Florida Sentinel Bulletin

Tampa Police Homicide Detectives are investigating the death of a 19-year-old man found shot to death early Monday morning.

According to reports, Trey Anglin was found at 4:20 a.m. sitting in a car in the driveway of his home with a bullet wound to the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Homicide detectives have ruled Anglin’s death as unexplained, but did say an eyewitness told them he shot himself.

Anglin’s mother, Marva Anglin, said what the police have told them, and what the witness told them doesn’t make any sense.

“I was sitting in my office in the front of the house with the shades pulled back all night long, and I never heard a gunshot. No one else in the neighborhood heard a gunshot, so what the witness said doesn’t make any sense.”

Ms. Anglin said Trey was with a white female who had picked him up from a house down the street. She was in the car with him when he was shot, and said she and Trey had been sitting in the driveway since around midnight talking.

“First of all, none of my neighbors saw a car sitting in the yard, and I was looking out of the window during the time she said they were there, and I didn’t see a car in the driveway.

“We know Trey, and he never sits in a car with a girl and just talk. That’s just not his way. He’ll either get out of the car, or talk with the door open and a foot outside.”

Ms. Anglin said the gun found in the car did belong to her son, but he’s right handed, and the gun was found under his left arm and pointed in the wrong direction for someone who had just shot himself.

“We have so many questions,” said Ms. Anglin. “Why didn’t she try to stop him if he was trying to kill himself? He wasn’t upset or depressed about anything, so he didn’t have a reason for taking his own life. I worried about my son, and I stayed up until he came home. That’s how I know they weren’t in the driveway when she said they were.”

Ms. Anglin said she believes her son was shot somewhere else and driven back to the house by the girl.

Trey Anglin was the father of two girls and talked all the time about returning to school. Family members said he even talked about becoming an attorney, because he was concerned about what was going on around him.

Anglin has three sisters, and all of them said he was a playful person who loved playing with kids, listening to music, but most of all, he loved to cook. “He also loved to eat,” said Ms. Anglin. “We all looked forward to him cooking breakfast for  us, especially after he and his sisters had been out partying.”

Ray Williams Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements, and they would appreciate any help they can get from the community.

Although the segregation era prevented African Americans from interacting with whites, it did not prevent them from contributing to society as a whole. Throughout history, African Americans have served as pioneers in various fields.

In the area of medicine, African Americans have invented, discovered, researched, and developed for the betterment of mankind.

The presence of college-educated African American doctors can be traced back to the early 1700s. Several physicians dedicated themselves to caring for the members of their respective community and Tampa was no exception.

Through the pages of history books, the names of such individuals as Dr. Edwin Archie, Dr. George Johnson, Dr. Jacob White, Sr., Dr. Jacob White, Jr., Dr. Imogene Johnson, Dr. Caleb Wright, Dr. James Green, Dr. Carl Norton, Dr. Allen Lester, Dr. Hodgins, Dr. Lewis, Dr. Erwin, Dr. Silas, Dr. Northern, and Dr. Jerome Smith, who operated a Health Center and Clinic can be found.

During the segregation era, African American in the medical field were welcomed in the community just as they continue to play a vital role in today’s society.

They paved the way for others such as Dr. Andrew Jackson, Dr. Fred Smith, Dr. Fred Reddy, Dr. Paul Sheehy, Sr., Dr. James Brookins, Sr., Dr. Charles Meyers, Dr. Sydel Barnes LeGrande, Dr. H. Bruce Miles, Dr. Paul Sheehy, Jr., and Dr. James Brookins, II.

The city has welcomed others such as Dr. Will Harris, Dr. Emile Commedore, and many others.

***Look for full Black History Section in Friday’s Sentinel***

The Bible is the best-selling book in history, but how many people in Tampa are actually reading it?  A Gallup survey reports the average American household has four Bibles. However, research by  religions.pewforum.org Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life (2008) found that only 16 percent of Americans read the Bible every day.

