June 13, 2013

James McKnight, Former Florida Miami Dolphins NFL Player, Arrested for Domestic Violence

James McKnight, a former Florida Miami Dolphins NFL player, was arrested Monday after he was accused of shoving his wife over a table during an argument, news sources report. McKnight, 40, was booked into the Broward County Main Jail on charges of battery, domestic violence, and resisting an officer without violence. A judge ordered that he be held on $1,600 bail bond. Reports did not specify an attorney for McKnight.

According to reports, this is not McKnight's first arrest for domestic violence. Sources say he was arrested in October 2011 for allegedly punching his wife. The details regarding the outcome of that case were not immediately clear at press time.

Sources say McKnight began playing in the NFL in 1994. He played for the Seattle Seahawks for five years before moving on to the Dallas Cowboys and later the New York Giants, reports say. Between 2001 and 2003, McKnight played for the Miami Dolphins. He has since retired from football. Reports say McKnight currently coaches the football team at Cypress Bay High School in Weston; it is unclear how this arrest will affect his position with the school.

This latest incident occurred Monday evening at McKnight and his wife's home in Broward. Reports say McKnight accused his wife of having an affair, and the two were arguing. At some point, McKnight attempted to take the children into another room so that he could talk with them alone, reports say. However, the wife resisted. "A tug of war ensued using one of the children. Each was trying to pull the child away from the other," a police report allegedly says. It does not appear as though the child was injured in the scuffle.

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June 12, 2013

Greg Dent, Florida State University Football Player, Arrested for Sexual Assault

Greg Dent, a Florida State University football player, was arrested Sunday after he was accused of sexually assaulting a close friend who was sleeping over at his home following a night out, news sources report. Dent was booked into police custody on charges of sexual assault on a person over the age of 12. A judge ordered that he be held on $15,000 bail bond. It is not yet known whether Dent has retained a defense lawyer.

According to reports, Dent is among Florida State University's top receivers this season and was set to compete for an all-star role in the coming year. "Dent is playing exceptional[ly]," an FSU spokesperson said earlier this year. "Dent is by far playing the best." Sources say Dent has already racked up 4 touchdowns and 40 career receptions.

Despite his stellar record, pending these allegations, Dent has been suspended from the FSU team. "We are aware of the situation with Greg Dent. He's suspended indefinitely from all team activities as we let the legal process run its course," an FSU spokesperson said. It remains to be seen whether Dent will get his position with the team back.

Reports say Dent and the victim are long-time friends. On Sunday night, Dent and the victim went to a nightclub and then retired to Dent's home. The victim decided to stay the night, as she had done on several previous occasions without incident, reports say.

Sometime during the night, the victim was allegedly awoken by Dent, who was attempting to kiss her. The victim told him to stop, reports say. Dent allegedly persisted and the victim bit him on the lip to deter his advances. However, Dent allegedly continued the alleged unwanted activity. The victim, in another attempt to stop him, took hold of his hair and struck him in the face, sources indicate. Dent eventually stopped and the victim reported the alleged assault to police.

In other news, Britney Jean Rohdy of Ocala was arrested Monday after she was accused of going to a bar and leaving her one-month-old child in her vehicle in the parking lot for over an hour, reports say. Rohdy, 22, was booked into the Marion County Jail on charges of child neglect and possession of Oxycodone. IT is unclear whether she qualified for bail or hired legal representation.

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June 11, 2013

Paul Marcey of Pompano Beach, Florida Arrested for Lewd and Lascivious Exhibition

Paul Marcey of Pompano Beach, Florida was arrested Wednesday after he was accused of exposing himself at a playground in view of several children, news sources report. Marcey, 56, was booked into the Broward County Main Jail on charges of lewd and lascivious exhibition of an offender 18 or older with a victim younger than 16. It is unclear whether he qualified for bail bond. It is also not currently known whether Marcey has hired a lawyer.

According to reports, the incident occurred around 7:00 Wednesday evening at a parking lot of Pompano Beach Boulevard. There were several children under the age of nine with their parents at the playground at the time. Marcey arrived to the park from the south end of the boulevard.

