Florida Sentinel Bulletin

BY LEON B. CREWS
Sentinel Staff Writer

Ms. Antoinette Glover said it was not accident that synthetic marijuana, and drug smoking paraphernalia, have found their way into stores only in inner-city communities.

“As merchants, I understand they have rights, but as consumers and parents, I think we have rights as well. “We have a right to come into their stores with our children, and not be directly exposed to synthetic marijuana and drug paraphernalia products. It’s bad enough they have them in their stores, but they have dedicated an entire display case to these products, and they have them right in the front of the store.”

Ms. Glover lives in the Wimauma area, and said she was elated to see the county stepping up and doing something about the problem. “I read where Governor Scott is looking at signing a bill to outlaw the sale of synthetic marijuana, and that’s a step in the right direction.

“I’m happy that Hillsborough County has stepped up, but there are more stores in the inner city that sell the products than in the county, and that’s why I started a petition.”

Ms. Glover has gotten more than a thousand signatures on her petition from citizens who don’t want the products sold in their community. “I’m going to be making a presentation to the Tampa City Council in two weeks, and I hope they see how serious this problem is, and what these products are doing to the children in our communities.

“It’s time we as parents and grandparents take a stand and say enough is enough.”

On Wednesday afternoon, a Tampa Police officer reported that he was patrolling in the area of 34th Street and Lake Avenue when he saw Nakishia Riley, 22, driving a vehicle without wearing her seat belt. The officer said he also saw a small child sitting in the front passenger seat without a seat belt or in a car seat.

The officer conducted a traffic stop at Lake and 33rd Street, and Riley identified herself by presenting the officer with her driver’s license.

The officer ran Riley’s information and she had no warrants. Because Riley had been involved in a drug offense on March 19, 2011, the officer requested a K9 unit to respond to the location.

The officer said 15 minutes later as he was writing two citations for Riley, K9 arrived, and the dog alerted on the vehicle. During a search of the vehicle, the officer reported finding marijuana residue along with a notebook containing hundreds of names, date of births, and social security numbers.

When the officer opened the trunk of the vehicle, he reported seeing a large amount of dresses on hangers with the security tags still attached. There were also purses and other clothing with the price tags still attached.

The officer called the retail store where the clothing came from at Westshore Mall, and after talking to the manager, he learned they were missing 38 dresses.

Riley was transported to the District 3 headquarters so she could be interviewed by a detective. A detective and officer approached Riley as she was talking on her cell phone and told her she was not under arrest, but being detained.

Riley was subsequently charged with 46 counts of dealing in stolen property and obstruction. She is being held under a bond of $338,000

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

The National Bar Association (NBA) will host its Annual Mid-Year Conference at the Hyatt Regency in Tampa April 19th through April 22nd. Several local attorneys and judges will be among the award recipients.

Attorney Carolyn House Stewart (pictured) is an award designee of the Gertrude E. Rush Award. She is a shareholder MacFarlane Ferguson & McMullen and is the newly appointed Cooley Law School Professor. She is also the International President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Attorney House Stewart lives and practices in Tampa.

The Honorable Mary S. Scriven was the first African American woman to serve in any capacity on the federal court in the State of Florida. She is the second African American woman to serve on the federal court in the Eleventh Circuit.  She was appointed as a U. S. District Judge for the Middle District of Florida in 2008.

Judge Scriven will receive the Gertrude E. Rush award.

The Honorable Karla Foreman Wright joined the Florida Bar in 1984. Judge Wright was appointed to the Polk County Court Bench, Tenth Judicial Circuit in 2000. She was elevated to the Circuit Court, where she became the first African American judge. She resides in Bartow.

Judge Wright will receive the Gertrude E. Rush award.

The Honorable Alice Bonner has the distinction of never missing a National Bar Association Convention since 1971. In 2008, she was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame during its 83rd Annual Convention and Exhibits in Houston, Texas. Judge Bonner was the first Black female judge appointed in Houston, Texas.

Judge Bonner will receive the Gertrude E. Rush award.

