Florida Sentinel Bulletin

A 51-year-old woman was arrested and charged with grand theft and burglary after she filed an Adverse Possession form with the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser’s Office. She was released after posting a $22,500 bond.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Mrs. Janella Pollock filed the Adverse Possession form on a home located at 6915 Potomac Circle, in Riverview. After being filed, the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser notified the owner of the property by mail.

The owner, who now lives in Alabama, told detectives that she had not given anyone permission to move into the vacant home. She further stated that she was forced to move because of financial difficulties, but was negotiating with the bank to pay the back-owed mortgage.

Police said Mrs. Pollack hired a locksmith February 15, 2013, and had the locks changed on the residence. Mrs. Pollack, her husband, who is a deputy with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, and her teenage children moved into the residence and began living in it. She also had electricity and water restored to the home.

Once contacted by police, Mrs. Pollack and her family moved out of the house. She was arrested on August 15^th, and charged with grand theft and burglary.

A spokesperson for the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said Mrs. Pollock’s name was the only name that appeared on any of the documents. However, the investigation is continuing and police have not determined if other arrests will take place.

On Friday afternoon, a 12-member jury and 4 alternates were chosen in the trial of a man accused of killing a baby four years ago. The state is seeking the death penalty in the case.

Mark Cox, spokesman for the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office said about 200 people had been summoned to appear for jury duty. The panel of jurors consists of 10 white females, 1 Black man, 2 Hispanic men, and 3 white men.

The State is seeking the death penalty in the case. Opening arguments began in the case before Judge William Fuente Monday.

Defense attorneys representing Richard Antony McTear, Jr., have entered a not guilty plea and contend that someone else committed the crime.  McTear is accused of taking 3-month-old Emmanuel Wesley Murray, Jr., from his mother, Ms. Jasmine Bedwell on May 5, 2009, around 3:15 a.m.

Ms. Bedwell told Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies that McTear, 25, who was her boyfriend at the time, had taken her baby during a fight. McTear, also allegedly threw the infant down on the concrete before fleeing with him.

Around 4:30 a.m., that morning, a passerby discovered the infant on Interstate 275, southbound at Fowler Avenue. The preliminary investigation indicated that the infant had been thrown from a vehicle. The body was identified as that of the infant Murray.

Police later found McTear hiding in the backyard of an apartment in the Robles Park Public Housing Complex and was taken into custody by the Tampa Police Department.

McTear was charged with several crimes including first-degree murder, felony battery, burglary with battery, aggravated child abuse and kidnapping.

As McTear was being escorted to jail, reporters yelled questions at him about the crime. His response was, ‘It’s a dirty game.’

McTear has been in the Hillsborough County Jail without bond since his arrest on May 5, 2009.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

U. S. Attorney General Eric Holder made the following comments during his speech at the Annual Meeting of the American Bar Association’s House of Delegates:

“This means that federal prosecutors cannot — and should not — bring every case or charge every defendant who stands accused of violating federal law. Some issues are best handled at the state or local level. And that’s why I have today directed the U. S. Attorney community to develop specific, locally-tailored guidelines — consistent with our national priorities — for determining when federal charges should be filed, and when they should not.

“…I have directed all U. S. Attorneys to create — and to update — comprehensive anti-violence strategies for badly-afflicted areas within their districts. And I’ve encouraged them to convene regular law enforcement forums with state and local partners to refine these plans, foster greater efficiency, and facilitate more open communication and cooperation.”

A. Lee Bentley, III, Acting U. S. Attorney, for the Middle District of Florida said, “Our Office is currently studying the guidance offered by the Department of Justice, to determine how to best proceed with our cases.

The Middle District of Florida is the second largest in the nation in terms of population; 16th in terms of attorneys. We try to apply federal law [minimum mandatory statutes] to those cases where it is evident that an individual poses a danger to the community through violent behavior, drug trafficking, or habitual criminal activity.

“We will continue to work with our various law enforcement partners on the local, state, and federal level to determine the best application of the law.”

Mark Cox, spokesman for the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office said, “The mandate won’t affect us directly, because we still have state laws.”

Attorney Edwin Randolph said, “My thoughts on Atty. Holder’s comments are that they have been a long time coming. Federal minimum mandatory sentencing laws, particularly those pertaining to possession of narcotics, have negatively afflicted the African American community since the 1980s.

“The U. S. Attorney’s Office would prosecute simple drug crimes on the federal level without properly evaluating the effects on Black neighborhoods, especially when it came to depriving households of male figures.

“I am encouraged that policies are now being implemented to ensure that the proper discretion is exercised when making charging decisions. Consequently, the states will have an increase in their caseload of drug offenses. However, defendants will face much lighter sentences compared to what they would have encountered on the federal level in light of Attorney General Holder’s new strategy.”

