Florida Sentinel Bulletin

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a murder that took place in the early hours on the 4th of July. An intruder entered the home of a 36-year-old Gibsonton woman and fatally stabbed her to death as she slept.

A 9-1-1  call was received at 4:03 a.m., Monday regarding an intruder entering  the Lake Vista Drive home and attacking Ms. Nicole Renee Williams.

Police say the male suspect broke into the house entering through a window. Once inside, the suspect allegedly armed himself with a kitchen knife and attacked Ms. Williams.

Five other people were in the home at the time of the fatal attack. Ms. Williams’ 35-year-old boyfriend, his 19-year-old son; her two sons, ages 14 and 16, and her 20-year-old daughter.

During the investigation, police found the knife outside of the home. They were also told by the witnesses inside the house that the attacker was Ms. Williams’ ex-husband, 34-year-old Egan Fernando Atkins. Ms. Williams and Atkins were recently divorced. He reportedly fled the scene in a vehicle that belonged to his girlfriend. Atkins ditched the car, but it was located on Monday, police said.[private]

Nicole Rene Williams

A spokesperson for the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said there had been one  prior call on May 12, 2011 pertaining to domestic violence at  the same address, involving Atkins. However, when deputies arrived, they were told the situation had been resolved. The officers did not originate a report, the spokesperson said.

After reports of the attack were made public, detectives received a tip that took them to the 2800 block of Anthony Street. There, Egan Atkins was arrested without incident at 6:40 p.m., Tuesday. Atkins faces first-degree murder and armed burglary charges. He went before a judge on Wednesday  and is being held without bond.

Atkins has a criminal history in Hillsborough County that dates back to 1996. The majority of those arrests revolve around domestic violence, stalking and violation of domestic violence injunctions. According to reports, these crimes were committed against someone other than Ms. Williams.

Atkins had been jailed for several weeks at a time. In February 1997, he was released from jail after serving 83 days for battery, and 18 days for armed burglary in April 1997.

In April 2000, Atkins was arrested for aggravated stalking and violation of community control. He was jailed for 3 months on the charge.

The Victim

A Tampa native, Ms. Williams was the daughter of Flossie Williams Sallet and Lynwood Williams, and the granddaughter of well know pastor, Rev. Jacob Jordan. She attended the public schools of Hillsborough County, including Brandon High School. She completed her education in Albany, Georgia. She also earned a degree in Business Education.

Ms. Williams was employed as a Customer Service Representative with Verizon. She was also a long time member of Northside Missionary Baptist Church.
In addition to her parents, Ms. Williams is survived by 3 children,  other grandparents, Ms. Lucille Jordan and Ms. Betty Jean Sallet and numerous other relatives.

Funeral services for Ms. Williams will be held at  2 p.m., Saturday, July 9th, at Northside Missionary Baptist Church. Aikens Funeral Home is in charge of handling arrangements.[/private]

Cameron Lewis, 5, his grandmother, Tameca Williams-Lewis, and other family members had wrapped up their 4th of July visit with family members in Tampa, and were returning to Doe Run, Georgia Monday.

The family stopped at a gas station on Fowler Avenue to fuel up for their return trip, and unknown to everyone, Cameron had gotten out of the Lincoln Town Car he was riding in, and walked behind an SUV heading toward the gas station’s store.

According to Tampa Police, the driver of the SUV, Chavillia Jefferson, 34, had finished fueling her SUV, and was backing out of her space when she hit Cameron.

Cameron was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead from his injuries.

Police said it does not appear any charges will be filed against Jefferson, but their investigation into the tragedy is continuing.

“We’re putting together a candlelight fundraiser to raise the money for his funeral. We have an account set up at a local bank.”

Luke Strong and Son Mortuary in Moultrie, Georgia, is assisting the family at this time, and anyone wishing to contact the Lewis family can call (229) 890-1717.[private]

According to a family member, Cameron enjoyed the trip to Tampa and the cookout with his relatives. He was also excited about starting school in August.
An aunt in Georgia said the entire family is still trying to get over his untimely death.

Cameron’s mother, Miyakia Lewis, said this was his first trip to Tampa. “He was really looking forward to it. All he talked about since the school year ended was going to the beach.”

