Tampa Bay Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog

USA TODAY: All States Should Ban Cell Phone Use While Driving

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 09:09:40 -0500

An interesting story in last week's USA Today poses an interesting an important question to consider this Holiday Season:

Should all states ban cell phone use while driving?

According to the USA Today article, state governments should prohibit all drivers from using portable electronic devices such as cellphones while behind the wheel, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) unanimously recommended Tuesday.

The recommendation from the Safety Board followed a hearing on a Missouri highway crash on Aug. 5, 2010, which killed two (2) people and injured thirty eight (38). The chain-reaction crash of four (4) vehicles included two (2) school buses.

The Board ruled that the initial collision was caused by a pickup driver, Daniel Schatz, 19, who was one of the fatalities, sending eleven (11) text messages in the eleven (11) minutes before the crash. His pickup rammed the back of a tractor-trailer that had slowed for construction on Interstate 44 near Gray Summit.

Schatz's truck was then rear-ended by a school bus, which was rear-ended by another school bus. The buses, which investigators found had brake problems, carried members of the John F. Hodge High School band. A student, Jessica Brinker, 15, who sat in the last row of the first bus, died in the crash.

"Two lives lost in the blink of an eye," said Deborah Hersman, the board chairman. "No call, no text, no update is worth a life."

An estimated 3,092 traffic fatalities in 2010 were blamed on "distracted drivers," according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). More than one (1) in six (6) drivers send text messages while driving, and nearly half of drivers less than 25 years old are doing it, according to a NHTSA survey released last week. And yes, the author of the Tampa Bay Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog is guilty of this (as well).

"This is becoming the new DUI," said Robert Sumwalt, a member of the Safety board. "It's becoming an epidemic."

The District of Columbia and thirty five (35) states ban text messaging for all drivers, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association. No state bans all cellphone use for drivers, but nine (9) states and D.C. ban drivers from using handheld cellphones while driving.

Association spokesman Jonathan Adkins said the group supports a texting ban and found in a July report that cell-phone use increases the risk of a crash.

He said he expects the safety-board's recommendation to spur debate, as his group calls for more research on whether banning hands-free use of cell phones makes driving safer.

"This could be a game-changer," Adkins said.

Missouri has a state law prohibiting drivers under 21 years old like the pickup driver from sending texts while driving. But state police issued only 120 tickets for the offense during a two-year period, Sumwalt said.

The Board's federal recommendation for private vehicles would greatly expand previous calls to prohibit cellphone use among commercial drivers.

In September 2010, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration banned commercial drivers from text messaging while operating trucks and buses. The rule applies to about 4 million drivers.

The agency just adopted a prohibition Nov. 23 against commercial drivers using hand-held cellphones while behind the wheel. Violations carry a $2,750 fine. Ouch!!

I'd love to hear what you think about this issue?

MIAMI: Flo Rida Enters "First-Time Offender Program" on DUI Charge

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 13:39:33 -0500

South Florida rapper Flo Rida has entered into a deal in his DUI arrest on Miami Beach in June that will net him no jail time.

According to Flo Rida's attorney Daniel Lurvey, the rapper was allowed to enroll in the "Back On Track" program for first-time offenders. The program requires participants to perform community service and take classes. Flo Rida will also have to pay fees and court costs.

If completed, Flo Rida, whose real name is Tramar Dillard, will have his DUI charge amended to Reckless Driving with a "withhold of adjudication." He will have no points on his license and could be eligible to have his arrest and criminal records Sealed.

Dillard was charged with DUI and Driving with a Suspended License June 9 while in his 2008 Bugatti on the 500 block of Washington Avenue.

While Dillard was being given a sobriety test, a crowd gathered, some asking that the police let Dillard go, others offering to give him a ride home.

FORT LAUDERDALE: Plea Deal Reached in Phoney Breast Exam Scam

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 10:13:53 -0500

According to an online story on SunSentinal.com, a Coconut Creek man accused of posing as a doctor and offering free door-to-door "breast exams" has reached a deal with prosecutors, lawyers told a Broward County judge on Tuesday.