St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church is hoping to reverse this trend, starting with its own congregation.  Pastor Darryl Matthews believes that The Story, a Zondervan best-seller, is the right tool to increase Biblical literacy, helping readers understand God’s story from Genesis to Revelation and how their own stories intersect with God’s.

Consisting of 31 chapters of carefully-selected scriptures sequenced in chronological order, The Story presents the word of God in an engaging format, reading like a novel.

“I want the people in my congregation, as well as the City of Tampa, to realize the incredible love God has for them and how their story is found in His story,” said Pastor Darryl.

The Story Church Campaign is a unique program providing up to 31 weeks of curriculum for children, teen and adult Sunday school and up to 31 weeks of corresponding sermons.  When accompanied by reading through the five age-related books (The Story, The Story: Teen Edition, The Story for Kids, The Story for Children, and The Story for Little Ones), the entire church can be literally on the same page for 31 weeks.

St. Mark plans to begin the experience on February 5, 2012 at the 9:30 a. m. worship, followed by Discipleship Hour at 11 a. m.

With thousands of participating churches nationwide, The Story is becoming a movement that is bringing wide-ranging benefits to local churches. Many have reported increased community outreach, increased Biblical literacy, congregational growth and a greater understanding of how God’s story reveals the reasons for the things that happen in man’s story.

For more information, visit www.stmark247.org.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

In the fall, members of the community were asked to cast votes for the 2012 Florida State Fair Wall Of Fame nominees. The votes have been tallied and the winners chosen.

On February 9, opening day of the Florida State Fair, two more names will be added to the Wall of Fame. This year, James Tokley, Sr., Poet Laureate for the City of Tampa, was chosen as the African American honoree. Ms. Carmen Santana Telesca was chosen for the Hispanic Wall of Fame. The will be honored at the 108th Annual Florida State Fair.

“I feel blessed to have so many friends and family members who believe in me and my talent, and to vote for me. I shall continue to strive for excellence in everything I do,” Tokley said.

James Tokley became the city’s first official Poet Laureate in 1996. Since that time, he has become a regular contributor to the arts scene locally and nationally.

Tokley has served as English professor at Everest University, and is a Human Resource Trainer and Curriculum Specialist for Tokley and Associates.

Married to Mrs. Joanna Tokley, he is a member of Trinity C. M. E. Church and its auxiliaries. He is the father of seven and grandfather of 25.

The first honorees were the late C. Blythe Andrews, Jr.; the late Rev. Dr.  Alfonso Leon Lowry, Sr.; and the late Mrs. Felecia Ann Wintons Taylor were honoree the first year. Last year, the late Rev. Abraham Brown was chosen as the African American recipient.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

Last Friday, Hillsborough County Circuit Court officials decided notorious murder suspect, Dontae Morris will be tried first for the robbery and murder of a man outside a Tampa nightclub. The club shooting is one of five murder cases filed against Morris.

According to police, during the early morning hours of May 31, 2010, Rodney G. Jones, 41, was shot and killed during an attempted robbery. He was leaving the Cotton Club, 2405 W. Albany Street, at the time of the shooting.

Jones, father of two, was shot several times. He was a professional trainer.

Police investigated the shooting as an attempted robbery that ended in murder. In January 2011, first-degree, attempted armed robbery, and being a felon in possession of a firearm charges were filed against 26-year-old Morris.

Morris was reportedly tied to the murder through text messages and witness statements. At the time the charges were filed, Morris was already in jail facing four other murder charges.

The jury selection for the Jones murder trial will begin on July 30, 2012. [private]

According to police, after Morris was released from prison in April 2010, he allegedly shot and killed 21-year-old Derek Anderson on May 18, 2010, at the Kenneth Court Apartment Complex.

Police said the murder occurred during an apparent attempted robbery. Morris was charged with first-degree murder and attempted robbery with a firearm.

On June 8, 2010, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office investigated the shooting death of 25-year-old Harold Wright. Wright had been shot in the head. His body was discovered on the side of the road at 2003 51st Street, S., shortly after midnight.

