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12 Local Residents Set For Sentencing On Federal Meth Related Charges

A dozen local residents — including six from North Escambia — arrested back in April on methamphetamine and pseudoephedrine related conspiracy charges have have either pleaded guilty or been convicted.

A federal judge convicted 29-year old Jared L. Hester of Pensacola on charges involving a conspiracy to possess and distribute pseudoephedrine, knowing it would be used to manufacture methamphetamine.

Prosecutors said Hester was involved in the conspiracy to possess and distribute large amounts of pseudoephedrine in order to manufacture methamphetamine from January 1, 2011, until his arrest in April 2013.

The jury heard from other members of the conspiracy and was shown pharmacy records displaying dozens of pseudoephedrine purchases by Hester during the conspiracy. Many of these purchases overlapped with his co-defendants’ purchases. In all, the conspirators purchased between 350 and 400 boxes of pseudoephedrine, so that it could be manufactured into methamphetamine. All of Hester’s seven co-defendants pled guilty to the charges.

Guilty pleas have been entered in federal court by additional defendants: Gregory A. Militello, age 42 of Cantonment; Stephanie Ann Gunderson, age 26 of Cantonment; Shawn Michael King, age 34 of Cantonment; Joseph David Peterson age 33 of Cantonment; Hunter Grant Myrick, age 23 from Cantonment; Kirby Brian Smith, age 50 of Molino; Joshua Paul Militello, age 30 of Pensacola ; Nicole Danielle Jones, age 32 of Pensacola; James E. Atiabi, age 35 of Penacola; John Wyatt Casey, age 33 of Pensacola; and Shannon Lee Hurd, age 29 of Pensacola.

Federal prosecutors say suspects were all were involved in a conspiracy to possess and distribute large amounts of pseudoephedrine in order to manufacture methamphetamine from January 1, 2011, until their arrests.

The indictments resulted from an investigation by agents of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, and the State Attorney’s Office.

All are sent for sentencing this summer, with defendants facing up to a maximum of 20 years imprisonment, three years supervised release and up to a $250,000 fine.

Flomaton Woman Arrested On Drug Charges

A Flomaton woman is behind bars on drug charges following a traffic stop.

While on routine patrol, an agent with the 21st Judicial Drug Task Force observed a green truck speeding. Lt. Adam Johnson initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle near the intersection of Highway 113 and Foshee Road.

The driver was identified as 23-year old Elizabeth Nichols of Flomaton. After a K-9 alerted on the vehicle, a search was initiated that revealed a control substance, the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office said.

Nichols was charged with two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.  She remains in the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton. Nichols was free on bond at the time of her arrest, authorities said, and that bond will be revoked.

Escambia School Board Looks At How Law Enforcement Questions Students

The Escambia County School Board spent nearly three hours Wednesday evening discussing how to better inform students and parents that parents can usually be present if the child is questioned by law enforcement.

Current policy already states that schools will make a reasonable effort to alert parents or guardians if their student has been arrested or questioned by law enforcement. Escambia County Board Chairman Gary Bergosh wanted to expand that policy to get parental permission, most of the time, before a student is questioned.

“I’d hate to get to the point where we handcuff our resource officers where they can’t help us,” Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said during the workshop meeting, after hearing from parents, administrators, deputies and Sheriff David Morgan.

Tate High School Principal Rick Shackle told the school board that there are times administrators need the school resource officers — on-campus Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies — in student questioning regardless of parental permission.

As an example, Shackle said a resource officer may be needed for the protection of an administrator, such as after a fight, because “the guy might be bigger than me”. School Board Attorney Donna Waters said school resource deputies would continue to be allowed in questioning for the protection of school staff — one of the extenuating circumstances in which a parent might not be contacted before a law enforcement officer becomes involved in questioning.

Thomas plans to recommend that the board keep the current policy and add a little extra warning to the district’s Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.

Language will be added to the handbook, including the parental signature page, alerting students and parents that a student may request a parent’s presence during questioning by law enforcement, in accordance with state law and the Constitution.