Phillip Winikoff, 81, was accused in April 2006 of carrying on the ruse with women at an apartment complex in the 3200 block of Northwest 40th Street in Lauderdale Lakes. Investigators said two (2) women took Winikoff up on the offer, allowed him into their apartments and realized something was amiss only after the phony "breast exams" started.

Winikoff was charged with three (3) Felony counts of Sexual Battery, two (2) counts of Practicing Medicine without a License, two (2) counts of Simple Battery, and one (1) count of Using the Title of Doctor without a License.

If tried and convicted, he could have been sentenced to more than forty-five (45) years in the Florida State Prison system for the Sexual Battery charges and another ten (10) years for Practicing Medicine without a License.

It was not revealed Tuesday whether the deal Winikoff reached with prosecutors will keep him out of prison.

Winikoff, who was in court with a half-dozen family members, was scheduled to enter a plea of either Guilty or No Contest, but by the time the prosecutor and Winikoff's lawyer arrived, Broward Circuit Judge Sandra Perlman said she had a Trial to oversee and needed to reschedule the Winikoff plea. No firm date was set.

At the time of Winikoff's arrest, the Broward County Sheriff's Office said he carried a little black bag to lend credibility to his claim of being a doctor. The first victim, 36 years old at the time, told detectives he started the exam by fondling her breasts, and she knew something was wrong when his hands wandered elsewhere.

By the time the victim called 911, Winikoff had already found a second victim, the Broward County Sheriff's Office said.

LADIES, PLEASE TAKE NOTE: The next time a man shows up on your doorstep claiming to be a doctor who performs free door-to-door "breast exams," think twice about accepting his offer. Yes, even if he's got a black doctor's bag.

NEW PORT RICHEY: "Operation No Appointment Necessary" Rounds Up Dozens of Suspects in Multi-County Prescription Drug Sting

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 11:04:03 -0500

According to a story in today's St. Petersburg Times, dozens of suspects have been rounded up (and dozens more are still wanted) in a multi-county prescription drug operation known as "Operation No Appointment Necessary."

The St. Pete Times reports the following:

The phony prescriptions were printed out on a home computer and passed out to "runners" who got them filled at local pharmacies.

Then the pain pills were divvied up: half for the runner to keep, half for the drug dealer to sell at street prices that, in some parts of Florida, are up to thirty (30) times what they cost at a pharmacy.

Authorities said that's how more than 400,000 30-milligram Oxycodone tablets (otherwise known as "blues" for their color) got into the wrong hands during a nine (9) month span beginning in October 2009.

On Monday, several local law enforcement agencies launched a multi-jurisdictional effort to arrest some of the members of a sophisticated Tampa Bay area Drug Trafficking ring.

"These criminals don't know any boundaries and neither should we," said Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco.

By day's end, officials had located forty one (41) of the seventy two (72) people sought in the second phase of "Operation No Appointment Necessary." Some were already in local jails; others were arrested in Pinellas, Pasco and Hernando counties.

The first phase of this operation, which began in March, has so far netted sixty six (66) of ninety four (94) suspects. And investigators had previously made about one hundred forty (140) other arrests in connection with the case.

Monday's sweep was a joint effort between the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Countywide Diversion Task Force, the Pasco County Sheriff's Office, the Hernando County Sheriff's Office and the New Port Richey Police Department.

Officials say those being arrested as part of both phases of the operation were mostly low-level offenders, accused of passing the fake prescriptions or Doctor Shopping. The top tier of the organization has already been "dismantled," said Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Capt. Robert Alfonso.

Those people are facing Federal charges, but Alfonso declined to identify them, citing the ongoing nature of the large-scale investigation.

During the investigation, detectives identified twenty seven (27) doctors whose names were being fraudulently used by the drug ring. The doctors, whose prescription pads had been stolen or duplicated, cooperated with investigators.

Monday's sweep came just a few weeks after a state report revealed that the number of people fatally overdosing on prescription drugs in Florida went up nearly nine (9) percent from 2009 to 2010.

