Florida Sentinel Bulletin

U. S. District Judge James Whittemore sentenced Robert Pertee, 39, to 16 years in federal prison for possession of cocaine with intent to sell or deliver, and for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Pertee, a former youth football coach for the East Tampa Bandits, was previously convicted in federal court for possession of cocaine with the intent to sell or deliver.

On February 3, 2011, Pertee arranged to purchase two kilograms of cocaine for distribution, and after the cocaine was delivered, a search warrant was executed.

Officers recovered the two kilograms of cocaine and small amounts of crack cocaine, powder cocaine, marijuana, and drug distribution paraphernalia, including a scale and cooking pot containing cocaine residue.

Officers also recovered a.40 caliber handgun, loaded with eight rounds. A digital video recorder connected to Pertee’s surveillance system was recovered, along with footage of the delivery of the cocaine and the frequent traffic to and from his house at 2607 East 27th Avenue.

A three-year-old toddler and two others were injured in a head on collision. The accident took place Thursday afternoon at the roundabout of N. 40th Street and E. Riverhills Drive.

According to police, Ms. Jacquelyn E. Peterson was driving a 2001 Mitsubishi Mirage eastbound on E. Yukon Street. She is alleged to have sideswiped a 2002 Chevrolet Pickup truck, driven by Raul Charbonier, IV, police said.

After striking the truck, Ms. Peterson continued driving, headed in a southbound direction on N. 40th Street. She reportedly lost control of her vehicle, it jumped the median, and struck a 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, head on. Joseph Mitchell was the driver of the Monte Carlo.

Police said the toddler, identified as Ashton Walker, was in a car seat in the back of Ms. Peterson’s vehicle. He struck his head and was transported to Tampa General Hospital in stable condition as a trauma alert.

Ms. Peterson and Mitchell were also transported to Tampa General Hospital with non- life threatening injuries. Charbonier, who had three passengers in his vehicle, did not report any injuries.

Ms. Peterson was listed in fair condition and the toddler was listed in good condition. Mitchell was discharged, a spokesperson for the hospital said.

No charges have been filed and the investigation into the accident is continuing.

BY LEON B. CREWS
Sentinel Staff Writer

One of Tampa’s most successful entertainers, Tom G., along with Team Fetti and Bay Auto Wholesale, have stepped up for the holidays to make someone happy.

Tom G. and Team Fetti are conducting interviews at Bay Auto Wholesale to present a struggling single mother a car. They want to make an announcement at an event scheduled for November 24th.

Tom G. said he does so much interacting, he thought this would be a great idea.

“I’m from a single-parent home, and I know how tough it is. I want everyone else to understand that I know how bad things can get.”

Tom G. said there are strict stipulations in place, and this isn’t for everyone.

Interviews will be held at Bay Auto Wholesale all week from 4 p. m. until 9 p.m.  Bay Auto Wholesale is located at 6823 North Florida Avenue.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

S. Michael Vannetta

Recently, four people received special recognition during the Tampa Police Chief’s Appreciation Dinner. The event is held annually to recognize those considered Ambassadors of their neighborhoods.

Each district nominated an individual or couple who has gone above and beyond to keep their respective neighborhoods safe. One individual was also chosen to receive the coveted David West Award.

This year, Mrs. Lillie Howard is the recipient of that award. Mrs. Howard has fought tirelessly to keep her neighborhood safe. She has served in the Old West Tampa Neighborhood Watch for 27 years.

Major Sophie Teague said, “She was never shy with the street level drug dealers. … Although the Old West Tampa Neighborhood Watch has changed over the years, Mrs. Howard has been the constant reminder that dedicated citizens never give up on their neighborhood.”

Paul and Hally Boucher

David West fought tirelessly for the North Tampa Community Crime Watch and Civic Association. After he died suddenly in 2005, the Tampa Police Department established the David West Award in his honor.

Three other residents received the “Outstanding Neighborhood Watch Award.”

S. Michael Vannetta was the award recipient of the award for the Old West Tampa Crime Watch Association in District 1.

The District 2 award was presented to Paul and Hally Boucher in recognition of their work in the Arbor Greene neighborhood.