Reports say Marcey approached some of the children and their parents and told them, "If you have a video camera or phone, you're going to want to tape this." Marcey then proceeded to pull down his pants and urinate, sources say. It is not currently known how many children witnessed the alleged lewd act. Police arrested Marcey shortly after, and he reportedly confessed to exposing himself at the playground.

In other news, David Lawrence Berger of Naples was arrested Friday after he was accused of assaulting a neighbor over a homeowners association violation, reports say. Berger, 65, was booked into the Collier County Jail on unspecified charges. It is unclear whether he qualified for bail or hired legal representation.

According to reports, Berger had been quarrelling with neighbor Mark Anthony Santos, who lives across the street from him, for a few days leading up to the attack. Berger was purportedly upset because Santos had been parking on the side of the street and had been putting his trashcans in the wrong spot. Berger claims these two actions were in violation of their homeowner's association rules, reports say.

Several days before the incident, Berger and his wife told Santos that they were unhappy about him parking on the street and placing his trashcans in the wrong area. On Friday, days after the confrontation, Santos parked on the side of the street again, sources say.

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June 10, 2013

Raul Pavon of Marathon, Florida Arrested for Battery

Raul Pavon of Marathon, Florida was arrested Sunday for allegedly pulling a man out of a car and assaulting him, news sources report. Pavon, 27, was booked into the Monroe County Jail on charges of criminal mischief, battery, and burglary to a vehicle. Pavon has since been released from jail on unspecified charges. Reports did not say whether Pavon has hired a defense attorney.

According to reports, the incident occurred at the Sea Grape apartment complex in Marathon. Pavon's young daughter frequently walks through the parking lot at the complex, sources say. Pavon claims that the victim often speeds when driving through the complex's parking lot, putting his daughter at risk of being hit, reports say.

On Thursday, Pavon had apparently had enough of the speeding. He approached the victim's parked vehicle, which also contained the victim's wife and mother, and pulled the victim out of the driver's seat, sources say. Pavon allegedly then pushed the victim and told him that he was about to "beat" him for speeding through the parking lot. The victim's wife got out of the vehicle and tried to break up the fight, but Pavon allegedly pushed her as well. The victim's mother, who was in the back seat, called police, reports say.

After Pavon was arrested, he told officers that he confronted and pulled the victim from the vehicle because he was fed up with how fast the victim drove through the parking lot. It is not currently known whether Pavon had filed a complaint about the victim's alleged speeding in the past.

Pavon was not the only person arrested for disrupting traffic this past week. On Wednesday, officers arrested a naked woman after she hopped onto an occupied vehicle, reports say. Information regarding the woman's identity was not immediately available following the incident. Police arrested and booked her into a medical facility under the state's Baker Act following the incident.

Police received reports of a completely naked woman wandering the streets somewhere in Hialeah on Wednesday. Officers began searching and soon found the woman near West Eighth Avenue and 23rd Street. The woman fled the police after they tried to capture her, reports say. She then allegedly ran into the intersection and got onto the roof of a car that was stopped at the red light.

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June 7, 2013

Michael Ster, Oakland Park, Florida Massage Therapist, Arrest for Sexual Battery

Michael Ster, an Oakland Park, Florida massage therapist, was arrested Tuesday after he was accused of sexually assaulting one of his clients, news sources report. Ster, 32, was booked into the Broward County Main Jail on two counts of sexual battery and one count of misdemeanor battery. It is unclear whether he qualified for bail bond or hired an defense attorney.

According to reports, Ster works for Massage Envy on University Drive in Coral Springs. Reports did not specify how long Ster has worked with the spa or how these charges will affect his position there. So far, Massage Envy has remained mum regarding the allegations against Ster. Police are currently conducting an investigation to determine whether there may be additional victims.

The incident occurred on Monday as the victim was at the spa receiving a massage from Ster. During the massage, Ster allegedly touched the victim's breasts, climbed up onto the massage table, fondled the victim's groin and perform an unspecified sex act on her without her consent, reports say.

