Child Molester Gets 25 Years
August 16, 2013
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to state prison for molesting a seven-year old girl in 2011.
Thursday, Judge Jan Shackelford sentenced 27-year old Jason Edgar Casey to 25 years to be followed by probation for the rest of his life as a sexual predator. On Monday, Casey entered a plea to a charge of lewd/lascivious molestation on a victim less than 12 by a defendant over 18.
Escambia County Semi-Annual Crime Stats: Most Crimes Down
August 16, 2013
Violent crimes are down, but murders are up, according to the latest crime data from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Thursday, the Sheriff’s Office released their semi-annual Uniform Crime Reporting statistics for the first half of 2013. The numbers show overall violent crimes, including robbery and rape, in Escambia County decreased by 14.7 percent for the first half of 2013 compared to 2012. But, with five murders in the first half of 2012 and nine between January and June of 2013, the murder rate in Escambia County was up 80 percent.
The overall crime rate dropped by 8.7 percent during the same period.
The total number of property crimes were down 6.8 percent. The value of property stolen during the first half of 2013 in Escambia County was $7.28 million, down 8.6 from the same period last year.
The offense clearance rate — the number of crimes solved — increased 23.2 percent.
“Our heartfelt thanks go out to the men and women of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the citizens for their partnership. You are making a difference,” Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan said.
The crime data released Thursday will be submitted to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. FDLE will release a statewide crime data report in November.
To see the full Escambia County indexed crimes report, click here.
Deer Hunting Changes Proposed
August 16, 2013
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is looking at possible changes to deer hunting in Northwest Florida, including all of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, for the 2014-2015 hunting season.
Under the proposed changes, the FWC is looking at antler-point regulations in Deer Management Unit (DMU) D-1 that would require that antlered deer have at least one antler with two or more antler points on one side to be eligible for harvest. DMU D-1 is south of Interstate 10.
In DMU D-2, which is north of Interstate 10, antlered deer would need at least one antler with three or more points on one side to be eligible for harvest.
Hunters under the age of 16 would be exempt from the proposed antler-point regulations on private lands and on some wildlife management areas.
“The purpose of the antler-point regulations, both in DMU D-1 and DMU D-2, is to protect the majority of 1.5-year-old bucks from harvest while allowing the harvest of 2.5-year-old and older bucks,” said James Kelly, Assistant Deer Management Program coordinator. “During our outreach efforts, we heard a lot of support for increasing the number of bucks in the population, improving buck-to-doe ratios and increasing the size of bucks harvested.”
Other changes under consideration are to shift the antlerless deer season on private lands in DMU D-1 (south of I-10) from the current seven consecutive days to four weekend days during the general gun season.
In DMU D-2 (north of I-10), antlerless deer days would increase to eight weekend days. Three weekends would occur during general gun season, and one weekend would occur during the muzzleloading gun season.
“The proposed change in antlerless deer days in DMU D-1 is to fulfill the stakeholders’ goal of maintaining or increasing the deer population while also increasing the flexibility of antlerless deer days during general gun season,” Kelly said. “Deer-herd density and productivity is higher in DMU D-2, which is why we are recommending more antlerless deer days for this unit.”
Kelly said the regulation proposals are based on detailed input from hunters, landowners, farmers and others during a series of public meetings, public webinars, surveys and technical assistance group meetings.
The proposed changes are recommendations by FWC staff and have not yet been presented to Commissioners for consideration and action. More detailed information and the opportunity to provide feedback on both proposals can be made at MyFWC.com/Deer.
Groups Ends Protest In Scott’s Office
August 16, 2013
After sitting in at the Florida Capitol for 31 days — since just after the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the death of Trayvon Martin — the group called the Dream Defenders ended its protest Thursday with the help of civil-rights icon Julian Bond.
Leaders said they’ll carry their campaign against the “stand your ground” self-defense law and what they consider other forms of racial bias to the polls, trying to defeat the elected officials who opposed their demands.
That includes Gov. Rick Scott, who is up for re-election next year. The Dream Defenders announced a voter registration drive, with a goal of 61,550 new voters — Scott’s margin of victory in 2010.
“Our work and our power have grown too big for these walls,” said Phillip Agnew, leader of the Dream Defenders.
The group marched to the Capitol on July 16 and demanded a special session on “stand your ground,” which they didn’t get. But they got a national hearing, and Bond — founder of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee and a longtime Georgia lawmaker — declared their non-violent action a success in the tradition of the 1960s civil rights movement.
“It’s fitting that the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington is coming up in a few days,” he said. “That movement made this movement possible, and that movement — your movement — gave our movement its legacy.”
