Jantz Pleads Guilty To Child Pornography Possession, Distribution Charges
September 29, 2010
An Atmore man has pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography on his home computer.
Jonathan Mark Jantz, 38, of Highway 31, entered the plea in Mobile federal court immediately after a judge denied his request to throw out the evidence against him.
A Florida Department of Law Enforcement Cybercrimes Unit investigator located known child pornography on Jantz’s computer that was made available on a file sharing network using the program Limewire in 2005.
McMullen, according to court documents, located a child pornography video over three minutes in length on Jantz’s home computer by searching the file sharing network for the term “kiddy”. He also located six computer files that were cataloged as known child porn and 120 files that “were named with file names that would suggest the file contained images of child pornography,” according to federal court documents.
The case was turned over to the Alabama Bureau of Investigation, and a search warrant was executed at Jantz’s residence on February 1, 2006. “A forensic analysis of the digital evidence confirmed the presence of multiple images and videos of child pornography,” according to a court document.
The indictment against Jantz was returned by a federal grand jury on June 24, 2010, charging him with possession of child pornography and distribution of child pornography.
In a brief filed August 6, 2010, Jantz asserted that he believed the file sharing software was set to not allow access to the “shared” folder on his computer. His attorney argued that without a search warrant, law enforcement violated the Fourth Amendment that protects individuals against unreasonable search and seizure. Jantz also asserted that authorities were unable to prove that he had actually viewed the child pornography because his anti-virus software had accessed all files on his computer the morning of the search warrant and seizure.
Jantz also claimed that he had unknowingly downloaded any child porn on his computer.
“Mr. Jantz initially downloaded a large quantity of pornography with no intent to download child pornography. His interest was in adult pornography,” according to court documents filed by defense attorney Christopher Knight. “His possession of the alleged child pornography was incidental to his primary interest in collecting adult pornography.”
Jantz’s motion to dismiss the evidence against him was denied by Judge Callie Granade last week. He immediately entered a guilty plea on both counts against him. He is due to be sentenced on January 6, 2011.
He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years to a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Prior to sentencing, Jantz was ordered to avoid contact with minors without the direct supervision of a responsible adult and he is not allowed to possess any Internet capable devices. He was generally restricted to his residence from the hours of 7 p.m. until 7 a.m., except for his work.
On Wednesday, the court grant Jantz’s request to move to Walnut Hill.
Thieves Hit The Century Library, Even Digging Up Rose Bushes
September 29, 2010
Thieves have hit the Century Branch Library taking outdoor items — even digging up rose bushes.
When library workers arrived Tuesday, they found several items missing from outside the library on North Century Boulevard. An outdoor rug, a four-foot concrete bench with ceramic tile inlay, two flower pots and a boy and girl figurine were reported missing. The thieves also dug up and removed two rose bushes that were planted next to the library. The items were valued at several hundred dollars.
The missing items had all been donated to the library by volunteers and employees, according to the library.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating. Once arrested, the person or persons responsible for the crime will be facing grand theft charges.
Anyone with information on the crime is asked to contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Northview, Flomaton Meet In Dig Pink Breast Cancer Event; Honor Survivors Including Coach
September 29, 2010
Breast cancer awareness was the real winner Tuesday in Bratt as the Northview Chiefs hosted the Flomaton Hurricanes in Dig Pink high school volleyball.
And for one coach, the night was more than meaningful.
Northview Assistant Coach Barbara Luker is a breast cancer survivor. Diagnosed in 2001, Luker has beaten he disease. In 2010, she was among the organizers of Tuesday’s Dig Pink event.
“It means a lot to see them out here playing for the cause,” Luker said the dozens of girls that took part in Dig Pink. “But it means so much more to know they have learned a lot this week about breast cancer and how to get checked.”
In fact, Luker said, some of the girls learned this week that breast cancer has already stricken some of their classmates.
“It’s a much more common thing than most people realize,” she said. “I’m so glad they have had the opportunity to learn about it.”
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from Dig Pink, click here.
For complete scores and stats, click here.
In the Dig Pink event at the varsity level, Flomaton defeated Northview in three consecutive games, 26-24, 27-25, 25-19.
The Lady Hurricanes were led by Jasmine Stackhouse with seven kills; Tara Gafford with eight blocks and Christina Gohagan with four aces and 22 assists.
Shawna Montgomery paced the Lady Chiefs with seven kills, four aces, three digs and half dozen blocks. Ashley Digmon had four assists and two digs for Northview, while Sarah Killam added one dig and a block.
Northview’s Dig Pink was sponsored by Atmore Florist, Winn Dixie, Hendrix Tractor Company, Jim Johnson Ford, Squeegee Graphix, Pizza Hut and NorthEscambia.com.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from Dig Pink, click here.
Pictured top: Northview High School Assistant volleyball coach Barbara Luker, a breast cancer survivor, was was on the organizers for Tuesday’s Dig Pink breast cancer awareness matches at Northview. Pictured below: The Northview Lady Chiefs. Pictured inset: Volleyball action from Tuesday. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FHSAA Moves Forward With Rural School Division To Include Northview, Jay
September 29, 2010
The Florida High School Athletic Association’s new Rural School Division moved a step closer to reality this week, with the group’s board of directors voting to continue the classification process.
Locally, both Northview and Jay high schools have expressed interest in taking part in the new classification.
Across the state, 44 schools have indicated interest in participating in the new division in girls and boys basketball, baseball and softball, with 34 also interested in football and 38 in girls volleyball. The classification policy for the 2011-12 and 2012-13 school years will be brought to the Board for a vote in November.