State Senator Arthenia Joyner, who is also a practicing attorney said, “Attorney General Holder is correct in saying that the war on drugs has been a failure. With one of the highest prison populations in the country, Florida needs to rethink the way we treat non-violent petty drug offenders.

“Obviously, the only “success” we’ve seen from the traditional “lock ‘em up” approach is for the bottom line of the private prison industry. Prison punishment for drug offenders should be reserved for high-level violent drug offenders with ties to organized crime and cartels. Our tax dollars could be better spent on more effective programs for minor offenders, as I’ve long advocated.”

Attorney Grady Irvin, Jr., said, “It is something that is certainly long overdue. The impact of the current sentencing structure not only impacts the inmates serving the sentence, but also their families.

“However, it is important to not lose sight that illegal conduct does warrant punishment that will hopefully curve recidivism. So with that in mind, it should not be considered as a pass or get out of jail free card.”

Attorney Barbara Arnwine, President and Executive Director of The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law said, “We applaud Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr.’s historic and game-changing announcement that the Justice Department will no longer seek severe mandatory sentences for low-level nonviolent drug offenders with no ties to gangs or large-scale drug organizations. This common sense, instrumental approach to drug enforcement and criminal justice is an important step toward addressing unconscionable racial disparities in the federal justice system.”

BY LEON B. CREWS
Sentinel Staff Writer

When Cornelius Pate, Sr. decided he wanted to shed a few pounds last year, he discovered there weren’t any weight devices that were adjustable.

“What I wanted was something I could hold in my hand, and be able to adjust the weight without changing the device. That’s when I came up with the concept for fitness sticks.

“Fitness sticks are a pair of hand-held weights that can be made lighter or heavier by removing some of the weight bars inside.”
Pate spent a year working on his fitness sticks, and has developed a prototype.

“That’s when I heard that Wal-Mart was giving inventors an opportunity to get their products on their shelves. They started out with 5,000 inventors, and now I’m among the 1,000 that will enter the next phase.

“I contacted an engineer to design the fitness sticks for me, and I’ve gotten them patented and trademarked. I’ve introduced them to sporting good stores in the area, and they were all very receptive.”

Pate said his wife, Lyette, has been very helpful in helping him with his invention, and taking care of their five children.

“My wife and I have been married for 25 years, and we both are college graduates. I need people to go on the Wal-Mart website, and vote for them to adopt my fitness sticks. The contest ends September 3rd, and my website is http://www.fitnesssticks.com/.”

Pate is an Associate Pastor at Freedom M.B. Church.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

The body of a two-year-old was recovered from the Hillsborough River early Wednesday. The child had wandered off from his mother Tuesday evening while at a Tampa Park.

The Tampa Police Department received a 9-1-1 call about a missing child shortly after 8:30 p.m., Tuesday. The child, along with his mother, Ms. Alicia Sanders, his 6-year-old brother and 4-year-old sister, had been at the Temple Crest Park, 8116 37th Street, North for football practice.

Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor said police employed all of their resources as they searched for Armani Pierce throughout the night. Early Wednesday morning, blood hounds picked up the child’s scent on a portion of the river bank. Divers located the child’s body in about 6 feet of water.

“Anytime we have a missing child, we use all of our resources. We had our Marine Unit, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office sent divers and their boat, Tampa Fire Rescue responded, the FDLE sent 6 agents and their CART team, and the National Missing and Exploited Children Agency responded,” Chief Castor said.

“This is a very tragic situation, a very tragic accident. It is every parent’s nightmare. We used all of our resources when a child is reported missing,” she said. Police also contacted all of the known sex offenders in the area.

Family Thanks Community For Support

As the news of the missing two-year-old spread Tuesday evening, members of the community began searching for the missing child. Many of them remained at the park throughout the night until Armani’s body was found early Wednesday morning.

A Tampa native, Armani’s maternal grandparents are Ms. Jackie Sanders, and Ralph Bellamy. His paternal grandparents are Ms. Theresa Preston, Carlos Pierce, Sr., and Thomas Simmons.

Ms. Sanders said, “We just want to thank every for supporting our family. We really appreciate everything.”

Simmons described Armani as a typical 2-year-old. He was a sweet child. He loved football, playing with his toys, and he thought he was a big fellow. This is just a sad situation.”

Fundraisers Planned

The family is currently in need of assistance to handle funeral expenses. Pastor Cornelius Hamilton, owner of Big Bru’s Barbecue, 8619 N. 40th Street, and Outreach Pastor at The Walk Church, will host a carwash on Friday.

