Former Tate High Homecoming Queen Entering Pretrial Diversion, Charges Could Be Dismissed

January 13, 2022

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A former Tate High School homecoming queen is entering a pre-trial diversion program that, if successfully completed, will result in the charges against being dismissed.

Emily Rose Grover was a 17-year old juvenile at the time of her arrest in April 2021 by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. She turned 18 just a few days later, and her case was transferred to adult court.

Grover and her mother Laura Carroll, former assistant principal at Bellview Elementary School, were charged by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement with one count each of felony offenses against users of computers, computer systems, computer networks, and electronic devices; felony unlawful use of a two-way communications device, felony criminal use of personally identifiable information, and conspiracy to commit these offenses. The misdemeanor conspiracy charge against both has been upgraded by prosecutors to a felony count.

If Grover does not meet the terms of her pretrial diversion, prosecution on charges against her will continue.

Carroll previously pleaded not guilty and is due on court next week.

Both were accused of illegally accessing the Escambia County School District FOCUS computer system and casting 246 votes for Tate homecoming queen in the fall of 2020. Grover won, but she was expelled and was stripped of the crown.

NorthEscambia.com photo (left) and Escambia County Jail photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

23 Responses to “Former Tate High Homecoming Queen Entering Pretrial Diversion, Charges Could Be Dismissed”

  1. Michelle on January 29th, 2022 9:40 pm

    So I am reading these comments and everyone is saying she was guilty, have you ever thought that she is saying she was wrong so this ends and it is expunged off her record so she can move on? Did a little research on this case and it was shown that they have alibis when these votes occurred. She wasn’t even home at the time and mom was out running. IF she did it then yes she was wrong but to throw all this at them when you can go murder someone and get less time is just stupid. Also these ppl that are running their thumbs off bashing them needs to stop, believe me they are having plenty of that in their community. Start thinking about what if they really didn’t do it, would you be the one to step up n apologize for your accusations? Nope you really wouldn’t. So think before you type.

  2. Erin Ruckel on January 15th, 2022 5:58 pm

    She has been sufficiently punished–humiliated on a national level, expelled from high school, not allowed to graduate, rejected from college, arrested, and jailed. I wouldn’t call all that “just a slap on the wrist”. I think it’s safe to say that she learned her lesson. Let her move on and rebuild her life.

  3. Anne on January 14th, 2022 7:18 pm

    LOTS riding on this young woman’s next few months and the decisions she makes can take her a long ways toward an Amazing Life and Future, or not.

    I hope she does Extremely Well and that she Becomes All that she Wants to Be.
    Honestly, y’all….Okay, at the moment being Homecoming Queen is a Really Big Deal but in 20-30-40 years it won’t mean much at all to most anyone.

    However, you hear the 1999 MVP of the Beaverville High Gnawers still loudly talking about how he grabbed the long pass and made a touchdown to WIN – all by himself – the Big Game.

  4. Carl on January 14th, 2022 2:07 pm

    After reading all these comments helps me understand what is wrong with the world today.
    With that said…
    The sad thing..is you wear that in your hatred with supremacy and honor.

  5. st on January 14th, 2022 12:25 pm

    Glad she has the opportunity to redeem herself. To enter this program you have to admit guilt. We can hope that she is able to have a productive adulthood and finds happiness going forward.

  6. Beach Boy on January 14th, 2022 10:12 am

    To all of those who feel sorry for Emily Grover thinking she’s too young to be punished….the old saying goes like this: “IF YOU CAN’T DO THE TIME, DON’T DO THE CRIME.” I enforce punishment for a crime no matter how big or small. It teaches you a hard learned lesson. That’s part of our problem. We think because someone is too young for a misdemeanor charge they should get off light. They do one of two things…they learn from that or go on to something bigger thinking they’ll get off light from that one too.

  7. Bruce Forehand on January 14th, 2022 9:59 am

    Ok, was it right that she was able to influence a school activity? Of course not. But to get pre trail diversion she had to fall on her sword and admit to her wrong doing. That’s ok by me. Being young and maybe a little stupid should not have a life sentence. If this was my child I would hope that they would be given a second chance and so does every parent out there. Maybe mom should look at her daughter and do the same thing and save the state money and herself. Think about it mom as you read this. Stand up and be responsible!

  8. Rasheed Jackson on January 14th, 2022 9:59 am

    Yes, the girl did wrong, but she was being influenced by her mother. I hate to see her charged with a felony for something her mother pulled her into. Give her a chance at life without her mother’s influence. If she fails, then it is on her, but this is on her mother all the way.

