Florida Sentinel Bulletin

A federal grand jury has indicted two Hillsborough County residents on several fraudulent income tax charges. The federal government is also seeking to recover more than $1 million in proceeds from the tax scheme.

According to federal documents, Ms. Rashia Wilson, 27, of Wiamauma and Maurice Larry, 26, of Tampa, were indicted on charges of conspiracy and multiple counts of wire fraud, filing false tax returns, theft of government property, and aggravated identity theft.

Ms. Wilson, who allegedly identified herself as the “First Lady” of tax fraud on Facebook, is charged with 1 count of conspiracy, 9 counts of wire fraud, 19 counts of filing false tax returns, 14 counts of theft of government property, and 14 counts of aggravated identity theft.

Larry is facing 1 count of conspiracy, 9 counts of wire fraud, 17 counts of filing false tax returns, 13 counts of theft of government property, and 13 counts of aggravated identity theft.

The government is also seeking a money judgment of $1,176,787 in traceable proceeds of the tax fraud scheme.

According to the indictment, Ms. Wilson and Larry engaged in a scheme and conspiracy to commit fraud by filing false income tax returns using the names and identity information of other individuals, without those individuals’ knowledge. The two then allegedly used the funds to make personal expenditures, including a 2013 Audi A8L, valued at more than $90,000.

If convicted of all charges, Ms. Wilson is facing 420 years in federal prison and Larry is facing 400 years in federal prison.

According to Florida Highway Patrol spokesman, Sgt. Steve Gaskins, Isaac Henry Baker, 24, was charged late Monday with two counts of vehicular homicide in an April 12^th crash on Dale Mabry that left two men dead.

On the night of the accident, Troopers said Baker had picked up a group of people at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino. After leaving the Casino, troopers said, Baker stopped at a 7-11 Store and a strip club before he started dropping people off.

Baker, who was driving without a license, was driving his truck north in Carrollwood, south of Stall Road, with two passengers in the bed when he lost control.

The truck swerved to the left, hit the grass median, and overturned.

Neco Jones, 18, and Benjamin Fowler, 20, who were riding in the back of the truck, were ejected. Jones was hit by a second vehicle as he lay in the road and died at the scene. Fowler was pronounced dead later at a local hospital.

Three other passengers in the truck, Rosa Torres, 35, Elijah Bates, 22, and Allen Pitts, 22, received serious injuries, and a sixth passenger, Cary Davis, 35, received minor injuries.

BY LEON B. CREWS

Sentinel Staff Writer

There’s no one more interested in seeing Black business owners in West Tampa prosper than Bennie Small. Small, President of the West Tampa Black Business Owners Association, said talk about what’s in the future for West Tampa, definitely got his attention.

“I envisioned Main Street and the surrounding areas returning to their days of glory when there were a lot of successful businesses in the area.

“However, I quickly discovered that’s not the way things always turn out.”

Small, who has been attending meetings hosted by the West Tampa Chamber of Commerce, West Tampa Community Group, and other groups, said what he’s heard so far hasn’t inspired him to believe that Black businesses are going to fare any better than they have.

“I’m working closely with the West Tampa Chamber of Commerce as they prepare to submit their plan to the City Council. My primary interest is that business opportunities become available to all of us when they start redeveloping our community.

“I think because everything is in a preliminary stage, this is the time to put our demands on the table, and make sure we get our share of work. We can provide a lot of jobs with these projects, and that would be beneficial to everyone.”

Small said the first priority is to identify all of the professional service businesses in West Tampa, such as electricians, masons, plumbers, lawn maintenance, and light construction.

“We need to start training young men now as professionals and help them get licensed and bonded.

“We have a responsibility to prepare the next generation, because that’s the only way we will be able to sustain what we’re trying to get.”

As a small child growing up in Central Park Village, Jessie B.  “Jet Set” Hudson loved to venture onto Central Avenue to see people like James Brown, B. B. King, Sam Cooke, Jackie Wilson, and many others. His dream was to someday be a big entertainer and put Tampa on the map.

According to family members, Jet Set, who lived in Pasadena, California, stopped by a convenience store close to midnight on December 13^th.

His sister, Shirley Coleman, said Jet Set went into the store and purchased an Alka Seltzer, a bottle of water, and some milk.

“The clerk in the store said he was sweating really bad, and was in a hurry.

“The clerk said he paid for the items with a $20, and ran out to his car before receiving his change. When the clerk ran out to his car to give him his change, he found Jessie B. slumped to one side inside his car.”

Ms. Coleman said when paramedics arrived on the scene minutes later, he was pronounced dead. Preliminary indications are Jet Set died of a heart attack.