Attorney Marilyn Holifield moved to Tampa and accepted a position with a local law firm in 1981. Five years later, she was named a partner in the Chesterfield Smith law firm in Miami. She has received several honors and forms of recognition and is consistently listed as a top lawyer in Chambers USA, The Best Lawyers in America, Florida Trend’s Legal Elite, and Super Lawyers.

Attorney Holifield will receive the Gertrude E. Rush award.

Attorney Bishop C. Holifield is a native of Boston, Massachusetts. He grew up in Tallahassee, and served as the General Counsel of Florida A & M University for 26 of his 30 years in practice. He was also the founding General Counsel, of Florida A & M University, School of Law.

Attorney Holifield is retired and manages a farm in Gadsden County. However, he handles select legal cases. Attorney Holifield will receive the Gertrude E. Rush award.

Tony Dungy is a former head football coach in the National Football League and a New York Times Best Selling author.

Dungy, who served as the head coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, retired coach for the Indianapolis Colts. During his seven years leading the Colts, he became the first African American coach to win a Super Bowl. He was also one of the most respected and popular NFL coaches in the league. Dungy will receive the Gertrude E. Rush award.

Attorney Lansing Scriven is a partner in the Commercial Litigation Group of the national law firm, Quarles & Brady LLP. He concentrates on business litigation, and has been selected by his peers as a member of Florida Trend magazine’s Legal Elite.

Attorney Scriven is a native of Jacksonville. He lives and practices in Tampa. Attorney Scriven will receive the Herman Marion Sweatt Award.

Attorney Grady C. Irvin, Jr., is the founding member of the Irvin Law Firm, based in Tampa. In 1992, Attorney Irvin was the only African American in a class of 104 students to graduate from Stetson University, College of Law.

He was also one of the ceremony’s most decorated members including his selection by the law school’s faculty to receive its honor as that member of the graduating class expected to make a legal contribution of national significance. He has also worked with several notable firms in the bay area. Attorney Irvin will receive the Herman Marion Sweatt Award.

Attorney Larry D. Hardaway is a native of Winter Haven. His “firsts” include becoming the first African American to be President of the Senior Class at Winter Haven High School, and to be nominated Governor for Boy’s State in 1971.

Attorney Hardaway currently practices Personal Injury Law and Criminal Law in the firm of Larry D. Hardaway & Associates in Lakeland. Attorney Hardaway will receive the Herman Marion Sweatt Award.

Attorney Daryl D. Parks is the national president. Tampa lawyers, Warren H. Dawson and Arthenia Joyner have both served as NBA Presidents.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

Four years ago, two brothers went out to celebrate their respective birthdays. But what should have been a joyous occasion, turned into a tragedy that had life-altering results.

The incident that changed the lives of one Tampa family took place on April 8, 2008. Willie Cherry, III, had just turned 22 on April 5th, and Adrian Cherry was looking forward to his 18th birthday on April 9th.

The young men had gone to the Salem’s Gyro Restaurant, 4004 E. Hillsborough Avenue.

According to police, Willie Cherry, III, was inside the restaurant when he observed four men robbing his brother in the parking lot. He attempted to intervene and was shot in the chest. He died at the scene.

Ms. Ramona Lawrence, mother of the two young men said her family was devastated following the murder. “I have to forgive, but I can’t forget it. I have to live on, but, it’s hard.”

After the murder of his brother, Adrian enrolled at Bethune Cookman University as an Accounting major. He will graduate on May 11th, his mother said.

The murder of her son was made even more devastating because their father, Willie Cherry, Jr., had been killed during a robbery 12 years earlier. She credits her faith for having survived. “When it happened, I was so deep in the Word. When God puts it together, nothing can take it apart. Still, it’s a hard pill to swallow.

“It’s just the grace of God. God has really been shining on him. He has stayed strong. I’m just so proud of him, and I thank God,” Ms. Lawrence said.

She further stated that she wanted to surprise Adrian, who will turn 22 on Monday, April 9th, on his birthday by letting everyone know that he is doing well and moving on with his life.

At the time of his death, Willie was employed at Carinal Health Center as a Production Coordinator. He was the father of one son, Willie Cherry, IV, who is now 4-years-old.

Adrian enjoys spending time with his family, especially his 15-month-old daughter, Monique.

