FWC Law Enforcement Report
January 11, 2017
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending January 5 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officers Clark, Hutchinson, Investigator Livesay and Captain Rondeau were patrolling an area in the north end of Escambia County in response to a complaint received the previous week regarding illegal night hunting. While sitting off the road with lights out, Captain Rondeau observed a vehicle drive by shining a light in a manner capable of disclosing the presence of deer. He initiated a traffic stop while Officers Hutchinson and Clark responded as back up. The vehicle was occupied by two male subjects.
There were several guns in the backseat of the vehicle and a dead coyote, the head of an eight‑point whitetail deer and antlers of a three‑point deer in the back of the truck. The vehicle matched the description and tag of the vehicle from the complaint. After interviews and a thorough investigation, it was determined that the subjects illegally killed five antlered deer at night at various locations during the month. A search of the vehicle revealed a total of five long guns. The suspects led officers to their residences where antlers from a three‑point, five‑point, six‑point, eight‑point and nine‑point deer were seized. The suspects were charged with night hunting and multiple charges are pending upon the completion of the investigation.
Officer Lewis saw a man holding a redfish that was clearly over the legal size limit in his Facebook profile picture and located another photo depicting the same redfish on ice in a large cooler. The redfish appeared to take up the entire length of the cooler. In one of the posts, the man commented that the redfish was 38 inches and he caught it in the bayou. Officer Lewis located the man’s address and conducted an interview. The subject eventually, after a couple of different stories, admitted that he harvested the oversized redfish and was planning on eating it. The subject turned over the oversized redfish filets from his freezer and was appropriately cited.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Hutchinson was on patrol during a severe storm when he saw a female subject standing in the rain at an intersection. He turned around and made contact with the subject and discovered that she was a juvenile. He also found out that she had walked several miles from her Florida residence and was walking to Alabama. She refused to provide Officer Hutchinson with her parents’ contact information. Concerned for her safety, she was detained and FWC Dispatch contacted the subject’s parents. Escambia County Sheriff’s Office conducted an interview with the juvenile, and she was released back to the custody of her parents.
Officer Hutchinson was patrolling the Blackwater State Forest and saw a vehicle parked in the middle of a paved road. As he approached, he saw two men sitting in the vehicle with the passenger pointing a hunting rifle out of the passenger side window. Another rifle was next to the driver. Both subjects were wearing camouflage clothing without the required hunter safety orange. When asked what they were doing, the driver said, “We saw a deer cross the road and we were trying to shoot it.” After further questioning, both subjects admitted to trying to shoot a deer from the roadway. The passenger did not have a valid hunting license, a management area permit or a deer permit. Both subjects were issued a notice to appear citation for hunting from a right of way on a prohibited road. The passenger was issued a written warning for the hunting license violation.
Officer Hutchison was patrolling along a highway within the Blackwater Forest when he saw a subject riding a horse next to the field trial area. He recognized the subject from previous encounters and knew the subject had been caught illegally hunting within the field trial area from his horse. After passing the subject, he concealed his vehicle and waited to see if the subject would enter the field trial area. After a few minutes, he drove back towards the area and saw fresh horse tracks leading into the field trial area. He followed the tracks into a wooded area and saw the subject holding a pump shotgun while riding his horse through the trees as if he was trying to jump a deer. When he shouted the subject’s name, the subject spun his horse around and attempted to conceal his firearm by dropping it on the ground. The subject denied possessing a firearm until Officer Hutchinson walked into the woods and located the shotgun lying on the ground. The subject was issued a notice to appear citation for hunting in a closed area and hunting license violations.
Officer Hutchinson received a call from about someone illegally dumping deer carcasses from a bridge into a creek. He received a description of the vehicle, but no license plate number. He remembered seeing a vehicle matching the description at a residence of a subject with whom he had had previous encounters. Later that evening, he the vehicle parked in the subject’s yard. Fresh deer blood, hair and meat was in the bed of the vehicle. The subject admitted to illegally dumping the carcasses into the creek and was issued a notice to appear citation for littering in a freshwater creek.
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.
Convicted Felon On The Run Prompts Molino Park Lockdown
January 11, 2017
A McDavid man that ran from deputies during a traffic stop caused the lockdown of Molino Park Elementary School on Tuesday.
Just before noon, an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy attempted a traffic stop when a man, later identified Yancey James Thompson, bailed out of the vehicle and ran near the school.
Deputies and K-9 units setup a perimeter with deputies along Highway 97 and Crabtree Church Road behind the school. Thompson, 46, was taken into custody within the perimeter about two hours later.