According to the report, the Pinellas-Pasco medical examiner's district led the state in 2010 in deaths from all six (6) of the most lethal prescription drugs -- Oxycodone, Alprazolam (Xanax), Methadone, Hydrocodone (Vicodin), Morphine and Diazepam (Valium).

And addiction is at the heart of the matter, officials said.

"A lot of people get involved because of addiction situations," Alfonso said. "They are addicted to these painkillers and they have to feed their addiction by going out and getting these pills and then they sell them as well as using them."

Oxycodone pills that cost about $1 apiece at a pharmacy are going for $8 to $15 on the street in the Tampa Bay area, Alfonso said. In more rural areas of North Florida, they can bring as much as $30 a pill.

Detectives estimate the value of the pills received through the fraudulent prescriptions in this investigation at more than $4 million.

The number may seem staggering, but it's only a drop in the bucket, Alfonso said. "This is only one organization of many that are out there," he said.

ST. PETERSBURG: More Red Light Cameras On the Way

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 11:54:09 -0500

Starting September 15, 2011, St. Petersburg drivers at certain stop lights will be able to wave at stop light cameras while red-light runners will get their pictures taken and a warning in the mail.

Certain intersections in Pinellas county are getting cameras attached to the signals. Red Light Cameras, as they are called, will capture still images and video of red-light running drivers and their plates. These cameras are currently being used at many lights already in the Tampa Bay area.

Now the City of St. Petersburg is installing even more. The City's transportation officials have launched a new public safety program called "Stop on Red." Currently the city is posting warning signs alerting drivers that the red-light safety cameras will be installed at the signals.

Police say studies show that drivers tend to change their red light running habits with cameras watching them. Law enforcement like to think of the red light cameras as a form of behavior modification. Opponents say the cameras and the fines they generate, are a huge moneymaker for law enforcement agencies and doubt that they will stop fatalities.

Installation of the Red Light Cameras and warning signs has been finalized at these St. Petersburg intersections:

*** 4th Street and Gandy Boulevard ***
*** 4th Street and 54th Avenue North ***
*** 4th Street and 22nd Avenue North ***
*** 6th Street and 5th Avenue North ***
*** 34th Street and 38th Avenue North ***
*** 34th Street and 1st Avenue North ***
*** 34th Street and 1st Avenue South ***
*** 34th Street and 22nd Avenue South ***
*** 66th Street and 38th Avenue North ***
*** 66th Street and Tyrone Boulevard ***

These intersections were chosen after a crash study identified these locations as high -risk for accidents. Over the past three (3) years the city has had twenty one (21) fatal crashes at stop lights, with 13 deaths related to red-light runners.

Starting September 15, 2011, drivers caught on tape running these signals will receive a mailed "warning," sent to the registered owner of the car. Then thirty (30) days later on October 15, 2011, Traffic Citations by mail will be issued if someone runs these lights. Running a red-light could set you back $158.00, and can increase to $264.00 or higher if paid late.

There are at least thirty (30) Red Light Cameras mounted in Tampa Bay including, over twenty (20) in Hillsborough County.

Previously approved Red Light Cameras in South Pasadena are now at the following locations:

*** Northbound Pasadena Avenue South @ Sailboat Key Boulevard South ***
*** Northbound Pasadena Avenue South @ Shore Drive South ***
*** Northbound Pasadena Avenue South @ Park Street South ***
*** Southbound Pasadena Avenue South. @ Gulfport Boulevard South ***
*** Southbound Pasadena Avenue South @ Shore Drive South ***

CONSIDER YOURSELF WARNED

BROOKSVILLE: Oxycodone was Motive for Son Killing His Father

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 21:25:28 -0500

A jury in Hernando County Florida finds son Guilty of First Degree Murder for killing his father, in cold blood, over the popular (and deadly) drug Oxycodone.

In a Brooksville courtroom, Assistant State Attorney Pete Magrino gripped the Revelation 12-gauge, sawed-off shotgun and pointed it at the courtroom wall, just feet from the jury.