Earlier this week, U. S. District Judge William J. Castagna sentenced a convenience store operator to 37 months in prison. He was arrested for having a gun in his possession after having been convicted of a felony.

A jury found Khaldoun Khalil Khawaja, aka Tony Khawaja, 47, guilty of the charge on January 19, 2012.

According to evidence presented at trial, Khawaja operated several convenience stores, including Main Street Groceries, which is also known as Tony’s Groceries. A law enforcement investigation revealed that Tony Khawaja, who was on probation, was negotiating fraudulently obtained federal income tax refund checks in his office at the back of the store.

An undercover Hillsborough County investigator took two Treasury checks to Main Street Groceries on May 5th of last year. The investigator went into the back and Khawaja paid twenty cents on the dollar, or $240 in cash for each of the checks.

Neither of the checks were in the name of the investigator. While in the store, the investigator observed a .12 gauge shotgun next to the desk where Khawaja was sitting.

The incident was captured on video. On may 20, a federal search warrant was executed at the store, and agencies recovered shotgun shells, .380 caliber ammunition, and a loaded .9mm semiautomatic Glock handgun.

Agents also recovered $9,498.52 in cash from Khawaja’s office and four U.S. Treasury checks from his front pants pocket.

The investigation was part of Operation Rainmaker Initiative. The task force consists of representatives from several federal agencies as well as state and local law enforcement agencies. It was created to investigate the widespread fraudulent use of personal information and federal income tax returns fraud in the Tampa Bay region.

Three young men were taken into custody last weekend after a drug buy. Each of the men are being held on more than $100,000 bond.

According to the Tampa Police Department, ROC Squad 334 set up a drug buy with the men. The incident took place at 5050 E. 10th Avenue, around 9:30 p.m., Friday.

Police said once the men arrived, the officers boxed in their 2008 Nissan Xterra, and they fled on foot. After a brief chase, all three were arrested.

The officers then searched the men and their vehicle and discovered $14,957 in cash, four fraudulent tax refund checks, worth $43,165, and 67 turbo tax debit cards with an estimated cash value of $600,000. Police also confiscated a box containing ledgers and pages of personal information belonging to hundreds of people, police said.

Police also found 48.7 grams of powder and rock cocaine, 100 grams of marijuana, digital scales, packaging materials and other drug paraphernalia items, police said.

Jason Christopher (pictured, right) was charged with trafficking in cocaine, felony possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia and delivery of cocaine.

Sondonnie Christopher was charged with trafficking in cocaine, felony possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia and delivery of cocaine.

Damian Bowie was charged with charged with trafficking in cocaine, felony possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Bowie also had four outstanding arrests warrants.

At 6 a. m. Friday morning, Tampa Fire Rescue and Tampa Police received fire call at 3613 East Diana Street. When they arrived, the house was engulfed in flames. Firefighters forced entry into the home, and pulled two young children to safety. Both were transported to Tampa General Hospital and reported to be in critical condition.

The mother and her 6-year-oild were able to escape, but the mother was burned and also hospitalized. The 6-year-old was not harmed.

Authorities later identified the mother of the children as 24-year-old Kimberly Mack. The children were identified as Chazmaine Small (6), Elijah Small (5), and Ja-niyah Grant, 18 months.

Ja-niyah’s grand-mother, Flestia Vaughn, said Monday that Ja-niyah passed away Sunday, and Ms. Mack said Elijah is still hospitalized and in a lot of pain.

Ms. Mack said they had moved into the house February 4th. She later recalled the events of Friday morning.

“I was awakened from my sleep, because I was hot. When I jumped from the bed, the house was full of smoke. My first thought was my children, so I went looking for a fire extinguisher. I couldn’t find one.

“Chazmaine was in the front of the house, so I told him to run out and get help. When I tried to get to my other children, my pants caught on fire, and I ran outside and tried to get help from my next door neighbor.”

Ms. Mack said there were no smoke detectors in the house, and the burglar bars covering the windows were the reason she couldn’t get her kids out.