“Cameron enjoyed playing, and pretending he was a police officer. He’d tell you he was placing you under arrest, tell you to put your hands behind your back, and pretended he was handcuffing you. I guess he wanted to be a police officer. He loved riding his bicycle and really loved the outdoors.”

Family members said they would like Ms. Jefferson to attend the services for Cameron. Cameron has five siblings.[/private]

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

On July 1st, Senate Bill 228, the new Code of Student Conduct law, was signed by Governor Rick Scott. The bill, sponsored by Senator Gary Siplin, (D-Orlando), received approval overwhelmingly by members of the state legislature.

The new law prohibits students from displaying their underwear or “indecently exposes their body parts” while in school.[private]

Senator Siplin said, “I’m elated that we have the opportunity to give our young folks some direction in life on how to be successful. Education is important and dress is important.”

“As they prepare for the future, they should be focusing on their appearance when they are applying not only for jobs, but for scholarships and interviews. There won’t be any excuses, but hopefully, early compliance.”

Senator Arthenia Joyner said, “We teach students all of the basics for success. We have a responsibility to make sure they are well-rounded and that they are successful in their worldly pursuits.”

“This law is to make sure that our young people are properly attired as they seek education. That type of dress is detrimental in the long run.”

A classroom teacher, Mrs. Peggy Gassett said, “I’m happy about it. I’m so offended having to look at these young guys’ underwear. It falls back to the legislation of taking religion out of the classroom. Once we took Jesus out, everything else came in.”

Ms. Doretha Edgecomb, Chairperson of the Hillsborough County School District said, “We already have that Code of Conduct in our system about what is acceptable and what is unacceptable.”

“Some things are hard to legislate because it has much to do with the student’s value of themselves and others. I sincerely hope the time will come when students pay less attention to pop culture and begin thinking about what is in their best interest. More than ever, the village needs to come together to support our children.”

The passage of the bill into law makes Florida the second state in the country to mandate that students dress professionally on school campuses.
Senator Siplin also stated he plans to launch a statewide billboard campaign to address the bill and the newly instituted “Pull Your Pants Up” law. [/private]

BY LEON B. CREWS
Sentinel Staff Writer

Community Stepping Stones will be hosting demonstrations on Thursday, July 14th and Friday, July 22nd from 5 p. m. until 8 p. m. The demonstrations will be the painting of a 16-foot mural and other works of art by a group of children from the Sulphur Springs community.

Sigrid Tidmore

Sigrid Tidmore, Executive Director for the Patel Foundation For Global Understanding and co-founder of Creative TampaBay, is coordinating the project and said the kids are working very hard.

Ms. Tidmore said although they are currently concentrating on the Sulphur Springs area, they are going to grow beyond that area.[private]

“The mural painting involves a dozen kids all working together. We’re trying to launch a program that will provide training for the kids, then put them to work for local businesses that need art work.”

“We’re looking everywhere for kids over 14 who want to come after school and work. We feel there is a great role for kids with artistic talent. They learn other skills like photo shop, production work, and painting within outlined boundaries. All we ask of them is to show some interest in art and the desire to move ahead.”

Ms. Tidmore said many of the kids don’t know good business attitudes and those are things they need mentors and models for.

“Right now, they are working on the mural at the Hillsborough Community College Ybor City Art Gallery on the first floor of t he Performing Arts Building on the corner of Palm Avenue and 14th Street. The kids painting the mural listen to music as they work, and they will demonstrate to the public how they go about creating the mural.”

“We want to come into Hillsborough County’s most challenged neighborhoods, and help bring creative at-risk youth together to build a business that will save their future.”[/private]

Isaac McDaniel was a very active person. The Tampa native left high school and embarked on a career as a disc jockey. Known as DJ Casanova, McDaniel was in hot demand all over the city.

On the night of June 20th, McDaniel had gotten off a bus across from where he lived on 138th Street and Bruce B. Downs.

According to family members, McDaniel stepped off the curb to cross the street, and was hit by a car. The driver remained at the scene until emergency personnel arrived.

According to Sonya McDaniels, Isaac’s sister, he died the next day during surgery. He was 50 years old.