He pumped the slide on the shotgun, then pulled the trigger. Pump. Click. Pump. Click. Pump. Click.

"Ivan Horne was shot four (4) times. I don't know how fast or slow the defendant cycled this shotgun when he murdered his father," Magrino told jurors Thursday, pointing at the 20-year-old man sitting at the defense table. "We're not talking one shot."

After a dramatic closing argument by the Assistant State Attorney, the jury took just one (1) hour to find Stephen Horne guilty of First-Degree Murder in the May 2010 shooting of his father, Ivan Horne, 47. Authorities say the son was motivated by drugs and money.

Later, just after Chief Circuit Judge Daniel Merritt Sr. sentenced Horne, of Ridge Manor, to LIFE in prison (without the possibility of parole), the convicted killer turned to sobbing family members sitting two rows behind him, and he smiled.

Some told Horne they loved him. Others couldn't say anything. As deputies escorted him out, he glared at news reporters.

Horne was also convicted of Robbery with a Firearm and Possession of a Short-Barreled Shotgun.

His accomplice, Angel Gonzalez, 28, of Holiday, was convicted last month of First Degree Murder and was also sentenced to LIFE in prison.

In court Thursday, Magrino read portions of a damning confession Horne had given to Hernando sheriff's Detective Bryan Faulkingham.

" 'I killed my father. I shot my father. I planned it all,' " Magrino read. " 'I hated my father. I seen dollar signs. I planned it out. Everything was all my idea. I was going to get away with it.' "

The two (2) men stole Ivan Horne's prescribed Oxycodone pills and between $200 and $600, Magrino said. Then they stripped him of his boots, trousers and cell phone.

"The state has proven that defendant right there," Magrino said, pointing at Horne, "is a cold-blooded killer."

SEMINOLE: $10,000 Bail for Mom Accused of Trying to Sell Her Son

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 09:39:54 -0500

A rather disturbing story was featured in today's St. Pete Times about a Seminole mother who tried to sell her son for $2,000 because of her addiction to prescription drugs.

The 5-year-old boy was excited to start kindergarten Tuesday in Tampa.

Jim and Betty Gardner, who have helped raise the boy since he was an infant, were working hard to prepare him by establishing a morning routine.

Now, they're worried how his first school year will begin.

The child was taken into protective custody Saturday after authorities arrested his mother and accused her of trying to sell him to the Gardners for $2,000.

Jessica Mickles Beers, 28, whose last known address was in Seminole, was charged with Felony Sale of Parental Rights along with a Violation of Probation (VOP) on her pending Grand Theft charge. At her First Appearance Hearing on Sunday, bail was set at $10,000.

Gardner, 58, said he and his wife met Beers when the boy was just a few months old after she called their church for assistance. They took food and diapers to her.

Beers essentially was homeless, but was living with other people. She asked to move in with the Gardners and they agreed, Gardner said.

For the next five (5) years or so, the Gardners, who have fostered numerous children over the years, helped take care of Beers and her child.

About two years ago, Beers began talking about having the couple take guardianship of her son but never followed through with it. Early Saturday, Gardner said, Beers called him and offered to sign away her parental rights if the Gardners would pay her $2,000.

"It was money or else ..." Gardner said. "I thought 'Whoa, that's illegal.' "

He contacted the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office (PCSO), which arrested Beers at a Seminole grocery store when she came to collect the cash.

The child was not with Beers, but she told authorities where he could be found, Gardner said. Gardner said he believes Beers is addicted to prescription drugs.

CLEARWATER: Man Arrested with "F*CK THE POLICE" Tattoo on His Face

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 12:00:16 -0500

I'm all for individuality and one's right to tattoo (almost) anything they want on their body. However, there comes a time when you are just asking for trouble....

Yesterday, an man was arrested under the authority of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) warrant.

Ismael Hernandez-Ambrosio, of Clearwater, was booked into the Pinellas County Jail around 3:00 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. And I'm sure the arresting officer(s), detention deputies and jail staff enjoyed listing his "Scars, Marks & Tattoos" (as is routinely done when being booked into the Pinellas County Jail.