Detectives with the Sheriff’s Office said their investigation revealed evidence that linked Morris to Wright’s murder.

The final two murder charges stem from a traffic stop involving two Tampa Police officers. The result proved to be deadly.

According to police, at 2:15 a.m., on Tuesday, June 29, 2010, Tampa Police Officers David Curtis and Jeffrey Kocab, both 31,  were on routine patrol in East Tampa. Officer Curtis observed a 1994 Red Toyota Camry that didn’t have the license plate visible. He turned his lights on behind the vehicle at N. 50th Street and E. Dr. M. L. King, Jr., Blvd. Officer Kocab, also 31, was his backup unit.

The female driver, later identified as Ms. Cortnee Brantley, stopped the car at N. 50th Street and 23rd Avenue. Morris was the passenger, police said.

A computer check revealed that an active warrant existed for Morris and attempted to make an arrest. Morris allegedly shot both officers at close range, and fled on foot. Ms. Brantley fled in the vehicle, police said.

The shooting was captured on the dash cam of the police cruiser. Officer Kocab was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at Tampa General Hospital. Officer Curtis was placed on life support and pronounced dead at 8:30 a.m., that morning.

Morris surrendered on July 2, 2010, following an intensive, week long nationwide manhunt. He was also charged with attempting to escape while being transported in July 2010.

Police said ballistics tests revealed that the same gun was used to kill Derek Anderson and the two police officers. The ballistics tests were inconclusive in the Jones case.

A spokesman for the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office said the murders of Jones, Anderson, and Wright will not be pursued as death penalty cases.

However, they do plan to pursue the death penalty for the murders of the two officers. He stated that Florida law considers  the murder of a law enforcement officer in the performance of duty as an aggravating factor. He also said violence in the past can also be considered as an aggravating factor.[/private]

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

As a young child in elementary school, one Tampa native knew that he wanted to be a newscaster. Brent Solomon pursued his dream and made it a reality.

However, Solomon said people would often ask when he would work in the local market. For those inquisitive minds, Solomon now has the answer. He will become a temporary anchor for WFTS-TV/ABC Action News next month.

“In this business, you’re required to move a lot, but you know that going in. It is a pleasure returning to my hometown and working with a station I grew up watching as a child,” Solomon said.

While others may shy away from public speaking, Solomon does not have that problem. He enjoys the exposure the field brings.

A Tampa native, attended the public schools of Hillsborough County. When the new Blake High School opened, he enrolled and during his junior year, began writing the school column for the Florida Sentinel Bulletin. The young man graduated in 1999, having the distinction of being one of the “new” Blake High School graduates.

After graduation, he enrolled at the University of Florida, where he earned his degree in journalism. He landed his first job at  a Savannah, Georgia television station, where he remained for two years.

Since that time, Solomon has worked in markets in Albany, Georgia, Little Rock, Arkansas, and Miami.

He said this position is that of temporary anchor for WFTS-TV/ABC Action News. He will begin in February.

Solomon, 30, is a member of the College Hill Church of God in Christ and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He is the son of Mrs. Tempress Solomon, and the late Clarence Solomon, and has a younger brother, Trevor.

CORRECTION
In an article printed in Tuesday’s Sentinel, it incorrectly stated that Brent Solomon was hired as an anchor for a local news station. He was hired as a Temporary Reporter for the station.

We apologize for any inconvenience this mistake may have caused.

BY JOANNA TOKLEY
Special To The Sentinel

During the field hearing Friday in Tampa on Florida’s changes to election laws held by Democratic Senators Bill Nelson (Florida) and Dick Durbin (Illinois), voters heard testimony by two Florida elections supervisors that convinced the hearing panel and onlookers that there was little to no voter fraud during previous elections.