The protest ignited when Zimmerman was acquitted of murder in the shooting death of the unarmed teen Martin. Although Zimmerman’s attorneys did not invoke the “stand your ground” law, which grants immunity to people who use deadly force if they have reason to believe their lives are in jeopardy, the circumstances of Martin’s death touched a nerve among many black, Hispanic and mixed-race people.
Members of the Dream Defenders are mostly high school and college students — “black and brown youth,” they call themselves. They’ve spent the last month in Scott’s office waiting area, telling stories of losing loved ones to gun violence or experiencing racism in school or on the street. They worked laptops, smart phones and video cameras from the third-floor House Democratic office, getting the word out online. They slept on the floor outside the governor’s double doors.
Agnew said the group would leave the Capitol to serve Scott with an eviction notice. He also said they were leaving on their own terms. He pointed to House Speaker Will Weatherford’s promise that the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee would hold a hearing on “stand your ground” during a committee week this fall.
Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Fort Walton Beach Republican and chairman of the subcommittee, said its members would have an opportunity to vote their consciences. But Gaetz has also said “not one comma” of the “stand your ground” law should be changed.
“The right to protest is one that we should protect,” he said Thursday afternoon. “But if they’re on the way to serve the governor with an eviction notice, maybe my hopes for adult behavior are a bit optimistic.”
Gaetz also has noted that Floridians support “stand your ground” by a 2-to-1 margin.
“It would be no surprise if the Legislature reaches the conclusion that ’stand your ground’ keeps them safer,” Gaetz said, “because most Floridians have already reached that conclusion.”
In listing his group’s accomplishments, Agnew said it had forced a poll of lawmakers about whether to have the special session — a proposed session that was overwhelmingly rejected earlier this week.
And they spent an hour with Scott, who refused to call the special session but allowed them to protest at the Capitol around the clock.
In a statement, Scott thanked the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Capitol Police “for providing a safe environment for people to exercise their First Amendment rights. We live in a great state, in a great nation, where everyone is free to express their views.”
According to FDLE, 33 protesters stayed overnight Wednesday, and as of Thursday, the state had spent $428,566.69 on security.
The sit-in also drew a steady stream of visitors, including entertainer and civil-rights veteran Harry Belafonte, Florida Juvenile Justice Secretary Wansley Walters and rapper Talib Kweli. Another visitor was longtime activist Jesse Jackson, who touched off his own media storm by claiming that Florida practiced apartheid and comparing Scott to segregationist Alabama Gov. George Wallace.
Agnew said the group would return to the Capitol on Sept. 23, when legislative committees start meeting in advance of the 2014 regular session.
story by The News Service of Florida
Pictured top: The Dream Defenders march into Gov. Rick Scott’s Office last month. Photo by Tom Urban for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Operation Anything For A Buck Suspect Convicted
August 16, 2013
A man arrested during the “Anything for a Buck” undercover operation in 2011 has been convicted.
Erick Anthony Fluker was convicted of trafficking in illegal drugs by an Escambia County Jury. He faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 25 years in state prison when he is sentenced September 19 by Judge Jan Shackelford.
Fluker was arrested during the undercover “Operation Anything for a Buck”. The storefront was an eight-month operation between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, and other law enforcement agencies along with the First Circuit State Attorneys Office.
The operation recovered over 270 firearms, as well as drugs and stolen property ranging from jewelry, tools, cameras, and other electronic devices. A total of 75 people were arrested in connection with the undercover operation.
Prosecutors said Fluker went into the undercover storefront on June 22, 2011, and sold hydrocodone pills to undercover officers.
Fluker is awaiting trial in four more cases associated with the undercover operation. In those pending cases, he faces two 25-year minimum mandatory sentences, one 15-year minimum mandatory sentence and an additional three-year minimum-mandatory sentence.
Braves Power Past Pensacola
August 16, 2013
Tommy La Stella blasted a two run homer with two outs in the top of the seventh inning completing, a three-run comeback for the Mississippi Braves in a 4-3 win over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on Thursday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
Mississippi trailed 3-0 after a three-run home run from Yorman Rodriguez in the last of the third, but scored in three straight innings starting in the fifth against Pensacola starter Josh Smith. In the fifth, four straight hitters reached for the Braves with two outs, culminating in a two-out single from Omar Luna.
An inning later, Edward Salcedo smacked his 12th round-tripper of the year to cut the deficit to 3-2. La Stella, who tied the game in the ninth on Wednesday with a solo homer, blasted a two-run shot off of Smith to give the Braves their first lead of the day at 4-3.
