Florida Sentinel Bulletin

After an extensive investigation, Tampa Police detectives arrested Javaurian Saffold, 28, in connection with the death of his former girlfriend’s 2-year-old son.

Detectives reported that Saffold was alone with Christian Love in an apartment he shared with his girlfriend on May 25, 2012. When the mother returned home, she found the child breathing shallow.

According to reports, Saffold told the mother the child fell and struck his head on the floor. Christian died at a local hospital on May 30, 2012 from severe brain trauma. The Medical Examiner’s Office determined the child’s jury was not consistent with a fall.

On May 21, 2013, detectives went to Pensacola, Florida to arrest Saffold for first-degree murder and child abuse. Saffold was arrested during a meeting with his probation officer. He was serving probation for an aggravated child abuse charge in 2008. He is being held without bond in Escambia County, and will be brought to Hillsborough County in the near future.

Christian’s mother, Candace Mitchell, was charged with aggravated child abuse on May 28, 2012 for failing to seek medical attention for her son in a timely manner.

Investigators said Mitchell waited almost 5 hours to take Christian to the hospital after she found him unresponsive.

BY LEON B. CREWS

Sentinel Staff Writer

In 1988, retired School District instructor, Bobby Bowden, approached former Mayor Sandra Freedman over his concern that Black History wasn’t getting the attention it deserved.

“I had friends in the school system, and I asked them how Black History was being treated. I sat down with Mayor Freedman, explained to her the necessity of bringing more attention to Black History, and asked the city get involved.

“From that meeting, I formed the first 9-member Black History Committee that consisted of staff from various city departments, and we held our first six programs in City Council Chambers, but after the event grew, we moved it to the Convention Center.”

After serving as Chair the first five years, Mr. Bowden released it to the late Janette Martin, who held the position until she passed. After that, Bettye Greene Johnson took over as Chair. Frank Crum is the current Chair.

“It was under Mrs. Martin’s leadership the scholarship program began,” said Mr. Bowden.

“From then until now, the committee has raised more than $80,000.

“I’m pleased that city employees and people from the community have supported this. I also thank our corporate supporters. We get no funds from the city. The program is completely self supporting other than the use of the city owned facilities.”

Mr. Bowden said committee members should be commended for their hard work and dedication, and he’s very proud of them.

“I felt city government should do something to help people know about Black History, and that’s why we extended invitations to area schools, including St. Peter Claver.

“I’d also like to commend the school system for doing a better job. Everyone needs to know their history.”

On Saturday, May 25^th, the Silver Anniversary Scholarship Gala will be held at the Wyndham Tampa Westshore, 700 North Westshore Boulevard.

Keynote speaker for the event will be Emmy Award nominated actor, film director and political activist, Danny Glover.

This year, the Harold Scott, Janette Martin, and Presidential Scholarships will be presented.

This year’s scholarship gala chairperson is Regina Lock-DePass.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

On Monday, community activist Michelle Williams pleaded guilty to second-degree grand theft. The charge originated after a man accused her of taking $30,000 in a real estate deal.

According to Mark Cox, spokesman for the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office, Ms. Williams appeared before County Judge William Fuente on Monday.

After entering the plea, Judge Fuente sentenced Ms. Williams to 1 year of community control; 14 years of probation; and ordered her to pay $30,000 in restitution to the victim, with $2,000 being required immediately. She was also adjudicated guilty and must complete 500 hours of community service.

The complaint, which dates back to July of 2011, concerned the purchase of a home in the 900 block of E. Chelsea. Ms. Williams purchased the house and resold it to David Lee using a quit claim deed.

Lee filed the police report in 2011 alleging that Ms. Williams told him there were no liens or claims on the property. When Lee contacted the original owner, Howard Weems, he was reportedly told by Weems that Ms. Williams was assisting him with his foreclosure.

Lee wrote in the police report, “I tried to contact Michelle, but she is avoiding me. I now know Michelle sold me a house that she never owned.”

Ms. Williams was taken into custody and charged with grand theft in October 2012.

When contacted by the Sentinel, Ms. Williams initially said she couldn’t comment based on the advice of her attorney. She also said she planned to appeal the sentence.

However, she later released a written statement, part of which is printed below.

Ms. Williams Responds

“After being contacted by the Sentinel, I was first reluctant to give a statement because one thing I have found out about this community we laugh at one another’s situations instead of finding out the facts. My motto is “the truth is like the rain, it doesn’t care who it falls on,” so you are now hearing it from the horse’s mouth as one would say.

“In 2011 I purchased a home from Howard B. Weems, III, of Lakeland, Florida and had no intensions of flipping nor selling the property because I’d just filed my legal paperwork to run against our sitting Senator (Arthenia) Joyner and I wanted to reside in the district with the community and I just wanted to get my name out there and then out of nowhere this man David T. Lee started pursuing me to purchase the property. It was directly across the street from his home on Chelsea, I’d even told him I had no interest in selling the home until he’d put the idea in my head “if you sold it, it would give you a great campaign jump”. So listening and thinking on the idea I took the bait and sold him the house. I’d let him know he was a lucky man because several other people had been looking at the home and wanted to buy it. He then said I’m glad you sold it to me because, “I didn’t want any minorities living across from me, I don’t like what the Spanish people next door are doing to their house.”