Ms. Estella Acree was the recipient of the District 3 award. She represents the Rainbow Heights area of town.

In the past, those who served as neighborhood vanguards endured threats of violence or endured the destruction of their personal property. Inspired by such

Estella Acree

activists as Mrs. Howard, Mrs. Marilyn Durst, and the late David West, then Senator Les Miller, Jr., successfully ensured the passage of a statute that offers protection to Neighborhood Watch Coordinators. The statute became law in 2004.

Having worked with Mrs. Howard for many years, Major Teague said, “I have always wanted to publically thank Mrs. Howard for being the inspiration behind the law. I was able to do that this year by nominating her for the David West Award.

At 4:40 p. m. Tuesday, Tampa Police dispatch received a 9-1-1 call from a man who said he was on his way to the District III Police Headquarters with a body in the trunk of the Mercury Grand Marquis he was driving.

Once he arrived, he honked the horn, and an officer approached the vehicle, opened the trunk.

Detectives interviewed the driver, being allegedly identified as Montray, who told them the car did not belong to him.

The Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy and reported there were no obvious signs of trauma to the body, and due to the body’s state of decomposition, identification would take longer than usual.

Authorities said the registered owner of the vehicle, Henry Shell, 79, was reported missing by a co-worker on Monday when he failed to show up for work.

Authorities have not confirmed the victim in the trunk to be Shell. According to a website, Shell is the owner of Henry Shell Realtor and Insurer Company on Nebraska Avenue.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office reported that co-workers became concerned about Shell since they had not heard from him since Thursday, November 10th, when he left his business to go home. When he did not report for work Monday, the co-worker went to his apartment and did not find any signs of forced entry or anything out of place.

When deputies arrived at Shell’s residence, they discovered his vehicle missing, but according to a co-worker, he mentioned he might be going out of town, but did not say where he was going. Attempts were made to contact Shell through his cell phone, but it went straight to voicemail. Deputies also contacted area hospitals and placed alerts for Shell and his vehicle.

Authorities don’t know how the driver got Shell’s vehicle. He was questioned and later released.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

“I am so happy. I just thank God that my sister got her justice. Her soul is at peace now,” Ms. Rachel Johnson said of the guilty verdict of Vincent George Brown. A jury found Brown guilty of killing Ms. Jennifer Johnson in November 2008.

Ms. Johnson further said, “He may have breath, but he’ll never walk the streets again. I hope he gets the death penalty. I thank Judge William Fuente and the jury for giving my sister her justice.” She also said her mother, Mrs. Alma Dorsey Johnson, was pleased with the verdict.

Ms. Tisha Collins, Ms. Johnson’s cousin said, “Our family is blessed. We want to thank everyone who prayed for our family and justice has been served. We got want we wanted.

“I also want to let the world know that battered women need to know when it’s time to get out. Women need to open their eyes. Jennifer was a battered woman, but she thought he loved her, she didn’t realize that he didn’t love her. But, now her soul is at peace.”

Several family members of Ms. Johnson were in court throughout the trial.

Mrs. Dorsey Johnson is raising her granddaughter who Brown fathered. The little girl is 5 years old now.

On November 15, 2008, Ms. Johnson’s family reported her missing after she failed to attend her daughter’s 2nd birthday party.

Police listed Brown, 41, as a person of interest because observed arguing with Ms. Johnson at Apollo South on N. 40th Street, around 11 p.m., on November 14th. Ms. Johnson also accompanied Brown to his parents’ home around 3 a.m., on November 15th.

Ms. Johnson’s car was found in the parking lot of a school on November 17th. On November 19th, Ms. Johnson’s bruised and battered body was found in a vacant house in Lakeland.

Last Plea For Help
As the investigation progressed, police learned that Ms. Johnson’s last called was to a Plant City 9-1-1 operator, during the early morning hours of November 15th. In the call, Ms. Johnson said, “I’m in the trunk of my car.… They got me in the car. I don’t know where I’m at.” The call dropped before any additional information could be obtained.

“I Did What I Had To Do, And It’s Done”
According to police, an “uncooperative” Brown turned himself in to police on a probation violation the day after she was reported missing.

