Former Escambia Businessmen Sentenced To 20 Years On Federal Spice, Money Laundering Charges
September 12, 2020
Benjamin Galecki, former Pensacon CEO, and Burton Ritchie, former owner of The Psychedelic Shack in Pensacola, have been sentenced to 20 years each in federal prison on “spice” related charges.
After a 10 day federal jury trial in Las Vegas, Nevada, Ritchie, 49, Galecki, 46, were found guilty of 24 counts, including operating a continuing criminal enterprise, manufacturing and possessing with the intent to distribute controlled substance analogues, and money laundering, among other related charges.
According to court documents and evidence presented during trial, from March 21 to July 25, 2012, Ritchie and Galecki owned and managed Zencense Incenseworks, a company that manufactured smokable synthetic cannabinoid products commonly known as spice. They also marketed and sold them as “potpourri,” “incense,” or “aromatherapy”.
Ritchie and Galecki rented a warehouse in Las Vegas for the sole purpose of manufacturing these synthetic products, which contained the dangerous chemical XLR-11 — a controlled substance analogue. At the Las Vegas warehouse, a Zencense employee would mix XLR-11 with acetone and liquid flavoring, and then apply the chemical mixture to dried plant material. Next, the employee would mail the compounded mixture to Ritchie and Galecki in Pensacola where other workers would place the spice into small retail bags.
The defendants sold their products — with suggestive brand names such as “Bizarro,” “Orgazmo,” “Headhunter,” and “Defcon 5 Total Annihilation” — to smoke shops across the United States. From June 1 to July 25, 2012, Ritchie and Galecki were responsible for manufacturing and distributing approximately 4,000 pounds of spice, and they made approximately $1.61 million selling XLR-11 spice manufactured in Nevada, according to federal court testimony.
The defendants were also ordered to forfeit approximately $2.5 million as a result of their illegal enterprise in the District of Nevada.
“Charles Burton Ritchie and Benjamin Galecki operated a nationwide criminal enterprise, selling dangerous drugs worth millions of dollars that contained illegal ingredients imported from China,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian C. Rabbitt of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “These sentences demonstrate the department’s commitment to aggressively pursuing criminals who seek to circumvent U.S. drug laws by selling dangerous drugs that threaten the health of our communities across the nation.”
“Working collaboratively with our justice partners to rid our communities of spice and other toxic cannabinoid products helps save lives,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Dan Neill of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Las Vegas Field Office. “Disrupting this organization sends a clear message that we will not tolerate those who prey on our communities to further their criminal activity.”
“Ritchie and Galecki benefited greatly at the detriment of our community and others by putting illegal drugs on the streets and profiting from it,” said Special Agent in Charge Tara Sullivan, IRS Criminal Investigation. “IRS Criminal Investigation is proud to serve on the side of justice to clean up the streets.”
Friday Night Football Finals
September 12, 2020
Flomaton 25, Cottage Hill 8
Escambia Academy 35, Wilcox Academy 6
T.R. Miller 52, Chickasaw 6
Mobile Christian 38, W.S. Neal 9
Escambia County (Atmore) — Off
Local high schools in Florida begin play on September 18.
Escambia County Woman Sentenced In Fatal DUI Crash After Mardi Gras Parade
September 12, 2020
An Escambia County woman has been sentenced for a deadly DUI crash after a Mardi Gras parade last year.
Circuit Court Judge Jan Shackelford sentenced Cherri Lee Baker to 13 years and seven months in prison for DUI manslaughter, DUI causing injury, leaving the scene of a crash involving death, and leaving the scene of a crash involving injury.
After attending a Mardi Gras parade on March 2, 2019, Baker was traveling eastbound on Cervantes Street in a Nissan Rogue when she merged into a lane occupied by a Honda Accord. The Accord was driven by 35-year old Brian Nielson of Pensacola with his wife, 31-year old Neilimar Sanchez-Neilson in the passenger seat.
The driver of a Dodge Dakota did not have sufficient time to react then hit the Accord.
Sanchez-Neilson did not survive her injuries. Nielson and the driver of the Dodge Dakota were injured.
Baker fled the scene and abandoned her vehicle a short distance way.
“However, she was located and apprehended by the Pensacola Police Department due to the assistance of a witness who followed her from the scene of the crash. Analysis of a sample of her blood taken after the crash revealed a blood-alcohol content of .184, over twice the legal limit,” State Attorney Bill Eddins said.
Baker had been previously convicted of DUI in 2013.
