OKEECHOBEE – In the early morning hours of Sunday, Aug. 5, a man called the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office stating he had been robbed and his truck was stolen.

Kayla Awilda Tarbell

Kayla Awilda Tarbell, Southeast 38th Avenue, and Charles Lynn Spiva III, 23, Okeechobee, were arrested on felony charges of robbery with a firearm, false imprisonment, unarmed burglary of unoccupied structure and grand theft (motor vehicle). Both of their bonds were set at $27,500.
Charles Spiva, 43, Northwest 32nd Street, and Michael Paul Valdes, 24, Southeast 86th Boulevard, Okeechobee, were both arrested on felony charges of robbery with a firearm and false imprisonment. Both of their bonds were set at $22,500.

According to an arrest report by OCSO Detective Javier Gonzalez, at 3:29 a.m. Aug. 5, an Okeechobee man reported becoming the victim of a robbery and having his truck stolen.

OCSO deputies reportedly responded to the 5200 block of U.S. 441 Southeast and met with the complainant, who said he had been held against his will at a residence by several males and his girlfriend’s daughter, later identified as Tarbell. The report stated that Tarbell took the man’s vehicle after she dropped him off at his home, and he called law enforcement soon after.

Deputy Joel Lacerte transported the victim to the residence where the incident occurred, in the 6600 block of Southeast 86th Boulevard. As Deputy Lacerte drove by the residence, he saw what appeared to be the stolen vehicle in the driveway and a male on the front porch, stated the report. Detective Gonzalez then was contacted to conduct further investigation and requested that all of the residents be transported to the sheriff’s office for interviews.

His investigation determined that Tarbell had contacted the man to pick her up from the incident scene, but he was instead met by several white males. One of the males, Spiva III, reportedly brandished what appeared to be a chrome revolver and pointed it at the man. The man was then ordered to give up all of his money and exit the truck.

The report continued that the man’s truck was then apparently searched by Tarbell and Spiva III for more money.

Charles Spiva

The victim was punched in the back of the head by Spiva III and was searched a second time by Valdes before being led to the passenger side of the truck. While the truck was being searched, the victim was struck again, this time in the right side of the face. The man fell to the ground and was then struck a third time in the face. The report noted that there were visible injuries and swelling was present on the right side of the man’s face.

The report then stated that Spiva III took the man’s cellphone from him and that he was then escorted into the residence by Valdes, where he was held for hours.

During the time he was being kept captive against his will, the man was ordered to strip off his clothes by Spiva III, who checked him for surveillance wires, per the report. Spiva III apparently told the man to give him the keys to his truck and house, as they were supposedly going to check the man’s house for more money. Spiva III and Tarbell then apparently took the keys and left the residence with the man being watched over by Spiva and Valdes, who was supposedly holding a can of pepper spray and told to use it if he tried to escape. Tarbell and Spiva III returned at a later time with some clothing and a bag from the man’s home that belonged to the man’s girlfriend. The pair also brought the man a shirt and shoes and ordered that he shower before putting them on.

The report went on to say that a story was concocted where the man was drunk, falling down and hurting himself. The ruse also was that they asked the man to stay due to his supposed impairment and inability to drive. Tarbell, according to the report, asked the man if he wanted to go home, to which he said he did.

Charles Lynn Spiva III

The report then stated that Tarbell and the man exited the residence. The man noticed, as he went to get into the vehicle to leave, the position of the driver’s seat. Its position alerted the man that Tarbell was the driver when she and Spiva III drove to burglarize his home. The man then asked Tarbell for the location of his phone; she replied it had been broken when he fell down. He then placed the items of clothing he was ordered to remove earlier in the back of the truck, where he was able to locate his phone on the truck bed’s edge. The man was able to conceal his phone in his pocket without Tarbell’s noticing.

Tarbell then told the man she was driving and dropped him off at his residence. While at the man’s home, he tried to dissuade Tarbell from taking the truck by informing her of not being insured as a driver and that she could possibly get into trouble if stopped by law enforcement.

The report concluded that Spiva, Spiva III and Tarbell were arrested, transported and booked into the Okeechobee County Jail on the aforementioned charges.

OKEECHOBEE – At 9:12 a.m. Aug. 4, Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office (OSCO) Deputy Ben Vuleta responded to a call regarding a harassment complaint.

Upon his arrival, Deputy Vuleta met with the victim, who articulated that he was being blackmailed by someone on the internet. The victim stated that after experiencing marital problems with his spouse, he had become intoxicated and decided to go online in an apparent attempt to find someone to hook up with.

The victim reported that he discovered a website called “HelloHotties.com” and submitted his phone number to the website. Shortly after, the victim was contacted by a person with the supposed name of Abby. The victim, who was reportedly still intoxicated, was supposedly asked by Abby to use the video chat service Skype. While using Skype to chat, the victim was convinced by Abby to masturbate on camera while Abby watched.

Shortly after the Skype session ended, the victim reportedly received a message from Abby that stated the entire incident was recorded and that the video would be released to the public unless payment was provided.

The victim reported that a message was sent requesting that $500 be sent via Western Union to a person by the name of Evelyn Espirite, located in the Philippines.

The victim however, agreed to give only $300 and sent the money shortly after the threat was received. The following day, the victim reportedly received another message that said all of the lewd videos had been deleted and that there was nothing more to worry about.

The scam shared similarities to an episode of a popular Netflix show titled “Black Mirror.”
In the Black Mirror episode, “Shut Up and Dance,” the central character is blackmailed by a computer hacker who claims to have video of the character masturbating and then threatens to release it to friends and family unless the hacker’s demands are met. The main character is then forced into performing an escalating series of criminal acts, including robbing a bank and murder.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has labeled this type of blackmail as “sextortion.” The bureau defines it as a criminal act that occurs when someone demands something of value from another person with threats to release or distribute material the victim wishes to keep private. This material often includes sexually explicit images, videos, e-mail and text messages.
The FBI suggests following these rules in order to avoid becoming a victim of “sextortion”:

• Never send compromising images of yourself to anyone, no matter who they are or who they say they are.

• Do not open attachments when you are not confident of the sender.

• Cover cameras with a removable sticker or tape when you are not using them.

• Turn off your computer when you are not using it.

OKEECHOBEE — A 36-year-old Okeechobee man was arrested Thursday evening after he allegedly sold cocaine on three separate instances to components of law enforcement.

Jamido Joel Bello-Pineiro, Southeast 13th Street, was arrested Aug. 16 by the Okeechobee Narcotics Task Force on felony charges of two counts of possession with intent to sell a controlled substance (cocaine), two counts of trafficking a controlled substance (cocaine) one count of sale of a controlled substance (cocaine) and a misdemeanor charge of possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond was set at $351,000.

Jamido Joel Bello-Pineiro, 36

According to reports, the first instance occurred on Jan. 31, of 2017. The Okeechobee Narcotics Task Force reportedly met with a past, proven and reliable confidential source (CS) for the purpose of performing what is known as a controlled buy.