“The Board unanimously approved moving forward with the concept, which benefits a number of our member schools without detriment to any others,” said Executive Director Roger Dearing. “This is a win-win situation for everyone.”
The invitation deadline for the new classification was September 15 for schools with students populations under 600 and located in areas designate rural by the Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development.
Schools in the rural division would compete within their own division and have their own playoff series for boys and girls basketball, baseball, football, softball and girls volleyball, and boys and girls soccer.
Pictured top: Northview’s Brandon Sheets tries to avoid Jay defender Chris Carrigan during last year’s meeting of two rural schools. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Middle School Football: Ernest Ward Beats Escambia Academy 14-8
September 29, 2010
The Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles beat the Cougars of Escambia Academy 14-8 Tuesday evening in Canoe, Alabama.
The Eagles — the only middle school football team in Escambia County, Florida — will host Uriah on October 5 at 6 p.m. in Walnut Hill. Ernest Ward will be off October 12. EWMS will return to action at home on October 18 with another game against Escambia Academy.
Pictured: Action between Ernest Ward Middle School and Escambia Academy Tuesday in Canoe, Alabama. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Jay’s JV Royals Hand Flomaton Their First Loss Of The Season 36-30
September 29, 2010
The Jay Royals beat the Flomaton Hurricanes Tuesday night in hard fought junior varsity game. Jay scored the final tie-breaking touchdown with 46.5 seconds to go in the game and held off a final Hurricane drive for the win. It was the first loss of the season for the JV Hurricanes, while the JV Royals improved their record to 2-3. Submitted photos by Michele Gibbs for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Local $244,468 Winning Lottery Ticket Worth $0 In One Week
September 29, 2010
In one week, a $244,468.47 winning Fantasy 5 ticket purchased in North Escambia will be worth nothing.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the Florida Lottery said no one had claimed the $244,468.47 winning Fantasy 5 ticket that was purchased April 9, 2010, at the State Line O’Yes Lotto at 11331 Highway 97 in Davisville.
The Florida Lottery allows winners 180 days to claim their prize; the April 9 winning ticket will expire October 6 at which time the $244.468.47 will be split with 80 percent going to the Education Trust Fund and the remaining 20 percent returned to the prize pool.
Lottery officials said the ticket was a “Quick Pick” with numbers randomly chosen by the lottery machine. Only one ticket matched the winning numbers: 13-21-25-28-36.
Tate, Northview, Jay Take Top Three Spots In Cross Country Meet
September 29, 2010
The Tate Aggies finished first among the boy’s cross country teams in a Tuesday meet hosted by Jay High School, followed Northview in second and Jay in third.
Eighth grader Micah Kemp took the top spot among boys, finishing with a personal best time of 17:59. Josh Scott of Northview finished second with a time of 19:16, and Thomas Simmons of Tate came in third at 20:48.
Top 10 Boy Finishers:
- Micah Kemp (8th grader and overall finisher with a personal best time) 17:59 — Jay
- Josh Scott 19:16 — Northview
- Thomas Simmons 20:48 — Tate
- Dillon Aiken 20:54 — Tate
- Taylor Fisher 21:04 — Central
- Dustin Lewis 21:39 — Northview
- Casey Zylstra 21:41 — Jay
- Tyler Thomason 22:21 — Tate
- AJ Lambert 22:56 — Northview
- Chase Childers 23:20 — Tate
Overall Team Results:
- Tate 37
- Northview 44
- Jay 54
- Central 79
Jay High Results:
- Micah Kemp 17:59
- Casey Zylstra 21:41
- Alex Cobb 23:28
- Joey Belanger 24:07
- Cody Wolfe 24:53
- Brandon Freeman 25:24
- Evan Goodson 26:55
Girls’ results from the meet were not available Tuesday night.
Pictured top: Northview’s Josh Scott, seen in this file photo, finished second overall at a cross country meet hosted by Jay High School Tuesday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Congressman Miller To Hold Mobile Office Hours
September 29, 2010
The staff of Congressman Jeff Miller will conduct mobile office hours in North Santa Rosa County Thursday morning.
Two members of Miller’s staff be on hand from 9-10:30 a.m. at the Allentown Volunteer Fire Department at 9482 Highway 89, Jay. They will be able to answer questions about problems with federal agencies or issues affecting the First Congressional District.
“This is just another way we can better serve our growing population in Northwest Florida,” Miller said. “We tried the mobile office concept earlier and we had such an outstanding turnout that we decided to expand the concept and add more dates and locations to the program.”
Bama Elizabeth Lambeth
September 28, 2010
Bama Elizabeth Lambeth, age 87 of Crestview, FL, passed away Sunday, September 26, 2010 at Parthenon Healthcare in Crestview, FL. She was born Bama Elizabeth Goodson in Atmore, Alabama on July 12, 1923.
Although residing in Atmore and most recently in Crestview, she spent most of her life in Pensacola as a homemaker for husband, Ruben Lambeth who preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her two sons, Julian and Ray Lambeth; one daughter and son-in-law, Genell and Chuck Evans; seven grandchildren, Tammie, Frankie, Shawn, Charles and Shannon Evans, Tisa Hopkins and Katrina Hammac. She is survived by her daughter, Kathleen Hopkins Kemp (Quentin), eight grandchildren; several great-grandchildren great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 29, 2010 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home South. Interment will follow at Bayview Memorial Park Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday, September 28, 2010 from 5:00 p.m until 7:00 p.m.