Unfortunately for Mr. Hernandez-Ambrosio, his "F*CK THE POLICE" Tattoo, going straight across his face, problem didn't earn him any brownie points, or an extra juice cup, or an extended, long-distance phone call.

If there is any moral to this story, it has to be "think twice" or three (3) times before inking yourself in such a negative way. As the former Gang Unit Prosecutor in Pinellas County, Florida, I've seen negative tattoos become damaging evidence used by prosecutors against arrested individuals.

All of us at the SLAVIN LAW FIRM wish Mr. Hernandez-Ambrosio a pleasant trip down to the Krome Detention Center in Miami and a happy and safe stay before he appears in the Krome Immigration Court (prior to arriving at his final point of destination -- which appears to be Burma / Myanmar).

ORLANDO: Casey Anthony to Appeal Her 4 Misdemeanor Convictions

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 11:13:27 -0500

Casey Anthony's defense team has announced that they will be appealing her four (4) Misdemeanor convictions from her recent First Degree Murder trial.

Friday morning, Casey's defense attorneys filed their Notice of Appeal for the four (4) counts of misleading law enforcement, for which she was convicted by the same jury that acquitted her of First Degree Murder.

It was almost three (3) years ago that Casey told Orange County deputies the following:

(1) That she worked at Universal Orlando Resort in 2008,
(2) That she left Caylee with a babysitter named Zenaida Gonzalez,
(3) That she told Jeffrey Hopkins and Juliette Lewis that Caylee was missing,
(4) That she spoke to Caylee on the phone on July 15, 2008.

Casey was charged and convicted of a separate count for each of the above false statements. She was fined the maximum $1,000 for each count, totaling $4,618 after court costs.

Judge Belvin Perry also sentenced Casey to a total of four (4) years in jail, which has already been shortened based on the time she has spent behind bars (awaiting trial), and her good behavior in jail. Casey is due to be released Sunday.

From a strategic standpoint, an appeal could have a huge effect on Casey's civil case involving Zenaida Gonzalez, which took a bizarre turn Friday morning after a quick end to an emergency hearing.

Once the appeal is formally filed, she can legitimately assert her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination in any deposition or interrogation until the appeal is exhausted!

As far as Casey is concerned, there is no downside to this legal maneuver. If she loses the appeal, she will still be released from jail on Sunday. She cannot be punished for appealing.

Another bright move by her defense team to, once again, protect her from having to tell the truth about what happened to her daughter Caylee.

POLK COUNTY: No More Free Underwear for Male Inmates

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 10:59:02 -0500

As reported by BayNews9, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd is at it again.

In another "cost-cutting" measure, the Polk County Jail will no longer provide free underwear to its inmates.

Normally, when an inmate is booked in the jail, they are given an orange shirt, orange pants and underwear.

In order to save money, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd has proposed making males inmates pay if they want their "tighty whities."

The cost-saving measure was part of the sheriff's 2011-2012 budget he presented to county commissioners Thursday afternoon. Judd said it will save the county $45,000.

Although women behind bars will still be provided underwear, the men will have to pay.

"For those who don't want to pay, they can let the breeze blow up one leg and out the other," Judd said (in classic Grady Judd fashion).

The idea drew smiles from several county commissioners and laughter from the crowd.

"You and I buy it at the store. So, if they want it, they can buy it," he said. Judd said they are also cutting eleven (11) positions, including six (6) supervisors.

Judd says while his department is doing more with less, his highest priority remains keeping the people of Polk County safe.

Judd said the new policy will not cause the quality of service from the department to go down.

"None of these cuts will keep us from answering the call," Judd said.

FYI -- As for the underwear, it's about $2.50 for briefs and $4.50 for boxers. The choice is up to the inmates.

"We give our inmates choices at our jail," he said.

The new underwear rule will breeze into effect Aug. 1st.

PALM BAY / WINTER HAVEN: 4 Teens Arrested for Posting Beatings Online

Sat, 04 Jun 2011 10:36:16 -0500

While the Tampa Bay Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog regularly reports on the latest legal trends throughout the State of Florida, I sure hope this doesn't become the latest Florida trend: beating people up and posting videos online.

