Florida Sentinel Bulletin

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

On Tuesday, October 16^th, Tampa Police officers arrested Tampa Activist Michelle Williams. Ms. Williams was charged with grand theft.

According to the police report, David Lee stated that he purchased a home for $30,000 cash using a quitclaim from Michelle Williams on May 20, 2011. He stated that the condition of the sale was that there were no liens or claims against the property.

Lee further stated, “Michelle acquired the property from Howard Weems also via quitclaim deed. Yet, in talking to Howard Weems, he stated Michelle was assisting him with his foreclosure. I thought Michelle was the owner of the house 909 E Chelsea St., Tampa. I tried to contact Michelle, but she is avoiding me. I now know Michelle sold me a house that she never owned.”

Lee filed the police report in person at Uniform District Three of the Tampa Police Department on June 24, 2011. The case was forwarded to the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office in August 2011.

A warrant was issued for Ms. Williams’ arrest and she was taken into custody on October 16, 2012. She was released on bond the following day.

When contacted by the Sentinel, Ms. Williams issued the following written statement, “Thank you for this opportunity to tell my side of the story. I was arrested on warrant on Oct. 16, 2012 stopped with an alleged tag light traffic stop. I complied with the officer, he ran my driver’s license and said Ms. Williams there appears to be a warrant for your arrest, at first I chuckled and said you must have the wrong Michelle Williams.

“Several minutes went by, he called dispatch and I verified my last four of my social and it was indeed a warrant for me.

“He placed me in the back of the car (door remained open) and he allowed me to make several calls. These charges being lodged against me are false and you’d better believe the RAMS are in the bushes for my defense. Mr. Lee is lying when he states I avoided him, I have a paper trail that would wrap around your building with this man.

“What is happening to me is personal and a direct modern day lynching because of my comments made back in April of this year. My character is under attack and the media with personal attacks of pay back to dehumanize me for standing up and standing for something because I got sick and tired of falling for everything.

“I was arrested in little old Tampa, Florida, but yet it made news around the round world. My arrest has placed me in the minds of the way whites looked at the hung victims from the oak trees. I have nothing further to say about this matter and anyone wishing to be a spectator can come to the court Arraignment Hearing Nov. 7, 2012 at 9 a. m. in Judge Ashley Moody’s Court.

“It will be hard for Mr. Lee to dispute emails coming from his computer which he’d sent to me and on last week. He contacted a dear friend of mine who is an attorney with arrogance, which we have also. I will keep the Sentinel abreast to the case, since it has sparked an interest with your paper.

“As an Activist in this community I would never do anything to bring disgrace or shame in any manner to harm anyone. My passion is for my people regardless of how they may whisper hatred behind me the order of the day is forward and the work will be done.”

Earlier this week, the U. S. Attorney’s Office released a multi-count indictment pertaining to fraudulent income tax returns. The 28-year-old woman accused of the offense was arrested on September 18^th by the U. S. Marshal’s Office.

Ms. Nikia Williams is accused of filing 30 counts of false income tax claims. She was released on bond October 17^th. She faces 10 counts of filing false claims, 10 counts of theft of government property, and 10 counts of aggravated identity theft.

If convicted of the charges, Ms. Williams must also forfeit any property confiscated or derived from money linked to tax fraud. Ms. Williams will also be required to repay $27,497 she received from the tax fraud cases.

According to the indictment, Ms. Williams allegedly filed the false income tax forms beginning January 29, 2011 through March 11, 2011. She allegedly used the names and social security numbers of several individuals without their knowledge or permission.

Tampa Police have arrested a suspect in the attack of an elderly woman at a church on October 18^th.

After analyzing DNA evidence, Demetreius Morris, 26, was charged with sexual battery, kidnapping, lewd and lascivious battery on an elderly person, and lewd and lascivious molestation of an elderly person.

According to the police report, the victim, a 70-year-old woman, entered the Living Word Fellowship at 11:45 a. m. to get a key to a rental home nearby. As she walked to the rental house, Morris reportedly approached her and asked questions about the church.

The victim walked back to the church, and Morris asked her if he could see the sanctuary, police said.

The victim unlocked the door and allowed Morris into the building. After a short period of time, Morris allegedly put his hand over the victim’s mouth, pushed her down onto a chair, and committed a sexual act. He fled from the church on foot.

Morris is being held at the Falkenburg Road Jail with no bond.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

On Saturday, the Hillsborough County Black Elected Officials, in conjunction with U. S. Congresswoman Kathy Castor will kick off Early Voting with an 8 a.m. breakfast at the Open Café, 3332 N. 34^th Street.

