Middle School Student, 16, Sentenced To Jail On Weapon Charges

October 20, 2010

A 16-year old middle school student charged as an adult will spend the next several months in jail after dumping a firearm into the middle of a North Escambia street, eventually leading to a shot being fired into a deputy’s tire.

Ladarrious Tamiraye Lett of Ivey Street, Century, was found guilty in Escambia County Circuit Court of possession of a firearm by a convicted delinquent under 24 years of age, tampering with evidence and culpable negligence. He was sentenced to nine months in the county jail, with credit for the 86 days he had already been behind bars following his arrest.

Trial is scheduled for January for David Dewayne Simmons, 49, the McDavid man accused of selling a .22 caliber handgun to Lett in exchange for a $40 bag of marijuana.

Lett was originally charged as a juvenile in connection with the July 14 incident, but his case was transferred to Escambia County Circuit Court.

The incident began at 3:23 a.m. on July 14 when Deputy Scott Rivkin conducted a traffic stop on a black Eagle Talon with no headlights near North Century Boulevard and Henry Streets. The driver of the vehicle was given a warning for failing to use his headlights. Lett was the passenger in the vehicle. Both left the area.

About five minutes later, Rivkin was traveling on North Century Boulevard in the same area as the traffic stop when when he heard what he believed to be a gunshot. Upon investigation, he discovered a .22 caliber pistol in the middle of North Century Boulevard. When the right rear wheel of the deputy’s cruiser rolled over the weapon, it had fired a round, flattening the tire. Next to the revolver, the deputy discovered one empty shell casing and five live rounds of ammunition.

While Deputy Rivkin was still parked on North Century Boulevard, he noticed the driver from the previous traffic stop and Lett approaching him on foot. The two were separated and questioned as the Flomaton Police Department responded for backup.

The driver told authorities that Lett had dropped the gun out of the vehicle’s window just prior to the traffic stop and that the pair had returned to the area to retrieve the gun. The 16-year old told deputies that he had purchased the gun from Simmons , and he provided a bill of sale. Lett admitted to dropping the gun out of the vehicle window, according to his arrest report.

Comments

32 Responses to “Middle School Student, 16, Sentenced To Jail On Weapon Charges”

  1. be mindful on November 1st, 2010 6:11 pm

    I agree & disagree on the things that are being said. We are living in the end of days, read your bible, Single parents ….both parents present…..its still problems with kids these days….its not that you give up on them….you just let go & let God……Pray Pray Pray…..be mindful what you say about other peoples kids….because your perfect life might not be as perfect as you think….Pray for them……..& the schools should not of combined I agree…….because thats mental enough knowing you’re being placed somewhere were you’re not accepted……But God accepts everyone thats all that matters…quit judging people & pray…….

  2. tommy on October 26th, 2010 9:49 pm

    SOMETIMES! SOMETIME! IT IS NOT ALWAYS THE PARENT FALT SOMETIMES! SOMETIMES! KID GET TO A CERTAIN AGE AND THEY DO STUPID THINGS SOMETIME! SOMETIMES! THE KID PARENT RAISED THEM THE THE KID BEST THEY COULD AND THEY STILL DID CRAZY THINGS SO DONT ALWAYS BLAME THE PARENT MABEY THE PARENT FEELS BAD ENOUGH MABEY THEY ARE GOOD PARENTS MABEY YOU JUST NEED TO PRAY FOR THEM AND THIER LOST CHILD BECAUSE YOU REALY DONT KNOW ENOUGH TO PASS JUGEMENT YET AND YES I AGEE SOMETHING IS WRONG HERE BESIDES BEHAVIOR

  3. David Huie Green on October 22nd, 2010 11:36 am

    SORRY:
    “it is possible to make sure he associates”

    was intended to be::

    “It is possible to make sure he does not associate”

    You can decide. You really are in charge until you give up. Pray for strength.