The victim attempted to shove Ster away, sources say; Ster allegedly paused for a moment before continuing the assault. Ster finally ceased when the victim shoved him away a second time, sources indicate. Reports say the victim later called police to report the assault. Ster was arrested without incident.

Sexual offenses are prevalent throughout Florida and the United States in general. According to the Florida Council against Sexual Violence, there were around 11,214 reported sexual offense cases in Florida in 2007. Out of those cases, 54% were related to forcible rape; 12% to forcible sodomy; and 32% to forcible fondling. But the numbers do not stop there: The FCASV estimates that around 1,266,000 Florida women have reported being raped at some point in their life. Many areas have begun assault awareness campaigns to try to lessen the prevalence of sexual crime.

In an entirely different sort of criminal news, Barbara Lynn Vanpatten of Spring Hill was arrested after she was accused of drunkenly overturning a canoe with a mother and two children inside during a river tour, reports say. Vanpatten, 36, was booked into the Hernando County Jail on charges of battery, resisting identification during arrest, and resisting an officer without violence. Her bail was set at $1,500. It is unclear whether she hired legal representation.

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June 7, 2013

Nancy Marquez, Former Pembroke Pines, Florida Condo Association President, Arrested for Embezzlement

Nancy Marquez, a former Pembroke Pines, Florida condo association president, was arrested Monday after she was accused of embezzling money from her employer and using it to gamble, news sources report. Marquez, 58, was booked into the Broward County Main Jail on charges of perpetrating a scheme to defraud and grand theft. She was later released after posting $7,500 bail bond. The press did not specify a defense attorney for Marquez.

According to reports, Marquez worked as a secretary and served as president of the French Villas condominium association for two years. She left the association in December 2010. Marquez's primary duty was managing the association's finances, which included a debit card, bank statements, and accounting records.

While serving as president, Marquez allegedly transferred money from the association's bank account to her bank account. Sources say Marquez also made unauthorized transactions using the association's account. Marquez allegedly used the money for personal expenses, as well as to gamble at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood.

Paul Coffman, a fellow board member with the association, first discovered the inconsistencies in Marquez's records in January 2011. "We got the invoices and everything for the two years that she was on the board and started going through them," Coffman said. "Some things caught our eye that just weren't right." In all, reports say Marquez embezzled $148,012 from the association.

Police began an investigation in 2011, which did not end until Marquez's arrest this past week. According to members of the association, the association had to cut back due to the unexpected loss. However, the association's board members were restricted from talking about the case, which left the condominium's tenants in the dark about why the cuts were taking place. "When people kept complaining, you had to bite your tongue," Coffman said.

During the two-year investigation, the association's board members struggled to keep up with bill payments. The problems got so bad that the association reportedly received shut-off notices from Florida Power & Light Co. and was warned that their utilities would be discontinued if they did not pay outstanding balances. The association was also instructed by inspectors to remodel their elevator, inspect their sewer lines, and replace the fire sprinklers in their garage, adding to the list of expenses.

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June 5, 2013

Olakunle Omomowo, Coconut Creek, Florida Daycare Teacher, Arrested for Child Molestation

Olakunle Omomowo, a Coconut Creek, Florida daycare teacher, was arrested Tuesday after he was accused of molesting two of his daycare students, news sources report. Omomowo, 38, was booked into the Broward County Main Jail on to counts of lewd or lascivious molestation of victims under the age of 12. It is unclear whether he has qualified for bail bond. The press did not list a lawyer for Omomowo.

According to reports, Omomowo worked at Phyls Academy in Fort Lauderdale for several months in 2012; it does not appear as though there were any complaints about his conduct there. Recently, Omomowo started working as a teacher at Discovery Preschool Center in Coconut Creek. Children from infancy all the way up to school age attend the daycare, sources show. It is unclear how long Omomowo has been working with the center.

"We are taking this situation very seriously, and we immediately notified the appropriate authorities as well as the families we serve as soon as the concerns were brought to our attention," a spokesperson for Discovery Preschool Center said. "We are supporting everyone involved to ensure a thorough investigation into this situation and will continue to support the children and families that we serve in every way we can."