State Senator Arthenia Joyner, State Representative Betty Reed, County Commissioner Les Miller, Jr., City Councilman Frank Reddick, Plant City Mayor Mary Mathis, and School Board member Doretha Edgecomb are inviting members of the community to join them for breakfast. The “Dutch Treat” breakfast (everyone pays for his or her own food), is in recognition of the first day of Early Voting.

On Sunday, the same group of elected officials will partner with the Hillsborough County  Branch NAACP, and churches for “Souls to the Polls.” Individuals who don’t vote on Saturday, October 27^th, can cast their ballots on Sunday, October 28^th, as part of “Souls to the Polls”  Initiative.

Ministers throughout the community are encouraged to urge their congregations to cast their ballots early. Five libraries and the Robert L. Gilder Elections Center, 25143 N. Falkenburg Road, will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.

The libraries are: C. Blythe Andrews, Jr., Public Library, 2607 E. Dr. M. L. King, Jr., Blvd.; Plant City, Bruton Memorial Library, 302 W. McLendon Street, Plant City; the Temple Terrace Public Library, 202 Bullard Parkway, Temple Terrace; the West Tampa Library, 2312 W. Union Street; and the Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, 2902 West Bearss Avenue.

For those who want to obtain a Vote By Mail ballots, the last day to request one is October 31^st. The ballot can be mailed or dropped off at one of the voting locations.

The last day to participate in Early Voting is Saturday, November 3^rd. The General Election will take place on Tuesday, November 6^th.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

For more than 24 years, Major Diane Hobley Burney has been a member of the Tampa Police Department. And during that time, she has responded to more calls than she would like to remember pertaining to domestic violence.

October is National Domestic Violence Month and Major Hobley Burney took time to share some advice with Sentinel readers. She also visits schools and talks to teenagers about not becoming victims.

“I was talking to a group of teenagers and one little girl said that her boyfriend only slaps her. I explained to her and the other girls that when a person uses violence, he becomes more and more aggressive. It is so unfortunate that people associate love with domestic violence. They don’t recognize that it creates a very volatile and dangerous situation. If children are exposed to domestic violence and the people stay together, the children connect that with love. But, we have to break the cycle.

“Abuse is abuse. It doesn’t matter if it is verbal, mental or physical. Some people don’t realize that if a person can’t go to the store without permission, that’s   economic abuse.”

Major Hobley Burney said that between January 1^st and October 7^th, the Tampa Police Department responded to and investigated 2,100 cases of Domestic Violence. So far, this year, there has been only 1 death attributed to Domestic Violence, but she said even one is too many.

She further said that some families may see that their loved one is being abused, but feel that it’s not his or her business. Others become frustrated when the victim refuses to leave the situation.

“Families and friends have to understand that it is very difficult for the victim to leave. They have to be patient and eventually that person will leave. They also have to understand that this is the most dangerous time for them because by leaving she is taking control away from the abuser. A victim may go to a safe place five or six times before finally breaking the ties. Family and friends have to be patient and provide support for them,” Major Hobley Burney said.

Some signs of Domestic Violence includes the abuser having a controlling nature; isolating the victim from loved ones and friends; verbal abuse that progresses to physical abuse, sexual abuse, and mental abuse.

Last week, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and Tampa Police Department concluded their two day warrants roundup in Sulphur Springs, Ybor City, Jackson Heights, Belmont Heights, Seminole Heights, East Tampa and South Tampa.

Authorities said they expect the operation to reduce the number of outstanding warrants in Hillsborough County.

According to statistics, 30 people were arrested, 37 warrants were served, 50 charges were filed (30 felony, 20 misdemeanor), and 5 juveniles were arrested.

Arrested in the operation were: Corey Smith (pictured, top left), 34; Jerald Stone (pictured, top right), 28; Don Green (pictured, bottom left), 31; Calvin Toombs (pictured, bottom right), 43; Byron Orellana, 22; Millard McCaw, 55; Deborah Arcoraci, 50; Johnnie Putts, 55; Stacy Helfer, 35; Matthew Vancise, 19; Erster Rucker, 42; John Malloy, 56; Thmarque Sanders, 38; Antwan Comer, 26; Reginald Britton, 50; Tinesha Ashford, 19; Billy Nelson, 25; Martin Anderson, 34; Dwayne Malone, 23; Ronnie Wyche, 48; Robert Stuyvenberg, 33; Frederick Hobbs, 21; Christopher McGhee, 30; Ronald McCray, 53, and Walter Hightower, 63.

On Monday, a judge sentenced a Valrico man to 10 years in prison his two children died in August 2009 from high body temperatures.

Michael Ervin, Jr., 29, pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated manslaughter in the deaths of 18-month-old Zionna Ervin, and 5-month-old Kaden Warren.

The Medical Examiner determined the children died of environmental hyperthermia. Authorities said Zionna’s body temperature was 109 degrees, and Kaden’s was 105.