According to Florida State Statute 914.28 (2) (b), a “controlled buy” means the purchase of contraband, controlled substances, or other items that are material to a criminal investigation from a target offender which is initiated, managed, overseen or participated in by law enforcement personnel with the knowledge of a confidential informant.

The report noted that the CS has provided information and assisted the task force in the past with narcotics and firearms seizures. The task force reportedly met with the CS, who was searched along with their vehicle for the presence of weapons, U.S. currency and controlled substances, prior to the CS placing a controlled phone call to Bello-Pineiro for the cocaine purchase.

During the phone call that Bello-Pineiro agreed to meet with the CS and sell them an ounce of cocaine at an undisclosed location. Prior to the purchase for a controlled substance (cocaine) from Bello-Pineiro, reports annotated that visual surveillance of Bello-Pineiro was conducted by the task force, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), drive to Okeechobee Store-N-Lock storage, located in the 2700 block of State Road 70 West, and enter unit #48 of building #7. Bello-Pineiro was reportedly at the location for approximately 30 seconds before he left, drove directly from the storage unit and met with the CS.

The CS then reportedly met with Bello-Pineiro and exchanged prerecorded confidential funds in the amount of $1,200, provided by the task force, for the cocaine. The CS then left the transaction location and returned directly to the site where the task force was set, where they collected the suspected cocaine from the CS. The CS was then searched for any additional controlled substances, weapons or U.S. currency of which none were found.

The report stated that approximately 20.7 grams of suspected cocaine was collected and tested positive for the presence of cocaine. The CS was shown a photo of Bello-Pineiro and positively identified him as the seller of the cocaine, which was turned into the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) as evidence and will be later sent to the Indian River Crime Laboratory in Fort Pierce for further analysis.

The second instance that involved Bello-Pineiro’s alleged sale of cocaine occurred on Valentine’s Day last year, Feb. 14, 2017. On that day the task force met with a CS for the purpose of performing another controlled buy of cocaine from Bello-Pineiro.

The same before and after screening procedures occurred with the CS, as mentioned earlier, before this or the next controlled buys were initiated.

The CS reportedly placed a controlled phone call to Bello-Pineiro for the purchase of two ounces of cocaine. During this transaction instance, the CS was placed with an undercover (UC) law enforcement operative, who was provided with prerecorded confidential funds from the task force to purchase the cocaine. Bello-Pineiro reportedly agreed to meet at an undisclosed location to sell the two ounces of cocaine.

The CS and UC then reportedly made their way to the undisclosed transaction site and met with Bello-Pineiro. The CS then introduced the UC to Bello-Pineiro for the purpose of the purchase. Once the UC was introduced, the UC then exchanged the prerecorded funds to complete the transaction for the cocaine. The CS and UC then left the location and made their way directly back to the task force.

In this transaction, 58.1 grams of suspected cocaine was collected by the task force, field tested positive for the presence of cocaine, submitted to OCSO as evidence and sent to the laboratory for analysis.

The third instance that involved Bello-Pineiro’s alleged sale of cocaine reportedly occurred last year at 12:30 p.m. on March 14, 2017. On that day the task force met with a UC for the purpose of performing another controlled buy of cocaine from Bello-Pineiro.

The UC was reportedly provided prerecorded confidential funds by the task force to purchase the cocaine from Bello-Pineiro. The UC then placed a controlled phone call to Bello-Pineiro to purchase two ounces of cocaine. Bello-Pineiro reportedly agreed to meet with the UC at an undisclosed location and sell the two ounces of cocaine during the phone call.

The report then stated that the UC left the task force area, went directly to the undisclosed location and met with Bello-Pineiro. Once at the location, the UC exchanged the prerecorded confidential funds for the cocaine, left the area and returned to the task force.

The 58.5 grams of suspected cocaine was collected by the task force, field tested positive for the presence of cocaine, submitted to OCSO as evidence and sent to the laboratory for analysis.

On March 15, 2017, the task force with the DEA and FDLE, again conducted surveillance on Bello-Pineiro, where at 6:47 p.m. he arrived at the same storage unit and remained for approximately 10 minutes before meeting with two males at the Sunshine Car Wash, located in the 500 block of Northeast Park Street. Officer Luis Rojas, of the Okeechobee Police Department, performed a traffic stop on the vehicle with the two males who met with Bello-Pineiro and found what appeared to be 76 grams of cannabis along with 67.16 grams of cocaine wrapped in electrical tape. The two males were arrested and transported to the Okeechobee County Jail.

On Aug. 17, 2018, at 3:48 p.m. law enforcement executed a search warrant, signed by 19th Circuit Judge Michael C. Heisey, of the storage unit being used by Bello-Pineiro. OCSO Crime Scene Technician Kathleen Watson photographed the exterior and interior of the storage unit prior to search. The search yielded 13 grams of suspected cocaine, packaging materials (electrical tape, varying size sandwich and vacuum sealed bags), a cutting agent, microwave plate, documents and mail of Bello-Pineiro and a picture of Bello-Pineiro, a female and child were all found in the storage unit. The 13 grams of suspected cocaine and microwave plate both tested positive for the presence of cocaine and sent to the lab for further analysis, per the report.

The reports conclude that Bello-Pineiro was arrested, transported and booked into the Okeechobee County Jail on the aforementioned charges. The reports also stated that audio and video were utilized during the entirety of all three transactions.

OKEECHOBEE — A 44-year-old Okeechobee man was arrested Sunday afternoon on charges that he was intoxicated, confrontational and exposing himself to three women and one man in an RV park.

Shawn Mathew Pyper, 44, Southeast 32nd Avenue, Okeechobee, was arrested Aug. 19 on a felony charge of battery on person 65 years of age or older and misdemeanor charges of four counts of disorderly intoxication, four counts of exposure of sexual organs and three counts of battery.

Shawn Mathew Pyper, 44

His bond was set at $9,000 and he has since been released on bond.

According to an arrest report by Deputy Devon Satallante, of the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO), at 6:19 p.m. on Aug. 19, he responded to Gracious RV Park, located in the 6500 block of U.S. 441 Southeast, in regards to a battery complaint.

Upon his arrival he reportedly saw two men holding an individual on the ground, later identified as Pyper. Pyper was placed in the back of Deputy Satallante’s patrol vehicle who also reported that the odor of alcohol emitted from Pyper’s breath. Deputy Satallante then met with the four alleged victims.

The first, a female, told deputies that she saw Pyper lying on the ground in front of someone’s trailer and when she approached Pyper, she could tell that he was highly intoxicated or under the influence of a controlled substance. Pyper then supposedly stood up, approached the woman and began to use profanity towards her in close proximity. It was at this time that a neighbor walked over to the pair due to her hearing yelling outside of her trailer.

The report stated that as the two women were standing with Pyper he supposedly shoved them. After seeing Pyper apparently push the two women, a third neighbor, stepped out of her trailer and confronted Pyper, which reportedly resulted in her being shoved as well.

A fourth individual, approached Pyper – after seeing him supposedly push the three women – and confronted him about his interaction with them. Pyper then apparently continued to use profanity and hit the man across the left side of his face with an open hand. The man then struck Pyper back in self defense and another neighbor ran over to help hold Pyper down until the arrival of law enforcement.