“By this time I’m good and hot because of his comments but the deal had already been signed, sealed and funds given to pay myself and Mr. Weems the man I bought the house from.

“Mr. Lee stated in his “sworn” deposition that he pursued me in the purchase of the home, he’d also stated on page 57 of that same deposition to the state that he’d paid nothing for the property. Anyone wanting to read it I will surly give you a copy. Mr. Lee stated several times that he DID NOT want a title company nor a lawyer involved in this deal, that he’d “did his research” and he wanted the property, just meet him at his bank, he’d also declined meeting me for the scheduled meeting at Attorney Douglas’ Law Firm for her to review the documents and go over my paperwork.

“The state is seeking a $30,000 restitution payout, however, He can’t get money I’m raising and the house, too. It just doesn’t work that way. A foreclosure/contract attorney is diligently working on a small portion of this case for me to expose the TRUTH that the mortgage was a FRAUD from the beginning by the original owner, Howard Weems, of Lakeland, Florida.

“So instead of letting 6 people who would NOT have been my peers choose my fate I took one of the offers from the state in the best interest of my children and especially my son who I will not lose to the streets. The state however changed their offer on Monday, May 20, 2013.”

A Tampa native, Ms. Williams is known throughout the community. She stated that she has been an activist for several years feeding the homeless since 2007.

She also provides assistance to those in need through the Black Panther Thrift Store in Progress Village.

A Hillsborough County high school student was arrested Monday and charged with multiple counts of fraudulent use of personal information. He is being held at the Hillsborough County Jail on a $89,500 bond.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Devonte Courtney Jackson, 18, told police he obtained the personal information of 41 people from his mother’s employer’s database. Once he accessed the information from Ace Home Care.

Once Jackson obtained the information from his mother’s work computer, he would complete Visa applications and have the cards sent to the homes of his friends. The offenses took place between February and May of 2013.

Hillsborough County deputies received information about the fraudulent credit cards and launched an investigation. They found a bag containing 22 credit cards at his residence.

In addition to the 41 charges of fraudulent use of personal information, Jackson, who is reportedly a student at Armwood High School, was also charged with 1 count of trafficking in counterfeit credit cards, jail records showed.

Last Saturday night, the body of 38-year-old Patrick Richardson was discovered in the 4800 block of 30^th Street. He had been murdered. No suspects have been identified.

Richardson’s sister, Valencia Norton, said her brother came to the United States from Montego Bay, Jamaica 12 years ago.

“I was his only family member in the United States. He did mechanic work, but was a plumber by trade.

“Patrick spent a lot of time on 30^th and Osborne with his friends, and he’d just hang out and play dominoes. He was pretty much a loner, and didn’t hang out around a lot of people. That why this is so shocking to us, and we’re having trouble understanding why this happened.”

Ms. Norton said the day after her brother was shot, she went to his Seffner home to gather his possessions, and was shocked at what she discovered.

“When I arrived, I noticed the door was unlocked, and when I went inside, the entire house had been ransacked. I called the Sheriff’s Office immediately, and they sent a group of people over to collect evidence.

“It appeared whoever did this was searching for something, and it had something to do with his death. We just can’t figure it out, because he really didn’t have anything someone would kill him for.”

Ms. Norton said her brother was not married, and had no children. She also said he has 9 brothers and 4 sisters, and they are a very close family.

Wilson’s Funeral Home will be assisting Ms. Norton with arrangements for a service.

An Armwood High School student was arrested Monday and charged with multiple counts of fraudulent use of personal information.

Police arrested Devonte Courtney Jackson, 18, and charged him with 41 counts of fraudulent use of personal information and 1 count of trafficking in counterfeit credit cards. His bond was set at $89,500 bond.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

A former Robinson High School and University of South Florida standout lost his battle with a rare blood disorder. He was 49 years old.

Charlie Bradley and Darryl “Cuda” Patterson had been friends since childhood. Bradley said when Patterson passed away Thursday morning he couldn’t breakdown at that moment.

“I’ve had my private moments, but when I looked at his face, I saw a calmness and I couldn’t get upset. He was finally at peace, no more pain for him. But, it’s still tough to lose someone so close to you.”

Diagnosed in 2009, Bradley had watched his friend battle the disease. It reduced him to using a wheelchair and finally he was bed-ridden.  The illness is known as the POEMS Syndrome and it attacks the nerves, organs and skin.

The young men met at Booker T. Washington Middle School, where they both played basketball. The following year, they became championship playoff rivals on teams for different schools.

