Florida Sentinel Bulletin

On Tuesday, July 10th, Ms. Danielle Denson will appear before Judge Mark A. Pizzo. During her appearance, she plans to plead guilty of committing several crimes ranging from using another person’s identification without their knowledge to tax fraud.

According to court documents, police executed a search warrant at Ms. Denson’s apartment in Riverview on May 31, 2001. Inside, law enforcement discovered income tax returns using several stolen identities in the nightstand. They also recovered hundreds of pages of handwritten and typewritten ledgers containing names, social security numbers, and refund amounts.

They also located print out confirmations from TurboTax.com showing successful filling of federal income tax returns and paperwork associated with reloadable debit cards.

The agents recovered three debit cards in Ms. Denson’s name and a bag hanging up in her closet that contained $101,800, documents show.

At the time of the search, Ms. Denson drove a 2008 Mercedes that she later sold. She also purchased a 2006 Nissan in her girlfriend’s name, police said.

Court documents stated, “Denson’s medical records also revealed that she obtained thousands of dollars worth of plastic surgery, which the defendant (Denson) paid for with tax fraud monies.”
She is accused of filing fraudulent tax returns from 2008 through 2011, using stolen identities.

All of the refunds she attempted to file totaled approximately $2,363,849. Some were rejected, but Ms. Denson successfully obtained approximately $1,646,636.60 in tax refunds, court documents show.

She is facing up to ten years in prison for knowingly using another person’s identification and a two-year mandatory sentence to run consecutively to that sentence.

Ms. Denson will also be required to repay the funds received and funds of $250,000.

BY LEON B. CREWS
Sentinel Staff Writer

A few months ago, a group of young people decided to come up with an activity where they could enjoy themselves without creating a problem for others.

The activity would be called “Teco Tuesday,” and would consist of young people gathering in the street dancing as music played from sound systems in cars.

The first event occurred within Belmont Heights Estates, and immediately drew complaints from the elderly residents.

Bill Sims, who handles security for the complex, said elderly residents were afraid to come out of their apartments.

“They called to say the streets were packed with young people doing vulgar dances, young females dressed scantly, loud music coming from cars, and drug use. “They also said when one of them approached the group to tell them they were creating a disturbance, they were cursed at and told to go back into their apartment.”

Tampa Police District III Commander, Major Gerald Honeywell, was made aware of the situation, and sent officers over to survey the situation. “My officers reported seeing the young people dancing to the loud music, and they were in the street, not on the Belmont Heights Estates property.

“There weren’t any incidents, but we did tell them the music was too loud, and there were too many of them gathered in one place. We also told them about the complaints coming from the residents.”

Since then, the event has become mobile, and has occurred in different areas of the city, usually close to a public housing complex.

One of the event’s organizers, Lakeshia Roseboro, said they did this because they thought it would be better for them to dance than fight. “We’re not trying to start any problems, or disturb the elderly people. We’re just a group of young people trying to have fun. Why can’t we be allowed to do that?”

Tampa Housing CEO, Jerome Ryans, said he is totally opposed to the event. “I recently had residents of the Bethune Hi-Rise call me about the event occurring on Oregon Street, and I personally went over to see what was going on.

“What I saw was about 300 young people hanging out with young ladies dancing in the streets and being vulgar.”

Ryans said this will not be tolerated on or near public housing complexes. “After getting complaints from Bethune Hi-Rise and Belmont Heights Estates, I’ve asked police to shut it down if it happens again.

“I’m also aware they had been gathering in a park near Bethune Hi-Rise, and that park is owned by this agency. We won’t allow this to occur on our property.”

Ryans said it’s going to be hot this summer, and he wants to stop these kind of activities before they get started. “We’ve stopped it two Tuesdays in a row, and we’re not going to tolerate it.

“If they want to get together, I suggest they go through the city and do it the right way at one of the parks.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

A memorial service will be held for a retired law enforcement officer who broke color barriers during his career. He was employed by three law enforcement agencies during his career.

Mr. Sammie Lee Philmore, Sr., died on June 21st after a lengthy illness. He was 85 years old. The Memorial Service will take place on Saturday, June 30th at 3 p.m., at Garden of Memories Funeral Home, 4207 E. Lake Avenue.

Mrs. Peggy Philmore said her husband of 31 years had been ill for the past year. He died at Hospice House, in Ruskin.

Mr. Philmore was born in Hillsborough County on February 27, 1927. He attended the public schools of Hillsborough County. After graduating from Middleton High School, Mr. Philmore obtained his A. A. Degree in Police Administration from St. Petersburg Junior College.

He joined the Tampa Police Department in 1957 and worked there for twenty years.

During his tenure with Tampa Police, Mr. Philmore became the first African American Sergeant assigned to the patrol division to command a squad in Uniform District I, retired Tampa Police Sgt. Rufus Lewis said.