The report concluded that the four victims stated during their initial contact with Pyper that he would supposedly pull his pants down and expose himself to them. The three women informed they would like to pursue criminal charges, completed and signed sworn witness statements. The man who was struck by Pyper reportedly did not wish to seek criminal charges completed and signed a waiver of prosecution. The redness on the man’s face was photographed and submitted into evidence. All parties were provided an agency business card with Deputy Satallante’s contact information and victims’ rights packets. Pyper was arrested, transported and booked into the Okeechobee County Jail on the aforementioned charges.

OKEECHOBEE — Two Okeechobee men were arrested on two separate days for their alleged harvesting of saw palmetto berries without a permit. Both men were also arrested on felony warrants.

George Nelson Timmes Jr., 31, was arrested Aug. 24 on a misdemeanor charge of harvesting an endangered plant without permit. He was subsequently arrested on an Okeechobee County felony warrant charging him with aggravated assault, kidnapping – inflict bodily harm upon or to terrorize the victim or another person, and a misdemeanor charge of battery. His bond was set at $61,500.

George Nelson Timmes Jr., 31

According to an arrest report by Deputy Cody Hurst, of the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office, at 10:03 a.m. on Aug. 24, he was dispatched to Southeast 30th Parkway and the railroad tracks in regards to a suspicious persons complaint.

Upon his arrival Deputy Hurst saw a white male and female seated on the south side of the road. Deputy Hurst reported that as he exited his patrol vehicle, he noticed an open white bag with what appeared to be saw palmetto berries next to the man.

Deputy Hurst asked the man, who self-identified as Timmes, if he was in possession of a Native Plant Harvesting Permit. Timmes reportedly responded that while he was in the woods he became sick, defecated himself and his permit was in his soiled pants.

The report noted that Timmes was not in possession of either the Native Plant Harvesting Permit or his alleged soiled pants.

The report concluded that Timmes was arrested, transported and booked into the Okeechobee County Jail on the aforementioned charges. All of the saw palmetto berries were collected, photographed and turned in as evidence.

The second saw palmetto berry related arrest came on Monday morning.

Thomas Wayne Gibson, 33, Northeast 31st Terrace, was arrested by Deputy Robert Gonzalez on misdemeanor charges of harvesting endangered plant without permit, trespass on property other than structure or conveyance and resisting officer without violence. He was also arrested on two DOC felony warrants charging him with two counts of violation of probation – dealing in stolen property, violation of probation – giving false information to a secondary metals recycler and violation of probation – giving false information to a pawnbroker. He is being held without bond.

Thomas Wayne Gibson, 33

According to an arrest report by OCSO Deputy Robert Gonzalez, at 9:42 a.m. on Aug. 26, he was dispatched to the 32000 block of U.S. 441 North in regards to a suspicious vehicle complaint. Dispatch reportedly informed Deputy Gonzalez that an unknown subject in a red vehicle was illegally harvesting saw palmetto berries.

Upon arrival, Deputy John Fisher and Deputy Gonzalez canvassed the area in an attempt to locate the vehicle and shortly after found a vacant red 2004 Lincoln Navigator at the 2100 block of Northwest 344th Street. As he exited the patrol vehicle, Deputy Gonzalez reportedly saw a man, identified as Gibson, wearing a gray tank top with what appeared to be saw palmetto berries being carried over his left shoulder in a fenced property on the southwest intersection of Southwest 21st Lane and Southwest 344th Street.

Deputy Gonzalez reportedly tried to make contact with Gibson as he walked towards the Lincoln Navigator but when Gibson saw Deputy Gonzalez he began to run south through the fenced-in property. Deputy Gonzalez then reportedly saw Gibson throw what appeared to be the saw palmetto berries off his shoulder and onto the ground. Deputy Gonzalez began to pursue Gibson on foot before having to relay a description and direction of travel to Deputy Fisher.

The report continued that Deputy Fisher saw Gibson jump the fence of the property and run towards Northwest 21st Lane but was apprehended by law enforcement shortly after. The report noted that OCSO dispatch confirmed Gibson had two outstanding Okeechobee County felony warrants.

The owner of the property then approached Deputy Gonzalez and informed that he had driven from Palm Beach County to check on his property. The property owner informed law enforcement that no one was supposed to be on the property as he had a “No trespassing” sign posted on his fence line, which apparently was no longer there.

The report concluded that the saw palmetto berries were located in a plastic container on the property left by Gibson. Samples of the berries were collected to be turned in as evidence while the rest were turned back over to the property owner. Photographs of the berries were also taken to be turned in as evidence. The red Lincoln was turned over to John’s Towing Service and Gibson was arrested, transported and booked into the Okeechobee County Jail on the aforementioned charges.

Be on the look out (BOLO): Victor M. Dasilva, 48

The Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office asks the public to be on the lookout for Victor Desilva.

Victor M. Dasilva, 48

Date Of birth: Dec. 1, 1969; Height: 5’11”; Weight: 160 pounds

Last known address: 1010 Southeast Euclid Lane, Port St. Lucie, Fla.

Possible vehicle: Red 2009 Honda, Fla. Tag: 4344TU

Subject has active felony warrants for the following charges: Custodial Sexual Battery, victim 12 years of age or older but less than 18, offender 18 years of age or older; Sexual Battery, victim 16 years of age, offender 24 years of age or older.

If you know the whereabouts of this suspect, contact Detective DeMarcus Dixon, 863-763-3117, ext. 5111.

OKEECHOBEE — A 31-year-old Jupiter man was arrested Monday morning after he allegedly threatened his pregnant girlfriend and her mother with a knife.

Adam Souza, Jupiter Landings Drive, was arrested Aug. 27 by Deputy Jose Garcia on felony charges of aggravated battery, two counts of aggravated assault and a misdemeanor charge of battery. His bond was set at $26,000.

Adam Souza, 31

According to an arrest report by Deputy Jose Garcia, of the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office, at 9:40 a.m. on Aug. 27, he responded to a residence on State Road 70 East in regards to a domestic related incident.

Deputy Garcia met with the complainant who said she was asleep in her room when her boyfriend, Souza, came in around 5 a.m. and began to shake her aggressively in the bed.

The woman reportedly asked Souza what he wanted to which he supposedly wanted her to take him to work and to get beer. The woman then said she got up from her bed and told Souza to get ready when he supposedly cursed at her and said, “I don’t want to go to work.”

The complainant said that a couple of hours later, Souza and her mother began to argue.

According to Souza’s girlfriend, her mother and Souza were in the kitchen at the time of the argument. Souza’s girlfriend reported that she told Souza to stop using profanity and to not threaten them.

It was then that Souza reportedly walked around the kitchen counter and grabbed his girlfriend by the neck and pulled her hair while stating he was going to kill her. The woman’s mother then ran from behind the kitchen and pushed Souza off her daughter. Souza got up, aggressively grabbed the arm of his girlfriend’s mother and then walked over to a kitchen drawer where he looked at the woman and reportedly said he was going to kill her.