Smith took the loss for Pensacola, falling to 9-9 on the season. The right-hander struck out eight batters in seven innings of work, but he yielded four runs on 10 base hits.
Mississippi starter Mitch Atkins limited Pensacola to just three runs, all on the homer from Rodriguez, in his seven innings of work. Atkins improved to 5-1 as he struck out six and allowed six hits.
James Hoyt picked up his first save of the season by tossing the final two frames for the Braves. In the ninth inning, Ryan LaMarre doubled and moved to third with one out, but Hoyt struck out Josh Fellhauer and got Brandon Short to ground out to third to end the contest.
Having dropped five straight games, the Blue Wahoos will turn to the Reds top pitching prospect Robert Stephenson who will take the ball in his Double-A debut on Friday night. Michael Lee (7-8, 4.02) will get the start for the Braves with first pitch scheduled for 7 p.m.
One Injured In Crash Versus Tree
August 16, 2013
One person was injured when he struck a tree Thursday afternoon in Cantonment.
The accident happened about 3:45 p.m. on Hidden Terrace Drive off Old Chemstrand Road. The driver of a Dodge Ram apparently lost control, ran off the roadway and hit a tree. He was transported by ambulance to an area hospital. His condition was not available.
The Florida Highway Patrol, Escambia County EMS and the Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Billy Charles Crocker
August 16, 2013
Billy Charles Crocker, age 48, a resident of Pensacola, passed away on August 12, 2013.
Bill is survived by his wife of 28 years, Starr M. (Farrell) Crocker; son, Christopher R. Crocker and spouse Michele; daughter, Morgan M. Crocker; granddaughter, Nala G. Crocker; parents, Hugh and Samra Crocker of Lumberton, MS; Barbara Stonebarger of Carrollton, TX; Joseph and Janice Farrell of Slidell, LA; sister, Connie Pearson and partner Calvin Kersey of Weirton, WV; brothers, Jerry Young and spouse Elizabeth of Upper Marlboro, MD; Richard Crocker and spouse Linda of Plano, TX; Patrick Crocker and partner Justin Guiadotti of Euless, TX, Joseph Farrell, Jr. and spouse Angelle of Slidell, LA; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services were held at Pine Summit Baptist Church on Friday, August 16, 2013.
Bill is also survived by his beloved pets Bear, Jac, Outback and his grandpup Buster.
His favorite Bible verse is Matthew 4:19, ”And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Tracking Tropical Storm Erin
August 16, 2013
Tropical Storm Erin has formed off the coast of Africa Thursday. Some strengthening is forecast during the next several days.
Complete information on the storm is in the graphic above, and computer models are below.
Wahoos Fall 3-2 In 14
August 15, 2013
Down to their final out in the ninth inning, the Mississippi Braves tied the game on a solo homer and went on to win on a wild pitch in the 14th inning 3-2 over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on Wednesday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
In the 14th inning, Loek Van Mil walked the leadoff hitter Greg Golson, and then exited the game with an apparent injury. Mississippi loaded the bases on a single and a walk against Pensacola’s new pitcher Drew Hayes, who then uncorked a wild pitch, allowing Golson to scamper home with the eventual winning run. Van Mil was charged with the loss for Pensacola, falling to 0-8 on the year.
Ryne Harper picked up his ninth save of the year with a 1-2-3 bottom of the 14th inning, making a winner of Gary Moran who improved to 2-2 with three scoreless innings of relief in extra innings.
Extras were made necessary thanks to Tommy La Stella’s two-out homer off Trevor Bell in the top of the ninth inning. It was the first blown save for Bell this season in 14 chances for Pensacola.
The Wahoos were held to just one hit through seven innings and found themselves down 1-0 headed to the eighth. However, the Wahoos found success against Shae Simmons as Josh Fellhauer gave Pensacola a brief 2-1 lead with a two-run double down the left field line.
The lone run in the game prior the eighth came on a controversial play at the plate in the fourth inning as La Stella somehow avoided a tag of catcher Tucker Barnhart at the plate on a Christian Marrero single and reached back to slap the plate ahead of Barnhart’s second attempted tag.
Both starters were strong in the game, although neither factored in the decision. For Pensacola, Tim Crabbe gave up just a run on seven hits in six innings while establishing a new season-high with nine strikeouts. Gus Schlosser limited the Wahoos to one hit over six frames, striking out four and walking three.
Pensacola will look to snap its four-game losing streak on Thursday night with a 7:00 p.m. first pitch. Josh Smith (9-8, 3.60) takes the ball for the Wahoos against the Braves’ Mitch Atkins (4-1, 2.65).