PALM BAY

Two (2) 15-year-old teens were arrested in Palm Bay after police were tipped to a video of them beating another teen unconscious, according to TCPalm.

In an example of the increasingly voyeuristic behavior people are exhibiting on social media web sites, a pair of 15-year-old boys were arrested because of a video one of them allegedly posted on Facebook showing his friend beating another teenager unconscious.

The 15-year old victim of the beating did not tell his parents or go to the hospital, police say. Rather, police were alerted to the beating and ultimately made the arrests acting off a tip from a witness who saw the video on Facebook.

Police arrested David Wayne Howard Jr. and Anthony Vincent Faiola, both 15. They appeared before a Juvenile court judge Thursday at the Moore Justice Center and were ordered held at the Juvenile Detention Center for twenty one (21) days.

Howard was charged with Aggravated Battery, Resisting Arrest without Violence and Solicitation of Gang Activity.

Faiola was charged with Accessory after the Fact and Resisting Arrest without Violence.

"They were defiant; no remorse," Palm Bay police Officer Kevin Morris said of the teens' demeanor hours after their arrest.

"We believe that they posted the video to promote their gang activities. The victim just made a comment about them belonging to a gang, but it was nothing that deserved this type of retaliation. We're also looking into whether there may be other videos."

Faiola videotaped the beating and it was later posted on Howard's personal Facebook profile page, police said. The incident happened Tuesday, but only surfaced Wednesday after a concerned resident alerted Palm Bay police.

The video shows Howard delivering several successive kicks to the victim's head in front of onlookers, at one point stomping on the boy's head as he lay on the ground. A girl's voice captured on the video is heard saying, "Oh my God," repeatedly while the attack continues.

"(The victim) didn't go to the hospital. In fact, he didn't even tell his family," Morris said.

From the video, officers with the department's Youth Services were able to identify several witnesses to the attack, all who attend Heritage High. The fight reportedly happened on Grandeur Road. Howard's family members later removed the video from his Facebook page, police said.

Law enforcement officials and other experts say the video is the latest example of boldly posted videos, texts or photographs that depict illegal or illicit activity. In 2007, a video of a 12-year-old Brevard County girl being beaten by peers was posted online. Across the nation, fights between teens are being captured on cell phones or other mobile devices and posted on social media sites within minutes.

"It's human nature to act in certain ways. It's just that the technology has changed," Brevard County Assistant State Attorney Wayne Holmes said. "People do things and they want to brag. It's just being carried on in a different way. The fact that it's being thrown on an online media site is no different than the bully in the classroom."

Morris also noted a recent trend of teens, including some in the Palm Bay area, getting together to do "wrestling-style" fights for online video-postings on sites like YouTube, although those cases involve willing participants.

The victim, whose injuries were described as not serious by police, did not want to come forward, primarily out of fear. Police said the incident began when the victim questioned one of the teens about involvement in a gang called "3-2-1," a [very original] name borrowed from Brevard County's area code.

Howard later told police that he had formed the "3-2-1 Boyz" or "3-2-1 Crew " gang and wanted to "beat his .¤.¤." because of derogatory remarks about the group. Police said they tracked Howard to his home on Grandeur Road. The teen ran inside and refused to answer the door for at least 20 minutes before his uncle arrived and ordered him to leave the home, according to police reports.

Howard and Faiola are scheduled for a June 16 trial in Juvenile Court and face one (1) to six (6) years in Juvenile detention. The state attorney's office will review the case to determine whether to charge one or both teens as adults. A conviction as an adult on an Aggravated Battery charge carries a penalty of up to fifteen (15) years in the Florida State Prison system.

WINTER HAVEN

In Winter Haven, a brother and sister, 18 and 16-years-old, were arrested after they were identified in a cellphone video beating a 14-year-old girl, TheLedger.com reports. The girl was thrown to the ground and kicked her in her face, police said. "He did what appears to me like a punter trying to kick a field goal," a Winter Haven police spokeswoman said. "It's really a blessing that she did not get any more injuries than what she had."