Thompson was charged with a felony for habitually driving with a suspended license and resisting an officer without violence. He remained in the Escambia County Jail early Wednesday with bond set at $3,000.
In May 2013, Thompson, 43, was sentenced to three years in state prison for resisting an officer with violence, operating a vehicle with a revoked license as a habitual traffic offender, failure to appear on the traffic charge, and failure to appear and violating probation on charges of possession of a weapon or ammunition by a convicted felon, destroying evidence, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and resisting arrest without violence.
Thompson was convicted of striking an Escambia County deputy with a truck in attempt to avoid arrest.
Pictured top: A deputy outside the gate to Molino Park Elementary School during a lockdown Monday afternoon. Pictured bottom: A deputy maintains a perimeter. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge
Gaetz Appointed To House Armed Services And House Budget Committees
January 11, 2017
Congressman Matt Gaetz has been appointed to the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) and the House Budget Committee.
“Matt’s always been a fiscal conservative and strong defender of our military. As a member of the Armed Services and Budget Committees, he will continue to fight for the tools and funding our military needs to defeat terrorism and combat foreign threats,” said Speaker Paul Ryan, who made the appointments.
“I am humbled by the appointments and the opportunity to serve those who protect our freedom,” said Gaetz. “We are blessed in Northwest Florida with a strong military presence. My job is to protect our bases and to make sure government is keeping its promises to the warfighter, and their loved ones.”
The HASC sets policy and provides oversight and guidance for defense policy generally, ongoing military operations, the organization and reform of the Department of Defense and Department of Energy, acquisition and industrial base policy, technology transfer and export controls, joint interoperability, the Cooperative Threat Reduction program, Department of Energy nonproliferation programs, and detainee affairs and policy.
The 1st Congressional District of Florida has maintained a large military presence ever since John Quincy Adams persuaded Spain to sell Florida to the United States in 1819, in part to gain a deepwater port at Pensacola. The U.S. Air Force also has a large presence in Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field. Nearly 14,000 people are employed at the base, which is one of the largest air bases in the world. Pensacola Naval Air Station was the first Navy base devoted to the specific purpose of aviation, and is the home of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. Whiting Field is one of the Navy’s two primary pilot training bases and home to Training Air Wing FIVE.
Jim Allen Elementary School Names Students Of The Month
January 11, 2017
Jim Allen Elementary School has named Students of the Month for December. They are Presley Langeck (left) and Laney Jackson. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Driver Involved In Crash After Swerving To Avoid A Cow
January 11, 2017
A driver that reportedly swerved to avoid a cow in the road was involved in a two vehicle crash Tuesday night in Molino
At least least one person was transported to a Pensacola hospital by ambulance following the 6:45 p.m. crash on Highway 97 north of Gibson Road. Their injuries were no considered life threatening.
The cow, which remained near the scene following the crash, was not injured. Additional details have not been released as the Florida Highway Patrol continues their investigation into the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Scott Proposes University Fee Freezes, Bright Futures Changes
January 11, 2017
Seeking to keep higher-education costs low and help more students graduate on time, Gov. Rick Scott on Tuesday has outlined an ambitious legislative agenda to cap student fees, eliminate sales taxes on textbook purchases and extend the Bright Futures scholarships to summer classes.
“Florida students should have every opportunity to earn a degree in four years without graduating with mountains of debt,” Scott said in a statement. “While we have fought to make higher education more affordable by holding the line on undergraduate tuition, there is much more that can be done to help students.”
The newest twist in Scott’s higher-education proposals, which he calls “Finish in Four, Save More,” for the 2017 Legislature is an effort to curb fees.
Students at Florida’s 12 state universities pay about $200 per credit hour on average to attend school. But half of that charge is for fees covering services such as health care, student activities, technology and transportation.
Scott wants to freeze fees for university students as well as for students who attend Florida’s 28 state colleges.
“I am calling on the state Legislature to freeze all fees at state colleges and universities,” Scott said.
Scott also wants to freeze tuition at the state colleges, as he has previously pushed at the state universities, saying it would make sure students “aren’t burdened with the constant skyrocketing costs.”
Scott also is renewing his call to extend the Bright Futures scholarships to summer classes. The merit scholarships now only apply to classes taken in the fall and spring semesters.
Making the scholarships cover courses during the summer will help students graduate in four years, said Scott, who has supported the scholarship extension since 2015, although lawmakers have yet to embrace the idea.
Scott said capping fees and providing more scholarships is important to making higher education more affordable.
“In business, you are expected to create more efficiencies or more value,” Scott said. “Our institutions need to provide more value to our students by becoming more affordable and helping students graduate in four years so they can save money and get a great job.”