Souza then chased the woman outside with the knife in hand holding it up high, noted the report. Souza’s girlfriend then went outside and informed him that she called for law enforcement. Souza returned into the house, retrieved a black bag with clothes in it and reportedly left running.

Souza’s girlfriend said in the report that she was scared when he grabbed the knife and that she is 14-weeks pregnant.

The report continued that Deputy Garcia spoke with the woman’s mother. According to her, Souza walked into her daughter’s room and told her to get up and take him to get beer.

Souza’s girlfriend apparently requested a little bit of time and Souza supposedly became frustrated and yelled at the woman’s daughter. The woman then said that her daughter got up from the bed, went into the living room, sat down on the couch and Souza began to yell and insult his girlfriend. The mother then said that Souza stated he was going to kill both of them. At this time, Souza’s girlfriend said to stop the yelling and profanity, which resulted in the alleged aforementioned incident.

Both, Souza’s girlfriend and her mother, said he wielded a short knife with an orange handle.

The report concluded that Souza was arrested, transported and booked into the Okeechobee County Jail on the aforementioned charges. Both women were provided victims’ rights packets and a case number should any questions arise. The two women provided statements and were photographed for documentation. The statements, pictures and the knife were collected and submitted as evidence.

OKEECHOBEE — At 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 30, a six-person jury, could not reach a verdict on a first degree murder charge facing a 52-year-old Okeechobee man, but were able to convict him on other charges he was facing.

David Schwendenmann,52

David Anthony Schwendenmann, was arrested Sept. 14, 2016, on charges of first degree murder, aggravated battery on a pregnant person, robbery, fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer and attempted first degree murder of law enforcement officer with firearm. He was convicted on the robbery, aggravated battery on a pregnant person and the fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer.

The attempted first degree murder of law enforcement officer was dropped to attempted manslaughter of law enforcement officer and the jury was at an impasse on the first degree murder charge, resulting in a mistrial. That case is to be scheduled for a later date.

Schwendenmann’s sentencing hearing for his convicted charges is due to be set in mid October.

The criminal trial began on Tuesday, Aug. 28, with Schwendenmann represented by Assistant Public Defender’s Stanley Glenn and Armand Murach from the 19th Judicial Circuit Public Defender’s Office. Prosecuting the case on behalf of the State of Florida were 19th Judicial Circuit Assistant State Attorneys Ashley Albright and Don Richardson.

Presiding over the criminal case was 19th Circuit Court Judge, Michael C. Heisey.

Mr. Albright opened to the jury, “‘I just shot my wife, would you like to go in and see the body?’ Just like that, one of the first things that this man said to his friend and neighbor.”

He repeated: “I just shot my wife, would you like to go in and see the body.”

Mr. Glenn told the jury, “Your job is to critically analyze what you’re going to see and hear. What you won’t hear is any evidence of premeditation.”

According to the case presented by the State, Schwendenmann shot and killed his significant other of 19 years, 48-year-old wife Angela Marie Schwendenmann on July 29, 2016.

He then loaded up three shotguns from inside the house and into a blue Toyota Camry and was met by his neighbor, who he confided in about his recent doings, before he went to his daughter and her fiancé’s home.

As Schwendenmann was nearing the residence, the daughter’s fiancé testified that he could hear Schwendenmann’s vehicle approaching the home with a flat spare tire. Schwendenmann then, according to the fiancé’s testimony, “was wasted” and came inside the house and, “told us he killed Angie and if we didn’t believe him, we could see for ourselves.”

“Today is the day I’m going to die,” stated Schwendenmann according to the fiancé’s testimony.

Shortly after Schwendenmann’s statement to the couple, an argument ensued which led to a physical altercation in the home. According to the fiancé’s testimony, Schwendenmann began to asphyxiate his daughter and demanded the keys from the fiancé to their white Ford Explorer. The fiancé then testified that Schwendenmann took the keys out of his hand and left the home. After Schwendenmann’s departure, the fiancé was able to wave down law enforcement and inform them of what had occurred. A ‘be on the lookout’ was issued for the white Ford Explorer and Schwendenmann.

Then Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Deputy, now Detective, Jose Garduno received a call for service in the location of County Road 15-A. That call for service was placed by the roommate of Schwendenmann’s neighbor, who was apparently still in shock at the time after hearing Schwendenmann’s confession and his visual affirmation of peering into the trailer to find Angela in a blood pool. “Everybody on duty or coming off duty responded to the location due to the nature of the call,” testified Det. Garduno. According to testimony, armed deputies entered Schwendenmann’s residence and found Angela in a pool of blood and the television volume was loud.

Just afterward, a vehicle matching the description of Schwendenmann’s was located by then OCSO Detective Corporal, Rosemary Farless, who has since retired. Cpl. Farless testified she was on patrol in her unmarked Chevrolet Tahoe at the time she located the suspected vehicle. She then chose to follow the Explorer from the Veterans of Foreign Wars building located on U.S. 441 Southeast to King’s Bay on U.S. 441 Southeast, a distance of approximately one quarter to one-half mile. After she ran the vehicle’s tag, she called for a marked unit to pursue the vehicle. Lights and sirens activated, the marked unit pursued the Explorer from King’s Bay to Nubbin Slough with Schwendenmann reaching speeds of approximately 80 miles per hour and traveling in the middle of the road. Schwendenmann continued, according to testimony, to run vehicles off the road from Nubbin Slough to Real Life Children’s Ranch, on U.S. 441 Southeast, a distance of nearly two miles.

At this point in time, Detective Garduno, relocated himself from Schwendenmanns’ home to near Brother’s RV Park on U.S. 441 Southeast and was given permission to deploy stop sticks to stop the Explorer in an effort to apprehend Schwendenmann. As he approached the stop sticks, Schwendenmann made an apparent effort to stop the vehicle before running into them. After the vehicle came to an initial halt, Detective Garduno’s testimony was that Schwendenmann made direct eye contact with him and reached for a gun located between the driver and passenger seat, stating: “The individual had a 1,000 yard stare making eye contact with me and reached for a long gun between the driver and passenger seats.”

Schwendenmann was shot at least three times by members of law enforcement.
Detective Garduno stated, “I did not want to give him the opportunity to get me on target and to pull the trigger.”

After law enforcement’s shooting of Schwendenmann, the Explorer continue to roll into an electrical pole which stopped the SUV ultimately and when they extracted Schwendenmann from the vehicle, “a bunch of live ammunition, shotgun shells, fell out of his pockets.” An audio and video recording depict footage of emergency medical services providing aid to Schwendenmann after having been shot.

In the video, Schwendenmann can be seen strapped to a stretcher and heard saying, “The heart is right here, you missed it. You’re lucky I didn’t get my shot off, because I don’t miss. I’m a professional.”

An audio recorded statement of Schwendenmann was taken by Cpl. Farless at Raulerson Hospital. In the statement, Schwendenmann is heard mentioning that his wife was seriously considering a divorce, to which he responded “she (Angela) was not going to get out of the marriage alive.” When asked in the audio statement by law enforcement if he was serious about that statement, Schwendenmann answered, “Yes.” However, he also claimed, “I don’t even remember getting the gun,” and that “After I got expletive deleted drunk, she got angry and began hitting and cussing at me.” During the recording, Mr. Richardson is heard asking Schwendenmann about firearms and if any possessed a safety mechanism.

