TRIBAL MONOPOLIES
The U.S. Department of Justice announced Indian tribes can grow, sell and use marijuana on tribal lands under the same conditions set forth for states that legalize the plant’s use. Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi says she’s reviewing the announcement, but it means Indian-owned shops and casinos can legally sell marijuana. They can now also have lounges where marijuana can also be used. Unless the state legalizes marijuana, Indian tribes will hold monopolies on marijuana trade much like they have with online payday lending.
Palm Beach County
EDUCATION THEFT
Steven Brucella, 51, works in the Palm Beach County School District’s IT Division. He has been arrested in the theft of three Apple laptop computers from his employer. They were taken from a vacationing co-worker’s desk. Police searched pawnshop databases, but nothing turned up. They then contacted Apple to see if anyone had logged into their Apple accounts from the laptops. Logs show Brucella, his wife and children had used the computers to access their iTunes and other accounts. A search turned up all three laptops and Brucella, according to police, said he had permission to take them home for personal use. He is charged with grand theft. Book’em Danno!
POLICE SHOOTING
Palm Beach Gardens Police shot and killed Anthony Landi, 27, outside the Inn of America motel on Northlake Boulevard near Interstate 95. Police had responded to a 911 by a woman who reported problems with her boyfriend who had a gun. Police say when officers arrived they encountered Landi, who fired shots at them. Three officers returned fire, killing Landi. The shooting is under investigation by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Department.
Broward County
SEXUAL ASSAULT
Peterson Simbert, 27, was been arrested by Wilton Manors police for allegedly having sex with a 14-year-old child. The victim told detective the abuse occurred on more than a dozen occasions while Simbert was a family friend and border in an apartment with her mother and siblings.
DRUG BUST
The Drug Enforcement Administration, Broward Sheriff’s Office and other agencies wrapped up the eight-month Operation Synthetic Web drug sting in Deerfield Beach with 15 arrests. Brothers Durgham, Othman and Wakas Suleiman ran the Kwik Stop Food Store in the 200 block of West Hillsboro Boulevard. They are accused of operating a synthetic drug ring from the store. Durgham Suleiman, 37, of Parkland is the alleged ringleader. Over 4,000 vials of marijuana-based products were confiscated. The products are used in vapor cigarettes and have been reported to cause hallucinations, seizures, paranoia, tremors and erratic behavior.
PORN ARRESTS
Shawn Lyte, 47, of Coral Springs has been arrested on child pornagraphy charges. The South Florida Internet Crimes Against Children task force tracked Lyte searching the Internet for child pornography, visiting websites and downloading videos depicting children being molested and engaging in sex acts with animals. The videos were found on his home computer and he has reportedly confessed.
Miami-Dade County
EMAIL MOVE
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush is tidying up a few details before he announces his run for president. One of them is releasing hundreds of thousand emails from his time as governor. Sources say they expect Bush to make “an announcement in January.” Gov. Rick Scott is in a mess for not turning over emails, I wonder why Bush has not been challenged to release his emails.
MATTER OF TIME
There have been 32 reports of panthers killing 50 livestock and pets in Collier County this year. Can attacks in Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties be near? State wildlife officials have been working to educate the public about panther attacks, but more is needed to prevent a tragedy involving humans. Then there are crocodiles being regularly sighted in the Intracoastal Waterway. Coyotes are roaming and panthers may be next to migrate toward populated areas.
Monroe County
WHAT A MISTAKE
Acting Circuit Court Judge Ruth Becker sentenced Horkene Cade, 36, of Marathon to 37 months in prison for being a convicted felon with a weapon, failing to register as a career offender and cocaine possession charges. He petitioned her for a one-week furlough to get his affairs in order and then report to serve his time. Becker granted the request with the stipulation that if he failed to report, she would amend his sentence to 15 years in prison. Cade failed to show and was eventually captured in Homestead. He now faces the 15 years, in addition to new charges. Cade is challenging the sentence increase, arguing it is excessive.
VIRUS IS HERE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration scientists and biologists have been monitoring the spread of the deadly morbillivirus, which has killed over 1,600 whales, dolphin and other sea mammal over the past two years. Morbillivirus is a disease similar to the measles and it has now been confirmed in dolphin in the Florida Keys.
CRIMINAL TATTOO
Benjamin Morales, 33, of Big Coppitt Key has been arrested on charges he tattooed a 16-year-old girl at his Benny’s Tattoo Shop without the consent of the child’s parents. He also did not have a license to perform tattoo services. Morales says the girl told him she was 17, which still requires parental consent. Her parents demanded a full refund of the $80 costs and removal of the artwork. Morales allegedly agreed and refunded the $80, but reneged on paying the $60 cost to have the tattoo removed. Therefore, police were called and Morales was arrested.
No Comment