Elections Supervisors Michael Ertel (Seminole County) and Ann McFall (Volusia County) could not cite one instance in which voter fraud became an issue.
During testimony from witnesses opposing voter law changes, at least five reasons were given as to why the HB1355 election law changes were considered “vote eroding and suppression.”

The 48-hour limit to submit new voter registration forms does not take Friday or Monday holidays into account. In addition, reducing the number of voting sites makes access for early voting difficult.

Also, implementing the reduction in the number of early voting hours would increase the cost of elections because of need for paying overtime to employees required to work extra hours.

The requirement that voters who have changed addresses and/or names must cast provisional ballots was the most disturbing, because 40 to 50 percent of provisional ballots have been considered to be invalid. Practically every witness testified that the new law will have a negative impact on minorities, students and the elderly.

Debra McNair Calhoun, 58, had been involved with the Hillsborough County Head Start program since she was 20 years old.

Last Thursday, Mrs. Calhoun was found on the floor of her apartment by co-workers after she hadn’t shown up for work. She was hospitalized, and pronounced dead Friday.

Mrs. Calhoun was a 1971 graduate of Howard W. Blake High School, and although her demeanor was quiet, she was well known and well respected. She was also an excellent student.

According to family members, Mrs. Calhoun had complained of not feeling well after getting a flu shot, but had not experienced any health problems earlier.

Co-workers and close friends said her death was sudden and unexpected.

Head Start/early Head Start Director, Louis Finney, said Mrs. Calhoun was a popular employee and very dependable.

“She had been recognized by the agency for her great attendance on several occasions, and throughout her career, she’s had over 1,000 children come through her classroom.

“Mrs. Calhoun started as a teacher’s assistant, and later became the lead teacher and longest serving employee in Hillsborough County Head Start.” Finney said Mrs. Calhoun left a long list of people who will miss her dearly, and she also left her personal impression on him.

“She was always courteous, and she was returning to school to finish her education in Early Childhood Education.

“In 2000, Mrs. Calhoun was recognized and honored as teacher of the Year. She will be missed by the head start community at the West Tampa Center, and the Early Head Start staff at Kimmins.”

Mrs. Calhoun was the second daughter of Mrs. Ruth McNair, who is head of the West Riverfront Neighborhood Association and Crime Watch. She has two sisters, Ann and Linda, a daughter, Tasha Valdez, and 1 grandchild. Ms. Patricia Ferrell-Hunter is known by the family as her adopted sister.

Ray Williams Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements for a service.

BY LEON B. CREWS
Sentinel Staff Writer

Detective Sal Augeri with the Tampa Police Department’s Criminal Intelligence Bureau, said the “Drop Scam” criminal network is growing, and without the proper resources, they aren’t going to be able to slow it down.

Augeri said according to information they’ve received, the scam artists recently collected on two big paydays, and they are gearing up in expectations of even more.

“It’s bigger this year than last year,” said Augeri. “I’ve gotten a lot of reports this year, and ledgers have been confiscated and arrests have been made. It’s shocking the amount of fraud that’s going on.”

Augeri said there’s just not enough manpower to handle the growth of the scam, and they also need to know what’s being done in a federal level to deal with the problem.

“I personally don’t see this problem being solved anytime soon. Now, they are having tax dollars dumped on Capital One cards and through direct deposit. What we’re seeing here in Tampa is happening all over the country.”

Augeri said the perpetrators are outfitting their homes with expensive furniture being purchased with the cards, throwing lavish parties, and driving around in expensive cars.

“What’s even more frustrating is a lot of the people getting the drop dollars are also getting federal assistance. That makes it even harder. I had a list of at least 50 known drop suspects, and the majority are getting other state and federal assistance. The government is the biggest loser when it comes to managing money, and that’s what has made this scam so easy to perpetrate.”

Augeri said he has received calls from people who want to assist them, but without the resources, there’s nothing they can do.

“The upcoming GOP convention will shrink our forces even more. I also feel the city shouldn’t have to foot the entire bill for this investigation. It’s all federal. In the next two months it’s really going to hit big.”