Reports say that police have identified two victims under the age of 12 at the daycare that Omomowo molested. Few details of the case are currently known: it is not clear how the molestation was discovered, how old the alleged victims are, or whether Omomowo admitted to the crime. An investigation is reportedly ongoing and it is unclear whether detectives are searching for additional victims, whether at Discovery or any other daycare facilities where Omomowo may have worked.

In other sex crime news, Thomas Edwards Jr. was arrested Tuesday after he was accused of stripping at a stranger's residence and spitting in a responding officer's face, reports say. Edwards, 22, was booked into police custody for indecent exposure, battery on an officer, and burglary. It is unclear whether he qualified for bails or hired legal representation.

According to reports, the incident occurred around 3:00 Tuesday morning. Edwards knocked on the door of a home Casselberry; he later told officers he was there to propose to his girlfriend. However, the man who answered the door did not know who Edwards was and asked him to leave. Instead, Edwards allegedly began to strip because he thought that would set the mood for the proposal. When the homeowner noticed Edwards undressing, he called police.

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June 5, 2013

Edward Dewey Waters III of Davie, Florida Arrested for Battery on an Elderly Person

Edward Dewey Waters III of Davie, Florida was arrested Saturday for allegedly slapping his elderly mother-in-law across the face, news sources report. Waters, 44, was booked into the Broward County Main Jail on charges of battery on a person 65 or older, resisting arrest, and battery on a law enforcement officer. A judge ordered that he be held in lieu of $2,100 bail bond. Reports did not specify an attorney for Waters.

According to reports, the incident occurred at a home in the 3700 block of Northwest 78th Avenue. Waters, his wife, and his mother-in-law were arguing about something when an angry Waters allegedly began throwing and destroying items inside the house. At one point, he tried to tip a pricey 55-inch flat screen television, but his mother-in-law stepped in and grabbed it so it wouldn't fall, sources say. Waters allegedly slapped the woman in retaliation.

An officer responded to the house and found the front door ajar, reports say. Inside, he could reportedly hear screaming and crashing sounds. The officer ordered everyone out of the home; everyone except Waters, who reportedly remained inside and yelled expletives at the officer, complied. The officer reportedly ordered Waters to come out of the house four times to no avail.

Reports say the officer eventually deployed his stun gun to subdue Waters, who was resisting arrest. Sources say Waters continued to resist while being taken to a hospital and at one point kicked the officer's laptop, which closed on the officer's hand. After a trip to the hospital, Waters was booked into the county jail, reports say. It does not appear as though anyone was seriously injured in the altercation.

Waters wasn't the only Florida resident to be subdued by force this past week. Scooter, a 7-year-old llama, had to be tasered by police early Saturday morning after he escaped his home, news sources report. The llama belongs to Jack Conrad of Tallahassee. Conrad has not been cited for the incident, but has been asked to build a more secure fence for his llama.

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June 3, 2013

Tavaris Adams of Miramar, Florida Arrested for Sexually Abusing a Minor

Tavaris Adams of Miramar, Florida was arrested Wednesday after he was accused of having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old girl, news sources report. Adams, 28, was booked into the Broward County Main Jail on charges of lewd acts with a minor and transmitting child pornography. His bail bond was set at $250,000. The press did not specify an attorney for Adams.

This is not Adams's first encounter with the law. Reports indicate he was arrested several months ago on burglary charges and had been sentence to seven months of jail for the offense. He was reportedly released only a couple of weeks ago and is on probation until 2015. During a hearing, Adams told a judge that he had only just attained a job. When confronted with these new allegations, Adams reportedly said, "This is crazy. I don't know what is going on."

According to reports, Adams and the victim's relationship started in May 2011. Upon their first meeting, the victim reportedly told Adams that she was 17; Adams also reportedly lowered his actual age and told the victim he was 20. Adams and the victim allegedly had sex in his car or at his mother's house on many occasions.