  9. James leigh on January 14th, 2022 9:52 am

    Emily Grover has suffered enough humiliation. At 17 she made a very bad decision and has paid for that decision. People need to forgive her, everybody makes mistakes and bad decisions in life. I pray that the court drops all the charges and seals her record, it will give her a fresh start in life.

  10. DO TIME on January 14th, 2022 8:05 am

    Big festering black eye to everyone.

  11. Bewildered on January 14th, 2022 7:07 am

    They got their day of fame by appearing on National TV with their story. who knows what lucrative deals might come out of that ? Americans cheer, applaud and reward a lot of people for the wrong reasons

  12. Jodi millionaire on January 14th, 2022 6:06 am

    It’s not a slap on the wrist for someone who has never been exposed to this lifestyle. In her mind her world has been crumbling. Her thoughts are probably. No colleges will want me, I’ll never get the job I want, if a guy finds out about this he may never want to marry me, I mean the list of self criticism goes on and on I wouldn’t doubt if suicidal thoughts leaked in her brain.. I’m just saying she made a mistake she is a young girl who was obviously Influenced. They just let a guy out of New York jail for three attempted murders and some robberies NOW THat IS CONSIDERED a SLAP ON THE WRIST! Pray for that girl that her worst enemy “HERSELF” Doesn’t take her down a darker road than this because of feelings of not good enough..

  13. Master Mechanic on January 14th, 2022 12:33 am

    Only sorry after being caught,

  14. Susie on January 13th, 2022 8:48 pm

    Pitiful her Mom even allowed her child to participate in this crime. Sounds like a low self esteem in both parties. It would have been more fulfilling to put forth the effort to win on her own. That’s what she should have taught her daughter.

  15. RC on January 13th, 2022 7:33 pm

    The girl did something stupid. That’s a fact. Following her mother’s lead. But to pile life changing felony charges on her at 17? Punishing her for basically the rest of her life over a beauty pageant? She’s young. She’s barely started driving. If she completes all the requirements of the Pre trial diversion let her have a chance at a good life. If it was you or I we’d jump at the chance to not have a felony. Her mother will carry the burden for this so be satisfied with that. I hope she learns a valuable lesson from this and goes on do well in life.

  16. bill l on January 13th, 2022 7:16 pm

    I am sure this young lady daily routine has been a living hell. Hope she learns from her mistake and changes her life for the better. If not remember “Be not deceived God is not mocked whatsoever you sow you will reap”

  17. Jeff Sears on January 13th, 2022 7:10 pm

    Nope. You all wanted lighter sentencing for juveniles and lighter sentencing for nonviolent crimes so this is what happens.

    For all those griping about the light sentence, I bet YOU complained about tough sentences before this…. Well here ya go :)

    You can’t have your cake and eat it to.

  18. Denny on January 13th, 2022 7:02 pm

    Grover should be referred to as fake homecoming queen. And mama is pretending she never gave away her government system password. And they both go on national TV to cry they did nothing wrong. Ugh.

  19. Steve on January 13th, 2022 6:20 pm

    Good. No reason to carry a charge like this at such a young age.

    There are people out there that have a LONG list of crimes under their belt and get nothing. And they commit more and more, this girl is more than likely never going to commit another felony which is ultimately what you want.

    Stop wasting money on this and deal with the real crimes out there effecting peoples lives. The catalytic converter thief being arrest and put in prison is more important to most people

  20. Gabe on January 13th, 2022 6:04 pm

    All these people who saying she got a slap on the wrist . Not true … There’s more to pretrial then y’all think a bunch of community hours checking in like on probation etc. Usually first time offenders get this opportunity to complete the pre trial

  21. Trish on January 13th, 2022 5:53 pm

    So in other words, the daughter gets a slap on the hand and put in time out for a while? She broke the law just like her mother did. They should both be held accountable.

  22. Jr on January 13th, 2022 4:52 pm

    Although they claimed that they awaited the trial for them to be vindicated I saw this coming. Who cares about that $10 Tiara and what happened. Yes, this was a bad decision by all involved. I pray that this young lady can complete this Pre Trial Diversion and salvage her life from this act of stupidity. As long as a lesson is learned then the troubles she causes herself won’t be in vain. Young lady, you’ve been given a 2nd chance and I pray you do the right thing….

  23. Fail on January 13th, 2022 4:28 pm

    Of course they’ll let her off. No need in taking ownership of what she did wrong…… I mean, that’s the way the world is run now right? She obviously feels no remorse for what she did by looking at a not-guilty plea. Entitlement at its best right here.