Jet Set endeared himself to the people of Tampa, and would often return to his hometown from Hollywood to share his experience, and to reach out to those in need.

“He was always trying to help people, although he didn’t have that much himself,” said Ms. Coleman.

“He always remembered growing up in a big family and how things were scarce. That’s why he always tried to help others, and most of the time, it was people he didn’t even know.

“He was looking forward to his birthday on January 18^th, and was making plans to return to Tampa for the MLK Parade. He was also concerned about the shooting at the school in Connecticut, because he has friends there.”

Jet Set made sure he witnessed historical events of Black achievements. He went to Washington, D.C. to see the unveiling of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. monument, traveled to Denver, Colorado for the Democratic National Convention, and was always active in community affairs events, including the ongoing case of Trayvon Martin.

“Jessie B. had a lot of friends, and he was talking about how disappointed he was that he couldn’t come home to see the building being named in honor of Ms. Essie Mae Reed.

“I spoke to him last week, and since then, I hadn’t been able to contact him. It wasn’t like him to not return a phone call, so I knew something wasn’t right.”

Ms. Coleman said their entire family is devastated, and they will be returning Jet Set to Tampa for services.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

A teenager accused of murder has been charged as an adult. The case went before the Hillsborough County Grand Jury on Thursday.

The Grand Jury indicted Larry Donell Brown, 16, on a charge of first-degree murder in connection with the death of 38-year-old Michael Valentin. Last Friday afternoon, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office moved Brown from the Juvenile Detention Center to the Hillsborough County Jail.

According t0 the Tampa Police Department, the 21^st murder in the City of Tampa took place when Critical Intervention Services (CIS) Security Guard Michael Valentin died during an attempted robbery. Police believe Brown was attempting to take Valentin’s handgun. However, he fled the scene after the shooting without taking the gun. The murder took place at the Grand Oaks Apartments Complex, 2402 E. Hanna Avenue.

The murder took place shortly after 7:30 p. m., Thanksgiving Eve. Valentin was employed as an armed CIS Security Guard for the complex. Valentin was shot in the upper body. When police arrived, they discovered Valentin’s body. His firearm was still in the holster. Valentin, who was married and the father of two children, was working an extra shift that night.

The shooter left his bicycle behind as he fled the scene.  Investigators were able to develop a positive DNA match from the bicycle.

Brown was reportedly visiting a female acquaintance who lives in the apartment complex on the night of the shooting. He was arrested a week after the shooting.

Brown has a criminal record that began when he was 10-years-old. He has been arrested more than 36 times during the last 6 years.

In addition to the first-degree murder charge, the Grand Jury indicted Brown on charges of attempted robbery, grand theft of a firearm, two counts of robbery, and three counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Detectives with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office are currently investigating an attack that led to the death of a Tampa man. The attack took place in a trailer park in Thonotosassa.

According to police, on Saturday, Johnathan Acree, 48, was standing in the front yard of 6427 Black Dairy Road, talking to a friend at approximately 1:45 p.m. Jarrett Kyle Brooks, 27, is alleged to have approached Acree from behind and struck him in the head and neck several times with a hammer.

Acree was severely injured and transported by ambulance to Brandon Hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

After the attack, Brooks allegedly returned to his own trailer at Lot #5, where he barricaded himself inside.  The Hillsborough County SWAT Team and Crisis Negotiators responded to the scene. Authorities attempted to talk Brooks into surrendering, but to no avail.

At approximately 4:30 p.m., police shot chemical agents into the trailer. Within a few minutes, Brooks surrendered without any further resistance. Brooks is being held without bond at the Hillsborough County Jail.

Detectives are still investigating the murder, but have not released a motive.

Christmas is the time of year when the unexpected sometimes happen. Each year, we have experiences that remain with us for the rest of our lives.

Some Sentinel readers shared some of the special moments of Christmases past with our readers.

Travis Abercrombie (pictured) said, “Fortunately, I don’t have a favorite Christmas memory. I say fortunately because all of my Christmas’ are special to me because I spent them around my loved ones. When I had the chance to go home, I spent them with my family where we played games and laughed about things that happened.

“When I stayed down here, I spent it with my girlfriend, whom I love very much, and she did everything she could to make Christmas feel just as special as the previous ones. So every Christmas carries with it a favorite memory and reminds me how blessed I am to have people in my life who love me.”

Ms. Janelle McGregor said, “One of my favorite holiday memories was the year my mom piled my siblings and I in the car on Christmas Eve and headed up north in search of snow.  We had to settle for hot dogs and chips instead of a traditional holiday meal, but it was all worth it when we got to spend Christmas in Kentucky playing in the snow for the first time in our lives.”