McDaniel was the father of a son, and had 4 siblings.

Harmon’s Funeral Home is working with the family, and plans are to have a service next weekend.[private]

“He didn’t have the kind of health problems that kept him from doing what he loved. He was diabetic and had surgery to remove his spleen and part of his pancreas a few years ago. Isaac worked for Happy Eggs on 7th Avenue for a while and out of labor polls when he needed extra money.”

Sonya said her brother’s specialty was cooking crabs, and the two of them spent a lot of time together because they were the closest in age.

“If Isaac wasn’t hanging around his family, you could always find him with his best friend, Oscar. His favorite hangout was the Blue Note Bar on Nebraska Avenue and he was well known there and other places because of his work as a DJ.

“I was very proud of the way he always wanted us to see how strong he was. Despite his health problem, he tried to work. He was a proud man and didn’t want to be a burden to anyone.”

Sonya said this year’s 4th of July celebration won’t be the same with Isaac not being around.[/private]

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

Last Thursday, U. S. Magistrate Judge Thomas Wilson appointed a private attorney to represent a former Hillsborough County Commissioner. He was arrested last month on bribery, wire fraud, and other charges.

During the brief hearing, White entered a plea of not guilty. White also provided information to the judge demonstrating that he could not afford to hire a private attorney to represent him.

When contacted by the Sentinel, defense Attorney Grady Irvin, Jr., stated that he had been appointed to represent Kevin White on the federal charges. He declined to comment further.

The Federal Public Defender’s Office has a list of attorneys who qualify as court-appointed attorneys for individuals who cannot afford to hire legal representation.

Attorney Irvin is on that list. His fees are limited to $7,500 paid with tax dollars. However, court appointed attorneys can seek additional payment depending on the case.

If convicted, White could face up to 20 years in prison.[private]

On June 15th, ?Federal Bureau of Investigation agents arrested White at his residence.

Agents also arrested George Hondrellis, 45, on federal charges. Both men were charged with conspiracy to commit bribery; 4 counts of bribery; conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud; mail fraud, wire fraud, and making false statements to law enforcement.

Bail was set at $25,000 for White and $50,000 for Hondrellis. White’s father, Gerald White, who died May 23rd, was also named as a co-conspirator, the indictment stated.

The charges stem was White’s service on the Public Transportation Commission as an elected official.

According to the indictment, White served on the Public Transportation Commission from 2006 to 2010, first while a member of the Tampa City Council, and later as a County Commissioner. White served as Chairman of the Public Transportation Commission, (PTC) which oversees permits for vehicles such as taxis, limos, tow trucks, and ambulances.

The indictment stated that as part of a conspiracy, Hondrellis opened the Tampa City Towing Company and allegedly conspired with others to get on the rotation list of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and the Tampa Police Department.

White is alleged to have attempted to get the company on the lists using his influence and position. White allegedly received more than $10,000 in payments in 2010, the indictment stated.

The federal investigation began in September 2009. Hondrellis met with a Confidential Informant and allegedly “explained that the PTC was giving away towing certificates for money.

“The towing certificates enabled companies to be eligible to get on the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and Tampa Police Department rotating lists.”

The indictment further stated that in November 2009, the Confidential Informant allegedly met with Hondrellis and paid him $1,000 in cash. “The payment was for the CI’s half of the $2,000 payment previously made to Gerald White, Kevin White’s father.”

Hondrellis introduced the CI to Gerald and Kevin White in January 2010, and the CI was reportedly told to give the men $1,000.

The indictment alleges that the CI gave Gerald White a Lincoln Navigator and stated that his son could assist the CI and his company. The indictment stated that several meetings, some of which were recorded or videotaped, took place.
Kevin White allegedly met with an undercover federal agent, known as “Darryl,” on April 29, 2010, for the first time at Ruth Chris Steakhouse. The two men allegedly discussed getting the towing company on the rotation list.

White allegedly accepted $1,000 from “Darryl” in cash after the meeting. In May 2010, White allegedly told “Darryl” during a telephone conversation that his application was approved.

“Darryl” allegedly gave Kevin White $5,000 in June during a luncheon after White had indicated he needed $10,000, the indictment stated.