The two then ended up at Robinson High School, where Bradley played center and Patterson became an outstanding point guard. Their paths parted again after graduation when Patterson went to Florida College and Bradley went to the University of South Florida.

Once again, Patterson distinguished himself on the court and the team won the championship. He entered USF in his junior year, majoring in Sociology.

Bradley said during their senior year, “he surged to the all-star caliber player that he was. After USF, Patterson went back into the neighborhood and I went overseas to play.

“He got caught up in drugs and the system made an example of him. It was his first offense, but they gave him 10 years in federal prison. I admired him because he never blamed anyone for his mistakes. He was just a good person. It was losing family to me because we were together every day. If you saw one, you saw the other.”

Bradley said they remained friends and he would visit him in prison although he hated seeing Patterson like that.

After his release in 1999, George Steinbrenner hired him in the maintenance department at then Legends Field.

Bradley said Patterson show the same resilience in 2009 when he was diagnosed with the blood disorder. “Although he was going through something, he never made excuses. He was the same Cuda, the same guy.”

Patterson was admitted to Tampa General Hospital around 6 p.m., Wednesday and died Thursday morning.  His friend said, “I think he just got tired.”

Funeral services for Patterson will take place on Saturday, May 25^th, at 2 p.m., at the Center For Manifestation. Aikens Funeral Home is in charge of handling arrangements.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

Ralph Smith, founder and CEO of Computer Mentors Group, Inc., will sponsor two computer programs this summer. Teenagers accepted in the program must reside in the 33605 and 33610 zip codes.

Both programs are free and will take place at the Computer Mentors Training Center, 2802 E. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Blvd., Suite, E. Each program will accept up to 15 students. The students must be between the ages of 14 and 18 to participate.

The “Youth Involved In The Neighborhood” Program will begin on June 17^th and will operate for 4 weeks. The class will meet from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

The students will have an opportunity to earn high-end technology products by completing technology products for local non-profit organizations. The youth will also get an opportunity to earn an industry standard certification in a Microsoft Office product.

At the end of the summer, there will be presentations and $1,500 is available for prizes for the best summer projects.

Computer Mentors is also accepting applications for technology projects from local non-profit organizations, local pseudo government agencies, and churches. The Information Technology project examples include web design and development, phone and web app development; videography, and eCommerce.

“Having an opportunity to work on these types of programs empowers the youngsters with skills required to compete in today’s economy while affording local organizations completed projects needed to fulfill their missions,” Smith said.

The second program being offered by the organization is the “Youth Entrepreneurship Program.” is the second summer program being offered by the organization. This program exposes youngsters to business concepts framed in attainable steps they can take to bring their big ideas to market. The best ideas will be awarded seed money to implement their ideas as well as to learn about entrepreneurship, Smith said.

The students attending the class will focus on such activities as Creative Problem-Solving; Critical Thinking; Idea Framing; and Problem-Solving.

The will discuss the business model generation — building a business plan, collaboration, organizing and planning to follow through. Also included on the agenda is the Startup Execution, applying the scientific method to their business plans, listening to others points of view, and adapting their current perceptions into marketable solutions.

The classes will meet on Saturdays and up to 15 youth, between the ages of 14 and 18 can apply.

For more information, contact Ralph Smith at (813) 241-4200, by email at YouthEnrepreneurship@ComputerMentors.org. Or, for applications for both summer programs as well as applications for non-profits are available online in the program section of the Computer Mentors Group website, at  www.computermentors.org

Last week, a federal judge sentenced a Tampa woman to 3 years and 3 months in federal prison. She pleaded guilty on February 12, 2013.

U. S. District Judge Virginia Hernandez Covington sentenced Ms. Tanya Cullens for conspiracy to commit tax fraud and aggravated identity theft. The court also entered a forfeiture money judgment for $44,080. Ms. Cullens was also court ordered to pay $85,055 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service and Jabil Circuit, Inc., in a separate case.

According to court documents, in 2011, Ms. Cullens pretended to be an employee of Jabil Circuit and obtained relocation benefits on three separate occasions. The lump sum payments were for false moving expenses that never took place.

Court documents stated that the company lost $40,975 due to the wire fraud committed by Ms. Cullens and Ms. Alesia Spivey. Ms. Spivey was an employee of Jabil Circuit, Inc., at the time of the offense.

Court documents further showed that Ms. Cullens was employed on the cleaning staff at University Community Hospital. On January 17, 2012, she reportedly removed a patient list from the hospital without authorization. The list contained the names and personal information of 48 patients who had been treated at the hospital on that same date.

Ms. Cullens gave the list to her friend and co-conspirator, Ms. Spivey, who used the list to file fraudulent income tax returns with the IRS without the knowledge of the victims.

Ten fraudulent returns were filed by the women who received approximately $79,204. Ultimately, the IRS paid $44,080 to the women, court documents stated.

Ms. Spivey pleaded guilty for her role in the conspiracy in December 2012. She will be sentenced on June 19, 2013.