Only 44 percent of students graduated in four years at state universities, ranging from a high of 67.3 percent at the University of Florida to a low of 13.4 percent at Florida A&M University. The Board of Governors, which oversees the university system, has set a goal of raising the systemwide four-year rate to 50 percent by 2025 and the six-year rate to 70 percent.
The idea behind expanding Bright Futures is that it will provide a financial incentive for more students to attend summer classes, increasing the chances they can graduate more quickly.
Currently, many Bright Futures students shun the summer classes since their scholarships don’t cover the costs. But extending the merit scholarships to summer classes will be costly, with the Board of Governors estimating the price tag between $26 million and $47 million a year, depending on how many students use the opportunity.
Scott’s proposal could compete somewhat in the 2017 legislative session with a plan from Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart, who wants to have Bright Futures cover the entire tuition cost for top scholarship students, known as “academic scholars.” The scholarships now only pay about half the cost of fees and tuition.
Scott is also renewing his call to eliminate sales taxes on textbook purchases by university and college students. The tax break would save students about $48 million a year.
A student taking five courses per semester would save a minimum of $60 a year, according to the plan.
by Lloyd Dunkelberger, The News Service of Florida
No Injuries In Quintette Accident
January 11, 2017
There were no injuries in a two vehicle wreck about 6:10 Tuesday night on Highway 95A at Quintette Road. Both drivers involved refused transport to the hospital by Escambia County EMS. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
ECSO: Girlfriend Slashes Boyfriend’s Tires Before Slashing Him
January 10, 2017
A man was slashed in the buttocks Monday night in Cantonment.
Authorities responded to the 1400 block of Neal Road about 10:19 p.m. where a man reported that he had been stabbed. Deputies discovered the incident was a domestic dispute, according to Amber Southard, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The woman allegedly slashed her boyfriend’s tires before slashing him, Southard said.
The man’s injuries were not considered serious. The woman is expected to face charges; her name has not yet been released.
NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Crisafulli Won’t Run For Ag Commissioner, No Clear Front Runner
January 10, 2017
Former House Speaker Steve Crisafulli bowed out of a potential race for agriculture commissioner on Tuesday, leaving the 2018 campaign for the Cabinet position without a clear front-runner.
Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island, comes from a family with deep roots in the state’s citrus industry and had made no secret of the fact that he was considering a bid for agriculture commissioner. Adam Putnam, who currently holds the post, is term-limited and expected to run for governor in 2018.
But in a statement issued Monday, Crisafulli said he was out of the race.
“I plan to remain politically active, but after years of travel to fulfill my obligations to the House Republican Conference and as speaker of the Florida House, there is nothing I want more than to spend time with my wife Kristen and our daughters as they finish out their final years of being at home before going off to college,” he said.
Crisafulli, who served as speaker from 2014 to 2016, said he has “no doubt a capable field of candidates will emerge who will be dedicated to the success of this critical industry.”
Crisafulli’s stint as speaker was itself a surprise, as he took the place of former Rep. Chris Dorworth, R-Lake Mary. Dorworth had been slated to become speaker in November 2014, but he was defeated in a bid for re-election in his district in 2012.
Crisafulli’s tenure as speaker was tumultuous at times. During Crisafulli’s first year at the helm, the House ended its session early as part of a health-care showdown with the Senate, sparking the need for special session to finish work on the budget.
The announcement Monday marked the second time in recent weeks that a former House speaker had taken himself out of the running for statewide office. Former Speaker Will Weatherford, a Wesley Chapel Republican who was speaker before Crisafulli, announced last month that he would not seek the governor’s office in 2018. Like Crisafulli, Weatherford said he wanted to spend more time with his young family.
Current House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes, is rumored to be considering a bid for governor, though he has been tight-lipped so far about his future plans.
The maneuvering is sparked in part by what could be wide-open races for the four top spots in state government. Gov. Rick Scott also faces term limits in 2018, along with Putnam and the two other Republican members of the Cabinet: Attorney General Pam Bondi and Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater.
Bondi is reportedly in line to receive a White House appointment from President-elect Donald Trump, while Atwater has said he won’t seek higher office in 2018. For his part, Scott is widely expected to run for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Bill Nelson, a Democrat.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
One Trapped After Nine Mile Crash
January 10, 2017
At least one person was briefly trapped in their vehicle in a crash Monday night on Nine Mile Road at Chemstrand Road.
A pickup truck and car apparently collided in the northern part of the intersection. The pickup then continued across Nine Mile Road onto Chemstrand Road, jumped a ditch a hit a parked car in the parking lot of Taco Bell. None of the injuries were believed to be life threatening.
Further details have not been released by the Florida Highway Patrol.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
