Florida Sentinel Bulletin

Hillsborough County deputies responded to an apartment complex in reference to a stabbing in progress Wednesday night. The alleged suspect fled before police arrived.

According to police, at around 8:30 p.m., deputies went to 8451 Del Lago Circle. Upon arrival, they discovered that Ms. Bianca McGaughey, 25, lying on the sidewalk. She had been stabbed several times in her torso and neck. Hillsborough County Fire Rescue responded and pronounced Ms. McGaughey dead.

During the investigation, police said several witnesses saw McGee drive up and get out of his car. Ms. McGaughey was reportedly walking toward McGee when he began stabbing her, a spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office said.

Bianca McGaughey

Deputies released information about Brian Michael McGee, 29, who is a suspect in the stabbing, and the 2008 Pontiac Grand Am he was driving. The silver car with black racing stripes was observed and a pursuit took place. Members of the Tampa Police Department and Florida Highway Patrol were also involved in the chase.

The chase ended in Pasco County at Interstate 75 and County Line Road after McGee crashed. After crashing the vehicle, McGee allegedly refused to exit the car.

At that point, deputies sent in K-9 Chino. McGee then decided to cooperate and exited the vehicle. He was transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital, where he was treated for injuries sustained in the crash and from the dog.

According to police, McGee and Ms. McGaughey had dated about a year ago. However, McGee is alleged to have continued to contact her.

A former professional wrestler, McGee is known as “The Future.” He also wrestled under the name of Donovan Ruddick and D. T. Porter. Wrestling records date back to 2006.

McGee was released from the hospital Thursday morning and transported to Pasco County to be booked. He will be transported back to Hillsborough County at a later date, where he will be charged with first-degree murder.

On Wednesday, a 33-year-old Tampa man pleaded guilty to participating in federal income tax fraud scam. He was charged with aggravated identity theft and access device fraud charges. He also admitted to charges that he conspired to defraud the United States Treasury.

Marterrance Q. Holloway entered his guilty plea before U. S. District Judge Elizabeth Jenkins. He is facing a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison on the conspiracy charge, ten years on the fraud charge, and a consecutive two-year prison sentence on the aggravated identity theft charge.

As part of the plea, Holloway also agreed to forfeit two 2010 Chevrolet Camaros, a 2011 Dodge Charger, a 2005 Dodge Magnum, a motor scooter, an Apple iPad, cash and assorted jewelry. All of the items were purchased with the proceeds of his fraud.

Maurice Larry, Holloway’s co-defendant, pleaded guilty to similar charges on April 17^th. A sentencing date for Larry is planned for September 23, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. U. S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Kovachevich will decide his punishment.

According to court documents, Holloway’s plea agreement stated that he and Larry filed fraudulent tax returns from the Howard Johnson Hotel on 50th Street in Tampa.

Larry had reportedly rented the room in his name. Police found four computers in the room that were used to electronically file fraudulent tax returns in the names of deceased individuals.

Investigators also located pages from an Internet website, along with ledgers and lists of stolen names, dates of birth and social security numbers.  Some of the names included specific codes to be used for electronic filing purposes or notes about whether a tax return had been either accepted or rejected.

Several “Turbo Tax” reloadable debit cards were found in the room, along with ATM receipts for cash withdrawals, and $3,700 in cash.  Both Holloway and Larry admitted to filing fraudulent tax returns while staying at the hotel.

They were both charged in a thirty-nine count federal indictment. Holloway and Larry were charged with conspiring to defraud the United States, commit wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and access device fraud.

A year later, Holloway used a fraudulent debit card at a local bank ATM machine.  The debit card was loaded with the proceeds of a fraudulently filed tax return in the amount of over $9,800.

Holloway was also arrested in September 2011 during the first roundup of “Operation Rainmaker.” 

A sentencing date for Holloway has not been set.

Tampa Police arrested a 58-year-old man and charged him with neglect of the elderly after his mother died. He is currently being held at the Hillsborough County Jail on a $25,000 bond.

Police responded to 4910 N. 38^th Street on Wednesday morning in reference to a death investigation. Upon arrival, officers discovered that the home had no electricity or running water. They also said the home was infested with roaches and rates, the floor was covered with mud, and the roof was falling in.

The body of Mrs. Louise Baker Holmes, 82, was transported to the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner’s Office, where police are waiting an autopsy report to determine the cause of death.

Detectives interviewed her son and caregiver, James Edward Holmes, who also lived at the residence. Holmes reportedly told police his mother had been unable to walk since July 4^th. He also admitted that she needed medical treatment.

According to the Hillsborough County School District, Mrs. Holmes taught school from 1955 to 1965. She was assigned to Meacham Elementary School.

A spokesperson for the school district said they don’t know if she left the workforce or relocated to another school district after 1965.

