Florida Sentinel Bulletin

DONTARVIS SINGLETON

Tampa Police Detectives arrested 36-year-old Dontarvis Singleton in connection with the murder of a 46-year-old black male that occurred in the 1000 block of E. Poinsettia Ave. on July 22, 2024.
When officers were dispatched to the report of a shooting on Monday, July 22, 2024, they arrived to find the victim with multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. Homicide detectives immediately launched an investigation.
Gathering evidence, witness statements, and following up on leads, detectives identified Singleton as the suspect in the murder. Singleton and the victim were known to each other and reportedly had previous altercations. The investigation also revealed that a 2007 Chevy Suburban was used during the homicide.
Just after 2:30 a. m. on Thursday, July 25, 2024, Tampa Police Officers, following up on additional leads, located the Suburban and conducted a felony traffic stop in the 8700 block of Hyalea Rd. Singleton, the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, was taken into custody and transported to Orient Road Jail. The vehicle was impounded.
Singleton has been charged with Premeditated First Degree Murder with a Firearm and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

CRIS JENNINGS

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man responsible for a murder in Keystone.

On Monday, July 15, 2024, around 4:45 a. m., HCSO received a 9-1-1 call from an individual who located an unresponsive woman inside a residence on the 18000 block of Crescent Road.

Upon arrival, deputies located Valerie Dandrea, 64, with upper body trauma. She was pronounced deceased on the scene.

During the investigation, detectives spoke to Cris Jennings, 53, who lives on the property in a structure separate from the victim’s home. Jennings admitted there was a verbal altercation over cash that escalated into him shooting Dandrea.

Detectives also learned that Jennings threatened an additional victim with a firearm at his residence prior to deputies arriving.

Jennings is now facing charges of: pre-meditated first-degree murder; 2 counts of armed burglary with battery; aggravated battery; and armed false imprisonment.

This is an active investigation.

SILVIO RAMON FRANCO PERALTA

     A joint investigation between Tampa Police and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Department has result in Na arrest. The suspect was charged with a double murder.

     According to the Tampa Police Department, on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at approximately 2:59 p. m., Tampa Police responded to the 8700 block of N. Packwood Ave., in reference to an aggravated battery.

     Upon their arrival, officers located the victim, an adult male, with upper body trauma. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.

     During the investigation, Tampa Police detectives were made aware that the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office was working a separate homicide that occurred before the Packwood incident and was related. In HCSO’s investigation, the descendant was a female victim.

     The suspect, 35-year-old Silvio Franco Peralta, told Tampa Police detectives that he went to the residence on N. Packwood Ave. and confessed to the male victim what happened to the female victim and was seeking assistance from him to get rid of the weapon used, as well as other property.

     During the male victim’s attempt to return inside the residence, Peralta stabbed the victim. Peralta claimed the male victim pulled out a firearm, but on-scene evidence was not consistent with his claim.

     After the incident on N. Packwood Ave., Peralta fled the scene on foot and was later arrested by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office deputies.

     Peralta was transported to Orient Road Jail and charged with: one felony count of first-degree murder; first degree murder with a weapon; one felony count of tampering with physical evidence relating to a capital felony; one felony count of armed burglary of a dwelling, and one felony count of armed burglary of a structure.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office received a call for service regarding a deceased female in the 4800 block of Alvarado Drive in Tampa. When deputies arrived, they found Lianet Santos Sosa, 31, with upper body trauma. She was pronounced deceased at the scene.

     Through investigative means, detectives learned that Silvio Ramon Franco Peralta, 35, had fled the scene in the victim’s vehicle.

     Peralta then entered the City of Tampa at 8710 North Packwood Avenue, where he became involved in a deadly altercation with another individual, resulting in Peralta killing the man.

     Deputies issued an alert for the vehicle and initiated a pursuit upon locating the suspect. Within minutes, deputies performed a precision immobilization technique, stopping Peralta’s vehicle. Peralta attempted to flee the scene, but after a brief foot pursuit with deputies, he was arrested and taken into custody.

     Peralta is currently facing the following charges from HCSO: first-degree murder with a weapon (premeditated); armed burglary of a dwelling with an assault or battery; grand theft motor vehicle; aggravated fleeing to elude; driving with license cancelled, suspended, or revoked; resisting an officer without violence. This is an active investigation;

STEPHANIE PEDROSO

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a woman following violence that took place outside Astro Skate in May.

On Saturday, May 18, 2024, at 9:20 p. m., the Communications Center received a call from an off-duty HCSO deputy that a large crowd of 500 people had shown up to Astro Skate in Brandon, where several violent fights had broken out.