At some point, the victim's father reportedly learned of the relationship and became angry. The father reportedly confronted Adams, sparking an argument. As revenge, Adams began sending nude images of the victim to her father, reports say. Adams also purportedly sent the father text messages describing sex acts that he had performed with the victim.

The victim's grandmother also said that she and Adams had exchanged less-than-friendly words. The grandmother claimed Adams said that he would "shoot her and kill all the babies in [her] house." It is not known if there are actually any babies in the woman's house.

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June 3, 2013

Scott Montgomery of Fort Lauderdale, Florida Arrested for Sexual Battery on a Minor

Scott Montgomery of Fort Lauderdale, Florida was arrested Thursday after a 10-year-old girl he babysits claimed he had raped and molested her for years, news sources report. Montgomery, 35, was booked into the Broward County Main Jail on two counts of lewd or lascivious molestation and sexual battery on a child. A judge ordered that he be held without bail. It is not yet known whether Montgomery has hired a defense lawyer.

According to reports, Montgomery started babysitting the victim in March 2009, when she was 6 years old. Montgomery reportedly watched the child at his home in the 1200 block of Northwest Seventh Terrace. The victim stopped going to Montgomery's home in March 2013 after she told her parents about the alleged abuse.

Sources say that on two occasions while the girl was under Montgomery's care, he "lowered her pants, removed his penis from his open zipper and penetrated her vagina with his penis." Montgomery also allegedly molested the victim a number of other times. On some occasions, reports say he would sit the victim on his lap, reach under her pants, and fondle her buttocks and genitals.

In response to the charges against him, Montgomery reportedly said, "I'm still denying those allegations." He also explained that he was in the middle of a move and needed to go home to claim his belongings. "I will lose all my possessions if I'm not released today," including two kittens, Montgomery reportedly said in court. "Sir, that's not going to happen, you are not going to be released today," a Broward County Judge apparently replied. It is not clear whether Montgomery did indeed have to forfeit his belongings, nor is it clear whether anyone is caring for the kittens.

Some sex crimes are more on the public side. Paul Alan Schaffer and Jonathan Lowell Porter of Port charlotte were arrested Wednesday after they were accused of exposing themselves to an undercover police officer, reports say. Schaffer, 65, and Porter, 63, were booked into the Charlotte County Jail on charges of exposure of sexual organs. They were both released on $1,000 bond. It is unclear whether they hired legal representation.

According to a press release, the incident occurred around 5:00 pm Wednesday at Kiwanis Park in Port Charlotte. A tipster called in to report that two men were performing illicit sexual activities at the park, and an undercover detective with the Narcotic Unit went in to investigate. The officer met Porter at Sunrise Park on Edgewater Drive before driving to Kiwanis Park on Donora Street. There, the officer met Schaffer and started chatting with him.

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May 31, 2013

Wendy McConnell, West Delray, Florida High School Teacher, Investigated for Sexual Misconduct

Wendy McConnell, West Delray, Florida high school teacher, is under investigation for an alleged inappropriate relationship with a student, a press release said Wednesday. So far, McConnell has not been charged with any crime. Police are currently conducting an investigation to determine whether the accusations are true. It is unclear whether McConnell has obtained an attorney.

According to reports, McConnell is a science teacher at American Heritage School, located on Linton Boulevard in Boca Delray. American Heritage School has around 1,100 students ranging in age from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade. The school said they performed a background check on McConnell, which came back clean, before hiring her. Sources say McConnell teaches teenagers aged 14-18 and works with the school's Academy program, which specializes in the teaching students with learning difficulties.

McConnell has been with the school for two years and her teaching contract is set to expire in June. The school placed McConnell on paid leave following reports of the alleged relationship. A representative with the school said McConnell will remain on paid leave until her contract expires; whether they renew that contract will depend on the outcome of the investigation, reports say.

A school official first learned of the purported illicit relationship a couple of weeks ago, sources indicate. There are currently few details available as to the identity of the purported victim and the nature of the alleged relationship. It is also unclear who reported the relationship.