Walter Bouiye, 18, of 1695 Marshall Road, in Winter Haven, and his 16-year-old sister were charged in the attack, according to Winter Haven police.

Bouiye was booked Wednesday into Polk County Jail on charges of Child Abuse and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor. He remained jailed Thursday in lieu of $1,500 bond.

His sister was charged with Misdemeanor Battery and taken to the Juvenile Detention Center (JDC).

Police withheld her name because she is a Juvenile and charged with a misdemeanor-level crime.

Officers were able to identify the suspects through witnesses at the scene, but the video, later found on online, assisted.

Obviously, the lesson learned from both of these stories is that law enforcement is using social media sources to build criminal cases against suspects throughout the State of Florida. Hopefully, teens will begin to realize this before they ruin their lives over stupid activity.

LAS VEGAS: Rapper Flavor Flav Arrested on Outstanding Traffic Warrants

Tue, 03 May 2011 11:30:37 -0500

Flavor Flav -- real name William Jonathan Drayton Jr. -- was arrested in Las Vegas last Friday after a routine traffic stop resulted in police officers finding four (4) warrants out for his arrest. The rapper took to Twitter on Monday to tell his side of the story.

Drayton was pulled over by police at 10:57 p.m. Friday for a routine Traffic Violation east of the Las Vegas Strip. When an officer ran his name through the system, the warrants came up; he was arrested and taken to jail, where he was booked, got his mug shot taken and was eventually released, TMZ reported.

The 52-year-old Public Enemy alum's four (4) separate misdemeanor traffic warrants include driving without proof of insurance, a parking violation and two (2) cases of driving without a license.

It was unclear when the warrants were issued, the Las Vegas Sun reported. But in 2002, Drayton served nine (9) weeks at Rikers Island Jail in New York for various auto-related violations including Driving with a Suspended License (DWLSR), numerous parking tickets and being late for meetings with his probation officer.

The VH1 reality television star known for wearing quirky sunglasses and a clock around his neck aired his version of events online Monday, tweeting that he was on his way home from Benihana's when he was pulled over.

"[H]e found out I had a traffic warrant wanted to make a name for himself took me in and now I'm home laying my bed what's the big deal?!" he added.

Hey, when rapper-actor Ice-T tweeted about a "rookie cop" arresting him after a traffic stop he disagreed with in New York, charges eventually were dropped.

Drayton dropped out of school in 11th grade and did time in jail for Robbery and Burglary. He dealt with drug addiction in the 1990's and in 1991 spent thirty (30) days in jail after pleading guilty to assaulting then-girlfriend Karen Ross, according to US Magazine.

In 1993, he was charged with Attempted Murder for allegedly shooting at a neighbor.

DESTIN: Textalyzer App Created to Cut Down on Drunk, Late-Night, Texting

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 12:36:14 -0500

After a few nights of regrets and "I wish I hadn't sent that" thoughts, Samantha Deeter came up with the ultimate idea for an iPhone application: Textalyzer.

According to a recent online story at NWFDailyNews.com, Deeter created this new iPhone application to prevent her from sending drunk text messages (that she later regrets the next day).

"This is to prevent people from doing the ultimate no-no," said Deeter, a Destin resident.

"I was briefly single and would run around from time to time bar hopping after work and would always tell people, 'I wish there was a Breathalyzer for phones.' That's when I got the idea."

Deeter said she emailed a company that develops apps and an hour later was on the phone making the idea a reality. She said the company liked the idea so much they decided to partner with her.

Textalyzer starts by having the user make a "forbidden list," which consists of phone contacts that are the likely targets of drunken texts. If a contact on the list is selected, the user has to go through a series of games to send a text.

If the user does not pass the four (4) games, the text doesn't get sent. Twelve (12) hours later, the user will be asked if they still wish to send the message.

The user can also leave reminders about why texting certain individuals is a bad idea.

The application went on sale Monday on iTunes. Deeter said if the 99-cent application does well with iPhone users, she will develop a program for the Droid.