Ms. Chris Dingle said she has fond memories of Christmases past. “My best Christmas memories are when my daughter, niece, and nephews were small. I played Santa and waited for them to fall asleep. Then, I brought out all of their gifts and toys and waited to watch their faces on Christmas morning.”

Mrs. Gwendolyn Miller said, “My best Christmas memory happened two years ago, going on a cruise with my husband. We had time to be alone. There were no telephones, no intrusions, just being able to be alone with my husband. It was just exciting to get away from everything.”

Ms. Thelberta Daniels said, “My best memory of Christmas memories will be this year. I will be able to provide for my family after being unemployed for a few years. Medical reasons kept me from working.

“Thanks to CDC of Tampa, I have gone from being a volunteer for them for almost a year to being a fulltime Administrative Assistant. The opportunity CDC has given me has made my children feel proud of me, and to know, their Christmas will be merry this year.”

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

Joseph Bryant doesn’t consider himself a hero, but feels he was in the right place at the right time. However, he’s about the only one in his family who feels this way.

Talking to his father, John Bryant, while John works on cars is normal. Joseph said he always talks to his dad and Sunday, December 9^th, was not unusual.

The 22-year-old Tampa native shared the events of that afternoon that will be etched into his memory forever.

“My dad had the back of the truck on the ramps repairing a small leak. I was directly behind it talking to him as I usually do. He was underneath the truck when it came off very fast.

“I jumped up to avoid being hit by the truck, spun around and I heard my father scream. I began pushing the truck and all I knew was that he was screaming. I kept pushing it until I saw him crawl from under it. He was in so much pain he could hardly speak.”

Joseph said at that point his mother and brother came outside and they called the ambulance.

“We didn’t know how bad he was hurt at the time. By the time the ambulance arrived, he started having problems breathing. He was phasing in and out of consciousness because of the pain.”

After his father arrived at St. Joseph’s Hospital, the family learned that John had suffered 4 fractured ribs, a broken collarbone, and a punctured lung, among other injuries.

Joseph already works a full and part-time job. But he was supposed to sign up for an auto mechanics class the week his father was injured. He currently works as a power supply technician on his full time job. His part-time job is in a sandwich shop.

“I want to become a mechanic so that I can help people. I just want to be successful,” the 2009 Hillsborough High School graduate said.

He seldom has time for hobbies, but he enjoys spending time with his fiancé, his 3-year-old daughter, Alisia, and other family members.

When asked how he managed to move it with such ease, Joseph said, “I don’t know how I was able to move it with such ease. I guess instinct just kicked in. When we returned home from the hospital, it took two of my brothers to move the truck.”

John realizes if his son had not been outside, the outcome could have been far worse. He credits his son with saving his life.

John Bryant said it was around noon when he put his 1993 Ford Bronco on the ramps, but he didn’t lock the wheels. He placed the emergency brake on the vehicle and removed the drive shaft.

“I was just working too fast. The truck rolled on me, and my son, Joe, heard me screaming, ran over and pushed it off me. He stopped it from rolling on me further.”

Bryant said he was working on the truck at his home in the 3500 block of N. 12^th Street. His girlfriend and one of his other sons were home at the time, but all they heard was him screaming.

A Tampa native, Bryant attended the public schools of Hillsborough County. He graduated from Hillsborough High School in 1978. The 53-year-old said he made a career of being a mechanic. Joseph is the youngest of his 5 sons. He attends College Hill Church of God In Christ.

“I’m feeling better and the doctors took the tubes out of my chest. I hope I’ll be home for Christmas,” he said.

On Wednesday, a federal judge sentenced a Tampa woman to 5 ½ years in jail for tax fraud and identity theft. She must also repay $119,000 to the federal government.

According to court documents, Ms. Belinda Smith Brooks, 47, entered a guilty plea in May to federal income tax fraud and aggravated identity theft. U. S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven sentenced Ms. Brooks to 42 months in federal prison for the theft of government. Following the completion of that sentence, Ms. Brooks must spend 24 months in federal prison for aggravated identity theft. Additionally, she must complete three years of supervision after her release from prison.

The monetary amount she is ordered to repay the federal government is $118,882.63. She had initially filed claims valued at $223,544. The IRS paid more than half of the claims filed before the fraud was detected, court documents said.

Ms. Brooks entered a guilty plea of filing several fraudulent income tax refunds in 2008 and 2009 in the names of several people. The victims were unaware that Ms. Brooks had filed taxes on their behalf, court records show.