Holmes was arrested and charged with neglect of an elderly or disabled adult.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

An eighteen-year-old Tampa woman died in a traffic accident early Monday. The accident took place at the intersection of Causeway Boulevard and 86^th Street, South, shortly before 4 a.m.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Ms. Waynenecia Shacole Tillman was driving a 2003 Pontiac Grand Am. The vehicle was traveling eastbound in the outside lane of Causeway Boulevard, at a slow speed, or possibly stopped, for unknown reasons.

Investigators said Louis Albert Hartung, 48, of New Port Richey, was driving a 2012 Freightliner tractor trailer operated by Petroleum Transport Lines that was carrying gasoline.

The tractor trailer was also traveling eastbound and approached the Pontiac from the rear. Hartung apparently failed to see the car and the tractor trailer collided with the back of the Pontiac.

Ms. Tillman sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene. Police said Hartung was not injured in the accident.

A spokesperson for the Florida Highway Patrol said although the truck was transporting gasoline, none of the fuel leaked or spilled.

Ms. Tillman was the daughter of Ms. Cheryl Watson. She was also the granddaughter of Ms. Barbara Watson and Johnny Watson. She was a Tampa native and attended the public schools of Hillsborough County. She last attended Middleton High School in the school year 2011-2012.

According to her grandfather, the family learned after the accident that Nene was pregnant.

Her cousin, Ms. Ciera Davis said, “We were very close. She was beautiful, she was a beautiful person. She wanted to be a nurse and was planning on going back to school.”

Ms. Davis said her cousin enjoyed shopping, hanging out with her family and friends and going to the movies. She also liked to sing. She was currently working at both McDonald’s and Burger King.

Ms. Davis further said that Ms. Tillman was a member of St. John Missionary Baptist Church.

Funeral services for Ms. Tillman were incomplete at press time.

All over the United States protesters gathered Saturday, July 20, 2013, in protest to the ‘not guilty’ verdict George Zimmerman received a week earlier in the shooting death of teen Trayvon Martin. The protests were set to take place simultaneously at 12 noon in front of federal buildings.

In Tampa, an estimated crowd of 1,500 people gathered in front of the Sam Gibbons Federal Courthouse. The crowd braved the hot, humid mid-day weather with the threat or rain hovering over.

Several persons spoke from the printed program, as well as others from the audience. (Photos by Julia Jackson and Frederick Harris)

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

With the exception of jumping out of an emergency window to avoid capture, police arrested 23-year-old Demetrius Parks without incident. He reportedly slept on the ride from Orlando to Tampa and was booked into the Hillsborough County jail on Saturday, July 20^th.

Parks is being held without bond. He is charged with first-degree murder, armed robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. This marks his fifth arrest since being released from Florida State Prison March 31, 2012.

Parks is accused of fatally wounding Mr. Horsley “J. R.” Shorter, Jr., during an armed robbery of the Family Dollar, 4900 N. 40^th Street. On Sunday, July 14^th, he allegedly approached a clerk in the store, and demanded money. Mr. Shorter, 49, who was one of the store managers, was in the office and observed the robbery in progress.

Police said the gunman shot Mr. Shorter and then forced the clerk into the parking lot at gunpoint. He attempted to place the clerk in the trunk of his own vehicle, but the clerk pleaded with him. The suspect eventually closed the trunk and drove off in the man’s 1995 Mitsubishi Mirage. The car was later located Sunday night in the 2500 block of E. 38^th Avenue.

Ms. Laura McElroy, spokesperson for the Tampa Police Department said, “We were working with the U. S. Marshal’s Task Force and during the investigation we learned that Parks had fled to Atlanta. We also learned that he had boarded a Greyhound bus in Atlanta, and was heading to Lakeland.

“When the bus stopped in Orlando, members of the Task Force surrounded the bus. As they started to search, he jumped out of an emergency window and was captured,” she said.

Parks was not armed at the time of his arrest and police are still searching for the handgun used in the murder.

Ms. McElroy said although tips from the community were invaluable in the investigation, it does not look like anyone will collect the $16,000 reward that was being offered.

“The community played a critical role in this case from the very beginning of this murder. Within minutes of the car being abandoned, a citizen called, and that was very useful in this investigation. Once we released the photograph from the video, we had a multitude of calls to help identify him. It worked the way it was supposed to.”

However, Ms. McElroy credits “old-fashioned police work” with the apprehension of Parks.

“I believe people were outraged by the murder. It was so ruthless, and the community played an important role in helping to catch him. But there was no tip about him being in Atlanta or Orlando,” she said.

The investigation into the murder is continuing.

Family Relieved

Mrs. Trinetta Shorter-Williams said the family was relieved when they were informed about the arrests. “We feel better that he has been captured and that he is off the streets,” she said.

Popular In Community

Mr. Shorter was well known by patrons of the store where he had worked for the past 4 years. His friends and employees alike referred to him as “J. R.”