2018 Grand Jury Report On ECUA Allegations Released With Critical Findings And Recommendations
September 11, 2020
Over two years after it was issued, a grand jury report on the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority was released Friday afternoon.
An Escambia County grand jury completed its review into complaints and allegations involving ECUA in July 2018. But that report was never released due to appeals filed by ECUA seeking to block it from becoming public.
A grand jury was convened and tasked with review of the operations, policies, and procedures of ECUA, specifically the grand jury investigation related to eminent domain proceedings, Florida public records and sunshine law, ECUA Board supervision, and delegation of authority.
Following its investigation and witness testimony, the grand jury concluded that criminal charges were not appropriate and returned a no true bill. However, because the grand jury was “deeply concerned” by the testimony it received, it issued the report. Under Florida law, individuals named in the report were given the opportunity to move to repress or expunge improper unlawful portions of the report. The appeals were ultimately rejected by the First District Court of Appeal.
In reading the findings below and the linked report, keep in mind it was issued two years ago and several aspects have changed. For instance, former ECUA director Stephen Sorrell has since retired, and then board member Elvin McCorvey passed away in January 2019.
TO READ THE FULL REPORT, CLICK HERE (PDF).
In the report, the grand jury made the following recommendations:
“We find that the Board has been grossly negligent in their supervision of the executive director, Stephen Sorrell. This is particularly true in the matter involving Bear Marcus Pointe and in their delegation to Sorrell of unlimited authority.
“We believe that the absence of term limits on Board Members has created a sense of complacency and has fostered an overreliance on the executive director and attorneys. An amendment to the Special Act should be considered that would place term limits on Board Members.
“A clear policy should be established regarding the signing of documents, particularly those involving real property. We believe that the Board Chair should sign such documents. Whenever the executive director is authorized to sign documents on behalf of the Board, there should be clear direction by way of resolution giving that authorization.
“There should be a policy, with deadlines, to honor commitments so that builders and developers can properly plan future projects. ECUA should formalize the development process in order to provide cost predictability related to design standards, requirements, and timelines once initial plans have been submitted. The Board should hold a public forum to discuss the development process.
“ECUA should develop an advisory board to review engineering manuals and standards to ensure that the manuals are consistent with other similar water and sewer agencies. Public stakeholders should be involved in this process.
“We strongly recommend that the Board hire an in-house attorney and support staff who are paid by salary and not on an hourly basis. We believe this would reduce the incentive oflitigation and would foster good will with businesses and individuals that ECUA works with. We also recommend that ECUA maintain a relationship with an attorney who specializes in eminent domain cases.
“Indemnity and hold harmless agreements should be in all easements unless specifically prohibited by law. This is standard practice for Gulf Power Company. ECUA has given such coverage to Gulf Power but refused the same request by the owner of the property.
“There should be specific policies in place requiring ECUA attorneys to provide regular briefing on attorney’s fees and litigation costs in pending cases.
“We recommend that appraisal procedures be reviewed particularly as they relate to eminent domain cases. We have noticed appraisals that were considerably under value that resulted in potentially unnecessary litigation.
ODOM AND BARLOW (ECUA’s attorneys)
“We find that Odom and Barlow heavily misled the Board and failed to keep them informed regarding pending litigation. Information involving settlement offers and discovery sanctions were never presented to the Board. Odom and Barlow did not advise the Board in a timely manner regarding issues with their email system or the missed deadline for the filing of an appeal. This resulted in four years of additional litigation and more than $460,000 in cost to ECUA.
“We recommend that ECUA continue to pursue possible legal malpractice claims against Odom and Barlow.
“Board members have indicated that they have asked for documents regarding legal fees and expenses, but have not been provided that information. Information regarding attorney expenses should be available at all times. ECUA should establish accounting procedures to make this information readily available.
“We find that Odom and Barlow were making policy decisions. This should not continue. We specifically find that they made policy decisions regarding indemnification and hold harmless agreements.
In their testimony, Board members have been very supportive of Bradley Odom. Other witnesses did not share this opinion. In his testimony, we found Odom to be both unprofessional and unprepared. We make these findings because they are important and should be considered by the Board in future decisions.
STEPHEN SORRELL
“We recommend that an independent review be conducted to determine if Stephen Sorrell should retain his position as executive director of ECUA. Of particular concern are his actions in the Bear Marcus Pointe case. We recommend that the employment contract for the executive director be renegotiated every two years with no automatic renewal provision. The current contract has been in place since 2004.