The school made the decision not to notify parents of the allegations until they started their own investigation. "When we put [McConnell] on leave, we felt we should wait for direction from the Sheriff's Office [to act further]," a spokesperson for the school said. On Friday, the school sent an email to parents alerting them of the allegation. The email read, "[American Heritage School] has received a report that an employee within our community is having or has had an improper relationship with a student." No further details were given.

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May 30, 2013

Felix Manuel Hernandez of Hallandale Beach, Florida Arrested for Child Molestation

Felix Manuel Hernandez of Hallandale Beach, Florida was arrested Tuesday for allegedly inappropriately touching an 8-year-old girl, news sources report. Hernandez, 71, was booked into the Broward County Main Jail on a single count of lewd or lascivious molestation. A judge ordered that he be held without bail bond. The press did not specify an attorney for Hernandez.

Reports say the incident occurred last year. Sources did not specify any relationship, familial or otherwise, between Hernandez and the victim. It is also not clear where the alleged assaults took place. What is known is that Hernandez allegedly inappropriately touched the clothed victim on four different instances.

The details of what occurred are somewhat murky. Hernandez initially said that nothing sexual had occurred between himself and the victim, but allegedly later changed that story, saying he might of touched the girl by mistake while reaching behind her. The girl could only recall two incidents of inappropriate contact during questioning, sources indicate, but did indicate that the contact had not been accidental. "[Hernandez] changed his story several times and at one point he admitted to one instance, that's the reason we only have one charge at this time, he admitted to one particular incident where he did say that he improperly touched her, over the clothing," a police report reportedly says.

Hernandez is not the only Broward County man accused of sexual misconduct with a child recently. Kelley Cooper, a 46-year-old HIV positive man from Dania, was arrested Tuesday for allegedly kidnapping and raping a 10-year-old boy, reports say. Cooper, 46, was booked into the Broward County Main Jail on one count of kidnapping, two counts of sexual battery on a child, lewd or lascivious molestation, and criminal transmission of HIV. He is being held without bail and it is unclear whether he hired legal representation.

According to reports, Cooper and the victim were both at a party. Sources say Cooper took the victim from the party and transported him to his son's home. There, Cooper allegedly trapped the boy in a bedroom and sexually assaulted him. Cooper apparently released the victim following the alleged assault.

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May 30, 2013

Marjorie Maradiaga of Key West, Florida Arrested for Domestic Battery

Marjorie Maradiaga of Key West, Florida was arrested Tuesday after she was accused of attacking her former boyfriend and his brother, news sources report. Maradiaga, 24, was booked into police custody on charges of domestic battery, battery on law enforcement officers, resisting arrest with violence, child neglect, and violating a domestic violence injunction. It is unclear whether she qualified for bail bond. Reports did not specify an attorney for Maradiaga.

According to reports, Maradiaga and her former boyfriend have an 11-month-old daughter together. Sometime after the pair split up, the victim filed a domestic violence injunction against Maradiaga, though the circumstances surrounding the injunction remain unpublished. Maradiaga also reportedly threatened her child's life recently. "The [victim] said Maradiaga threatened to drown their daughter several months before and he said he fears for the child's safety," the police department purportedly stated via e-mail after the incident.

The altercation occurred around 9:00 Monday evening at the victim's home in Key West, sources say. Maradiaga and the victim got into an intense argument, and Maradiaga reportedly ended up chasing the victim down the street. When she caught up to him, she bit and punched him in the back, reports say. Maradiaga also allegedly assaulted the victim's brother.

Officers arrived at the home and found Maradiaga holding her daughter, sources say. Maradiaga appeared to be under the influence of alcohol and had slurred speech, reports indicate. She reportedly refused to hand over her daughter, and police took the child from her. Reports say Maradiaga then resisted arrest and "violently struggled" with the officers.

Once in the police cruiser, officers reportedly had to restrain Maradiaga's feet due to violent kicking. Officials at the county jail had to take similar actions, placing Maradiaga in a restraint chair, reports say.

In a more bizarre case, Mariela Abarca and Janel Vega of Miami were arrested in Big Pine Key for allegedly breaking into a home to warm up food and watch television, a press release says. Abarca, 27, and Vega, 22, were booked into police custody on charges of trespassing, burglary, and criminal mischief. Abarca faces and addition charge of possession of marijuana. It is unclear whether they qualified for bail or hired legal representation.