After retiring in 1977, Mr. Philmore joined the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, where he worked for about 4 years. During his tenure with the Sheriff’s Office, Mr. Philmore became the first African American deputy to serve as a School Resource Officer.

Around 1981, Mr. Philmore transferred to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), where he retired in 1989, bringing to a close, more than thirty years as a law enforcement officer.

Mr. Philmore continued his education and obtained his B. S. Degree in Criminology from the University of Tampa. He also earned a Master’s Degree as well, his wife said.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Philmore is survived by seven children, several grandchildren, great grandchildren, other relatives and friends.

BY TAMECA JOHNSON
Freelance Writer

Derrick Hodges always knew he wanted to make a difference.  He had big shoes to fill, joining the military nearly 20 years ago following in his father’s footsteps.  He has by far exceeded expectations during his life of service.

Hodges now holds the title of Lieutenant Colonel Commander of the 310th Airlift Squadron at MacDill Air Force Base.  He is the first African American to ever hold the position.

That leadership role puts him in charge of the unit responsible for transporting senior civilian and military leaders in the Department of Defense.  This means he is responsible for the aircraft and personnel that transport such high profile leaders as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta.  As Commander, Lt. Col. Hodges is also responsible for the combat readiness of 60 crew members and the worldwide employment of three specially equipped C 37A aircraft.

His rise to the top has been years in the making and is due in large part to the standards set by his father, the late Chief Warrant Officer 4 Joseph Hodges, a 27-year retired Army veteran.

“I’ve been fortunate to have served with many fine officers and enlisted leaders,” Lt. Col. Hodges admits.  “But my father has always been the leader and role model I try to emulate.  He led by example and often shared insights from his career with me.”  His father not only mentored him, but numerous other junior officers who later became well respected and accomplished Army officers.

Lt. Col. Hodges was born in Oklahoma, but has lived across the globe.  He holds numerous degrees, including a Bachelor of Science from Tulane University, a Master’s in Aeronautical Science in Operations and Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a Master’s in Strategic Intelligence from National Defense University.  He has logged more than 3,100 hours of flight time and is not even 40 years old yet.

Lt. Col. Hodges officially took over the position during a Changing of the Guard Ceremony Friday (June 22nd) at MacDill A. F. B.  His mother, Joann Hodges, along with several other family members traveled long distances to witness the historic event.

“I can talk all day about my son,” she says.  “But my first thought is ‘my husband would be so proud.’  He passed away in 2008 and looking back on it, he once said to me, ‘Having Derrick was the one something we did right.’  Derrick is our only child.  This is just all surreal to me.  I hope to live long enough after he retires and gets a job with a commercial airline, to be on a plane going anywhere and hear the pilot come on the intercom and introduce himself as ‘Captain Derrick Hodges.’  That’s when I’ll throw up my hands and say ‘God you can take me now!’”

Lt. Col. Hodges is married to Robin Rice-Hodges.  They are the proud parents of three children and members of First Baptist Church of College Hill. One of his son’s recently graduated from Howard University and is commissioning into the United States Army as a 2nd lieutenant this week.

U. S. Rep. Kathy Castor announced that she had secured a second round of funding for an East Tampa non-profit organization. The Department of Labor awarded the grant to Computer Mentors Group, Inc.

“Computer Mentors Group understands the value of training children and teens so they have the computer skills they need to succeed. They also work with young adults leaving the juvenile justice system on acquiring computer skills so they can find good-paying jobs in computer-related fields, which has a positive impact on the community’s overall economy.

“Those involved in the initiative give back to the community by helping nonprofits and others with computer problems,” Rep. Castor said.

Computer Mentors Group will use the grant money to serve more than 100 Hillsborough County young adults who have been involved with the juvenile justice system. Those involved in Computer Mentors Group will also provide computer help to non-profit organizations and community residents, including veterans and low-income families.

The Department of Labor awarded approximately $30 million in grants nationwide today, for 21 projects. Castor made a similar announcement last year when the Department of Labor granted Computer Mentors Group $1 million.

On Wednesday, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a 22-year-old man on a charge of attempted murder in connection with a robbery.

A victim identified Ernest Hardy as the man who shot him during a robbery on June 6th.

Deputies said Hardy and his brother shot the lock off the victim’s door the day of the robbery. The two men reportedly entered the residence and ordered the victim onto the floor. They stole two televisions and a cell phone. During the robbery, the victim was reportedly told by the man with the gun he was going to kill him, the report said.

The victim told authorities he thought the men left, so he started to get up, but was shot in the buttocks. Deputies said that the bullet shattered the victim’s hip bone.

On Tuesday, Hardy’s brother, who was arrested as a co-defendant, told deputies his brother was the shooter in the case. The victim picked Hardy out of a line-up Wednesday.

Hardy was charged with attempted first degree murder and robbery. He is being held without bail.