Schwendenmann answered the inquiry stating, “I know the 12 gauge for a fact does.”

OCSO Crime Scene Technician Jackie Moore was able to locate one spent Winchester 12 gauge shotgun cartridge. She also testified, like Detective Garduno, that when she entered the home, “The television was on and very loud,” and when examining the Explorer noted, “All three firearms were loaded and ready to fire, with one having the hammer cocked.”

When asked by Mr. Albright, “Was the cartridge found in the trailer fired from the Ithaca shotgun?” a firearms examiner from the Indian River Crime Laboratory testified simply “yes.”

Schwendenmann in summary of the video, claimed to not remember shooting Angela but could recall being shot himself by law enforcement.

Conflicting testimony was presented on part of the defense of Schwendenmann by a witness who was outside of his residence located at Brother’s RV Park. The individual testified that he saw two members of OCSO pull in and set up the stop sticks. The witness said he saw Detective Garduno positioned behind his patrol car with his weapon drawn.

According to the testimony, Schwendenmann stopped the Explorer before it reached the stop sticks. When asked if Schwendenmann’s hands were on the steering wheel when shot by law enforcement replied, “absolutely.” The witness testified that he spoke to law enforcement two days after the shooting incident and reported the same information.

When cross examined by Mr. Richardson, “Was Garduno better positioned to see the driver of the vehicle than you were?” the witness answered, “My vision works fine and all I know is his hands never left the steering wheel.”

Judge Heisey inquired as to whether Schwendenmann would like to testify on his behalf as a witness or would like to exercise his right to remain silent to which Schwendenmann responded, “No, because I don’t remember anything.”

The medical examiner testified that the shotgun slug which Angela was shot with traveled from the, “right side of her face, under the ear into the right neck tissue, from front to back and slightly from right to left.” The examiner said that Angela would have suffered “immediate unconsciousness,” and “death within one minute or shortly after.”

OKEECHOBEE — The Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) has been busy rounding up those individuals who violate the state’s new saw palmetto berry harvest requirements, which requires a permit to harvest saw palmetto berries.

Serenoa repens fruit, Saw Palmetto berries. Photo courtesy of UF.

On Aug. 21, OCSO Deputy Bryan Holden, was dispatched to the area of Southeast 59th Boulevard in regards to a suspicious persons complaint.

Upon his arrival he reportedly saw two males and one female walk between the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) property and the railroad tracks. Each of the three people appeared to be carrying a white feed sack.

Deputy Holden contacted SFWMD and was informed that no one had been given permission to pick saw palmetto berries on the property and that they wished to pursue criminal charges against the three individuals.

All three individuals were arrested, transported and booked into the Okeechobee County Jail on misdemeanor charges of petit theft and violation of plant industry law. The berries were photographed and returned to SFWMD Service Center per their request. The total weight of berries amongst the three was 124 pounds. The report noted that the street value of the berries is $3.65 per pound bringing the total value of berries taken to $452.60.

On Aug. 27, OCSO Deputy James Hartsfield responded to the 16000 block of Northwest 176th Avenue in regards to a suspicious vehicle parked in a church parking lot. Detective Dale LaFlam initially made contact with the vehicle and reportedly suspected the occupants were picking saw palmetto berries on private property not belonging to them, as he saw one of the people in a pasture located in the 16000 block of Northwest 176th Avenue on the west side of the road. The pasture was reportedly encompassed with a five-strand barbed wire fence.

Deputy Hartsfield reported meeting with the three individuals and inquired as to why they were in the pasture and if they had the land owner’s permission to harvest the berries. The report then stated Deputy Holden walked into the pasture and located the berries still on stalks in sacks and buckets with cutters found nearby, suspected of being used during the harvest.

The property owner was contacted and informed that while she did not want to pursue charges against them for trespassing, she did want to press criminal charges against the trio for the theft of the berries. The report concluded that the berries and suspected tools to harvest them were collected and submitted as evidence. All three individuals were arrested on misdemeanor charges of petit theft, harvesting commercially exploited plant without permit and violation of plant industry law. Each one of them received a $3,000 bond.

The total weight of the berries was 8-10 pounds with an estimated value of $29-$36.50.
According to an incident report by OCSO Deputy John Fisher, at 11:22 a.m. on Aug. 29, he was on patrol in the vicinity of Northwest 176th Avenue when he saw a red 2003 Dodge truck parked alongside the road near the 18000 block of Northwest 264th Street.

Upon his arrival, Deputy Fisher began to reportedly investigate the truck and met with the registered owner of the vehicle. The man walked out of what appeared to be a vacant lot located north of his truck.

The man reportedly told Deputy Fisher that he and his friend were picking berries due to the high sale prices. While he spoke with Deputy Fisher, the man reportedly gave verbal consent for Deputy Fisher to look in the white cooler in the back of the truck to see the berries that were supposedly gathered by the two.

Deputy Fisher then reported asking the two men if they had the required state issued permit to harvest the saw palmetto berries, to which neither did and both explained they were unaware of a permit being required. Deputy Fisher reportedly explained to the duo the new requirements of Florida State Statute 581.185 in regards to the harvest, transport and sale of saw palmetto berries.

It was noted in the report that a property owner was not located as Deputy Fisher was unable to determine which lot(s) the suspects were on.

The report concluded that the berries the men harvested were seized, with a sample portion of the berries submitted as evidence and the rest being destroyed. The two men were issued criminal notice to appear citations for harvesting saw palmetto berries without a permit. The total weight of the berries seized and destroyed was 28 pounds with a total value of $102.20.

“After receiving input from public and private landowners, conservation interests, and other interested parties, the Endangered Plant Advisory Council unanimously recommended adding saw palmetto to the department’s commercially exploited plant list,” the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) said on its website. “The recommendation was adopted by department rule which results in new requirements for the harvesting of saw palmetto berries. These new requirements took effect July 17, 2018.”

Florida Statute 581.185 defines commercially exploited plants as “species native to the state which are subject to being removed in significant numbers from native habitats in the state and sold or transported for sale.” Anyone caught with such a plant in their possession without a permit will be charged with a first degree misdemeanor and could face up to a year in jail.

The new rules dictate that: Any landowner harvesting saw palmetto berries for sale must obtain a Native Plant Harvesting Permit from the FDACS Division of Plant Industry. The permit application must be submitted at least 14 days before the intended date of the harvest. Multiple properties can be listed on one application; Anyone under a contract to harvest the berries must have written permission from the landowner and must also have a Native Plant Harvesting Permit. The permit application must be submitted at least 14 days before the intended date of the harvest. Multiple people can be listed on one application; Anyone entering property other than their own to harvest berries must have written permission from the landowner; Anyone transporting for sale, selling or offering for sale saw palmetto berries from their own property must also have a Native Plant Harvesting Permit. The permit application must be submitted at least 14 days before the intended date of the harvest; Anyone transporting, processing or purchasing berries that are not from their property does not need a permit, but must have the written permission of the landowner in their immediate possession at all times; Anyone harvesting on state or any other public land must also obtain written permission; and The permit must be in your immediate possession at all times while harvesting berries.