It further stated that on June 18, 2010, White called the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and attempted to assist the Tri County Auto Towing, Inc., (“Darryl” and CI’s company), be placed on the Sheriff’s rotation list.

The charge of untruthfulness came about following a meeting March 2, 2011, White had with two federal agents.

During the meeting, White told the agents “Darryl” “did not provide him cash on any occasion and never solicited his influence for helping” his (“Darryl”) towing company.[/private]

On Wednesday, June 29th, Mayor Bob Buckhorn, Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor, District III Commander, Major Gerald Honeywell, and 200 officers, family and friends gathered at the District III Headquarters, 3808 North 22nd Street to attend a special ceremony.

At 6:30 p. m., the “Hallway Of Heroes” was unveiled in honor of slain police officers Dave Curtis and Jeff Kocab.

The ceremony and unveiling marked the one year anniversary of that fatal night.

Dontae Morris, the lone shooter, is awaiting trial for the officers’ murder.

The Hallway Of Heroes was the brainchild of Officer Bill Logan and Detective Steve Power. Tampa Police Corporal Les Richardson painted a mural along the entryway to District III where Curtis and Kocab worked. There is also a glass etching with Kocab and Curtis’s badges illuminated with a blue LED light. Tampa Police Detective Larry Brass created the officer’s badges with pavers in the walkway leading into the Hallway of Heroes.[private]

This project was phase one of the memorial. Groundbreaking on a phase two memorial garden will start next month. Kocab and Curtis’s squad came up with the idea for the garden as a place for quiet reflection.

Major Honeywell said he told his troops to run with it when they approached him with the idea.

“They did a real professional job. They spoke, set everything up, got the word out, and cleaned up afterwards.
“I was asked to speak, but I was too emotional for that. What I say comes from my heart, and I knew I wouldn’t be able to maintain my composure.”

Major Honeywell said it was an awesome ceremony, and he’s proud of everyone.

“To my surprise, we had more than 200 people show up, including former Mayor, Pam Iorio, and representatives from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. It was good to see that kind of community support. I think this project shows that we are indeed a family.”

Major Honeywell said the proposed memorial garden will be slightly different than the one for Corporal Mike Roberts at the District II Headquarters.

“I think the Hallway of Heroes is something we can all be very proud of.”

The garden and the Hallway of Heroes were strategically placed. As officers pull into District III each day, they will drive by the garden. Once they park their cars and walk into the building, they will walk through the Hallway of Heroes and pass the etching in memory of Curtis and Kocab.[/private]

On Friday, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s detectives arrested a personal trainer for the alleged sexual battery of a female client.

James Williams, 39, was arrested at his residence in Corey Lake Estates.

Detectives report that the sexual battery occurred on June 27th at Williams’ business, Club Tone, 5038 Linebaugh Avenue.

The victim, an adult female, told detectives she hired Williams as a personal trainer and met him at his studio that morning. During a session, the victim alleges she was sexually battered.

Detectives are asking for anyone who has had contact with Williams and believes they may be a victim to contact the Sheriff’s Office at (813) 247-8200.

Tampa Police report that at 10 p. m. Wednesday a teenager was killed and 3 others critically injured in a 2-car accident. The driver of a Toyota Solara exited on 50th Street and turned left on Columbus Drive. A Mazda CX-9 was traveling west on Columbus drive. Police said the Mazda t-boned the Toyota, causing it to roll into a ditch.

A backseat passenger in the Toyota, 18-year-old Alicia Dawn Shaheed, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Pictured: Randolph W. De Sylvia[private]

Others in the Toyota that were critically injured were Kalima Haneef ,20, of St. Petersburg, Shontae Shaheed, 19, and Naquan Yancy, 17. The Toyota’s driver, Chaz Yount of St. Petersburg, was not injured.

The driver of the Mazda was identified as Randolph W. De Sylvia, 19, from Tampa. He was hospitalized with minor injuries, and it was reported he did not have a current driver’s license at the time of the accident. Detectives are investigating the cause of the accident.

Police said the Shaheed sisters are from Morgantown, West Virginia and were in Tampa on summer break visiting family and friends.[/private]