After further investigation, deputies have now arrested Stephanie Pedroso, 36, for her part in inciting the violence that took place that night. Deputies also arrested Pedroso’s husband, James Knight, II, 38, on an unrelated charge of driving with license suspended, canceled, or revoked (3rd offense).

Pedroso was booked on the following charges: inciting a riot; unlawful use of a two-way communication device; and driving with license suspended, canceled, or revoked (3rd offense).

Detectives found that Pedroso had initiated a contract with Astro Skate on May 14, 2024, to host an “after-hours birthday party” for her daughter. She shared the event on her daughter’s social media, which gained considerable attention and hundreds of likes.

In breach of the Astro Skate contract, she failed to secure the required off-duty deputies for the after-hours party. Due to the failure to meet the contract requirements, Astro Skate canceled the reservation on May 17, 2024. Pedroso was issued a refund.

That’s when Pedroso used her daughter’s social media to make a live video encouraging friends to show up to inflict violence in the community, which included many of the businesses around Astro Skate.

In the Instagram live video stream, Pedroso could be heard making multiple violent and vulgar statements as well as numerous racial slurs.

Several of those statements are included here: “For y’all, if y’all still go up there, tear the f—k out of them. I’ve got some money for y’all, and I’ll pay y’all ass”; “I hope everybody still show up and tear this bi..h up tomorrow; “Make them crackers work”; “Stress them the f–k out;”; and “F–k that, we should still go to Astro.”

In response to the comments on the live video, the following statements could also be heard: “They said, they still going;”; “They said they finna protest at Astro and still go and terrorize it.”

Once on scene, it took deputies nearly six hours to contain the behavior that led to one injury and five local businesses sustaining damage. Deputies arrested 23 juveniles and three adults for the escalation of the chaos at the scene.

TERRENCE JENKENS

On June 22, 2024, at approximately 3:28 a. m., Tampa Police responded to the 1900 block of N. Dale Mabry Hwy, near W. Spruce St., following reports of a three-vehicle crash.

Investigators were able to determine that the driver of the at-fault vehicle, a Chrysler Pacifica, failed to observe that a VW Jetta was slowing down for a red light. The Pacifica struck the Jetta, causing it to overturn. The other vehicle struck by the Pacifica was a Chrysler Town and Country, which was already stopped at the light.

As a result of the crash, one adult female victim, who was a rear passenger in the Jetta, succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Three other passengers in the Jetta were transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and were discharged a few days later.

There were no reported injuries to the subjects traveling in the Chrysler Town and Country.

The suspect and at-fault driver, 28-year-old Terrence Jenkins, exhibited signs of impairment at the scene, and a search warrant was obtained for a blood draw.

Results of the toxicology revealed that Jenkins’ Blood Alcohol Content was 0.126 – 1.5 times higher than the legal limit of 0.08.

On July 12, 2024, Jenkins turned himself in and was transported to Orient Road Jail.

Jenkins was charged with: one felony count of vehicular homicide, one felony count of DUI with serious bodily injury, and one felony count of DUI manslaughter.

     The investigation is ongoing.

ARAYIA HUDSON

…To remain behind bars

    The Tampa woman responsible for brutally beating her 4-year-old son to death will remain behind bars until trial. Chief of Major Crimes John Terry successfully argued that 37-year-old Arayia Hudson should not be granted bond. Hudson is charged with first-degree murder while engaged in aggravated child abuse.

      A Tampa Police homicide detective testified that Hudson admitted to repeatedly hitting the little boy and slamming his head into the bathroom wall after the boy made a mess in the bathroom. Hudson’s 9-year-old child also told police he witnessed the beating, and the victim was “almost unconscious” after getting kicked and hit by his mother. The Medical Examiner’s Office found that the 4-year-old victim died from blunt force trauma to the torso and head.

      After initially lying about the child’s injuries, Hudson admitted to police she struck him multiple times and used tinted sunscreen to conceal bruises around his eyes in the days following the abuse. Hudson’s two other children also told police that their mother would regularly force them to hold the 4-year-old’s hands back to keep him from protecting his body while she beat him.

      “The facts of this case will make anyone’s stomach churn. This defendant stole the life of an innocent child, and we will make sure she is held accountable for this horrific crime. This young boy’s family should be planning for him to begin kindergarten, not planning his funeral. We will make sure this defendant doesn’t have a chance to hurt another innocent child again,” said State Attorney Suzy Lopez.