“We recommend that the executive director be formally evaluated annually and that a public feedback component should be included.
SUNSHINE/PUBLIC RECORDS
“We recommend ECUA contract with an outside agency to provide annual training for all employees on the requirements for both Sunshine and Public Record
Ascend’s New Mask Technology To Protect Against COVID-19 Is Now Available For Preorder
September 11, 2020
Ascend Performance Materials has made their new mask technology available to the public for purchase.
In July, NorthEscambia.com first reported that Ascend developed a new mask technology that protect against SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19, and the material to make it is manufactured at the company’s North Escambia facility on Old Chemstrand Road.
The Acteev Protect Nonwoven Mask is a reusable general purpose mask that features powerful built-in antimicrobial technology to protect the mask from odor-causing bacteria and mold fungi in a soft, breathable, comfortable fabric that is gentle on the skin.
It’s now available for preorder at acteev.com.
The mask is the first in a series of planned Acteev product introductions that will include a knit fabric mask and a sports gaiter. The company also announced it is designing an N95 respirator and a line of surgical masks and is developing more engineering plastics solutions for high-touch surfaces such as light switches and tray tables; textiles for use in scrubs and hospital gowns; and nonwoven fibers and rolled goods for use in applications such as filtration systems.
The expansion into masks is a natural extension for Ascend, which is the largest producer of nylon 6,6 resin in the world, said Lu Zhang, Ph.D., who joined Ascend earlier this year as vice president and leader of the Acteev business. “The nylon Ascend makes is durable enough to be used under the hood of a car, but when it’s spun into fibers, it can be woven or knitted into fabrics that are soft and silky,” she said. “Combined with our antimicrobial Acteev technology, our fabric makes an Acteev Protect Nonwoven Mask more breathable, more comfortable and more wearable than anything else we’ve encountered in the market.”
The Acteev Protect Nonwoven Mask is an ideal choice for anyone seeking better protection, comfort and breathability than a typical blue mask and better availability than an N95 respirator, which are reserved for health care workers, Zhang said.
“Masks only inhibit the spread if they’re worn – that’s why comfort and breathability are so important,” Zhang said. “As we send our kids back to school, return to the workplace, resume shopping and otherwise get back to normal life, we need an option that is long-lasting and wearable for hours.
“They’re great for teachers, restaurant staff, transportation workers, industrial personnel and anyone whose lifestyle takes them out of their homes and into the world,” Zhang said.
Recent testing on the knit fabric completed at the University of Cambridge has demonstrated that Acteev technology deactivates the virus that causes COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, with 99.9% efficacy on contact1. Ascend is working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other governmental agencies to obtain the appropriate regulatory clearances to make specific claims regarding the technology’s antiviral properties.
Acteev Protect Nonwoven Masks are made with Acteev™ technology with active zinc ions in a polymer matrix to destroy microbes.
“Acteev’s active layer of defense uses safe, environmentally friendly active zinc ions embedded into the matrix of the polymer – not a chemical spray that will wash away or flake off – meaning these masks can be used again and again,” said Phil McDivitt, CEO of Ascend.
The Acteev Protect Nonwoven Masks are constructed with three layers of zinc-embedded materials.
“Our scientists and engineers invented a process for creating a revolutionary new fabric that checks all the boxes,” McDivitt said. “Acteev™ fabric is soft to the touch and moisture-wicking to keep the face cool, and it’s more breathable than other materials used in masks.”
Our View: Where Were You That September Morning?
September 11, 2020
We publish this piece on an annual basis, and we encourage you to comment below, answering the question ‘Where Were You That September Morning?
September 11, 2001. It’s been 19 years.
Life, at least when that morning began, seemed good. I’ve always been a work at home dad, so I was home with my two girls. The youngest was almost four months old, and the oldest was approaching her fourth birthday. It was a normal morning. The little one was asleep, “fat and happy” as we used to say, after a morning bottle. The oldest was in the living room just a few feet from my office watching PBS Kids on the TV as I worked on a project for a client.
Then this arrived in my inbox:
Subject: CNN Breaking News
From: BreakingNews@CNN.COM
Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2001 08:52am– World trade center damaged; unconfirmed reports say a plane has
crashed into tower. Details to come.
I got up, walked to the living room and flipped the TV to CNN. They were talking about how a pilot could make such an error, hitting such a large building. They were speculating that it was just a small plane. But then as the TV news helicopters zoomed their cameras in closer, the anchors were beginning to notice what I had already thought….those holes the tower were to big to have been a small plane.