OKEECHOBEE — A 31-year-old Okeechobee man was arrested Sunday after being suspected of burglary.

Quinton Thomas Hamner, Southeast 30th Street, was arrested Sept. 2 by Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) Deputy Tyler Ott on felony charges of unarmed burglary of occupied dwelling, unarmed burglary of unoccupied conveyance and misdemeanor charges of criminal mischief with property damage (more than $200 but less than $1,000) and two counts of petit theft (more than $100 but less than $300). His bond was set at $78,000.

According to an arrest report by Deputy Ott, at 11:47 a.m. on Sunday, he responded to Southeast 33rd Terrace, in regards to a burglary complaint. The complainant reportedly informed him that he went to the flea market that morning to look for a bird for his mother.

The man returned from the flea market around 9 a.m. and went into his bedroom to take a nap.

It was during the nap that his step-daughter saw someone – later identified as Hamner – open the front door of the house and go into the bathroom, directly across from the front door, noted the report.

Hamner reportedly asked the man’s step-daughter the location of her father and stated that he would be back in 10-20 minutes. As Hamner left, the man’s step-daughter woke him up and told him that he had a visitor. The man was unaware of Hamner’s alleged presence in the house. He then went outside and saw the exterior door to the porch of the house had been forced open. The complainant then went to check on his green 1998 Ford F-150 truck and noticed someone had rummaged through it. The man said he remembered locking the driver’s side door but could not recall about the passenger side.

The complainant reported that his black blue-tooth headset and several articles of clothing, to include a reflective safety vest, were missing from the truck. A partially smoked cigarette was collected and photographs were taken of the damaged door.

While Deputy Ott spoke with the complainant, several other OCSO deputies had been notified by the owner of Lakeview Inn & Suites, located in the 3200 block of U.S. 441 Southeast – directly east across the street from the complainant’s residence – that Hamner was in a tenant’s room.

The owner of the lodging establishment lead OCSO personnel to the room. The report stated that Hamner wore a green hat, sunglasses, white t-shirt, blue jeans that appeared to be too long for him and socks with gray sandals. Hamner also was found to be in possession of a beige colored laundry bag along with a banana and cigarette in hand.

Hamner reportedly dropped the bag to the ground; it landed slightly open and Deputy Ott saw a reflective safety vest and black blue-tooth headset inside.

Hamner was detained at this time due to the items. The complainant reportedly identified the stolen items. Hamner was placed into Deputy Ott’s patrol vehicle.

Deputy Ott searched the laundry bag and found a prescription pill bottle belonging to the complainant’s girlfriend. Some of the complainant’s articles of clothing were also located in the bag. The couple said they wished to pursue criminal charges against Hamner.

While the search of the bag ensued, the owner of Lakeview Inn & Suites told deputies the laundry bag was for the use of guests for the laundry machine on the premises. The woman also saw several clothing items that belonged to her such as a pair of blue jeans, gray shirt and shorts and a white t-shirt. The owner reported that the clothes had been left in the washer and dryer at the hotel. She also wished to pursue criminal charges against Hamner.
The tenant of the room told Deputy Ott that Hamner knocked on her door and requested permission to change clothes inside of her room.

The tenant also identified items in the laundry bag. During his time in the room, Hamner allegedly had taken a green towel, black backpack, deodorant, essential oils, and a brush. The woman also reportedly found feathers in her room’s trash receptacle. The feathers had reportedly been on her gray sandals. At the time of his detainment, Hamner was wearing the women’s sandals, now sans feathers. The woman also wished to pursue criminal charges against Hamner for the items taken out of her room.

Photographs were taken of the items from inside of the laundry bag and returned to their owners. Photographs were also taken of the gray sandals on Hamner’s feet and the clothes he wore.

Deputy Ott reportedly also spoke with another person staying at the inn who saw someone around the original complainant’s residence earlier that day. The owner of the inn reported that they have security surveillance equipment and that footage would be provided to OCSO and submitted as evidence.

The report noted that two additional complainants identified Hamner. The first drove by the scene and recognized Hamner as the male who had been seen on his front porch. The second said she found Hamner naked in her residence and that she gave him a gray Pittsburgh Steelers shirt to wear before he left. A shirt matching that description was also found in the laundry bag and collected to be submitted as evidence.

The report concluded that Hamner was arrested, transported and booked into the Okeechobee County Jail on the aforementioned charges. A pack of Silver Cloud Red 100s cigarettes were located in the pockets of clothes worn by Hamner and submitted as evidence. The cigarettes in the pack were compared to the one partially smoked cigarette found in the complainant’s bathroom and both cigarettes had two gold bands on the cigarette butt.

OKEECHOBEE — An Okeechobee woman who was arrested Sept. 8 and charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI) faces additional charges, following an investigation.

Loretta Joy Marr, 60, of S.E. 27th Street, is charged with two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, three counts of aggravated child abuse, reckless driving and two counts of leaving the scene of an accident involving damages. Her bond totals $170,750.

Loretta Joy Marr, 60

Marr was arrested on Sept. 8 on a charge of DUI. Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Steven Pollock responded to a hit and run traffic crash in the Winn-Dixie parking lot on U.S. 441 S. The victim told the deputy that a black Ford truck ran into the back of her car at a red light near the main entrance of the Winn-Dixie parking lot. When the light turned green, the black truck passed her car on the right and pulled into the Winn-Dixie parking lot. The victim told the deputy she pulled her vehicle in behind the truck when the pickup’s driver, a female with blonde hair, “exited the truck yelling profanity and threatening to beat her up,” the report states. The woman then got back in the truck, backed the truck into victim’s car, and left the scene. The victim was able to give the deputy the license number of the truck which struck her car. A Winn-Dixie employee and a shopper who was in the parking lot gave the deputy similar accounts of the incident. Deputy John Fisher observed the truck pull into a driveway on S.E. 27th Street. He made contact with the driver and could smell alcohol on her breath. Her eyes were bloodshot and watery, he stated. After the driver, identified as Loretta Joy Marr, failed the field sobriety tests, she was placed under arrest and transported to the Okeechobee County Jail. The Intoxilyzer test showed her blood alcohol level at 0.121 and O.110, more than double the limit considered under the influence. She was released on her own recognizance.

Meanwhile, the crash investigation continued.

On Sept. 9, Deputy Steven Pollock made contact with Keith Marr, according to the report.

He advised he was not in the truck with Loretta Marr when the incident occurred but he knew who had been in the truck. He then contacted Juan Ramos by phone and asked him to meet with the deputy.

According to the report, Juan Ramos advised he was a passenger in the truck when the crash occurred.

He told the deputy the red light turned green, and Loretta cursed because the vehicle in front of her truck had not yet moved “at which time she stepped on the gas and purposely rammed” the vehicle in front of her. She then passed the car while both vehicles were making a left turn into the parking lot.