"It was crazy when the app was complete, seeing all my ideas," Deeter said. "So far, I haven't gotten any negative feedback. People seem to like the app."

For more information, go to www.textalyzerapp.com, or go to Facebook.com or Twitter.com to learn more.

"If you're single, drink and have an ex, (then) you need this app," Deeter said.

GAINESVILLE: Two (2) More Gators Arrested -- This Time for Felony Burglary

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 10:54:26 -0500

According to an online story this morning on TampaBay.com, two (2) University of Florida basketball players, Cody Larson and Erik Murphy, were arrested for Felony Burglary early Sunday morning in St. Augustine. They have both been released on bail.

Joshua Adel, who identified himself as a "team manager," was also charged with being a Principal to Burglary. He reportedly told police that he was just a "lookout" for the two (2) Gator basketball players. However, under Florida law, a principal is held to the same standard as if they actually committed the substantive offense. As the old English saying goes, "if you're in for a penny, you're in for a pound."

According to the police report, both Larson and Murphy went into Scarlett O'Hara's Bar and Restaurant around 2:00 a.m. early Sunday morning, claiming they had "lost a wallet." Police said the two (2) men tried to get close to an employee who was counting money from the night.

Bouncers then told Larson and Murphy to leave. Moments later, according to the report, they saw the two (2) men breaking into a co-worker's car across the street. Murphy, a sophomore, was a reserve forward this past season. Larson was redshirted and did not see any action this year. It remains to be seen if he ever will....

Illinois: Angry Man Kills His Brother's Cat Over Affair and Send Him the Photo to Prove It

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 20:43:31 -0500

A disturbing story in last week's Chicago Tribune details a "brotherly love" episode (involving an affair, a dead cat and text messaged photos) gone wrong:

Enraged after his older brother had an affair with his fiancee, an Illinois man killed his brother's cat, then texted him a photo of it along with the message: "This is what you did to me."

Sean Mulcahy, 31, of Homer Glen, pleaded guilty to a Felony Animal Cruelty charge Wednesday, telling Judge Edward Burmila he was "sorry" for slitting the throat of his brother's cat Lucifer in August. Will County sheriff's police found the cat in a ditch across the street from the Homer Glen home where Mulcahy lived with his brother Ryan, 33. Police also found a pool of blood in the driveway.

The Mulcahy brothers had been fighting August 5th when Ryan Mulcahy received a text message with a picture of his bloodied pet around 4:50 a.m., according to court records. Police arrested Sean Mulcahy when he returned to the home about three (3) hours later.

That same day, Ryan Mulcahy took out an order of protection against his brother Sean for himself and his 9-year-old son, writing that "based on this degree of Animal Cruelty I am in fear of my life and my family." The order has since expired.

Sean Mulcahy, who was drunk, first told police he killed the cat after it scratched him, said Assistant State's Attorney Nicole Moore. He later told police he couldn't remember what happened, court records show.

On Wednesday, Sean Mulcahy said emotions over his brother's affair led to his actions. He said they had cost him his home, a job and created "turmoil" for his parents who received "hate letters" after he was charged.

"It was definitely fueled by out-of-control emotions as well as alcohol," Sean Mulcahy told the judge. "I am deeply sorry, sir."

Prosecutors sought what amounted to a 3-month prison sentence, saying they were troubled by Sean Mulcahy's "anger and violence."

"Taking the life of an animal to get (revenge) on his brother is a severe and horrible crime," Moore said.

Sean Mulcahy's attorney Donald DeWilkins said his client had only a minor criminal record, had found another job and was seeing a counselor. He said Sean Mulcahy was only "out of control" after discovering the affair.

"He had a tragic situation and that's how he dealt with it -- (he) went out and did something very stupid," DeWilkins said.

Burmila said it was "particularly shocking someone would take out their anger in this regard," before sentencing Sean Mulcahy to thirty (30) months of probation and 150 hours of community service. He also banned him from having a pet or possessing any weapons while on probation.

Whatever happened to the old days of just throwing fists?