Pastor Ala Nelson-Vickers, of Holy Outreach For Christ Church, and Pastor Ricky Narravo, Senior Pastor of The Walk Church, corner of N. 40th Street and E. Yukon, will host a “Baby Benefit Concert,” Saturday and Sunday evenings, beginning at 7:30 p.m., in the parking lot. Other churches, choirs and praise teams are invited to participate.

Candlelight Vigil Held

Armani and his family were attending the football practice of the Mighty Tampa Bay Ravens Youth Football and Cheer organization.

The Ravens held a Candlelight Vigil at the park Wednesday night. During the Vigil, they presented Armani’s family with a jersey bearing the #2, his age.

Jay Tillman, spokesman for the organization said, “We made Armani an honorary Raven. He will never be forgotten.

“We are asking everyone to keep this family in their prayers. We have about 200 children in this program and our volunteer coaches and staff try to keep them as safe as possible.

“This tragedy struck home and our hearts go out to this family. All of our people were out searching for this child.”

Tillman further said that when the Ravens play the Fair Oaks Rattlers on Saturday morning at 9 a.m., there will be a moment of prayer before the game. It will be held at the Jackson Heights NFL YET Center, corner of N. 34th Street and E. Lake Avenue. The Ravens will also be accepting love offerings for the family.

Anyone wishing to make contributions can reach Ms. Sanders, (813) 247-6137; Simmons, (813) 474-8361; Pastor Nelson-Vickers, (813) 655-9792; or Tillman at (813) 965-5719.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

Earlier this month, a Hillsborough County woman was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for her role in a tax fraud scheme. While she does not proclaim her innocence, she disputes the amount of money she allegedly received from filing bogus income tax refunds.

Sentenced to 12 years, Mrs. Tania Henderson-Johnson, who married Dwayne Denard Johnson on February 22nd), shared her story during a telephone interview. “I’m not trying to say that I’m innocent, but a person cannot accumulate that kind of money in four months.

“They (federal officials) asked me to take a deal, but I would have had to waive all of my rights. After I turned down the deal on a Friday, they arrested my husband the following Monday. When they came to arrest me, it was on a conspiracy charge.”

She further stated that photographs used as evidence against her were of her and her husband taken at a club.

Mrs. Henderson-Johnson, a native of St. Louis, Missouri, said she moved to Tampa 6 years ago. For three of those 6 years, she and her mother owned the Natural N Hair Reigns In Style Salon, on N. Florida Avenue.

She said the fact that she owned and operated a business or any other positive attributes were brought up in court. “The fact that I had a business and was actually doing positive things was not recognized in court.

“I had a court-appointed attorney, but he didn’t help and he didn’t do a good job. Nobody would fight for me. I was told that the fact that I never had a criminal record, that I had never been arrested for anything would not help me. My entire family was there and everyone was crying.”

According to court documents, Mrs. Tania Henderson-Johnson, 28, of Wesley Chapel, appeared before U. S. District Judge Carol E. Jackson, in a St. Louis, Missouri courtroom.

Mrs. Henderson-Johnson was also ordered to repay $835,883 in restitution.

Prosecutors said she filed tax returns for more than $1.8 million dollars. However, the Internal Revenue Service intercepted nearly $1,000,000 in refunds.

Officials said that between August and November 2012, Mrs. Henderson-Johnson filed 236 fraudulent tax returns from her Wesley Chapel home.

Mrs. Henderson-Johnson also denied having received any cards. Prosecutors alleged that she used a network of family and friends to collect refund checks or pre-paid debit cards and then liquidate the proceeds of her scheme. She is accused of renting a luxury home in suburban Tampa, and having purchased a BMW, Jaguar sports car, and expensive electronics.

Mrs. Henderson-Johnson said, “I was never flashy or even bragged about anything I ever had in life. I always had nice things and always strived for the best in life.” She further stated that she also helped a lot of people, but wonders where those she helped are now.

“I’m not saying it’s okay to be a part of any criminal behavior, but be cautious to whom you consider your family or friends because jealousy has no limits. It doesn’t matter if it’s your sister, brother, cousin, or even those knockoff friends.”

Despite the fact that Mrs. Henderson-Johnson must leave her two daughters, ages 4 and 9 while serving her sentence,
she is facing it with a positive attitude.

“Where I am mentally, I would never change the person I am, but change the people I deal with. From this point on, what I’m going through has only made me a stronger and wiser woman.

“I really want to encourage anyone going through a situation like this to stand on what you believe,” she said. Mrs. Henderson-Johnson said she is also considering writing a book about her life in the future.

Dwayne Johnson has not been sentenced.