Prior to turning himself in, Brown went to a party driving Ms. Johnson’s car. When asked the whereabouts of Ms. Johnson, Brown extended his arms, pointed both thumbs down, and made a noise.

Jurors also heard a message Brown left on his cell phone voice mail, “I did what I had to do, and it’s done. Y’all will probably never see me again. Just don’t forget about me.”

The City of Tampa’s Code Enforcement Division will be conducting a huge East Tampa cleanup project beginning this Saturday. The area of focus will be east of 22nd Street, south of 25th Avenue, and if time permits, they will go to 18th Avenue over to 25th Street.

Susan Wenrick, District Supervisor for East Tampa, said they will be focusing on cleaning up vacant properties, abandoned properties, right-of-ways, and other areas that are overgrown or have a lot of debris.

“We will be using people court ordered to do community service for the project. After driving around east Tampa, we felt the inner city neighborhoods needed this the most, and for the past month, we decided to address a lot of the concerns that have come from the East Tampa community.”

Wenrick said they will be looking at the worst places first and later they will join the city’s Solid waste Department to remove a lot of items.

Everything will get started at 8 a.m. and the crew will be in the area most of the day.

“We want the people to come out and talk to us as we go through their area,” said Wenrick.

“We want to know what their concerns are and what they want to see improved or removed.”

Wenrick said after this project, the week of December 12-17, they will be joining the county in addressing the Grant Park community. She said that project will take a week because of the size of the area.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

Regardless of the reason, many people suddenly find themselves taking prescription medication. For some, the prescription may be a life sentence.

However, one Tampa disc jockey decided to help residents in the community improve their health through exercise and dance. Known as DJ J-Rock, the popular young man will celebrate his third anniversary on Saturday, November 19th.

He opened the doors to “Stepping With J-Rock” simply because of demand. J-Rock said the origin of the exercise program came about while he was performing line dances at events such as parties and weddings.

“Because the steps were so flashy and challenging, people asked me to teach them the steps while the party was going on. That was almost impossible to do while still trying to keep the party going,” he said.

That was the beginning of something that would have a far-reaching effect. The word spread and J-Rock began receiving telephone calls from people requesting lessons.

J-Rock said, “The purpose of the classes are to help step away high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes by exercising, stretching, dancing, and working on one’s flexibility all while having fun.”

He decided to open the doors of “Steppin With J-Rock” at the Full Business Center, 2909 E. Hillsborough Avenue, with just three members on November 19, 2008. The classes grew rapidly as the word spread throughout the community.

J-Rock keeps the cost for the classes affordable so that everyone can easily afford to attend. For additional information about the classes contact J-Rock at (813) 298-6941 or email jah2305@yahoo.com.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

Within the last two weeks, four African American males have died from gunshot wounds. Additionally, seven others have survived shootings.

Last Thursday, a capacity crowd gathered at the Chloe Coney Urban Center for a “Stop The Gang And Gun Violence” Task Force meeting. Ernest Coney, Jr., Interim Executive Director of the Corporation to Develop Communities of Tampa, Inc., (CDC of Tampa, Inc.), said “We had a very diverse group of between 150 and 200 people. The people came from all walks of life and it really went well.

“We had some youths who came and were able to provide information from a different perspective. They talked about their issues such as other youths representing certain neighborhoods that cause a lot of conflict, certain songs that are played at parties that cause conflict, and some even admitted that they are afraid to go out into their own neighborhoods.”

He further stated that those in attendance then broke into smaller groups. Each group was asked to develop 3 focus areas for future attention. “We are going to compile that information and get it back to the community within two weeks,” he said.

Coney decided to call the meeting to form a task force after 17-year-old John Singleton, Jr., was killed on October 29th, while attending a party.

Singleton had participated in the organization’s Youth Leadership Program for the past 3 years. At the time of his death, he was a junior at Tampa Bay Technical High School, and maintained a grade point average of 2.98 with honors and college prep classes. Singleton was also the Historian for the CDC of Tampa Youth Leadership Club (Teens).

In addition to Singleton, Hipolito Padilla, III, 25, was killed on November 5th, during a robbery; Jamarie Hodges, 16, was killed in front of his home attempting to help a friend; and 39-year-old Charon Shaw died on November 9th, during a domestic dispute.