Authorities said 12 hours later, Damarc Owens, 24, pawned one of the stolen televisions using his identification card. Deputies interviewed Owens who reportedly confessed to the home invasion and possessing a firearm during the robbery.

Owens was charged with attempted murder, robbery home invasion, dealing in stolen property, and false information on a pawnbroker form.

In less than 12 hours after the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the San Antonio Spurs to become the West Division champions, a team from the National Basketball Association in New York was on its way to Oklahoma City.

Their mission: to spruce up the City Rescue Mission, a homeless shelter, the largest in Oklahoma and to open a new NBA Cares Learn and Play Center.

One of the members of the team that went west was Tampa native, Erjaam Hayes, Coordinator of Community Relations, NBA. He was joined by another colleague, the NBA’s Senior Vice President of Community Relations, and Executive Vice President. Social Responsibility and Player Programs were also involved in the project.

“Once we landed in Oklahoma City, it was all hands on deck. We had less than a week to complete the renovation project and ready it in time to showcase for the press conference.”

The ribbon-cutting ceremony with NBA Commissioner David Stern, Thunder players, City Rescue Mission representatives and other volunteers.

The NBA opened a similar space in Miami this past Monday at the Miami Springs Community Center.

Although in their first Finals appearance and their first time involved in this event, Hayes said, “working with a staff like the Thunder made completing the project a lot easier.”

He added that the look on the faces of those who reap the benefits from this project, makes all feel inspired.

The day after Game 1 of the NBA Finals in Oklahoma, a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the NBA Learn and Play Center was held to officially open the new space, with NBA Commissioner David Stern, Thunder players and others participating.

One announcement said that “the new center will give the many homeless children who stay at the center a place to go for tutoring, unwinding and catching up on their school work.” The learning center is complete with new computers and new books.

The event was successful with the help of several volunteers from the Thunder and City Rescue Mission.

Hayes has been with the NBA since he graduated in 2007 from FAMU School of Business and Industry with a Bachelor of Science, Business Administration and Master’s in Business Administration.

In his role in the Community Relations Department, Erjaam travels around the country and works on projects with the NBA,  NBA D-League WNBA.

Hayes is the son of James and Gwen Hayes.

On Wednesday, Judge Gregory Holder ordered a woman accused of killing her 4-month-old daughter to be committed to a state hospital.

Eboni Thompson, 32, was found incompetent to stand trial by two psychiatrists. A third reported hat Thompson was incompetent but may be able to stand trial after six months to a year of intensive therapy.

Thompson had been previously ordered not to have any unsupervised visits with her children. In December 2010, Thompson was left alone with her 4-month-old daughter, Markala.

Police said Thompson put her hand around the infant’s neck to make her stop crying. Later, a Medical Examiner reported that Markala had three broken ribs and a broken arm.

Thompson was charged with first degree murder.

In a hearing on June 8th, experts testified Thompson is mentally disabled and capable of only second-grade intelligence. She also displayed symptoms of battered woman syndrome and depressive disorder with psychotic features.

Judge Holder agreed with the experts that Thompson’s illness would require around-the-clock care. Thompson’s sister in Virginia, Carol Williams, offered to take care of her, and told the judge she and her husband planned to continue to work if custody was granted.

“Committing Thompson to the state hospital Mentally Retarded Defendant’s Program will allow the court to make sure she is receiving the recommended care and to continually monitor her progress,” said Judge Holder.

The judge’s order said she may be released from the state hospital only on an order from the court.

Judge Holder also denied a motion to dismiss the charges against Thompson without prejudice, so that lawyers could re-file the motion at a later date.

A Hillsborough County jury found a 28-year-old man guilty of attempting to set his estranged wife afire. The jury deliberated about 7 hours before reaching the verdict.

Walter Dunn, III (pictured), was arrested on November 2, 2009, and charged with attempted second-degree murder; burglary of a dwelling with assault or battery; felony battery; aggravated assault with a deadly weapon; and kidnapping. The jury convicted Dunn of false imprisonment instead of kidnapping. The guilty verdict means

According to police, deputies responded to the home of Marco Ramirez after he reported that Dunn came to his residence, broke the glass to gain entry, and forced his wife, Ms. Alison Aquino-Sanchez, to leave with him. Ramirez directed deputies to the Dunn residence in the 7400 block of Oak Vista Circle, where they located her in the garage with several lacerations, cuts and abrasions.

Police said after Dunn broke into Ramirez’s home, he punched and kicked his wife, dragged her out through the broken glass by the hair, and forced her into his vehicle.

Once the couple reached their residence, Ms. Aquino-Sanchez told police Dunn doused her with gasoline and twice attempted to set her afire, but the lighter failed both times.

Deputies arrived and arrested Dunn at the scene. He has been held at the jail without a bond since the arrest.

Dunn could face a 20-year prison term when sentenced on August 10, 2012.