ARMANI PIERCE

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

The body of a two-year-old was recovered from the Hillsborough River early Wednesday. The child had wandered off from his mother while at a Tampa Park.
Divers for the Tampa Police Department recovered the body of Armani Pierce early Wednesday. His mother, Ms. Alicia Saunders, reported him missing late Tuesday evening. The child, his mother, his 6-year-old brother and 4-year-old sister, had been at the Temple Crest Park, 8116 37th Street, North for football practice.
Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor said parents at the park searched for the child for about 15 minutes before calling 9-1-1. Police obtained the child’s scent from his car seat and used blood hounds to track him.
The dogs alerted on his scent on a portion of the river bank. Divers located the child’s body in about 6 feet of water Wednesday morning, Chief Castor said.
“This is a very unfortunate accident for his parents, Carlos Pierce and Alicia Saunders. It is a very tragic accident and a parent’s worst nightmare,” she said.
Candlelight Vigil Planned
Armani and his family were attending the football practice of the Mighty Tampa Bay Ravens Youth Football and Cheer organization.
Jay Tillman, spokesman for the organization said the practice has been cancelled for (tonight) Wednesday and a candlelight vigil will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
“We are going to present the family with a jersey to let them know that Armani will never be forgotten. He will always be an honorary Raven.”
Tillman said the team will collect a love offering for the family at the Candlelight Vigil. They will also have a moment of prayer before the 9 a.m., game at the Jackson Heights NFL YET Center when the Ravens play the Fair Oaks Rattlers.
To make contributions contact Tillman at (813) 965-5719.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

Earlier this week, Governor Rick Scott announced plans to resume his purge of the Florida voter role. Last year, a purge led to several errors and lawsuits by advocates of minorities who were targeted as non-citizens.

The last list began with 182,000 purged names, but withered to 2,600. Weeks before the Presidential election, the list of names had been reduced to 198.

Dr. Carolyn Collins, President of the Hillsborough County Branch NAACP said, “Florida citizens are about to suffer again at the hands of the head of state, Governor Rick Scott.  This is not the first time and it will not be the last time before the Governor’s 2014 election. “Purging” is defined as to make free of something unwanted; or the process of clearing the environment within a confined space.  The Governor stands ready to stop what he surmised as voter fraud and appears to address fraud with purging.

During the 2012 election, purging occurred within 90 days of the federal law ban. That purge correlated with partisan and the national election for President of the United States.  Likewise this purge maybe before the 90 days, but it is partisan-centered and self-serving.

“The Florida Director of Elections was quoted as describing this upcoming purge as ‘ensuring due process and the integrity of Florida’s voter’s rolls.’  Additionally, she describes the purge plan as ‘ongoing and continuous efforts to identify potentially ineligible registered voters.’

“Governor Scott, NAACP suggests you accept the 31% increase in self-defense cases since the passage of “Stand Your Ground” as the most significant issues facing the citizen’s safety rather than the .10% of non-citizens voter list purging,” she concluded.

Craig Latimer, Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections said, “We have been notified that a new list is coming and we are just waiting to see the list and see what is reliable and credible. We will have to evaluate the list when we receive it.”

Latimer said his office does not have a timetable as to when the list will arrive, but said his employees are busy with other responsibilities. “We have had over 30,000 people move in the last year in Hillsborough County.”

He stated that employees are busy updating records, conducting maintenance on the voting machines, and carrying out everyday responsibilities to keep the office operational.

BY LEON B. CREWS

Sentinel Staff Writer

The Tampa Housing Authority is not only discussing the future of the 44-acre North Boulevard Homes Complex, but how their plans for that property will fit into the broader plan to redevelop portions of West Tampa and the Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park.

T.H.A. Chief Operating Officer, Leroy Moore, said they will present four redevelopment scenarios to the Hillsborough County School Board, all aimed at greater public access to the Hillsborough River.

“The least impactful of the four concepts is if we only redevelop the 44-acres we own and control.

“Another concept would be a land swap with city and county-owned properties along Rome Avenue.”

Moore said another would be the relocation of athletic fields of the schools along the river.

“Our fourth concept would be for the school district to redevelop Just Elementary and G. V. Stewart Middle Schools by rebuilding them one block south, and just west of the Howard W. Blake campus along Main Street. That would create a centralized educational campus that would go from K-12.

“This is the most intense plan, and in no way impacts the Presbyterian Village Apartments, or Dunbar School.”

Moore said the best plan is the most comprehensive (the fourth proposal).

“It’s also the most costly, and could be implemented over a 10-year period.

“It’s not a matter of money right now. It’s a matter of getting a plan in place so when the opportunity does come, we’ll be able to move forward.”

Moore said more public meetings will be held in September, as well as notifications to their stockholders.

“The proposals of the West Tampa CDC and West Tampa Chamber of Commerce are still being reviewed, and both have a lot of great aspects. I think the mass transit initiative of the West Tampa Chamber is very impressive.

“I also believe the School Board is supportive of the plan, and this will give us an opportunity to present it to them and get their input.”