FWC Law Enforcement Report
January 16, 2018
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the period ending January 5 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Cushing observed a vehicle being operated without any lights on and initiated a traffic stop to address the safety concern. While behind the vehicle with emergency lights on, the passenger was observed discarding several small items out of the passenger window while the vehicle was moving. When the vehicle was stopped, several indicators that the passenger and the operator may be under the influence were observed. Neither subject had any form of identification nor did the operator have a valid driver’s license. Additionally, the tag was not assigned to the vehicle. Pensacola Police Department (PPD) arrived on scene to assist and the PPD K-9 unit alerted on the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle was found to be in possession of illegal narcotics and the case was turned over to PPD.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Hutchinson was patrolling late one night when he observed a truck moving slowly in an area known for night hunting. He observed the driver shine a spotlight along the edge of a field in an attempt to disclose the presence of deer. When Officer Hutchison attempted to stop the truck, the driver did not stop immediately and he was observed throwing an object out of the window of the vehicle. Once the operator stopped, a muzzleloader rifle with a flashlight taped to the stock was located inside the vehicle. A Santa Rosa County Deputy arrived to assist and located a bag containing methamphetamine and glass pipes where the subject threw it out the window. The subject was a convicted felon and had a suspended driver license. Additionally, blood from a recently killed deer was found in the bed of the truck and it was determined that the man had killed an illegal buck a few days earlier. The subject was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, attempting to take deer at night, driving on a suspended license and possession of an illegally taken deer.
Officer Jones responded to the Escribano Point WMA at the request of a FWC biologist who had encountered subjects removing a Jeep from a wetland within the management area in an area where public entry by vehicles is prohibited. An investigation revealed that the driver had driven around a locked gate and proceeded into the area. He drove across a small bridge that was not intended for vehicles which resulted in considerable damage to the bridge. After driving throughout the area, he then drove across a creek and through a wetland for approximately a mile causing considerable damage to the land, trees, and plants. Charges are being prepared for two counts of destruction of state lands by a motor vehicle.
Officer Jones received a complaint from a Santa Rosa County marina owner that he was ordering off his property a sailboat, its owner and other associated persons. The officer arrived the following morning to find that the boat was tied to a piling near the marina as well as to structures of the marina. A patron of the marina pointed to a small dingy boat that was tied alongside of the sailboat. The patron said that the dingy was the property of the marina owner. A man and a woman were on board the vessel. After watching the boat and the area, the officer observed the female occupant of the sailboat proceed in the dingy to shore at a nearby park. It was confirmed that the dingy was recently stolen. The woman was charged with theft, operating a vessel with no personal flotation devices and operating a vessel with no registration.
Officer Wilkenson and Investigator Hughes responded to a complaint of individuals harvesting juvenile stone crabs at the Bob Sikes Fishing Bridge. Based on the description provided by the complainant, the officers located the individuals quickly. The individuals were actively fishing with rods and reels. In plain view, a bucket that contained several juvenile whole-body stone crabs was observed. It was determined the individuals were using the stone crabs as bait. There was a total of 14 whole body stone crabs in the individuals’ possession. The subjects were cited for possession of whole stone crabs and undersized stone claws. The officers released the stone crabs alive.
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Elementary Kids Write Letters To Sailors In At Boot Camp
January 16, 2018
Beulah Elementary teacher Allison Rhodes’ fourth grade students recently wrote letters to sailors at Navy Boot Camp in Great Lakes, IL.
The letters were passed to Capt. Kertreck Brooks, Commanding Officer of the Naval Education and Training and Professional Development Center (NETPDC) to ensure they get into the right hands.
Capt Brooks recently visited the class to thank them and took some time to explain just how special those letters are. He served as the Executive Officer of Great Lakes so he was able to share that when the new sailors arrive they get to make one phone call home and then their belongings, including their cell phones, are boxed up and mailed home. They then communicate with families the old fashioned way – with letters.
That makes mail call a special event.
He told the young writers that their letters will be shared with all 80 members of a boot camp unit. The students shared with him that they thought the sailors might need words of encouragement – and a laugh.
Each student included their favorite joke in their letter while they also learned how to format a letter and how to empathize with young adults away from home. The captain also answered questions about his time in the Navy.
Atmore Approves Sunday Alcohol Sales
January 16, 2018
The city of Atmore has unanimously approved a resolution to allow Sunday alcohol sales after 10 a.m.
Now that the resolution has passed, the local legislative delegation will introduce a bill in the Alabama Legislature for final approval. Once the bill passes, it would head to Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey for a signature making it effective.
Last year, Ivey signed a bill passed on the last day of the legislative session allowing cities or counties to authorize businesses to begin alcohol sales at 10 a.m. Sundays under ordinance or resolution.
Pictured: Businesses such as this Winn Dixie in Atmore may soon be able to sell alcohol as early at 10 a.m. on Sundays. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Free Heart Health Screenings Next Week In Cantonment
January 16, 2018
Sacred Heart Health System will provide free heart health screenings in Cantonment for adults who are poor, elderly or uninsured. Heart-health screenings will measure blood pressure, blood sugar and total cholesterol, and can detect anemia. The screenings are helpful in diagnosing conditions that put people at high risk for heart attack, stroke, diabetes and other health problems.
