

Kevin Graham, Times staff writer

*

Feds say man took nude pics of teen relative

TAMPA -- A Valrico man has been charged with inducing a minor to engage in sexually explicit behavior after he took nude photographs of a relative for a pornographic Web site, authorities said.

Robert D. Paige, 36, admitted to taking sexually graphic pictures of a 16-year-old relative but denied that he planned to post them on the Internet to make money, according to a federal complaint.

The girl told authorities about the photos after she was taken into custody under the Florida Baker Act law. She had told law enforcement officials that she wanted to run away from home and hurt herself. While at a crisis center in late September, she told detectives that Paige had taken nude pictures of her to sell on a Web site to pay off her $2,000 cell phone bill.

Deputies: Tampa man paid $20 for sex with 15-year-old

TAMPA -- Domingo Gomez Diaz, 27, 1228 142nd Ave, Apt. B (pictured), was arrested Wednesday night after he paid $20 for sex with a 15-year-old girl earlier that day at his home, deputies said.

Diaz paid the same amount for sex the day before with the same girl, Hillsborough County sheriff's deputies said.

Diaz was charged with two counts of lewd and lascivious battery and two counts of procuring a minor for prostitution -- all felonies. He was taken to the Hillsborough County Jail, where he remains on $30,000 bail.

Kim Wilmath, Times staff writer

*

St. Petersburg woman arrested after bank robbery

ST. PETERSBURG -- Jessica Strole, 1650 Seventh Ave. N, Apt. C16 (pictured), was arrested Wednesday night after St. Petersburg police identified her in a surveillance tape of a bank robbery.

A woman walked into the Synovus Bank at 333 Third Ave. N around 2 p.m. and demanded $200, saying that her boyfriend had strapped a bomb to her body and would blow her up if she didn't bring the money out in 10 minutes, said police spokesman George Kajtsa. She left the bank on foot.

When police looked at a bank surveillance video, an officer identified her as Strole, Kajtsa said. According to jail records, Strole has been arrested at least four times since 2005 on drug and prostitution charges. Kajtsa said police found her around 7:40 p.m. at Seventh Avenue and 14th Street, and she was taken into custody without incident.

Kim Wilmath, Times staff writer

*

Two arrested after crash with officer during chase