WIRELESS SPOTLIGHT
In coming months, the public will learn more about the devices that can track the locations of their cell phones and other devices and even intercept calls. The devices are, for all practical purposes, portable cellular towers. One example is StingRay, a patented device the size of a small toaster, that is used to intercept wireless communication, including phone conversations and text messages. An escalating fight is taking place in Tallahassee over such devices and their uses. There are concerns that the public may be able to purchase the devices because the new technology they use may not be covered by current laws or regulations.
Palm Beach County
KILLER SOUGHT
Police are still looking for the killer of Marcos Juarez and they are asking for the public’s help. Juarez was shot and killed at his home in the Holiday Plaza Mobile Home Park in West Palm Beach on March 8. Robbery is believed to have been the motive. The suspect is described as being a Spanish-speaking 5’4” dark-complexion teenager with a thin build. Police are asking anyone with information on the murder of Juarez to call the Sheriff’s Office or Palm Beach County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-458-8477.
COUNTY VACANCIES
Mayor Priscilla Taylor is expressing concern over the number of senior Palm Beach County department heads who are retiring. Over the next three years, 10 senior managers, including County Administrator Bob Weisman, are slated to retire. Not to worry. While experience may suffer, the future will not be stopped, so start planning and preparing for the coming change.
Broward County
TEACHER CHARGED
Cibeis Carrillo, 40, a first-grade teacher at Westchester Elementary School in Coral Springs, was arrested on theft-related charges. She is accused of funneling money from a fellow teacher’s paycheck into her own account.
NEW JUDGE
Gov. Rick Scott has appointed County Court Judge Edward Merrigan Jr. to the Circuit Court to replace retiring Judge Eileen O’Connor. Merrigan was appointed by then Gov. Charlie Crist to the county court in 2009. He was elected to that post in 2010. Scott picked him over several other applicants.
SHOOTERS SOUGHT
Roderick Simmons, 30, was gunned down while playing dominoes with friends in front of his house in the 500 block of Northwest 29th Terrace last week. It happened when a dark colored car pulled up and several people got out and opened fire, killing Simmons and injuring another person, who survived. Broward Sheriff’s detectives and U.S. Marshals found Tyrell Cobbin, 24, hiding in a friend’s home in Opa-locka and arrested him on murder and other charges. The authorities are still seeking the other suspects. Police are asking anyone with information to call Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477.
Miami-Dade County
PARK KILLINGS
Keimouria Gardner and Herchel Belizaire died after being caught in a shootout at Soar Park Teen Center, 120 NW 83rd St., Miami. Another victim, Willie Williamson, survived. They were innocent bystanders who were hit in a brazen drive-by shooting. Police are asking anyone with information to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.
SOLICITATION CHARGE
Former University of Miami defensive end and current Tennessee Titan Adewale Ojomo is charged with soliciting a prostitute in Miami. Ojomo, 25, allegedly offered money for sex to an undercover police officer working a sting operation at the corner of Northeast Second Avenue and 22nd Street in Miami.
WELFARE MILLIONAIRES?
Colin Chisholm III, 62, CEO of a Miami-based TCN Inc., and his wife Andrea are multi-millionaires who own a waterfront home, a yacht and other luxury possessions. They have now been indicted on welfare fraud charges. Authorities allege that even though the couple has more than $3 million in the bank, the Chisholms collected Medicaid, food stamps and welfare checks totalling $167,000 over the past several years in Minnesota, where they have a lakefront summer home.
Monroe County
FUGITIVE HELD
In 1996, Michelle Singleton failed to show up in a Kansas City courtroom for her sentencing after being convicted of payroll check fraud. Now, some 18 years later, she has been found living on a houseboat in Key West under the name of Catherine Harris. The U.S. Secret Service tracked her down and Singleton, now 66, has been arrested. She admitted to authorities that she was in the process of selling the houseboat and moving to the Dominican Republic.
WINNING STUDENT
Anika Yasmin, a senior at Key West High School, is the winner of a four-year scholarship from the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. She will attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) on the $30,000 per year she will receive. The foundation was established in 2000 from the will of the late Washington Redskins owner Jack Kent Cooke.
TAKEN DOWN
Frank Jones, 34, of Key West was wanted on charges of driving with a suspended license, failure to register as a career criminal, aggravated battery and kidnapping. Acting on a tip that he was back in town and driving a new BMW, police spotted him and had to use a Taser to take him into custody. He is facing new charges, including resisting arrest.
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