If there are extenuating circumstances — such as the student questioning deals with parental abuse or a possible crime committed by the parent — parents may not be contacted by the school and law enforcement questioning will continue.

The wording change and additions in the district’s Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook must first be approved by the school board during a regular meeting.

Pictured top: Escambia School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas at a special board workshop Wednesday evening. Pictured top inset: Board Chairman Jeff Bergosh wanted changes to the district’s policy regarding student questioning by law enforcement. Pictured bottom inset: Tate High Principal Rick Shackle. Pictured below: Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan addresses the Escambia County School Board. Courtesy images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Scott Announces 120 New Jobs At Pensacola Tech Firm

Today, Governor Rick Scott announced that Global Business Solutions Inc. (GBSI), an innovator in information technology services and technical training, has announced a five-year plan that includes expanding corporate headquarters in the Pensacola area and hiring as many as 120 full-time employees with a projected annual average salary of $54,000.

“We are pleased that Global Business Solutions Inc. has chosen to expand their headquarters in Pensacola and create 120 new jobs for Florida families. Since December 2010, we have created over 330,000 private-sector jobs here in Florida and although we’ve experienced incredible success, we will not stop until every Floridian who wants a job can find one,” the governor said.

Global Business Solutions was founded in 1995 and currently employs 110 Information Technology professionals in eight states.  Corporate headquarters are located on Michigan Avenue in Pensacola, with West Coast operations in the Seattle region.  GBSI delivers tested and reliable IT services and cutting edge technical training to a wide array of government and commercial customers.

The announcement continues a growth trend that has seen the Pensacola-based tech firm featured on the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest growing companies each of the last two years.  In addition to strong performance in its government IT services and commercial training divisions, GBSI founder and CEO Randy Ramos credits the growing demand for the company’s Virtual Instructor-led Training (VILT) technology as one catalyst for the growth plan.

“Our VILT technology has emerged from the research and development stage and is now being implemented throughout our own GBSI training facilities, as well as in classrooms we provide for our largest commercial customers, including The Boeing Company,” said Ramos.  “VILT classrooms offer a borderless learning environment that connects instructors with students anywhere in the world, and we expect the rapid expansion of this powerful technology to continue.”

Details of the jobs plan include hiring a mix of government contract support, commercial IT, training, and corporate support positions in the Pensacola region.

Florida’s First Quintuplets Graduate From Tate High School

Florida’s first surviving quintuplets are now high school graduates — all five receiving their diplomas from Tate High School.

Ian Kirk, Marcus Wade, Elizabeth Jane, Tristan Miller and Evan Whitson Baker were born January 30, 1995, about 10 weeks premature, at Sacred Heart Hospital. And now the 18-year olds look toward plans for their futures.

“No one is going away until at least next year so my nest will still be full,” mom Mona Baker said. “They are good young adults with good heads on most of their shoulders. This is an excellent time to practice good decision making skills for the future while they still have a cushion; I enjoy their company and look forward to the next stage with excitement.”

Ian is looking toward a career in law enforcement or corrections, while Marcus plans to to attend Pensacola State or the University of West Florida before transferring to Florida State University as a music education major.

Tristan plans to attend PSC or UWF and then attend seminary to answer his calling as a pastor. Evan, already an artist working with metal, is looking toward a trade school for welding.

And the one girl in group, Elizabeth, is enrolled in a project search at UWF.

As the graduating quints look toward their futures, mom Mona is just adding to the memories and enjoying her unique family.

“I feel like I remember every day, and then it also goes fast,” she said. “For me days are long, but the years are short.”

Pictured top: The Baker quintuplets — (L-R) Ian Kirk, Marcus Wade, Elizabeth Jane, Tristan Miller and Evan Whitson — with mom Mona Baker at Tate High School’s graduation. Pictured below: The five siblings pose at the Pensacola Bay Center with the five members of the Escambia County School Board and Superintendent Malcolm Thomas. Pictured inset: The quintuplets at a Baccalaureate service at Olive Baptist Church. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Tropical Storm Andrea Makes Landfall

Tropical Storm Andrea made landfall in the Big Bend area of Florida Thursday afternoon with maximum winds of 65 mph, bringing a threat of tornadoes and flooding for that area. The latest information on the storm is in the graphic above.