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May 30, 2013

John Farrell, Fort Lauderdale, Florida High School Teacher, Arrested for Having Sex with Student

John Farrell, a Fort Lauderdale, Florida high school teacher, was arrested Monday for an alleged sexual relationship with one of his 16-year-old students, news sources report. Farrell, 25, was booked into the Broward County Main Jail on 20 counts of unlawful sexual activity involving a minor. A judge ordered that he be held in lieu of $50,000 bail bond. The press did not specify a lawyer for Farrell.

Reports say Farrell works for Cardinal Gibbons High School, a private Roman Catholic institution. Farrell has been on the staff as a math and statistics teacher for only one year. According to a spokesperson for the school, Farrell "successfully participated in the full background screening process and VIRTUS training required by the Archdiocese of Miami's Safe Environment Policy prior to his employment for the 2012-2013 school year." The school has placed Farrell on unpaid leave until the case is resolved, and has also notified all parents about the case via email, reports say.

Sources indicate that the sexual relationship between Farrell and the victim began in March. The victim and Farrell allegedly met during afterschool activities. The pair also allegedly had sex numerous times at Farrell's apartment in Lauderdale-by-the-Seas. The purported relationship ended on May 25 for reasons not specified in reports.

It is not clear how the case initially came to the attention of law enforcement. However, it appears as though the victim cooperated with authorities during the investigation that followed. The victim reportedly called Farrell while detectives listened in, and Farrell reportedly admitted to having sex with the victim and asked her to keep quiet about the relationship. Farrell decided to maintain his right to be silent following his arrest, sources say.

Farrell isn't the only Florida man to be accused of sexual misconduct with a minor this past week. Ramon Renfro of Pace was arrested Friday after he was accused of providing teens with alcohol, then sexually assaulting and tattooing them, sources report. Renfro, 38, was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail on two counts of lewd and lascivious behavior, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, battery, and sexual assault. His bail was set at $203,000. It is unclear whether he qualified for legal representation.

According to reports, the assaults occurred during a camping trip the teens took to Webb Landing and Keyser Landing in Chumuckla. It is unclear whether Renfro was accompanying the victims on the trip as a chaperone or if he met them there. Reports did not provide the names and ages of the victims.

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May 30, 2013

Michael Solano of Davie, Florida Arrested for Possession of Child Pornography

Michael Solano of Davie, Florida was arrested Wednesday after he was accused of offering a 14-year-old girl an iPod in exchange for naked photos, news sources report. Solano, 62, was booked into the Broward County Main Jail on 15 counts of using or allowing a child to engage in sexual activity, 5 counts of possession of child pornography, and a single count of compiling child pornography. He is being held in lieu of $426,000 bail bond. The press did not say whether Solano has hired a lawyer.

The investigation began after the victim's parents found images of her naked on her cell phone. When asked about the photos, the girl reportedly explained that Solano had offered her an Apple iPod in exchange for the photos. Reports said Solano is a friend to the victim's family.

During the investigation, detectives learned that Solano had sent the victim a picture of his genitals, reports say. Detectives also found out that the victim had sent 15 nude images of herself to Solano. According to reports, officers searched Solano's computer after his arrest and found several images of child pornography. It is not yet known whether Solano downloaded those images from the Internet or possibly solicited them from additional victims. It is also not clear whether he actually gave the girl an iPod.

Technology plays a big part in many crimes and stings these days. In one good example, two Papa John's Pizzeria employees were fired after an audio recording of them shouting racial slurs at a customer was leaked to the Internet, reports say. Information regarding the employees' identities was not immediately available following the incident. The CEO of the restaurant has since issued an apology to the victim.

Reports say the victim is an African American who lives in Sanford. He placed a delivery order for a pizza from a Papa Johns in his area, and the suspect/delivery man arrived to the victim's home and gave him the pizza. Sources say the victim paid the $15.26 bill and tipped the driver 21%.

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