Mr. Ramos told the deputy the driver of the car that had been rear-ended pulled in behind the truck and the driver started complaining about the crash. He said Loretta then got out of the truck and threatened the driver verbally. She then got back into the truck, backed into the other vehicle and left the scene. “He advised he did not think Loretta backed into the car on purpose because she had to back up to leave,” the report states.

Mr. Ramos told the deputy that Loretta then drove him to his residence on N.W. 39th Circle and told him “not to tell anyone what had happened.”

Deputy Pollock met with Loretta Marr at approximately 5:40 p.m. on Sept. 12 and placed her under arrest.

For allegedly ramming the back of another vehicle with her truck, Marr is charged with two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon (motor vehicle.)

The three counts of aggravated child abuse are related to the three children, ages 8 to 13, who were in the vehicle Marr reportedly rammed.

The following individuals were arrested on felony or driving under the influence (DUI) charges by the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO), the Okeechobee City Police Department (OCPD), the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) or the Department of Corrections (DOC).

• Gabriel Cruz Cruz, 22, address unknown, was arrested Sept. 17 by OCSO Deputy Matt Huffman and charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle. According to the report, the owner of a white Kia minivan was inside Mosquito Creek grocery when he noticed a man entering his vehicle and attempting to put it into drive. The owner raced out of the store and leapt onto the vehicle and began striking the suspect to prevent him from taking the vehicle. The suspect fled on foot with the car’s owner in pursuit. The suspect was intercepted by a good Samaritan who held the suspect at gunpoint until law enforcement arrived.

• William Dakota Lane, 24, of S.W. 10th St., was arrested Sept. 14, by a member of the Okeechobee Narcotics Task Force on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of a weapon/ammo by a convicted felon, grand theft of a firearm and grand theft more than $300, less than $500. Bond was set at $46,000.

• Megan Salina Hair, 30, of N.E. Second Street, was arrested Sept. 14 by a member of the Okeechobee Narcotics Task Force on two counts of possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of methamphetamine and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. Bond was set at $31,000.

• Arthur William Smedley, 47, of S.W. 16th Avenue, was arrested Sept. 13, by a member of the Okeechobee Narcotics Task Force, on charges of possession of methamphetamine, two counts of possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of a listed chemical for manufacture of a controlled substance, possession of a weapon/ammo by a convicted felon, and a misdemeanor charge of possession of drug paraphernalia. Bond was set at $51,000.

• A juvenile inmate at True Core Behavioral Solutions, 7200 U.S. 441 N., was arrested on Sept. 18 for battery on detention staff. D’Angelo Battis, 15, is accused of punching a detention staff member in the collar bone. Surveillance footage recorded the incident. The teenager was transported to the Juvenile Detention Center in Fort Pierce.

• A suspect detained for picking palmetto berries without a permit and without the landowner’s permission was arrested Sept. 18 by FWC Investigator David LaFoy, after it was determined the suspect was wanted on an Indian River County warrant for violation of probation/grand theft and occupied burglary. Tavious D. Torockio, 16, of Vero Beach was arrested on the warrant and detained at the Okeechobee County Jail. He was also charged with a harvesting an endangered plant without a permit, which is a misdemeanor. The case was referred to the Department of Juvenile Justice.

• Another suspect detained for picking palmetto berries without a permit and without the landowner’s permission was arrested Sept. 18 by FWC Investigator David LaFoy was also arrested on a warrant. Jose Alberto Pacheo, 38, of Indiantown, was charged with failure to appear in court on Martin County charges. He was also charged with harvesting an endangered plant without a permit, which is a misdemeanor. Bond was set at $500.

• Pardell Keyon, 26, of N.E. 14th Avenue, was arrested Sept. 19 by OCSO Deputy Robert Gonzalez and charged with child abuse. He is accused of “body slamming” a teenager to the ground and striking him about the face, breaking his nose. A bystander recorded the incident on cellphone video. Bond was to be set by the judge.

• Mark Daniel Fallon, 39, of N.W. 12th Avenue, was arrested Sept. 19, by OCSO Deputy Jonathon Gove, and charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. He is accused of striking another man while holding a metal socket tool in his fist, breaking the man’s jaw. Bond was set at $10,000.

• Dale Lee Proudfoot, 36, of N.W. 110th Street, was arrested Sept. 19 by OCSO Deputy Jonathan Gove and charged with possession of a controlled substance without a prescription. According to the arrest report, a convenience store cashier called OCSO about an intoxicated person, who had been yelling at a pallet of water, then hit his head against the wall and then stumbled into the bathroom where he began to yell and bang on the door. The deputy detained the disorderly suspect who, according to the report appeared to be under the influence of a narcotic. The man was placed in wrist restraints. A search of his pockets revealed a small plastic bag containing pills. Bond was set at $2,500.

• Robert Anthonie, 30, of S.E. 29th Street, was arrested Sept. 19, by OCSO Deputy Kenneth Hernandez, and charged with failure to obey a law enforcement officer’s order to stop. According to the OCSO report, Deputy Hernandez initiated a traffic stop because the 2004 Chevy Cavalier was missing side mirrors and did not display a Florida tag. Instead of stopping, the driver executed an evasive maneuver, driving through a ditch and then parked the vehicle with the lights off next to a bottle brush tree, the report states.

• Dontay Omar Taylor, 17, a juvenile inmate at True Core Behavioral Solutions, 7200 U.S. 441 N., was arrested on Sept. 19, by OCSO Deputy Timothy Miller for battery on detention staff. Taylor is accused of striking a staff member in the face. Surveillance footage recorded the incident.

• Brian Lee Peaden, 46, of Pahokee, was arrested on Sept.19, by OCSO Deputy Francisco Hernandez and charged with three counts of failure to appear related to pending charges in drug court.

• Another arrest took place at True Core Behavioral Solutions on Sept. 19 when Christopher McQuire, 18, allegedly attacked another inmate. Video surveillance was collected by OCSO Deputy Daniel Eng, the arresting officer. McQuire was charged with battery on a detainee and transported to the county jail.

This column lists arrests and not convictions, unless otherwise stated. Anyone listed here who is later found innocent or has had the charges against them dropped is welcome to inform this newspaper. The information will be confirmed and printed.

OKEECHOBEE — Distracted driving is the third leading cause of motor vehicle related deaths and like the top two causes, is easily avoidable. The top cause is speeding, followed closely by drunk driving. The Department of Motor Vehicles reports that in 2017 in the state of Florida alone, distracted driving caused 49,288 crashes with 214 of those resulting in death.

According to the US Department of Transportation, there were 3,450 distraction related fatalities in 2016 in the U.S., and AAA states that distracted driving accounts for fifty-eight percent of all teen driving accidents.

According to data from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, some Florida counties are at higher risk from accidents due to distracted driving than others. The counties with the highest rate of distracted driving crashes per 1,000 vehicles were first, Wakulla; second, Walton; third, Orange; and tied for fourth, Okaloosa and Duval. Okeechobee County fared well, ranking 57th out of 67 counties. Glades County has a slightly higher rate of distracted driver crashes, ranking number 51 in the state, Highlands County was number 47; Palm Beach County, number 37; and Hendry County, number 35. Special to the Lake Okeechobee News.