Pictured below: Pensacola Beach was quiet on Wednesday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo by Bethany Reynolds, click to enlarge.

Appeals Court Backs State On Prison Health Privatization

A unanimous three-judge appeals panel threw out a circuit court decision blocking privatization of inmate health-care services, a victory for the state in its long-running battle against unions to contract out more prison operations.

The ruling Wednesday would allow the state to push ahead with the rewarding of prison-health contracts to Corizon, Inc., in the central and northern areas of Florida.

The original ruling by Leon County Circuit Judge John Cooper had already cleared the state to move forward with a contract with Wexford Health Sources, Inc., for the region covering roughly the bottom third of the state.

Cooper ruled that the Legislative Budget Commission, a 14-member panel charged with overseeing spending amendments when lawmakers are not in session, went too far in approving the contracts for the other areas because that privatization was not specifically mentioned in the state budget. It was seen as a potential precedent-setting ruling on the power of the LBC.

But the 1st District Court of Appeal said Cooper was reading the budget too narrowly when he said that privatizing health services in the the central and northern regions was changing policy and was more than a limited tweak to the budget — both things the LBC isn’t allowed to do.

“On both requirements, the LBC has expertise as an entity composed exclusively of legislators that is charged with the inherently legislative function of appropriations,” Judge Stephanie Ray wrote for the DCA. “Given the LBC’s expertise and unique role within the Legislature, the LBC is entitled to deference in administering its budget-adjustment authority.”

Ray also wrote that a state law allowing the Department of Corrections to privatize some health-care services and provisions in previous budgets and the spending plan for the fiscal year that begins July 1 all suggested the Legislature wants to contract out the services.

“Outside the [budget], however, there is ample evidence, not only that the department was authorized to privatize inmate health services, but that the Legislature intends for such privatization to occur,” she wrote.

The LBC voted in September to approve an amendment to the current budget, which expires June 30, shifting money around to allow DOC to continue its privatization push. Opponents said the full Legislature would have to approve the decision to contract out the services.

The win for the state comes after other defeats on a push by Republican leaders and, at times, the Department of Corrections to privatize prison services and help reduce the state budget.

“We appreciate the ruling,” said Ann Howard, a spokeswoman for the department, in an email. “It will help save taxpayer money as we move forward, per the Legislature and now, the court.”

Alma Gonzalez, special counsel for AFSCME Council 79 — one of the unions that challenged the privatization — said that new language in the upcoming 2013-14 budget likely would have meant the lawsuit would become moot once the new spending plans kicks in, though she didn’t rule out an appeal.

She also said the state could have been spared the costs of a lawsuit if lawmakers had approved the prison privatization that way in the first place.

“The fact is that the citizens of the state of Florida, the taxpayers of the state of Florida have paid and paid and paid again to teach the governor to respect the Constitution,” Gonzalez said.

Molino Park Awards: Second – Fourth Grades

Here are awards presented to Molino Park Elementary School students in second, third and fourth grades:

SECOND GRADE

Good Citizenship

• Aaron Adams
• Clay Allen
• Tony Antrim
• Landry Bellard
• Michaela Bolton
• Raven Brigman
• Karson Brown
• Freddy Carnley
• Levi Carnley
• Nathan Chavers
• Ethan Collier
• Riley Crosby
• Bailey Danielson
• Noah Edmonson
• Kameron Enfinger
• Ashlin Flowers
• Austin Floyd
• Jace Fryman
• Miah Guntner
• Autumn Hodo
• Camden Ingram
• Alyssa Jackson
• Zacharie Jones
• Trenton Jordan
• O’Nykah Kidd
• David Kirsch
• Kacy Knable
• Shelby Lashley
• Cooper Martinez
• Miah Massey
• Austin McCullers
• Summer McCullers
• Cameron Partrick
• Rustin Pope
• Chase Pugh
• Briana Ragan
• Wyatt Ramsey
• Ethan Rea
• Alex Roloph
• Asa Schlobohm
• Ty Smith
• Adian Vaughn
• Gage Wilson
• Brycee Woodward

