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Molino Woman Charged With Extortion From Trucking Company
March 27, 2013
A Molino woman has been charged with extortion after a State Attorney’s Office and Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation into her dealings between her employer and a trucking company.
Authorities allege Denise Jaquith Smith, age 60 of Fairground Road, accepted cash payments in exchange for using an additional truck daily from the trucking company to haul sand from a sandpit to Pensacola Beach.
According to the arrest warrant, Michael Bartlett, manager of RLF Baldwin Operations II, LLC met with Willie C. Kirland of Willie Kirkland Trucking in November 2012. Bartlett and Kirkland agreed to have Kirkland’s company provide three trucks per day to haul sand from RLF Baldwin’s sandpit in Marcus Pointe to a Utility Services project restoring a portion of Pensacola Beach.
As office manager for RLF Baldwin, Smith had the responsibility to organize the trucking company’s pickup and delivery of sand. On February 18, the day the project started, Smith told a Kirkland employee that they would not be using the third truck. That would cause Kirkland to lose more than $550 per day, the report states.
Eventually, Smith told Kirkland that she would ensure RLF Baldwin would use the third truck if Kirkland paid her $75 per day.
On March 6, Kirkland, under the supervision of the State Attorney’s Office and FDLE, met Smith at the sandpit. She told him again that he was to pay her $75 a day in cash and that she planned to get more from him. She told him she was going to use the money to pay for her moving expenses, including gas and a U-haul.
On March 14, Kirkland told investigators that Smith stated should would be leaving RLF Baldwin on March 27 and that she expected to be paid through that date. She assured him that RLF Baldwin would continue to use Kirkland’s three trucks through the end of the project, and because she arranged that he might want to give her some extra money.
Kirland paid Smith $450 on March 14 under law enforcement surveillance and agreed to pay the remainder due through March 27 by March 21.
On March 19, a warrant was issued for Smith’s arrest. She was later arrested and booked into the Escambia County Jail. She was released from jail on a $10,000 bond.
Comments
13 Responses to “Molino Woman Charged With Extortion From Trucking Company”
Keep on trucking W.C.Kirkland Trucking! When my father died he paid over half the expenses we couldnt afford with no question asked.I hope whoever did this to him pay for it.He will give his last to his family and yours.Just dont take from him what he’s worked for.Keep trucking Kirkland!
Congrats to Kirkland! I’ve known his son Jr. the owner of Kirkland Trucking for years. His dad has taught him to be a honest business man and a very hard worker. There is no excuse for anyone to have to pay to work. We need more brave people to come forward and put a stop to this nonsense. Lets continue to support North Escambia.com for keeping us informed on whats going on right next door to us all. Lets continue to support and uplift the people in the community that make a step forward each time they stand for whats right. Willie Kirkland Jr. I hope you read this continue to fight for whats right,stay honest,and continue to support people in need in our community like you have since I’ve known you.Lets hear it for Willie Kirkland Jr. guys!
Congrats to Willie Kirkland……this is one for the good guys!!!!
Good for you Mr Kirkland! I have known him for years to..he’s a class act. Glad he blew the whistle.
Way to go Mr. Kirkland. I know Mr. Kirkland and have for years. Very honest man and would have helped this lady only had she asked. You don’t have to try to take anything from Kirkland. He’ll help anyone he can.
Well we all have done somethings that isnt so perfect you just hadnt got caught!!!!! It pays to live with honesty.
Now only if the SAO, the FDLE, and the US DOJ would pursue the big fish with the same zeal and passion in which they pursue the little fish like Denise. “Accepted cash payments” . C’mon, shouldn’t that be called lobbying.
Fraud and thievery is not limited to the little guys. Just look around and read the headlines for the next bank, insurance company, lender, investment firm, politician, industry, etc…to get caught up in the scandal of the day.
Denise got away with what, maybe a few thousand bucks at best while most of the major players in our country get away with what would make this look like a pittance. Lobbyists buy access and their customers get rewarded with favors and bailouts..
The big fish have few predators and sleep in their own bed at night, while the little fish get greedy, get nailed, and get prosecuted.
six weeks probation if convicted…
Ha HA! You GO Mr. Kirkland!
I’m wondering if anyone at RLF Baldwin assisted in the investigation. I’m also wondering what they have to say ’bout this.
I give all of the credit to Kirkland who wouldn’t be cowed by by the demands and went straight to the State Attorney. How many of these little extortion rackets go undisclosed we will never know.
Ms Smith, you are very lucky your boss is a law abiding citizen.
From Wall Street to local streets, some people (scammers) are absolutely amazing. Nice job LE.