Authorities reported that the children were lifeless when Ervin took them to a Brandon hospital. Investigators searched a car but did not confirm whether the children died from being left in a hot vehicle.

As part of the plea agreement, Ervin’s prison sentence will be followed by five years of probation.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON

Sentinel City Editor

Saturday, October 27^th, marks the first day of Early Voting. Residents will be able to cast ballots at several local venues.

Members of the Hillsborough County Coalition of Concerned Citizens will host their final Early Voting Rally on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 6. p.m. The event will take place at Al Barnes Park, 2902 N. 32^nd Street, (formerly known as 18^th Avenue Park).

Ms. Ann Jenkins, Voter Registration Chairperson for the Hillsborough County Coalition of Concerned Citizens said, “We are having an Early Voting Rally and we will provide transportation to and from the Early Voting sites.

“We are trying to carry as many voters to the polls to cast their vote as needed. Our goal is to see if our voter registration drives had a positive impact; not only for our organization, but for all the organizations who took the time to work hard on voter registration.”

A representative from the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Office will be on hand to answer questions regarding voting. Additionally, there will be machines available for citizens to check their voting status.

Those planning to attend the rally should have acceptable photo identification to vote. The identification forms include: driver’s license; state issued identification card; debit or credit card with a photo; military identification; student identification; retirement center identification, neighborhood association identification, or public assistance identification.

Members of the organization will transport voters to and from the following voting locations: C. Blythe Andrews, Jr., Public Library, 2607 E. Dr. King, Jr.; the Fred B. Karl County Center, 26^th Floor, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd.; Robert L. Gilder Election Service Center, 2514 N. Falkenburg Rd.; and Temple Terrace Public Library, 202 Bullard Parkway.

Early Voting will take place from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m., from Saturday, October 27^th through Saturday, November 3^rd.

Black Elected Officials To Kick Off Early Voting 

People throughout the country will cast ballots for the 2012 Presidential Election on November 6^th. In Hillsborough County can participate in the Early Voting initiative, on Saturday, October 27^th.

On Saturday morning, the Hillsborough County Black Elected Officials will join U. S. Congresswoman Kathy Castor to kick off Early Voting. They will kick off the First Day of Early Voting with a breakfast. The breakfast will take place at 8 a.m., at the Open Café, 3332 N. 34^th Street.

The Black elected officials who will gather for the “Dutch Treat” (all persons pay for their own breakfast),” are State Senator Arthenia Joyner, State Representative Betty Reed, Hillsborough County Commissioner Les Miller, Jr., Plant City Mayor Mary Mathis, City Councilman Frank Reddick, and School Board member Doretha Edgecomb.

Following the breakfast, the group will assemble at the C. Blythe Andrews, Jr. Public Library to cast their early votes.

BY TAMECA JOHNSON

Freelance Writer

Lazy Days R.V. Center has appointed a new leader to head its sales and training departments.  And, for the first time in its history, that person is African American.

Demond McKinley is the new man in charge.  The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, native moved to Tampa in 1997, and joined the Lazy Days staff 13 years ago.  He was recruited while selling manufactured homes for the company Fleetwood Homes.

McKinley quickly climbed the charts with outstanding sales at Lazy Days, earning the title Sales Person of the Year four times in six years.  “I was 23 when I started,” he says.  “I was the youngest person they had hired and I really took it on and worked hard to learn the selling system.”  McKinley’s commitment paid off.  In addition to promotions, his income also skyrocketed.

“I’m self motivated.  I work like it’s 100% on me and pray like it’s 100% on God.  I’m a firm believer that your perception on life becomes your reality, so I took on a perception that I was going to become successful, and it came true.”

McKinley’s clientele is diverse and includes many African Americans who have sent a lot of business his way.  “I get a lot of referrals.  The most rewarding aspect for me is to be able to help people fulfill their dream of having freedom of a different lifestyle.”

He says his greatest wish is to see more African Americans apply for positions at Lazy Days.  “Before I started I knew nothing about R. V. sales.  But this job has been wonderful for me and my family and I would love to be able to help others grow.”

McKinley’s sales success has led him to take on other ventures. In addition to his job at Lazy Days, he is also owner of Florida R. V. Outpost, an R. V. park in Steinhatchee, located three and a half miles north of Tampa, off U. S. 19 near the town of Perry.

He is a board member of the Lazy Days Employee Foundation, an organization that works to make a difference in the lives of disadvantaged youths.  He’s also a member of Men of Valor, a small group of African American men who meet every Saturday working together to become “better men of God, better husbands and better fathers.”

He is married to Brandi McKinley, a Pittsburgh native and educator currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Education.  They are the parents of four daughters and are members of Grace Family Church, in Lutz.