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Five Sentenced For Molino Park Burglary, Vandalism
February 26, 2014
Two adults and three juveniles have been sentenced for the burglary and vandalism of Molino Park Elementary school on August 9, 2013. Over $60,000 in property was stolen, and the school sustained another $7,000 in damages. Most the stolen items — including computers and iPads– were burned by the suspects.
Tatanya Zahna Blackmon, an 18-year old female from the 2400 block of North Highway 29 in Cantonment, and Rodriques Ricardo Young, a 19-year old male from the 1300 block of Barth Road in Molino, both pleaded no contest to grand theft, larceny, criminal mischief with property damage, destroying evidence and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Judge Gary Bergosh withheld adjudication on all counts as he imposed a sentence on both Blackmon and Young of one year in the county jail with credit for time served and 100 hours of community service to be followed by 72 months probation. The duo was also ordered to pay $65,601.93 in restitution to the Escambia County School district and write sincere letters of apology to the school.
Tracy Deshawn Lett, 14, Jacob Lett, 11, and Vashawn Lamond Brown, 13, were charged with grand theft, larceny and criminal mischief. They were placed on juvenile probation under the supervision of the Department of Juvenile Justice through age 19. Each was ordered to undergo counseling, and follow a curfew of 7 p.m. Sunday though Thursday nights and 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, according to the State Attorney’s Office.
Tracy Lett, Jacob Lett and their mother were also ordered to pay restitution at the rate of $25 per month, with the mother equally responsible. Brown was also ordered to write letter of apology to the principal of Molino Park Elementary School within 30 days. They were also sentenced to 50 hours each of community service.
Thousands of dollars worth of electronics were stolen from throughout the school, including Apple computers, iPads, Wii gaming systems, cameras used by the school’s student-operated closed circuit TV station, along with other items. As teachers returned to work Monday, items were still being discovered missing and inventoried.
“They stole computers that are needed for education; they stole from our kids,” Molino Park Principal Alice Woodward said shortly after the crime. “These were items directly used by our students.”
Portions of the school were also vandalized during the break-in. Ceiling tiles were damaged or destroyed throughout the campus, and holes were punched in walls. A vending machine was also toppled and burglarized.
On August 21, 2013, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office crime scene investigators responded to the 1200 block of Barth Road in reference to recovered property relating to the burglary. That’s where many of the stolen items were found burned.
To see the surveillance video, click here.
Pictured inset left: Numerous ceiling tiles were damaged during the burglary and vandalism. Pictured below: Three Apple computers were stolen from this desk in a computer lab. Pictured below: Surveillance video shows two people running through the school at 9:17 p.m. on August 9. Pictured inset: An overturned and burglarized vending machine in the school. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
20 Responses to “Five Sentenced For Molino Park Burglary, Vandalism”
If that was their only punishment why even spend more of our taxpayers money to take then to court?Just let them go and go and go till they end up killing someone.
I think the kids 1) should be made to cut grass, pull weeds or whatever needs to be done on school property. 2) Since Judge is ordering mom to help pay maybe look into holding some of her income tax to give back to Escambia County Schools. Just my thought. Since I am a tax payer and have a child in this school system.
Put them to work cleaning up public thoroughfares. It will keep them occupied doing something that benefits the community. If they want to work up a sweat…..let them do it working to improve that appearance of the county.
Lets see, 65,601 is restitution @ 25.00 a month is:
2624 payments or months == 218 years.
Yea we are going to see so much of that money back….
I go there and I hate the people who broke in the school.
I personally don’t believe the money will be paid that these persons were ordered to pay. Do you? As for these minors, where in the world were their parents when all of this was going on. What kind of parents let their children out at night when they’re the ages of these 3 boys? If they were being the parents they should be, those boys would have been home where they belonged!! As for the 2 teens, are they on their own, do they work, go to school, or are they school drop-outs. Now, they’re going to be sitting on their behinds, getting 3 meals a day, health care, watching TV, DOING NOTHING! Some punishment? How long after they get out will it be before they’re up to no good again?
Folks, we must remember the justice system has guidelines that must be followed by the court. These young criminals will keep the justice system alive and well for years to come. I’d bet this is not the first time any of the bunch of young thugs have had a brush with the law, nor will it be the last. Judge Bergosh is operating by the rules imposed upon him. No, I’m not an attorney, but did spend the night in a Holiday Inn Express.
>>>The Judge should have ordered them to get a job.
There were orders, depending on which defendant, to get a job or go to school. That’s a norm in sentencing.
Anyone want to bet on how long it will be till they get caught again?
Of course they may already robbing other places and just are getting away with it so far.
They learned two things.
1. Judges are gullible and don’t really punish.
2. Be more careful to take out cameras and not leave fingerprints.
The most effective thing we could do for crime is REPLACE THE JUDGES and some of the prosecutors.
The Judge should have ordered them to get a job. That would have been great punishment for the thugs! We wonder what is wrong with America? Our justice system!
I can’t wait to read those letters of apology. I’ll bet they will be the stuff of literary legend.
In some countrys they cut off a hand for thievery and it works very well. No thieves.
There is no justice in this verdict.
I say this “judge” is guilty of adding and abetting the criminals .
This is sad…theres even a 14 yr old involved wow..my daughter is going on 12 and shes been taught that its not right to steal.,heart braking that the school was even burglarized last year,im glad they were caught…finally
get rid of gary
No wonder this corner of Florida has one of the highest crime rates in the state. With a weak sentence like that, you might as well have given them an award along with it.
I’m not sure what a “proper” sentence or punishment for these kids would be.
How does someone measure the true — not just the $$$ — damage and disruption done to the other students and teachers in the school?
These kids “stole” learning instruments and instructional opportunity and time from those students who really do want to gain an education and progress.
It wasn’t just equipment that was impacted by the acts of these 5 individuals.
They disrupted the normal and orderly process of education of other children.
Wonder if their “…sincere letters of apology…” will be released to the public?
Also, these students will be included in their teacher’s evaluations so hopefully they are outstanding in their academics and have scored high on the state tests.
If a technology exceeds your comprehension, burning it will do little to improve your condition.
Pay 25 a month restitution those boys were laughing at that judge when they left that courtroom. No discernment.
Yet another slap on the wrist courtesy of Escambia County.