He was born in Reynolds, Georgia, the 7^th of 8 children born to Mrs. Hattie Shorter, and the late Mr. Horsley Shorter, Sr. When he was 6 years old, his family relocated to Tampa.

He graduated from Tampa Bay Technical High School in 1981, and entered the U. S. Army and later transferred to the U. S. Air Force. After dedicating 26 years of his life to the military, Shorter retired.

When his father died in 2009, Mr. Shorter returned to Tampa to care for his mother, and obtained employment at the Family Dollar Store.

He wasn’t married and didn’t have any children of his own, but he was dedicated to his family.  He enjoyed hanging out with his friends, playing softball, football, and going to the gym.

Funeral services for Mr. Shorter will be held on Saturday, July 27^th. Aikens Funeral Home is in charge of handling arrangements.

Two Tampa residents entered guilty pleas on charges of conspiring to defraud the government and wrongfully disclosing patient information. They are both facing a maximum of ten years in federal prison.

According to court documents, Jakiel Bazart, 27, and Ms. Denetria Barnes, 24, entered guilty pleas on Thursday.

In August 2012, the Tampa Police Department executed a narcotics-related search warrant at a Tampa residence. During the search, police recovered stolen documents being used to file fraudulent federal income tax returns.

The investigation into the stolen documents ultimately led law enforcement to Ms. Barnes and Bazart, who reportedly had been selling the names, dates of birth, and social security numbers of patients.

Working undercover, law enforcement was able to purchase HIPPA records from both Ms. Barnes and Bazart. On April 3, Bazart allegedly offered to sell (15) fifteen pages of personal information for $1,500. He also said that he had a “trash barrel” filled with patients information, police said.

On May 22^nd, Ms. Barnes attempted to sell a spreadsheet containing approximately 400 names and information for $15,000. One column on the spreadsheet included the home address of the patients, police said. Both Ms. Barnes and Bazart were taken into federal custody on May 22^nd.

No sentencing date has been set for the pair.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

When the verdict in the George Zimmerman murder trial was read, it was met with disbelief by many. Emotions ran high throughout the country.

Ms. Rholiya Arnao and her daughter, Kaliya Walker, watched the announcement and both cried. “My daughter said someone needs to do something and I said you can. She asked, ‘what can I do?”

Ms. Arnao didn’t realize it, but she had spurred her 15-year-old daughter into action. “She didn’t tell me what she was doing, but she created a flyer advertising “Peace Rally for Trayvon Martin” and posted them on Facebook and other social media.”

Ms. Arnao said that when she did find out about the flyer, she let Kaliya know that she was willing to help. The mother and daughter team soon learned that Mrs. Rhonda Thompson, Ms. Arnao’s mom (and Kilya’s grandmother, was also willing to help).

“My mother said, “Whatever you need help with, I’ll help.” And that was the birth of a family affair Kilya appropriately named “We Are One.”  

Ms. Arnao said she began speaking to churches and people in the Progress Village area, and they liked the idea. Meanwhile, the flyer was being shared on the social media. Their plan was to have everyone gather at the federal courthouse in downtown Tampa to participate in the peaceful demonstration Saturday, July 20^th, from 12 noon until 3 p.m.

Kaliya, who plans to become an attorney said, “I didn’t think anyone else was going to do it, and something needed to be done.  I felt like that if Trayvon was of another race there would have been justice for him. Blacks didn’t come together. We always talk about what we’re going to do, but we don’t.”

As a teenager, Kaliya said she can relate to the situation involving Trayvon Martin. She will be a freshman at East Bay High School when school begins next month.

The family had no idea that Reverend Al Sharpton was planning a national “Justice For Trayvon” rally. As of Wednesday, more than 100 cities planned to gather at federal courthouses this weekend.

West Tampa resident Edwin (Ed) Narain was appointed by the Governor’s office to succeed Valerie Goddard on the Hillsborough County Children’s Board.

For nineteen years, Narain has volunteered with several organizations that advocate on behalf of the working poor, children and young people. Narain currently serves as a member of the Hillsborough County Head Start Policy Council and was a member of the Community Action Board from 2007 – 2010. He has worked with the Tampa Guide Right Foundation, NFL Y.E.T. Center and Temple Terrace Recreation Center.

“It’s a great honor to be chosen to serve our county’s families in a new capacity. I look forward to continuing to advocate on behalf of children and the organizations that support them throughout the Tampa Bay area. Our greatest resource is our children and it’s important we provide them with every opportunity to succeed. I’m excited about being able to further that process.” Narain said.

His appointment is effective immediately until

December 31, 2016.

A candidate for the Florida House of Representatives in District 61, Narain is married to Monica, a third grade teacher at Kenly Elementary School. They have two young daughters and are members of St. John Progressive Missionary Baptist Church. Full-time, Narain works as an Area Sales Manager for AT&T and is the Immediate Past Polemarch of the Tampa Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.