(continues below photo)
I called my wife at work in Atmore. She had seen the breaking news email, and had tried to visit the CNN website to see the story. If you remember trying to use the internet that morning, it was near impossible to get a news website to load; they were all overloaded. She was unable to see the pictures. I was describing what I saw on the TV to her.
I managed to grab a picture from CNN via my web server and then download and email it to her. We were speculating about how it could happen when the second one hit.
I remember saying “wait, hold on, wait…”. I told her what I just watched on the TV. The second plane had hit the other tower. We quickly decided that we were at war as the anchors on TV speculated again that perhaps there was a problem with some navigational system, causing jetliners on a beautiful, clear morning in New York to fly into some of the tallest structures in the world.
Another breaking news email arrived:
Subject: CNN Breaking News
From: BreakingNews@CNN.COM
Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2001 09:21am– Second plane crashes into World Trade Center.
She and I began to speculate ourselves that we were at war. What would we do? What should we do? What about the kids? It was not panic, understand, but just that protective momma and daddy instinct, I suppose. Prayer. That was a good idea. Maybe go to the bank and get out a little cash. That seemed like a good idea. How would you prep for a war on American soil? We were not sure.
I continued to relay information about what I was seeing on TV to my wife at work, who, in turn, would relay the information to her coworkers. They had a TV, but no cable service or antenna. They ended up fashioning a homemade antenna to see a fuzzy picture.
Meanwhile, the breaking news emails kept arriving…
Subject: CNN Breaking News
From: BreakingNews@CNN.COM
Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2001 09:32am– Sources tell CNN one of two planes that crashed into World Trade
Center was an American Airlines 767.
Subject: CNN Breaking News
From: BreakingNews@CNN.COM
Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2001 09:42am– President Bush calls plane crashes at World Trade Center a
terrorist act.
Subject: CNN Breaking News
From: BreakingNews@CNN.COM
Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2001 09:45am– Significant fire at the Pentagon. Details to come.
Subject: CNN Breaking News
From: BreakingNews@CNN.COM
Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2001 09:46am– White House evactuated. Details to come.
The Pentagon on fire? The White House evacuated? Notice that in CNN’s email they were in such a hurry that they misspelled “evacuated”. One sentence at a time, the situation became more grave.
Subject: CNN Breaking News
From: BreakingNews@CNN.COM
Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2001 09:55am– CNN confirms a plane hit the Pentagon
Subject: CNN Breaking News
From: BreakingNews@CNN.COM
Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2001 10:03am– One of World Trade Center towers collapses; fire forces
evacuation of State Department
Subject: CNN Breaking News
From: BreakingNews@CNN.COM
Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2001 10:30am– Second World Trade Center tower collapses in Manhattan
Over and over, we watched those towers collapse on TV, and we watched our Pentagon burn.
Our almost four year old asked a lot of questions. “Were people hurt? Did they need a Band-aid?” The magnitude of the event was lost on a four year old. Looking back at those first few hours, I think the magnitude of the event was lost on all of us.
Like many Americans, I sat glued to the TV that day, continuing to watch the video of the towers falling. Our almost four year old asked if another building fell down or if it was the same one. It was time to change the channel on the TV.
You might remember that many of the entertainment TV stations ran network news feeds. Others just simply ran screens about the day’s events. There was no USA network, no ESPN, no MTV. But on PBS, we found children’s programming at a time it was not normally on. For a little while, sitting in the living room floor holding my kids, the world stopped turning that September day, as we watched Big Bird and the Cookie Monster.
Country artist Alan Jackson later wrote a song “Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning?”.
Some of those lyrics:
Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Out in the yard with your wife and children
Working on some stage in LA
Did you stand there in shock at the site of
That black smoke rising against that blue sky
Did you shout out in anger
In fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cryDid you weep for the children
Who lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones who don’t know
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left belowBut I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is love
Where where you when the world stopped turning that September day? Your comments are welcome below.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Bethany (Reynolds) Landis, click to enlarge.
Florida Bars Can Reopen On Monday At 50% Capacity
September 11, 2020
Florida will allow bars to reopen at 50% capacity on Monday as the state’s COVID-19 cases continue to subside.
Department of Business and Professional Regulation Secretary Halsey Beshears signed an executive order Thursday night that rescinds the restrations his department placed on bars just three weeks after they reopened in June after coronavirus cases surged.