     State Attorney Lopez leads a team of talented prosecutors and professional staff who are responsible for all criminal prosecutions in the 13th Judicial Circuit. The State Attorney’s Office is committed to keeping the public informed about the outcomes of major court cases to ensure transparency and accountability.

ALONZO LEWIS

      The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has arrested an 18-time convicted felon for drug trafficking.

     Over the past month, the efforts of HCSO’s Opioid Overdose Investigations Section led to the arrest of Alonzo Lewis, 34, who was peddling dangerous narcotics in the community.

     HCSO undercover detectives conducted multiple transactions, procuring more than 14 grams of fentanyl from Lewis, leading to his arrest.

     During the operation, Lewis was found to have other narcotics, including Cocaine and Oxycodone.

     “I am incredibly proud of our detectives for taking this Alonso Lewis off the streets. He was not only endangering the lives of our residents with that poison but also profiting said from illegal activities,” Sheriff Chronister. “Let me be clear: we will not tolerate this behavior. That is why we have established our Opioid Overdose Investigations Section, to ensure our streets are free of these deadly substances and those who attempt to distribute them in our community.”

     Lewis was charged with:

• Trafficking in Fentanyl 4 to 14 grams
• Trafficking in Fentanyl 28 grams or more
• Possession of Fentanyl with Intent to Sell
• Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Sell
• Possession of a Controlled Substance (Oxycodone) with Intent to Sell
• Attempted Purchase of Methamphetamine
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

      This is an active investigation.

RYAN MOSS

KELVIN DURAN

      Tampa Police arrested 26-year-old Ryan Moss and 27-year-old Kelvin Duran following a shooting outside the Pink Pussycat Lounge, located at 10924 N. Nebraska Ave., early on Friday, July 5th, 2024.

     “The swift response and quick action taken by the Tampa Police officers this morning prevented further violence and ensured the safety of all those involved,” said Chief Lee Bercaw. “Our top priority remains the well-being of the victims, and these arrests are the first step to ensuring they get the justice they deserve.”

      The incident began with a verbal and physical altercation between the suspects and a 25-year-old black male security guard, that spilled out of the club into the parking lot. Duran and Moss then drove their vehicle towards the club entrance, coming to a stop right in front of the business door.
When the security guard exited the building, Moss, who was in the front passenger seat, fired a 9mm handgun from the window, striking the security guard in the abdomen.

      The security guard returned fire, striking the car, and causing it to collide with another parked car.

     Tampa Police officers arrived on scene quickly, apprehending both suspects without further incident and ensuring first aid for the victims.
Three uninvolved Hispanic males in their early 30s were injured by gunfire and suffered non-life-threatening injuries. They were each transported to a nearby hospital for medical attention.
The security guard, who was also transported to the hospital, underwent emergency surgery, and is currently listed in critical but stable condition.

    All firearms involved were recovered.
Moss was charged with attempted murder in the first degree, and 4 counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.

     Duran was charged with principal to attempted murder in the first degree, and principal to aggravated battery with great bodily Harm or Deadly Weapon.

     Moss and Duran were both transported to Orient Road Jail.

ARAYIAH HUDSON

A 36-year-old
Tampa mother has been arrested and charged with murder. She is accused of killing her son.

According to Tampa police Ms. Arayiah Hudson has been charged in the murder of her son, Joseph Hudson.

Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said, “This is a heinous crime. Every child deserves to feel safe in their own home and especially with their own mother.

“The Tampa Police Department is committed to bringing justice for Joseph and ensuring the safety of all children in our community.”

On June 29th, 2024, at 4:37 a. m., Tampa Police officers responded to a 9-1-1 call at a home in the 8400 block of N. 15th St. The caller, Joseph’s mother, Arayiah Hudson, reported that her son was unresponsive. Officers arrived within minutes and provided CPR. Tragically, Joseph was later pronounced deceased at a nearby hospital.

According to initial reports from Hudson, Joseph began coughing and having difficulty breathing after eating potato chips and drinking water. However, the investigation quickly shifted when detectives found evidence revealing a potential history of abuse.

 A medical examination of Joseph’s body found numerous injuries, including bruises, abrasions, and internal bleeding. The autopsy concluded the cause of death to be blunt force trauma to the head and torso. Further investigation revealed that Hudson attempted to conceal the abuse by claiming to discipline Joseph and using tinted makeup to cover bruises around his eyes.

On July 1, 2024, just before 7:30 p. m., Hudson was arrested at her home and charged with first-degree murder while engaged in aggravated child abuse. She was transported to Orient Road Jail.

Joseph’s siblings were united with their biological fathers, who did not reside at the home.