  4. David Huie Green on October 22nd, 2010 11:33 am

    REGARDING:
    “what do u do when you got a neighborhood where others are being raised by their grand parent and out doing things that is wrong.”

    It is possible to make sure he associates with what you consider a bad element. It might mean he spends more time at home than he would prefer, but a better life is worth a little misery. You might get with the grandparents and work together to improve the situation.

    Be sure you live as good a life and set as good an example as you possibly can in front of your children. That includes what you do when they aren’t before you because others will tell if you do anything wrong or questionable. It’s really hard to get your children to fly straight when they can point at you and say, “You do it!” And if they do, you can say, “I did it but no more,” and mean it.

    It’s not a one time thing. Not a once a week thing. It’s a daily walk and attitude thing. Share your beliefs and values with your children in all you say and do.

    And yes, even with all that, some will reject you for a time, maybe for a lifetime but you have better hopes if you don’t give up than if you just throw up your hands and say, “I Give UP!”

    It ain’t over until it’s over. Show you care, be there.

  5. PARENT on October 22nd, 2010 7:24 am

    horrific: yes we do spent time with him. we do read books to him . but, what do u do when you got a neighborhood where others are being raised by their grand parent and out doing things that is wrong. my child wants to follow his friends
    he knows its wrong he is trying to fit in. we talk to him and he dont want to hear it.
    we have 3 more kids and they dont follow that crowd. and if you think you can mentor him have at it. im not giving up on my child.

  6. David Huie Green on October 21st, 2010 5:23 pm

    Good advice, Horrific, well said

  7. ..... on October 21st, 2010 3:54 pm

    keep ur head up in there manman! we’ll see you when you get out…

  8. jimmy on October 21st, 2010 2:57 pm

    It is funny how some comments get printed but others do not….
    this is a public matter and the young man is fortunate to be alive as the officer could have returned fire if he felt threatened. the boy obviously has issues, he is 16 in middle school, out at 3am, and in a car driving without headlights on. my experience tells me they were up to no good, why else have the lights off? I said issues because that is what they are, I do not know the boy nor the family but 16 in middle school is a red flag. either medical issues, learning issues or motivation issues. the judicial syatem will not offer the soft hand of a parent but the hard hand of reality. I think that is fair. the reality of this day and age is, there are numerous parents who do not care nor wish to raise their children. I see this more here in this part of the world than other places I have lived. why so many grand parents are raising grand children is a question i would like answered. this boy screwed up, everyone knows it and now he will have to answer for it. that is how life works. perhaps he can use this experience to learn and grow some.

  9. David Huie Green on October 21st, 2010 2:22 pm

    REGARDING:
    “Jake, I will have to agree that it is the public’s business when guns are on the streets but again Mr. David Green has to attack the parent when he more than likely does not even know them” (more or less)

    Gripe, gripe, gripe. I never attack anybody not even those who gripe and can’t read.

    I do, however, point out if something is silly such as: “all yall need to shut up kuz it aint none of yall dumb bussiness what he does its tthe parents so worry bout your own kid !!!!!! ”

    So who brought parents into the question? Not I.
    Who brought up the non-gun-toting kids as if they were to blame somehow? Not I.
    Who attacked the parents? Not I.

    Do I know the Lett family? Some of them. I’ve even met the alleged pistol provider although I had nothing to trade with him. We well know the child under discussion.

    But please tell me more. Are the parents doing a good and successful job if this is the latest result after a series of interesting events?
    Or do parents not matter?
    Or is it none of our business as long at the gun doesn’t go off while pointing straight at one of us?

    David seeking understanding

  10. Horrific! on October 21st, 2010 1:24 pm

    Parent…

    Did you ever take this boy to the park just you and he on a beautiful day?
    Did you ever talk to him about his likes and dislikes?
    \His goals and how he intended to get there?
    Did you ever talk to him about trees and nature and the air we breath
    and that trees make that air?

