Florida Sentinel Bulletin

Derek Zitko

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a U. S. Army retiree, Lieutenant Colonel Derek Zitko, on charges of lewd or lascivious battery and molestation involving a juvenile victim.

The investigation was launched after a victim came forward earlier this month. During the investigation, detectives learned the incidents occurred in 2013, after Zitko befriended the victim’s family. Zitko was 40-41 years old, and the victim was 13-14 years old at the time.

On August 20, 2024, Derek Zitko, 52, turned himself in after an arrest warrant was issued earlier that day.

Zitko served in the U. S. Army from June 1994, until his retirement in May 2015, and retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He has also been an active member of the Chapel at Fishhawk for approximately seven years, where he was as a small group leader and youth volunteer from 2018 to 2022.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office believes there may be additional victims and urges anyone with information to please come forward by calling (813) 247-8200.

Mark Brents

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a habitual offender after an organized retail theft unit investigation revealed a barcode manipulation scheme targeting Lowe’s stores across Hillsborough County and Clearwater.

Mark Brents, 57, who has been in prison eleven times and has been booked into the Orient Road Jail a staggering 74 times since 1985, has now been arrested for defrauding Lowe’s of more than $4,500 in merchandise during ten separate incidents.

The HCSO Organized Retail Theft Unit (ORT) became aware of the fraudulent activity and immediately launched an investigation earlier this month. Brents’ fraudulent activities involved placing barcodes from cheaper items onto more expensive products or scanning significantly less expensive items instead of paying the total price. This barcode manipulation scheme allowed him to defraud Lowe’s on multiple occasions.

Investigators also uncovered several ads placed online by Brents, advertising stolen items.

In coordination with the Clearwater Police Department, ORT launched a covert operation to arrest Brents. On August 21, 2024, Brents was observed driving erratically in a black Nissan Altima with an improper tag. Upon Brents’ return to his residence, the ORT, alongside with the Clearwater Police, successfully took Brents into custody.

Brents is facing multiple charges, including: organized scheme to defraud less than $20,000, retail theft $3,000 or more, and felony petit theft.

Brents was on probation for felony fleeing to elude at the time of his arrest. The Clearwater Police Department has filed additional charges related to the stolen property.

This is an ongoing investigation.

Sascha Engel

Alyssa Engel

A Hillsborough County Fire Rescue lieutenant is under arrest for engaging in sexual activities with a minor.

On April 27, 2024, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office became aware of the incident that occurred in March, 2024 at a married couple’s residence in Riverview.

After a thorough investigation, the Sheriff’s Office arrested Sascha Engel, 39, a Hillsborough County Fire Rescue lieutenant, and his wife, Alyssa Engel, 37, on August 22, 2024, after they forced a 16-year-old victim to engage in sexual acts with the couple.

Both Sascha Engel and Alyssa Engel are facing 3 counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor.

The investigation remains active and ongoing.

ROELMER FABRISIO MO-QUIX

     The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal stabbing in Plant City. An 18-year-old man has been charged with murder.

     On Friday, August 23, 2024, deputies responded to the report of a stabbing in the 5800 block of Bob Smith Avenue just before 1 a.m.

    Upon arrival, deputies located a victim with severe upper-body trauma. Throughout the investigation, detectives learned a verbal argument had ensued and escalated. The victim was transported to a local hospital and later died as a result of his injuries.

Roelmer Fabrisio Mo-Quix, 18, was arrested and is facing a murder in the second-degree with a weapon charge. The victim’s name will be released once his next of kin has been notified.

The investigation is continuing.

JESUS MENDOZA, JR.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office arrested a suspect who attempted to rob a bank in Sun City Center.

On Tuesday, August 6, 2024, at approximately 4:30 p. m., the suspect entered the Cadence Bank, 4842 Sun City Center Blvd., and passed a note to the teller demanding money. The suspect then fled in a vehicle with no license plate.
Through investigative means, detectives identified the suspect as Jesus Mendoza, Jr., 47. On Thursday, August 8, 2024, detectives arrested him and transported him to Orient Road Jail.