Perfect Attendance

• Aaron Adams
• Landry Bellard
• Karson Brown
• Kameron Enfinger
• Wyatt Ramsey
• Adian Vaughn

‘A’ Honor Roll

• Aaron Adams
• Ethan Collier
• Alyssa Jackson
• Cameron Partrick
• Ethan Rea
• Brycee Woodward

A/B Honor Roll

• Landry Bellard
• Michaela Bolton
• Karson Brown
• Freddy Carnley
• Levi Carnley
• Riley Crosby
• Bailey Danielson
• Noah Edmonson
• Ashlin Flowers
• Austin Floyd
• Nichlas Fowler
• Jace Fryman
• David Kirsch
• Zacharie Jones
• Kacy Knable
• Shelby Lashley
• Cooper Martinez
• Miah Massey
• Chase Pugh
• Briana Ragan
• Ty Smith
• Asa Schlobohm
• Wyatt Ramsey
• Elijah Suratos
• Gage Wilson

Most Improved Reading – Mrs. Daniels

• Waylon Lanford

Most Improved Math – Mrs. Daniels

• Tres Péna

Best Effort Reading – Mrs. Daniels

• Alex Roloph

Outstanding Effort – Mrs. Sims

• Braydon Harigel

Improvement in Creative Writing -
Mrs. Solchenberger

• Caleb Hassebrock

THIRD GRADE

Good Citizenship

• Divine Abrams
• Robert Baggett
• Lakyn Bodiford
• Reagan Daniels
• Aden Fennell
• Shianne Grimm
• Makinley Harigel
• Hannah Hassebrock
• Michayla Kent
• Isabella Lane
• Chelsi Lashley
• Jaden Lewis
• Kileigh Lundy
• Madelyn McAnally
• Melody Patterson
• Kinzey Powell
• Makayla Ramsey
• Brystal Rhodes
• Michael Roloph
• Sarah Sconiers
• Makenzie Sims
• Bryant Walters
• Kailyn Watson
• Jordan Wilson
• Trevor Wood

Perfect Attendance

• Jillian Gulledge
• Melody Patterson
• Sarah Sconiers

‘A’ Honor Roll

• Lakyn Bodiford
• Jaden Lewis

A/B Honor Roll

• Reagan Daniels
• Aden Fennell
• Grayson Grondin
• Clay Kittrell
• Kileigh Lundy
• Melody Patterson
• Sarah Sconiers

Perfect Score – District Science Test

• Kaleb Kelley
• Sarah Sconiers

FCAT Reading Level 5

• Lakyn Bodiford
• Zacheriah Chavers
• Reagan Daniels
• Aden Fennell
• Jaden Lewis – PERFECT SCORE
• Melody Patterson
• Sarah Sconiers
• Mackenzie Sims
• Bryant Walters

FCAT Math Level 5

• Kay-lee Bradley
• Zacheriah Chavers
• Louis Crabtree
• Reagan Daniels
• Aden Fennell
• Makinley Harigel
• Kaleb Kelley
• Clay Kittrell
• Jaden Lewis
• Melody Patterson
• Brystal Rhodes
• Sarah Sconiers
• Kailyn Watson
• Trevor Wood

Overall Most Improved – Mrs. Fountain

• James Morris III

Most Improved Math – Mrs. Fountain

• Gyanna Edmonson

FOURTH GRADE

Good Citizenship

• Larry Allie
• Teagan Andress
• Tayler Bridges
• Kenley Brown
• CJ Bullington
• Harleigh Crumbley
• Nathan Danforth
• Trey Franklin
• Jadon Fryman
• Leia Grantham
• Parker Hassebrock
• Julie Ann Keith
• Bryce Korinchak
• Kaley Lashley
• Justin Miller
• Savannah Nall
• Lainey Pace
• Kellie Parsons
• Ashleigh Ratcliff
• Clay Smith
• Ariel Ward
• Benjamin Ward
• Michael Whitmire
• Caden Woodward
• Madelyn Zylstra