    Did you ever spend the whole day with him at the zoo and find out just
    what he thought about animals? Did you tell him how much we learn
    from the animals? That if we keep our earth good for them it will also
    be good for us?

    Did you ever take him to the science center in moblie? Planetarium?
    You have to find your childs passion!

    Did you ever sit down and read a book with him? A book about something
    he was interested in.

    Thats what mentoring is ….when you don’t have time or the knowledge to
    do so find someone who does.

    It’s not too late….
    Good Luck

  11. PARENT on October 21st, 2010 10:52 am

    NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO YOU STILL GOING TO HAVE ONE THAT WILL PUSH THE LIMIT, ITS NOT THE PARENT, HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT THE PARENT HAS TRYED EVERYTHING, I TOOK MY SON TO DJJ TO TRY TO GET HELP AND ALL I WAS GIVING WAS A POSTER THAT READ:MITE NOT BE WORD FOR WORD: TEENAGERS ARE YOU TRIED OF YOU STUIPD PARENTS ACT NOW GET OUT GET A JOB AND PAY YOUR BILLS WHILE YOU STILL KNOW EVERYTHING. Now to me that didnt help with NOTHING. You cant get help unless your child gets put in the system.. We need help with our teens.. BEFORE they get to that point. The kids on the north end dont have anything to do for fun!!
    We need to find something postive for our children to do up here. I live in moilno these teens are the ones doing most of the crimes (selling drugs, carrying guns, robbing people ect) Please help us help are children Before its to Late!! Sherriff Morgan please i have called many times to get help nothing has worked. Crimestoppers i made a lot of calls to. Things are still the same no one has even tryed to talk to the people in the neighborhood to see how bad it is. So i stop calling it was like a waste of time for me. My child is trying to fit in with the wrong crowd. The parents that does everything still cant get any help! And again who does it fall on The parent they have to pay for when things happend to their child after they done everything to try to keep them out of trouble. Then their other kids suffer because we are paying the state.Help us Before it gets to that point!!!!!

  12. Just An Old Soldier on October 21st, 2010 10:50 am

    “The incident began at 3:23 a.m. on July 14…a traffic stop on a black Eagle Talon with no headlights….The driver of the vehicle was given a warning…. Rivkin was traveling on North Century Boulevard in the same area as the traffic stop when when he heard what he believed to be a gunshot…”

    What on Earth is a 16 year-old boy doing at 3:23 am? No Good, that’s what. And why the Deputy didn’t do something about it right then and there is beyond me.

    It looks like this young man is on his way to an early grave or life in prison. Perhaps six more months in county can correct that, but I seriously doubt it. We’ll be seeing more of Ladarrious Tamiraye in the near future.

    If he was an angry young thug going into this, he’ll be even worse after…such is our system of Rehabilitation, our sad system of Education, and Parental Responsibility in these Modern Times. “Thug Life!” = pathway to death

  13. Horrific! on October 21st, 2010 9:59 am

    NOW THE STUPID JUSTICE SYSTEM HAS HIM….

    WHAT WILL HE LEARN NOW??????

  14. Horrific! on October 21st, 2010 9:58 am

    Working mom,

    IF THEY SPIT THEM OUT THEY NEED TO RAISE THEM RIGHT …..
    \they need to take the time…..make the time and never, ever give up….

    if this kid has this many problems you don’t have to know the parents
    to know that THEY, YOU, US, THE NEIGHBORS AND THE WHOLE
    DANGED SYSTEM HAS LET THIS CHILD FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS.

    PERIOD……

  15. working mom on October 21st, 2010 8:28 am

    Jake, I will have to agree that it is the public’s buisness when guns are on the streets but again Mr David Green has to attack the parent when he more than likley does not even know them.

  16. David Huie Green on October 21st, 2010 7:02 am

    Jake, that was silly.

    What people do on public roads IS the business of the public.

    You are right that the parents should have raised him to not endanger the public, but since it seems they didn’t…..