The screenings will be held on Thursday, January 25 from 9 until 11:30 at Victory Assembly of God.
Marilyn Edwards Branch
January 16, 2018
Mrs. Marilyn Edwards Branch, 68, passed away on Friday, January 12, 2018, in Fairhope, Alabama.
Mrs. Branch was a native of New Orleans, LA, former resident of Bratt, FL and had resided in Atmore, AL for the past 48 years. She was a loving mother and grandmother. She was the bookkeeper at the Presbyterian Church of Atmore and was a member of the Bratt First Baptist Church. She is preceded in death by her parents, T.J. and Lizzie Edwards; one sister, Sharon Zettlemoyer; and two brothers, Alfred Edwards and James Edwards.
She is survived by her two sons, Travis (Tina) Branch of Daphne, AL and Michael (Julie James) Branch of Atmore, AL; three brothers, A.J. (Willie Jean) Edwards of Bratt, FL, Carlie Edwards of Bratt, FL and Bernie (Debra) Edwards of Bratt, FL; and six grandchildren, Christian, Amy, Sarah, Hagan, Jaxson and Zachery.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 17, 2018, at 11 a.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Delbert Redditt officiating.
Burial will follow at the Godwin Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Wade Edwards, Robie Edwards, Chris Edwards, Josh Edwards, Cary Jordan and Christian Braden.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC in charge of all arrangements.
Century Celebrates Legacy Of Martin Luther King, Jr. (With Gallery)
January 15, 2018
Dozens turned out in Century Monday to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Century-Flomaton Improvement Association held their annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration at the Century Ag Building Monday.
Songs, essays and speeches honored King’s memory during the program, which was themed “Keep the Dream Alive”.
“If we can dream it, with the Lord’s help we can achieve it,” guest speaker Pastor Lloyd A. Hicks told the assembly. Hicks was employed by the Alabama Department of Corrections for 28 years and received his first pastoral appointment to Westley Chapel CME Church in Century. He is now employed as a staff chaplain at Brookwood Princeton Medical System in Birmingham and pastors Unity CME Church in Bessemer, AL.
“This is not a black thing; this is not a white thing. This is a God thing,” he said. “If you can dream, and you have the will of the Lord, you can achieve.”
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Marked With Parade In Atmore (With Gallery)
January 15, 2018
Martin Luther King Jr. Day programs were held across the area on Monday. In Atmore, a parade wound through the streets Monday morning.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Large Crowds Attend Pensacola MLK Parade (With Gallery)
January 15, 2018
Large crowds gathered in downtown Pensacola for the annual MLK Day Parade Monday.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com and courtesy photos by WEAR 3, click to enlarge.
Escambia EMS Reaches Full Staffing Level, Coverage Expands
January 15, 2018
Escambia County EMS now has more ambulances on the road than ever before, including their newest until stationed in Walnut Hill.
About a year go, there were an average of 11 ambulances on the road and available for calls during peak hours; now, that number is usually 16. It was never a matter of ambulances; it was a matter of people to staff them.
In October, the Escambia County Commission increased the Escambia EMS budget for 13 more people, bringing the staffing level to near 100 percent. Some of those new positions went to staff an Escambia County EMS unit recently stationed at the Walnut Hill Fire Station to primarily serve Walnut Hill and Bratt.
Pictured: An Escambia County EMS unit responds to a motor vehicle accident Saturday afternoon in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
California Man Gets Federal Prison For Distributing Child Porn In Escambia County
January 15, 2018
A California man has been sentenced to federal prison for distributing child pornography in Escambia County.
Eladio L. Vazquez, 38, of Indio, California, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, after pleading guilty on December 26, 2017, to distribution of child pornography. As part of his sentence, Vazquez will also be required to register as a sex offender.
Beginning in December 2016 and continuing for the next six months, a law enforcement officer using an undercover online account in Pensacola observed that an individual with multiple online identities was posting image and video files on social media platforms.
Vazquez also used the dark web to engage in child pornography behavior. In June 2017, based upon investigative information, law enforcement officers in California executed a search warrant at Vazquez’s residence and located child pornography on Vazquez’s cellular devices and laptop. Forensically, law enforcement also located, within Vazquez’s cloud account, significant amounts of child pornography.
U.S. Attorney Canova said: “Child predators use the internet as a powerful tool to exploit innocent children, but together with our law enforcement partners, we will pursue those who seek to victimize the most vulnerable members of our society.”
“This criminal thought he had anonymity because of his use of social media,” said HSI Tampa Special Agent in Charge James C. Spero. “We want to use this child predator as a warning to those who will prey on children – we will find you and hold you accountable for your crimes.”
The case was investigated by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, the Pensacola Police Department, the Riverside County (California) District Attorney’s Office, and the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg.