Florida Sentinel Bulletin

BY GWEN HAYES
Sentinel Editor

Chris Martin grew up in Tampa, took the route most professional football players took by starting with youth leagues. He went on to make a name for himself at Jesuit High School, Northwestern University and even had a short stint with the Chicago Bears.

Most of the times, athletes are expected to give back to their communities and Chris is no different. Currently, he heads a Sports Management Team in Chicago – OTG Sports Management – and says much of his success is attributed to the recruiting success in the Tampa Bay area.

Although a young up and coming sports agency, Martin says, “my goal is for our agency to stick our OTG Sports Management Flag deep into the soil in Tampa and become the face of the Sports Management world.

“My plan is to parlay my background, experience and relationships as I continue to foster strong inroads within the community and ensure that the young men from the area are best represented by a firm who epitomizes core values, character and integrity and whose actions match their words,” he explained.

Joining Martin, President, on the team are: Anthony Johnson (Director of Player Development), Sean Smith (Director of Marketing) and Tyrone Keys (Life Coach). The team is comprised of former players “who share the same passion, preparedness, and punch as our clients.”[private]

In the recent 2011 NFL Draft, Terrell McClain out of the University of South Florida was selected in the 3rd round (65th pick overall) by the Carolina Panthers (DT). He is a client of OTG Sports Management.

Included among the clients from Tampa are: Ronnie McCullough (LB), BC Lions (CFL), Hillsborough High and Bethune-Cookman; Torrey Davis (DT), Calgary Stampeders (CFL), Armwood High/Jacksonville State; Eric Ortiz (LB), Tampa Bay Storm (AFL), Alonso High/Belhaven University; Peter Hendrickson (OT) highly rated priority free agent, Tampa Jesuit/Tulane; Jarred Fayson (WR) highly rated priority free agent, Hillsborough High/Illinois; and Kevin Brown (S), potential free agent, Jefferson High/Middle Tennessee State.[/private]

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s detectives are investigating a bank robbery that occurred June 14th.

Detectives report that a man entered the bank, presented the teller a demand note, and after receiving money, he fled on foot.

The suspect’s face was captured on surveillance tape, and he is described as a Black male wearing a camouflage baseball cap, glasses, a beaded necklace, black shirt, black or dark blue long shorts and black and white high top tennis shoes.

Anyone with any information on the suspect is asked to call the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office at (813) 247-8200.

This is a surveillance photo of a suspected bank robber.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

Early Wednesday, agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested a former Hillsborough County Commissioner at his residence. The arrest is linked to his time in office as a County Commissioner, and serving on the Public Transportation Commission.

Kevin White, 46, and George Hondrellis, 45, were both 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.

White appeared before federal Judge Thomas B. McCoun Wednesday afternoon. Judge McCoun set his bond at $25,000. White was also told to removed guns from his home, surrender his passport, and check in with the court weekly. He is also restricted from leaving the jurisdiction of the Middle District of Florida U. S. Attorney’s Office without permission.

***See Full Story In Friday’s Edition***

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

A weekend getaway for two Tampa mothers turned deadly Friday after they were involved in a five car accident on Interstate 4. The victims and two other women were looking forward to getting away for the weekend.

Ms. Carla Williams knew that her mother, Mrs. Windelon Tolbert Seymore, was going away for a weekend with friends. However, while watching the evening news, she thought she recognized the vehicle involved in a major accident on I-4 as the one her mother was a passenger.

Ms. Williams attempted to go to the scene, but was unable to obtain any information other than there being confirmed deaths. She eventually learned that  Ms. Amanda Evans Coleman, 48, another passenger in the vehicle, was taken to Tampa General Hospital. In the interim, Ms. Williams’ cousin, Ms. Nita James, who is Mrs. Windelon Tolbert Seymore’s niece, went to Tampa General. It was at that time the deaths of Mrs. Seymore and Mrs. Brenda Evans Richard, 56, were confirmed.

Ms. James also learned that Ms. Shantel Lawton, the driver of the 2007 Camry in which they were traveling, was also seriously injured.

The victims involved in the accident were confirmed by the Florida Highway Patrol. The accident took place on Interstate 4 near State Road 566, in Plant City.

Police said Joshua Russo, 36, of Deltona, failed to observe traffic slowing down ahead of him. The 2006 Ford truck he was driving collided with the back of the Camry driven by Ms. Lawton.

Both Mrs. Seymore and Mrs. Richard died instantly. The investigation is continuing and charges are pending.[private]

A Community Mom
Forty-seven years ago, Mrs. Seymore moved next door to her mother, the late Mrs. Pernetta Tolbert, at 3217 E. Louisiana Avenue.

Mrs. Seymore raised her five children, Tyrone, Tommy, Carla, Michael, and the late Edward, at that address. An outgoing and very friendly person, Mrs. Seymore soon became a mom to the entire community.

“She was the neighborhood mom to the kids, adults, she was everybody’s friend. She was always feeding people and entertaining. She was a mother to so many, but the kids were her passion,” Ms. Williams said of her mother.

Ms. James, who lived in the same house with Mrs. Seymore said, “She had a good heart. She was a loving and caring person who really enjoyed life and had a close relationship with her sister, Mrs. Audrey Black.”

The cousins said Saturdays was “Sister Day” for Mrs. Seymore and Mrs. Black. They would spend the day shopping, going to garage sales, sitting on the porch drinking coffee, or just hanging out.

Mrs. Seymore was married to Howard Seymore for 22 years, and accepted his 4 children as her own. She was the grandmother of 14, and is survived by several brothers, sisters, and other family members.

She also loved traveling, going to Bingo, fishing, and just spending time with her family.

After graduating from Middleton High School, Mrs. Seymore, a Tampa native, was hired by the Hillsborough County School District as a bus driver.

She transported children for more than 25 years. The last ten years before retirement, Mrs. Seymore was a Child Care Specialist.

Following retirement, Mrs. Seymore worked as a newspaper carrier, delivering the Florida Sentinel Bulletin, to stores throughout the county.

Mrs. Seymore began attending Bible-Based Fellowship of Temple Terrace. Her daughter said she had not joined, but attended serviced regularly.
Funeral services for Mrs. Seymore will take place 2 p.m., Saturday, June 18th, at St. John Cathedral. Ray Williams Funeral Home is in charge of handling arrangements.

One Sister Survives, One Killed In I-4 Crash

Mrs. Brenda Evans Richard, left, was killed in a traffic accident Friday. She is shown with her daughter, Talicia.

A traffic accident on Friday afternoon left two families grieving for their loved ones. Mrs. Brenda Evans Richard, 56, along with Mrs. Windelon Tolbert Seymore, 66, died instantly in the five-car collision.

The women were traveling to Orlando to spend the weekend when their vehicle was struck from behind. Mrs. Richard was traveling with her sister, Mrs. Amanda Evans Coleman, 48, and Ms. Shantel Lawton, 47, was the driver.

A Tampa native, Mrs. Richard attended Middleton High School, but graduated from Plant High School in 1972. After graduating from high school, Mrs. Richard enrolled at Hillsborough Community College and graduated with a degree in Social Work.

Following graduation from college, Mrs. Richard became an employee of the GTE Telephone Company and worked there for several years. She was an employee of Liberty Mutual Insurance Company at the time of her death.

Mrs. Richard was the daughter of Mrs. Ella C. Evans, and the sister of Mrs. Jacqueline Herring, of Bowie, Maryland, Mrs. Beverly Evans, of Jacksonville, Mrs. Amanda Evans Coleman, and Freddie Hayes, both of Tampa. She has one daughter, Ms. Talicia Nash.

“My sister was a homebody, who loved her family. We all are and are always together. She was an avid reader, and she loved cooking, especially during the holidays. She also loved watching the television show, Nancy Grace,” Mrs. Beverly Evans said.

Mrs. Richard was a saved person, a longtime member and very active in her church, Faith Alive at Mt. Silla. A former member of the Usher’s Board, Mrs. Richard was active in the Women’s Ministry and on the Finance Committee.

She had been friends with Mrs. Seymore for more than 20 years. Mrs. Seymore was the grandmother of Amanda’s daughter, Ms. Breeana Evans.

Sister Recovering

Mrs. Amanda Evans Coleman, left, was seriously injured in the accident that claimed the lives of two of her sister and friend and left another injured.

Mrs. Amanda Evans Coleman was admitted to Tampa General Hospital in critical, but stable condition. She remained hospitalized as of press time.

Frank Guida, the Administration Manager at the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office said the entire office is praying for Mrs. Coleman’s speedy recovery.

After hearing about the accident, Guida said he visited her at the hospital.

“Everyone loves Amanda. She has been the Receptionist in the Victims Assistance Office since 2005.

“It is a very tough job, but she is very well liked by her peers and by people who come into the office. She does a great job,” Guida said.

Candlelight Vigil Planned

A Candle Light Vigil Services for Mrs. Richard will be held on Thursday June 16th, at 8 p.m., at 4311,  E. Linebaugh Avenue.

However, she, along with other classmates, wanted to graduate from their alma mater. When the group formed the Middleton All Class Reunion, she became a very active member. She participated when the group held a special graduation ceremony for those who would have graduated in 1972 and 1973.

Classmates of Middleton High School, 1972 and 1973, and friends are encouraged to attend the service and bring a candle. Class members are asked to wear black, with men wearing white shirts and black ties.

In recognition of the funeral services for Mrs. Richard, the class meeting planned for June 18th has been cancelled. For more information, call (813) 377-6600.

Funeral services for Mrs. Richard will be held on Saturday, June 18th, at New Salem Primitive Baptist Church. Aikens Funeral Home is in charge of handling arrangements.[/private]

Pictured: Ms. Carla Williams, left, stands behind her mother, Mrs. Windelon Tolbert Seymore, who died in a tragic accident Friday afternoon.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office reports that at 12:41 Sunday morning, a motorcyclist was killed in a hit and run crash.

James Beaupierre, 46, was operating a motorcycle north on 78th Street, and when he arrived at 50th Street, an unknown vehicle entered his path of travel. Beaupierre struck the vehicle and the vehicle fled the scene. He was not wearing a helmet and was pronounced dead at the scene.

No witnesses to the crash have been located, and detectives are asking anyone who may have seen anything or may have more information to call (813) 247-8200 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-8477.[private]

Beaupierre, the father of five children, was a mechanic and reports indicate he was riding his motorcycle home after leaving a party at the home of a friend.

Beaupierre is a native of St. Thomas, U. S. Virgin Islands, and was a long time biker who mostly rode alone. [/private]

BY TAMECA JOHNSON
Freelance Writer

The Tampa area is home to the Bucs, the Rays, the Lightning, the Bulls and now the most advanced facility for sports medicine and training.

D1 Sports Medicine and Orthopedics is up and running in Westchase.

Dr. Kevin L. Scott is a 24-year military veteran who served as a surgeon in Afghanistan.  He’s a graduate of Talladega College in Alabama and Morehouse Medical School in Atlanta.[private]

He came to Tampa in 2007 for the opportunity to complete a one-year fellowship at the Laser Spine Institute, but his passion is sports medicine.

“I’ve always been athletic and involved in sports and coaching and when I entered medicine that was the field I wanted to work in.”  His specialties are in the treatment of shoulder, ankle, knee and minimally invasive spine procedures.

However, he’s also passionate about using his talent outside the office.  “I offer free sports physicals for inner city kids and will soon spend more of my time working with children in the inner city.”

That giving spirit runs deep in the Scott family.  His wife of 27 years, Ramonita volunteers with Metropolitan Ministries while completing her degree in Social Work at the University of South Florida.  They have a 17-year-old daughter, Gabriella.

In addition to the sports medicine facility, plans are also moving forward for the opening of the D1 Sports Training facility. Dr. Scott, his medical partner, Dr. M. Christopher MacLaren, Heisman Trophy winner and NFL Player Tim Tebow, former Buc’s player Derrick Brooks and pro baseball player, Chipper Jones are working together on that venture. The sports training facility will focus on training athletes for Division 1 collegiate and professional sports.[/private]
To learn more about Dr. Scott and D1 Sports Medicine and Training facilities, log on to WestchaseSportsMed.com or call (813) 855-8450.

In 2008, Tavari Grant was named to the Tampa Tribune’s All-County team after his junior year at Armwood High School. He transferred to Tampa Bay Tech his senior year.

However, on April 6th, friends of Grant grew worried about his transformation. He had posted a picture of himself on Facebook. The pictured displayed him with unkempt hair, and a face covered with tattoos.

Tampa Police investigators said that was indicative of the slide Grant took that landed him in jail on a double murder charge.

Early last Sunday morning, homicide detectives said Grant walked into a house on Van Buren and shot Kiara Brito, 16, and her brother, Jeremi, 13, several times in the head.

Grant, 18, was arrested Thursday and charged with two counts of murder and home invasion robbery.[private]

Police said Grant and Charles Waits went to the home in the 3000 block of Van Buren 6 a. m. Sunday to rob the Britos. Waits, 19, was friends with Kiara and Jeremi, so they were comfortable opening the door when he knocked, according to police spokesperson, Laura McElroy.

Grant and Waits reportedly took jewelry, electronic equipment and maybe cash from the home.

Grant was a very promising athlete until failing grades made him ineligible to play football.

According to authorities, on August 16, 2010, Grant was arrested for giving a false name to an officer. During that time, his hair was short and he had no tattoos on his face. A week later, a photo depicted him sitting in the rear seat of a car with a blue bandana around his face dark shades covering his eyes, and the letter G tattooed on his left arm.

On November 10, 2010, Grant posted a picture of his first mug shot on his Facebook page, with the notation, “Can’t Hold It In No Moe.” By February, Grant’s appearance began to progressively change in future mug shots.

Police spokesperson, Laura McElroy, said they haven’t officially charged Waits with murder but they are trying to get him to talk more about the incident.

“We no longer consider Waits a person of interest. He’s now considered a murder suspect, and we will continue to try and get more information from him on the incident.”

McElroy also said the report of shots fired at the corner of Van Buren and MacDill involved a witness trying to get the license plate number off the car that was seen fleeing the home after the shootings.

“The occupants saw the witness writing down the tag number, and shot at them. The witness wasn’t hurt.”[/private]

On Wednesday afternoon, members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested a veteran St. Petersburg Police Department detective. He is accused of extorting money and gifts from a confidential informant.

Detective Foster, 39, posted a $25,000 bond after his arrest. He was ordered to surrender any guns in his possession within 24 hours; to not have any contact with the CI or other witnesses; and not to apply for a passport.[private]

Detective Foster, a 13-year-veteran homicide detective allegedly used his position in law enforcement to help a Confidential Informant (CI) receive lighter sentences by contacting officials on the CI’s behalf. In exchange, Detective Foster allegedly obtained shoes for himself and his two children, and a 40-inch television.

He also allegedly demanded $8,000 in cash to purchase a motorcycle.

Police said the CI’s fear of prison was the motivator in the extortion. Detective Foster allegedly received more than $8,000 in cash and merchandise from the CI.

In the affidavit, the Federal Bureau of Investigation reportedly obtained text messages between Detective Foster and the CI, recorded telephone conversations, and photographed him removing a 40-inch television from the CI’s vehicle and placing it in his police vehicle.

Police said the CI has an extensive criminal background and Detective Foster made demands even when there were no pending criminal cases involving the CI.

Detective Foster was charged with Wire Fraud, Deprivation of Intangible Right of Honest Services, and Interference with Commerce by Threats. He is facing a 20-year sentence if convicted.[/private]

(Photo courtesy of the St. Pete Times)

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

More than 4 years ago, Jasmine Roberts decided that her future would lie in research. Recently, the aspiring young physician won the 2nd Place trophy at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.

Jasmine has competed in the Regional and State Level of the fair for the past 7 years. She has accomplished several goals including being the first student in the Hillsborough County Regional Science Competition to win 1st Place and the MVP awards 5 times in the last 6 years and the first student attending Wharton High School to win at the Regional level 3 consecutive years.[private]

Last year, Jasmine became the first student representing her school to win 1st Place and the MVP award at the state level.

When Jasmine needed to select a field of research, she decided on the affects of Alzheimer’s disease. Under the guidance of Dr. Marcia Gordon, Jasmine began conducting experiments at the University of South Florida Johnny Byrd Alzheimer’s Center. Her continued research has led her to become the first student in the county allowed to conduct surgical procedures. She has been able to prove that when Alzheimer’s APP mice were surgically implanted with certain cultured cells, there was a significant decrease in plaque in the brain.

Jasmine, who has a grade point average of 6.2, graduated this week in the top ten percent of her class. She plans to attend Johns Hopkins University in the fall and major in Neuroscience.

However, this summer, she will visit the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland for an 8-week summer internship. At the end of the internship,

Jasmine will present her findings to the NIH Scientific Committee.

The 18-year-old Tampa native is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Justus (Minnie) Roberts. She is a member of Bible-Based Fellowship of Temple Terrace and the recipient of several scholarships and awards.[/private]