    David for fire-free driving

  17. SW, on October 21st, 2010 5:16 am

    There is more than him, all these young kids are carrying guns these days i guess they dont want to do like we done growing up if u get in a fight either take a butt whoopin or give one. Only thing i am concered is the deputies need to spend more time helping get rid of these drugs and start doing more to these kids not going to school and off selling dope.

  18. mary on October 21st, 2010 5:06 am

    @ jake….we are worrying about our own kids..why do you think all the comments are about a 16 yr old in school w/our 10- 13 yr olds…GEEZZZ!!

  19. dick tracy on October 21st, 2010 12:05 am

    Jake: It is our business that a thug had a pistol in the street. And Jake…..have you spoke with a counselor about anger issues? And also Jake,…..do you have spellcheck? Please consider these issues before reposting.

  20. true on October 20th, 2010 9:53 pm

    At one time the size and age would be a factor to promote a child if he was not able to learn. Parents at one time would not want their 12 year child in the room with a 16 year old.

  21. jake on October 20th, 2010 9:23 pm

    all yall need to shut up kuz it aint none of yall dumb bussiness what he does its tthe parents so worry bout your own kid !!!!!!

  22. shae on October 20th, 2010 2:01 pm

    Well, I see a bunch of you agree with me. When I read this, my first thought was, why is a 16 year old still in middle school. Kinda say’s volumes doesn’t it.

  23. Angel on October 20th, 2010 12:26 pm

    Age is very important here. Under NO circumstances should a 16 year old be in school with 11 year olds. This individual should be a sophmore in high school or in the Judy Andrews facility. Another issue is his “playing with guns”, and shooting out a tire of a law enforcement officer’s car no less. Another issue is where did he get a $40 bag of marijuana from to exchange for? Parents, Please know where your kids are and who they are hanging around, this is one of many that you don’t want your kids hanging with.

  24. Mary on October 20th, 2010 10:17 am

    My son said this guy was in 8th grade LAST year……@ 16 he knew what he was doing if he had no mental issues…I hope this sets an example for other kids…do the crime..do the TIME!! Even @ age 16…

  25. ???? on October 20th, 2010 9:17 am

    No mental issues at all!! He is a VERY smart kid that has CHOSEN this way of life. You would be suprised how many 16 yr old middle school students there are that DO NOT have mental issues!!!!!

  26. Bob on October 20th, 2010 8:26 am

    Another one one that walks the streets with no purpose in life.

  27. ewms parent on October 20th, 2010 8:20 am

    Why do we have a 16 yr old in middle school? My child goes to school at Ernest Ward and this is a concern of mine! The bad thing is that he is not the oldest person in that school. We have 17 yr old kids around our 11-14 yr old kids…what is this saying about our school system? If you fail that many times it is time to put them someplace else! I fear for all the other students who are trying to live a good respectful life. Maybe we should not have combined centurys horrible schools with ours. It seems that our school has went downhill since we did that!

  28. Neighbor on October 20th, 2010 8:19 am

    You can’t blame anything on age here or mental issues, you have a 49 year old selling a gun to a 16 year old for pot, both know better and both are dangerous in one way or another. I do hope the young boy can get some guidence before the rest of his life is spent behind bars.

  29. Not on October 20th, 2010 7:45 am

    Worried Resident, this kid doesnt have “mental” issues but deep rooted emotional ones.

  30. one normal person on October 20th, 2010 7:22 am

    People seem to complain about his age every time I see something about him. Anything else you can say about him

  31. Sandra on October 20th, 2010 7:18 am

    IQ ? Absent parents? Negative outside influences? The list of excuses for not holding ones self accountable for ones own actions is long.

  32. WORRIED RESIDENT on October 20th, 2010 1:48 am

    If he is sixteen, and still in middle school, it seems there is probably something mentally wrong. There are other factors at play here. Even the child with the worst behavior would not want to be sixteen, and still in middle school. There is something else besides behavior wrong here!