“In meetings with hundreds of owners of bars and breweries across the state, I’ve heard their stories of struggle, and I’ve observed their serious commitment to making health and safety a continuing priority in their businesses,” Beshears said in a statement. “It’s time that we take this step, and it’s vital that we start moving forward with this sector of our hospitality industry who have endured one of the toughest paths for sustaining a business during this pandemic.”
Alcohol vendors may operate at 50% capacity, allow bar service to seated patrons, and permit outdoor seating and service with appropriate social distancing, according to the order.
DeSantis Appoints Two To Northwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board
September 11, 2020
Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed two new members to the Northwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board. They are Kelli Ralston and Nicholas “Nick” Patronis.
Kellie Ralston
Ralston, of Tallahassee, is the Southeast Fisheries Policy Director for the American Sportfishing Association. She has served as a fisheries management analyst for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and currently serves on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council’s Ad Hoc Red Snapper Private Angler Advisory Panel. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biology from Florida State University.
Nicholas “Nick” Patronis
Patronis, of Panama City Beach, is an owner of Captain Anderson’s Restaurant and Waterfront Market. He has served his community as a member of the Life Management Center of Northwest Florida Board of Directors, the Florida Restaurant Association, and the National Restaurant Association. Patronis attended Gulf Coast Community College.
The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
The Northwest Florida Water Management District’s mission protect and manage water resources in a sustainable manner for the continued welfare of people and natural systems across its 16-county region from the Perdido River in Escambia County to the St. Marks River Basin in Jefferson County.
Pictured: Fillingim Land along the Perdido River in North Escambia is managed by the Northwest Florida Water Management District. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Free Peanut Butter, Jelly And Bread Giveaway Saturday In Dogwood Park
September 11, 2020
Dogwood Baptist Church will be lending a helping hand Saturday to those in need of food with a drive-thru peanut butter, jelly and bread giveaway.
It will take place at the church, 3301 Highway 97 (corner of Highway 97 and Chaudron Road north of Molino), from until 11 a.m. Saturday, or while supplies last.
Attendees should stay in their vehicles, and a volunteer to take the food to the vehicles. Everyone in the community is welcome.
File photo.
UWF Receives Gift To Create A School Of Music
September 11, 2020
The University of West Florida announced a gift to rename the Department of Music. An anonymous contribution has established the Dr. Grier Williams School of Music in memory of the first chair of the music department.
“This incredibly generous and forward-looking gift will enhance our ability to provide the very best music education for our students,” UWF President Martha D. Saunders said. “I expect great things from the Dr. Grier Williams School of Music.”
The majority of the gift will establish a needs-based scholarship endowment for students in the School of Music and members of the Argo Athletic Band. The remaining funds will allow the school to fulfill its five-year plan and work toward long-term goals of establishing a symphony orchestra, an opera program, a piano series and a graduate program.
“This gift is transformational for our music students,” said Dr. Sheila Dunn, associate professor and chair of the music department. “It will put UWF on the map, creating visibility and recognition for our faculty and students.”
Dunn emphasized the need for higher education opportunities in music to serve talented young musicians in Pensacola and beyond.
“As a Pensacola native, it’s a unique honor to shepherd this incredible gift,” she said. “I know how talented the young musicians are in our area. We have some of the best choral and band programs in the nation right here in the surrounding districts. Young people in our area are immersed in education programs from the Pensacola Opera, Pensacola Symphony, Pensacola Children’s Chorus and other area arts organizations.
“These young musicians are passionate about serious music-making and giving back to the community. I envision this gift drawing students to our program from around the nation and the world, while also having a major impact on those from our local community.”
The UWF music department offers three undergraduate degree programs—Bachelor of Music in Performance, Bachelor of Music Education, and a Bachelor of Arts in Music and Outside Field. The B.A. in Music and Outside Field allows students an opportunity to prepare for employment in a variety of disciplines including music, the humanities, education, health and STEM fields.
Williams founded the UWF music department in 1967 and helped it earn national accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Music in 1971. He served as chair of the department for 25 years. For 17 years, he also served as principal conductor of the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra. Williams invited local school teacher Susan Pote to assemble a group of children to accompany the orchestra for choral pieces in 1990, which led to the formation of the standalone Pensacola Children’s Chorus. Williams encouraged others to strive for excellence and made immense contributions to the University and community.
“It is an honor and a joy to know that I worked with Dr. Williams as a young singer in the first Pensacola Symphony Children’s Chorus,” Dunn said. “His name evokes fond memories of a great man, musician and leader in everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.”