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HIGHLANDS NEWS-SUN Monday, April 29, 2019 VOL. 100 | NO. 119 | $1.00 YOUR HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER SINCE 1919 An Edition Of The Sun FLORIDA SHERIFFS ASSOCIATION Gentry to be honored FILE PHOTO The Highlands County Sheriff’s Office has found some discrepancies in police case evidence kept in storage by the City of Avon Park. The evidence pertains to old cases from the Avon Park Police Department prior to the city dissolving the agency, according to Sheriff Paul Blackman. Missing, misplaced, mismarked evidence Sheriff’s audit finds troubles with FLORIDA SHERIFFS ASSOCIATION The annual Florida Sheriffs Association’s Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony will take place today in Tallahassee. APPD archives By PHIL ATTINGER Annual Law Enforcement Memorial STAFF WRITER SEBRING — The Highlands County Ceremony takes place today Sheriff’s Office has found some discrep- ancies in police case evidence kept in STAFF REPORT storage by the City of Avon Park. The specifics of what they have found ighlands County Deputy is not yet available. Sheriff Paul Blackman William J. Gentry Jr. will be has declined to comment one of eight law enforce- on the matter, other than H to say that 124 pieces of ment members honored today in Tallahassee when the Florida Sheriffs evidence appeared to be Association holds its annual Law missing, misplaced or mismarked. Avon Park City Enforcement Memorial Ceremony. Manager David Flowers In 2002 the Florida Sheriffs received a report Thursday Association incorporated the granite morning from the sheriff, Memorial Wall to honor sheriff’s BLACKMAN but declined to comment on officers who had fallen in the line the matter Friday, since he of duty. It is a tribute to remember had not yet had an oppor- the sheriffs and deputies who have tunity to discuss the matter dedicated their lives to serve and with individual city council protect Floridians, while respecting members. those who have passed. Flowers indicated it would On the wall is an engraved verse be today before he could do that embraces these fallen heroes that. and the sacrifices they have made: FLORIDA SHERIFFS ASSOCIATION Blackman said his agency FLOWERS “Greater love hath no man than was asked by the city to do this, that he lay down his life for his Highlands County Deputy William J. Gentry Jr. will be honored today at the annual Florida Sheriffs Association Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony. an inventory of the city’s friend.” John 15:13. evidence archives and to give a report. “The men and women whose love for their communities.” Police Department Officer Jermaine The audit was done April 4, he said. names are on this wall are true Others to be honored today Brown; and Clay County Sheriff’s There are things in evidence that ap- heroes, in every sense of the word,” include Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Benjamin LeMont pear to be a clerical issue, Blackman said, said FSA President and Walton Office Sgt. Noel Ramirez Jr.; Gilchrist Zirbel. Flagler County Sheriff Homer such as something being mismarked. County Sheriff Mike Adkinson at County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Taylor W. Brooks, who died in 1965, will also How much of that is clerical, he last year’s memorial ceremony. “We F. Lindsey; Brevard County Sheriff’s be recognized during the memorial. couldn’t say without referring to the honor them today, remember them Office Deputy Kevin James Stanton; Attorney General Ashley Moody report. always, and celebrate their outstand- Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Officer is scheduled to speak at today’s The evidence, Blackman said, pertains ing legacies of selfless service and Lance C. Whitaker; Miami-Dade ceremony. to old cases from the Avon Park Police Department prior to the city dissolving the agency. Deputy William J. Gentry Jr. Sgt. Noel Ramirez Jr. The Avon Park City Council voted in Highlands County Sheriff’s Office Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office August 2012 to shut down its police de- partment and contract the Sheriff’s Office Highlands County Deputy Kevin James Stanton Deputy Taylor F. Lindsey to provide law enforcement, enacting Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sheriff William J. Gentry Jr. an interlocal agreement between the Sheriff’s Office and city on Aug. 6, 2012. Deputy Benjamin LeMont Zirbel Officer Lance C. Whitaker Nov. 3, 1977 Since then, the interlocal agreement Clay County Sheriff’s Office Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office to May 7, 2018 has gone through modifications on May 30, 2013 and Oct. 11, 2013. The most Sheriff Homer W. Brooks Officer Jermaine Brown recent modification was Sept. 24, 2018. Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Miami-Dade Police Department Blackman spoke at the last city council meeting, after hearing a report that the council had on its agenda to discuss the level of service received from his agency, but having not heard directly from any city officials on the matter. School Board approves new strategic plan Flowers made an apology for forget- ting to contact Blackman, who had also By MARC VALERO believes it is a very strong heard from a resident that the city was STAFF WRITER strategic plan. considering starting an eight-man police Longshore noted the ex- department for less than the sheriff’s con- SEBRING — It’s a new tensive effort to develop the tract of $1.3 million, and that at least one strategic plan, vision, mis- plan in her monthly message council member had asked a local police sion statement and logo for on Facebook. chief about the costs involved with that. the school district after the “To make sure that the At last Monday’s meeting, Blackman School Board of Highlands education and supports we said the council member should have County gave its unanimous provide meet the changing reached out to him first. He noted that the Sheriff’s Office has approval to the compre- needs of students’ families hensive updating and more two department service zones for the city, FILE PHOTO and the community we detailed plan that includes which account for 25% — 23,125 — of the have recently rewritten the From left: School Board of Highlands County Members Donna many goals. calls for service in the county in 2018. district’s strategic plan and Howerton and Jill Compton-Twist, Superintendent Brenda At Tuesday’s School Board Officials with the Sheriff’s Office have Longshore, Board Members Bill Brantley, Jan Shoop and Isaac meeting, Superintendent set new goals for the district,” Durrance. Brenda Longshore said she PLAN | 2A EVIDENCE | 2A Classifieds ......................B4-6 Local Sports ....................A7-8 Viewpoints ....................... A4 Good morning To Comics .................News Wire Lottery ................Sports Wire Weather ...............Sports Wire Betty Snyder Highlands Health................ B1 facebook.com/ twitter.com/ Thanks for reading! newssun.com newssun TheNewsSun A2 | HIGHLANDS NEWS-SUN | April 29, 2019 www.highlandsnewssun.com POLICE BLOTTER The following people were kidnapping an adult and Joseph Charles Dilauro, aggravated assault and mari- Kristie Lea Medders, 36, arrested on felony charges and battery. 42, Lake Placid, on charges of juana possession. charged with probation booked into the Highlands David Matthew Floyd, 34, marijuana possession, resisting Jasmine Shanee Childs, violation. County jail on April 18: Sebring, charged with proba- an offi cer and drug equipment 28, Avon Park, charged with Ambrosio Rang Rangel- Kelly Suarez Alvarez, 48, tion violation. possession. probation violation. Martinez, 53, Sebring, charged Lake Placid, charged with Terrell Jarod James, 28, Garfi eld Douglas Christie, with cruelty towards a child. cocaine possession. Avon Park, on charges of drug The following people were 24, Avon Park, on two charges Timothy Lee Witherspoon, Sophia Latrice Cooper, 29, possession, drug equipment arrested on felony charges and of larceny. 38, Dunnellon, on charges Sebring, on charges of proba- possession, marijuana posses- booked into the Highlands Scot Andy Hellein, 49, of dealing in stolen property, tion violation. sion and driving on suspended County jail on April 22: Sebring, charged with aggravat- larceny and fraud. Willie Earl Donaldson, 37, license. Joshua Kalyn Carver, 38, ed battery. Sebring, charged with aggra- Thomas Lee Moore, 50, Sebring, on charges of passing Eli Clay Howard, 34, Avon The following people were vated assault with a deadly Sebring, on charges of drug a forged or altered instrument, Park, charged with probation arrested on felony charges and weapon. possession and drug equip- counterfeiting of a public re- violation. booked into the Highlands Sabrina Lynne Peterson, 42, ment possession. cord or certifi cate and carrying Willie Theodore Lee, 22, County jail on April 25: Spring City, Tennessee, on an Christopher Robert a concealed weapon. Sebring, charged with proba- Tra’Kera Monique Sharond out-county warrant. Selander, 38, Sebring, on Michael Vinson Laureti, 38, tion violation. Davis, 24, Avon Park, on Michael James Romeo, 40, charges of criminal mischief Bartow, charged with probation Steven Donald Martin, 45, charges of selling counterfeit Avon Park, on charges of failure and battery. violation. Sebring, on three charges of motor vehicle title, perjury to register as criminal and Manuel Isaiah Ortiz, 19, failure to appear. and attempting to use another misuse of 911. The following people were Sebring, charged with proba- person’s ID. Rogelio Salceda Aguinig, 21, arrested on felony charges and tion violation. The following people were Charles Calvin High, 45, Sebring, charged with driving booked into the Highlands Randall McKinley Peacock, arrested on felony charges and Sebring, on charges of smug- while license is suspended. County jail on April 20: 39, Lake Placid, on charges of booked into the Highlands Regan Etheal Graham, 38, robbery, larceny, aggravated County jail on April 24: gling contraband and metham- The following people were Sebring, on three charges of battery and criminal mischief. Noel Joseph Cardona, 36, phetamine possession. arrested on felony charges and failure to appear.