Jesus Mendoza, Jr. is facing one charge of robbery less than $750.

Mendoza, Jr., previously served time in federal prison for a bank robbery with a firearm that he committed in 2008.

ROSALYN FULLER

A 58-year-old woman has been arrested and charged in a deadly hit and run accident. Rosalyn Fuller, of St. Petersburg has been charged in the accident that took place on 4th Street, North, in June.

Fuller was arrested Sunday, August 11, on an arrest warrant. She was charged with hit and run – failure to stop at crash involving death and tampering with
evidence

St. Petersburg traffic investigators determined Fuller was the driver of the Honda Odyssey involved in the hit and run death of 62-year-old Kathy Repke on
June 25, 2024.

Shortly before 9 p. m. that evening, Repke was crossing east to west in a
marked crosswalk in the 6900 block of 4th Street North. She was struck, and
later died at a local hospital.

Traffic investigators identified Fuller as a person with possible knowledge about the incident. She volunteered to speak to investigators about the case.

Last week, an arrest warrant was issued for Fuller’s arrest.

TRISTIN WRIGHT

MARCUS JENKINS

     The Hillsborough County Sheriff‘s Office has arrested 2 men and is seeking a third for robbery and other offenses. The incident took place on Friday, August 2, 2024.

     According to police, a Tampa couple had visited the Hardrock Casino and won an undisclosed amount of money. The shooting occurred at approximately 5 a. m., outside a residence on the 11000 block of Dalhalla Woods Drive, in Riverview.

     Without their knowledge, three men followed them and attempted to rob them when they reached their residence. The entire incident, including the woman being shot for the third time, was captured on camera. Both are recovering from their injuries.

     Police arrested 34-year-old Marcus Jenkins and 36-year-old Tristin Wright.

     Tristin Wright was charged with: 2 counts of robbery with a firearm or deadly weapon less than $750; principal to attempted murder in the first-degree premeditated; 2 counts of discharging a firearm and 2 counts of principal to aggravated battery great bodily harm or deadly weapon.

     Marcus Jenkins was charged with: 2 counts of   attempted murder in the first-degree premeditated with a firearm; 2 counts of a firearm with great bodily harm; 2 counts of robbery with a firearm (less than $750) firearm – great bodily harm/death; 2 counts of aggravated battery great bodily harm or deadly weapon firearm; 2 counts of discharging a firearm; and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

     Detectives are still searching for a third man connected to this crime.

BRANDALE SWAILS

United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg said that Brandale Swails, 29, of Tampa, has pleaded guilty to brandishing a firearm during the commission of a Hobbs Act Robbery. Swails faces a minimum mandatory sentence of seven years, up to life, in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for November 7, 2024.

According to court documents, Swails arrived at a gas station on a bicycle, entered the business, pointed a gun at a clerk, and demanded money. The employee immediately hid behind the counter. Swails jumped over the counter towards the clerk while continuing to point the firearm at him.

Swails then stated he would shoot the clerk if he did not open the register. Swails continued to hold the victim at gunpoint while directing him into a bathroom. Swails then exited the business and fled on a bicycle. Swails was arrested two weeks later, hiding inside a bedroom closet.

     Rashad Murphy was arrested early Tuesday morning.

Jacksonville officials made another arrest after a dramatic standoff in the death of rapper Julio Foolio, less than 24 hours from when the first three arrests were announced.

Julio Foolio, whose real name is Charles Jones, was celebrating his 26th birthday on June 23^rd when he was fatally shot in the parking lot of the Holiday Inn Tampa North. Three others were injured.

Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of Rashad Murphy on X on Tuesday. The sheriff’s office gang and SWAT units surrounded an apartment complex and evacuated nearby residents.

Officials spent hours negotiating with Murphy and SWAT members used tactics to force the man out. He surrendered to police just after midnight.