“When we moved into the house, I was never comfortable with the burglar bars. I actually did a little test to see if I could get the kids through the burglar bars, and it didn’t work. “I did everything I could to get my children out. It hurts me that I’ve lost a child and another one is suffering.”

Ms. Mack’s mother, Tracy Parks, said she feels the landlord should have had smoke detectors installed in the house. “If there had been smoke detectors, everyone would have gotten out safe and unhurt.

“Right now, Kimberly is blaming herself, but it’s not her fault. She’s not holding up good at all, and we’re trying to do whatever we can to support her.”

Ms. Parks said her advice to all mothers is no matter how desperate your situation may be, don’t put our children in a dangerous situation.

Ms. Parks said Kimberly had no insurance on the house or for Ja-niyah, and they will need all the help they can get.

Early Saturday morning, a 21-year-old man was shot several times during an attempted robbery. The robbery took place at the intersection of Harney Road and N. 56th Street.

According to police, Jarret Michael Eitson and two friends were leaving a nearby club shortly after midnight. As the three walked to their vehicle parked on the roadway, two unidentified Black men approached them.

The men attempted to robbery them and during the commission of the offense, Eitson, who was shot several times, died at the scene.

The two men fled the scene in a black or dark blue 1990s or early 2000 sedan with dark tinted windows.

Police said the other robbery victims were not injured. The names of the man and woman are not released because they are witnesses in the investigation.

A native of San Antonio, Texas, Eitson was the son of Shannon Eitson, of Baytown, Texas, and the late Ms. Donnis Eitson. He moved to Gallatin, Tennessee, in 1992, to live with relatives. After visiting relatives in New Jersey, Eitson settled in Tampa about two years ago. After moving to Tampa, Eitson liked the area and decided to make it his home.

His grandmother, Mrs. Martha Pullen, of Gallatin, said Jarret had a younger sister, Jazmine.

Mrs. Pullen said his mother died at the age of 40 of a brain tumor. She was buried five years ago in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Jarret will be laid to rest beside his mother.

He is also survived by grandfather, John Pullen, grandmother, Mary Eitson, and great grandmother, Cordie McDade, as well as other family members and friends.

Funeral services for Jarret will be held on Saturday, April 7, at 12 noon, at Wisconsin Memorial Park Chapel of Chimes. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Leon L. Williams Funeral Home, 2157 N. 12th Street, Milwaukee, WI, (414) 374-1812.

BY TAMECA JOHNSON
Freelance Writer

If at first you don’t succeed, keep trying.  That’s the mindset of members of Tampa Organization of Black Affairs as they continue efforts to help the community find ways to restore classic R&B and community talk show programming to Bay area air waves.

Their mission has been ongoing since this market lost WTMP last September, the area’s only R&B and Classic Soul station that provided local talk shows geared towards the Black community.  Davidson Media Group took over the station’s lease, call letters, website, FM and AM dials and according to TOBA spokesman, James Ransom, regaining ownership has been extremely challenging.

“We had people in place who had the means to invest money to buy back WTMP.  We did our research and determined the value of the station is $1.5 million, but the asking price went from $3 million, to $4 million to now $5 million, with no justification for it.  So, those potential investors felt it was not in their best interest to pursue the deal because the asking price was inflated.”

Ransom says TOBA then met with a larger group of smaller investors in an effort to lease an AM dial station, but later determined of the 14 people who were interested, only five really had the means to move forward financially.  The larger group of investors was willing to commit  approximately $125,000, however, that amount fell short of the $300,000 needed to move ahead with the lease deal.

TOBA is now calling on the community at large and asking those that have an interest in this effort to contribute what they can to a community investment fund.  Investors should contact TOBA at P. O. Box 3485, Tampa 33601, include a contact number and/or email address along with a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Ransom says a certified accounting firm would be hired to establish an escrow account to receive and manage the funds.  The names of investors and the amount they invested would be published regularly in the Florida Sentinel Bulletin.   If the amount raised falls short of the $300,000 needed, Ransom says all monies would be returned to those who sent it.

“The call to action is simple,” he says.  “It’s not what we say, it’s what we do.  We don’t have a strong record of philanthropy on a major scale in Tampa, but if we all pull our funds together we can make a difference.”