Perfect Attendance

• CJ Bullington
• Harleigh Crumbley
• Jadon Fryman
• Parker Hassebrock
• Bryce Korinchak
• Justin Miller
• Kellie Parsons
• Damion Payne
• Madalin Roberts
• Scott Skidmore
• Benjamin Ward

‘A’ Honor Roll

• Nathan Danforth
• Leia Grantham
• Ariel Ward

A/B Honor Roll

• Teagan Andress
• Tayler Bridges
• Trey Franklin
• Jadon Fryman
• Parker Hassebrock
• Bryce Korinchak
• Justin Miller
• Savannah Nall
• Lainey Pace
• Kellie Parsons
• Clay Smith
• Natalie St. Cyr
• Benjamin Ward
• Caden Woodward

Most Improved Overall – Mrs. Driver

• Eddie Craig

Most Improved Math – Mrs.Driver

• Shadonavon Young

Most Improved Penmanship – Mrs. Fountain

• Spencer Orem

Most Improved Reading – Mrs. Fountain

• James Williams

Most Improved Math – Mrs. Fountain

• Arianna Rudd

Most Improved Science – Mrs. Fountain

• Michael Antrim

Most Improved Overall – Mrs. Fryman

• Wesley Hart

Most Improved Math – Mrs. Fryman

• Lainey Pace

FCAT Reading Benchmark Gain – Mrs. Fryman

• Larry Allie

Most Improved Math – Mrs. Madril

• Jesse Powell

Most Improved Overall – Mrs. Madril

• Ashleigh Ratcliff

Most Improved Overall – Mrs. Robinson

• Julie Ann Keith

Most Improved Math – Mrs. Robinson

• Tristian Griffin

Sons of the American Revolution Citizenship Awards – Fourth Grade

• Harleigh Crumbley
• Nathan Danforth
• Trey Franklin
• Kaley Lashley
• Savannah Nall
• Spencer Orem
• Kelly Parsons
• Jesse Powell
• Arianna Rudd
• Michael Whitmire

Scott Signs ‘Infants Born Alive Bill’ In Cantonment

Gov. Rick Scott was in Cantonment Wednesday afternoon to sign a bill that will seek to protect infants born alive after attempted abortions. Scott was joined by First Lady Ann Scott and pro-life supporters from across the state to sign the bill at Florida Baptist Children’s Home on Chemstrand Road.

The measure requires health-care professionals to “humanely exercise the same degree of professional skill, care and diligence to preserve the life and health of the infant” as would be the case in a natural birth. It also requires that infants born alive after attempted abortions be immediately taken to hospitals.

“As a father and grandfather, there is nothing more precious or special than welcoming a new child into this world and by signing this bill, we are protecting the most vulnerable among us and affirming their rights as individuals. This legislation ensures common-sense measures are taken to help care for the babies who survive abortion procedures and grants those infants the same rights as infants who are born naturally,” Scott said.

“On behalf of the Florida Baptist Children’s Homes, we applaud Governor Scott’s commitment to protecting the unborn.  Our children are our most sacred treasures and it is imperative that all children- those born and unborn- are valued and treated fairly,” said Dr. Jerry Haag, president of Florida Baptist Children’s Home.

The measure received unanimous approval from both chambers of the Legislature.

Pictured top: Gov. Rick Scott signs the “Infants Born Alive” bill Wednesday afternoon in Cantonment. Pictured below: Dr. Bob Greene, director of Pensacola  Bay Baptist Association; Gov. Rick Scott and his wife Anne; and Dr. Jerry Haag, president Florida Baptist Children’s Home.  Photo by Kim Johnson. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

84-Year Old Woman Claims Powerball Millions

An 84-year-old Zephyrhills woman on Wednesday claimed last month’s $590.5 million Powerball jackpot. Gloria C. Mackenzie, who arrived at the Florida Lottery’s Tallahassee office earlier in the day with her son Scott Mackenzie, a trusted family friend and legal and financial advisors, opted for the one-time lump sum payout of $370 million. The payout total is prior to taxes. The ticket was purchased at a Zephyrhills Publix. Photo by Tom Urban for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

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