Two Sentenced For Theft Of Molino Teen’s Kart Racing Gear

August 28, 2014

Two people have been sentenced in connection with the May 2013 theft of kart racing gear from a Molino teen.

Amos Dewayne Sellers, age 34 of Pensacola and Lake Daniel Brooks, age 23 of Cantonment, were both charged with burglary and grand theft following the incident.

Both men entered pleas of no contest to the charges against them. Judge Michael Allen withheld adjudication in both cases. Each was sentenced to one year community control, three years probation, 250 hours of community service and ordered to pay $1,194 restitution plus $518 in fines and court costs.

The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office says the pair were responsible for the theft of about $16,000 worth of stolen kart racing gear.

In May 2013, Investigator David Preston returned the stolen gear back to the  family. Jarrett Parker is a star of sorts in the world of kart racing, winning  state titles and racing his way to the top in several national events.

But the brakes were put on his racing career after the burglary at the family workshop on Gibson Road. A 2012 Elite Triton kart, five motors, cases of MAXXIS tires, tools and other items were taken from the workshop, while other items not related to kart racing  like lawn equipment were left behind.

After a story about the thefts appeared on NorthEscambia.com on May 6, 2013, the Sheriff’s Office and family began to receive tips that led to the recovery of the racing equipment.

Some of the stolen items, including three motors, belonged to Jarrett’s then 10-year old teammate in  Selma, Ala.

Just days after the stolen equipment was returned, Parker was the Senior Pro Clone Winner at Checkered Flag Speedway in Stateline, MS.

Pictured top: Molino teen Jarrett Parker with about $16,000 worth of stolen kart racing gear returned in May by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Pictured inset:  The suspects attempted to change the appearance of motors by painting them. Pictured below: Jarrett Parker and his father Cott discuss the case with Escambia County Sheriff’s Investigator David Preston. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

13 Responses to “Two Sentenced For Theft Of Molino Teen’s Kart Racing Gear”

  1. Mr. Reality on August 28th, 2014 11:53 pm

    HEY JACK, what’s the purpose of RESTITUTION in a CRIMINAL CASE?

  2. Pepstep on August 28th, 2014 9:01 pm

    One of these gentleman turned everything in and gave more than Leo’s asked for. That says a lot if you ask me.

  3. Pops on August 28th, 2014 3:16 pm

    “too light of a sentence but for first offense lesson learned”
    16k worth of property. Would you feel the same if it was your 16 thousand dollars worth of stuff?

  4. Trisha on August 28th, 2014 3:13 pm

    Jack, I know, and as a former officer of the courts, I do know that in the sentencing phase, the Judge CAN if he choose go ahead and order them to pay a certain amount of restitution, but most of the time it is a figure that the judge comes up with, But if the person or persons are sued in civil court, there is slim chance to non of the victim ever getting their money. They will not pay and a lot of times it is no forced, with the excuse the suit is good for 10 years, who is going to sit around waiting to be paid for 10 years and then go back and re-file. But the main thing is get a job, buy you what you want and keep your hands off other peoples property.

  5. jack on August 28th, 2014 10:07 am

    Trisha…Criminal court does not adjudicate civil matters. They have to sue in civil court to recover economic loss.

  6. knowsbothsides on August 28th, 2014 9:57 am

    I agree with dirtman. That kid is very intelligent and knows what he was brought into was wrong. Lake has been nothing but great to me and my family also. Always there when I needed a hand and never took anything or asked for anything.

  7. LEO GUY on August 28th, 2014 9:43 am

    The light sentences that most thieves receive these days are because there just isn’t enough prison space. I say build more and fill them up, and then watch the crime rate go down because a lot of crime is committed by convicted criminals out on probation.

  8. Trisha on August 28th, 2014 9:22 am

    @ dirt man, I know someone in Florida, that stole less, and got more time, and it was a first offense. Not being locked up for the first offense, I agree, but I would like to have seen more restitution for the victim even if it was the 1st offense. I am sure when we get in his pockets, the lesson would be learned.

  9. dirt man on August 28th, 2014 8:30 am

    I have know Lake for many years I just think he got wrapped up in the wrong crowd. I have never even heard of him taking anything nor had it crossed my mind of him taking from me or my family. Everyone said too light of a sentence but for first offense lesson learned

  10. Trisha on August 28th, 2014 7:39 am

    The punishment is to light and the restitution is too small. The young man is enjoying his hobby and I am sure making a little money on the circuit, and I think that he need to be compensated for every race that he missed and given restitution in the amount for that race as if he would have won it, and this should be for each race that he would have participated in. (And lets not forget about the races that he may have won, from moving on from winning a race) Second, he should be compensated for anything he had to buy while his gear was missing. Thirdly, for aggravation, he should be paid. Bottom line this is not enough for a teen that is doing something from himself, instead of sitting around like these sick O’s waiting for someone to leave home, so they can capitalize.

  11. Bob C on August 28th, 2014 7:11 am

    @Mikey and Terri…
    Sure do agree with you on this being too light a sentence.
    Seems some public service work should be a requirement.

  12. Mikey on August 28th, 2014 5:51 am

    That punishment was way too light. I would like to see some real prison time and some quality months on the road crew for thieves like these two.

  13. terri sanders on August 28th, 2014 12:36 am

    Judge Allen is getting soft in his old age…

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News