Sgt. Michael Hazellief, Training and Public Relations Supervisor for the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO), explains that these statistics may not be completely accurate because in cases where the driver is deceased, and there are no passengers, they would not necessarily investigate the phone records to see if the driver was using the phone. This is usually only done if there were other fatalities involved.

Sgt. Hazellief teaches classes on distracted driving. He believes that driving is an awesome responsibility and it is when we lose that sense of awe that we begin to take driving for granted and we begin to let our minds wander. He shared that he is in the process of teaching his daughter to drive and although teaching new drivers can be nerve-racking at times, it is also nice to see how careful they are, how responsibly they take their time behind the wheel. He explained that it is when we become complacent with mundane activities that we become distracted.

The United States Department of Transportation defines distracted driving as “any activity that diverts attention from driving, including talking or texting on your phone, eating and drinking, talking to people in your vehicle, fiddling with the stereo, entertainment or navigation system — anything that takes your attention away from the task of safe driving.”

Although all of these things cause distractions, the National Safety Council says the top distraction is cell phones, with approximately 481,000 drivers using cell phones while driving each day. Everywhere you look, people are on their cell phones from the minute they get up in the morning until they go to bed at night. Almost everyone has good intentions. No one sets out in his car thinking, “it’s a great day for an accident today,” but when that text alert comes through while he is driving, he just can’t resist a little peek. Maybe he thinks about his son who is driving up to college by himself and might have broken down. Maybe he thinks his boss is texting or his wife is sick, and he will just take a quick look. He is a careful driver.

He can multi-task. Right?

Possibly you are thinking that you would never text and drive, ever, for any reason, and that’s great, but that is only part of the problem. The National Safety Council has determined that there is NO safe way to use a cell phone and drive a motor vehicle at the same time. Even the hands-free options were created for convenience, not for safety. The human brain cannot focus on two things at the same time, but rather, it shifts back and forth between the two giving neither task its full attention. The council used the example of watching television while reading a book. You may have a general idea of what is going on in the book and on the television, but neither had your full attention.

No matter how strong the urge is to read that text or answer that call, please don’t do it.

Think of the person on the other end of the line. How is he or she going to feel if that text or call results in your death? How will you feel if it results in someone else’s death? Don’t think it can happen to you? Neither did the 49,288 Floridians who had distracted driving accidents last year, and neither did the 214 who died.

OKEECHOBEE — A man who was too involved with scratching his lottery tickets to follow law enforcement directions found himself in jail on Tuesday night. According to the arrest report, Deputy Robbie Lamb was on routine patrol when he observed a white Dodge run a stop sign. Taking note that the vehicle was also speeding, Deputy Lamb initiated a traffic stop.

As Deputy Lamb approached the vehicle, he noticed that the driver was a white female, and there was a Hispanic male in the front passenger seat. The driver of the vehicle was told why she was being pulled over and was asked for her license and registration, which she supplied. Deputy Lamb’s report continues that through past dealings with the driver he knew of a history with narcotics and therefore asked if there were any illegal weapons or drugs in the vehicle, which she denied. The driver consented to a search of the vehicle, and Deputy Lamb reports calling for backup at that time.

Deputy Lamb stated he then asked the passenger, who was scratching off lottery tickets, for his identification so he would know who he was dealing with. The report states that the passenger continued to scratch off tickets without looking up. Deputy Lamb explained that he told the passenger he could be placed under arrest for obstruction if he refused to provide identification, but the passenger again refused and continued to scratch lottery tickets despite multiple requests by Deputy Lamb.

When back up arrived, both the driver and the passenger were asked to step out of the vehicle, and both of them complied. Once again the passenger was asked for identification and warned that if he failed to provide it, he would be arrested. The report concludes that after further refusal, he was placed in hand restraints and taken to the Okeechobee County Jail for processing where he was identified as Brenardo Pinon Ors. A review of his records determined that he had five aliases. He was charged with obstruction of justice without violence. Bond was to be set by the judge. The driver was issued a citation and released.

The report is silent on whether or not any of the lottery ticket were winners.

OKEECHOBEE — The Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a possible homicide in Okeechobee. According to a press release issued on Friday, Oct. 12, deputies responded to the area of Northeast 14th Avenue and 6th Street at approximately 5:21 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 11.

At the scene, they found an unresponsive adult male. Okeechobee County Fire and Rescue declared the man deceased at the scene. Detective José Garduno will be in charge of the investigation. Additional details will be released as they become available.

HENDRY COUNTY — The body of a deceased white male Caucasian reportedly was found in a remote wildlife area, drawing a response from state and local law enforcement agencies recently.

Hendry County artist’s body rendering of unidentified man while alive. Courtesy of NamUs.

An emailed tip to this newspaper provided a link to the NamUs website, that of the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, where the discovery of the unrecognizable human remains, with all parts recovered, was reported. The man was reported to be an adult of unknown age between 18 and 60, whose height and weight could not be estimated, with straight brown hair about an inch long on top and shorter on the sides, a brown and gray goatee but no mustache, and blue eyes.

According to a heavily redacted report provided by the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO), Sheriff’s Deputy Darrin McNeil was dispatched at 9:38 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 7, to the Dinner Island Wildlife Management Area located on County Road 833 in reference to a “suspicious incident.”

A Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officer then arrived at the scene, and a Hendry County detective, Sgt. Julio Perez, was contacted and instructed Deputy McNeil to turn the case and scene over to the FWC. All other details had been removed from the Hendry County sheriff’s report.

HCSO spokeswoman Capt. Susan Harrelle said Wednesday, Oct. 17, that the case has been turned over to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for further investigation. FDLE Public Information Officer Jessica Cary in Tallahassee confirmed that an active investigation is under way but would not confirm that a body had been discovered, nor provide any other information.

The case file at the NamUs website identifies FDLE Special Agent Nathan Coogan in Highlands County as being in charge of the investigation. He can be reached at 863-386-6085. Carrie Sutherland is the contact at NamUs and can be emailed at carrie.sutherland@unthsc.edu.

OKEECHOBEE — Late Saturday afternoon, Oct. 20, Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office Deputies John Fisher and Brian Cross knocked on the door of Ken Vargas’ new home and arrested him for stealing it. According to the arrest report, it all began earlier that same day when Gregory Connaughton contacted the sheriff’s department to report his 43’ blue and white Franklin travel trailer stolen. Mr. Connaughton stated neighbors had seen it on the property that morning and said they had seen a black or blue Dodge truck in the area.

Deputy Brian Cross investigated, but at that time there were no suspects and little evidence.

Later that day, Deputy Cross received a call from Mr. Connaughton with information on a possible sighting of his trailer. Mr. Connaughton explained he had posted a picture on Facebook and asked people to keep an eye out for it. He had offered a $500 reward, and someone had given him a possible location.

Deputy Cross contacted Deputy Fisher and asked him to go look at the trailer to see if he thought it was the same trailer. After looking at the trailer, Deputy Fisher believed it to be Mr. Connaughton’s. Deputy Cross arranged to meet Mr. Connaughton at the trailer to confirm this.

Ken Vargas

While waiting for Mr. Connaughton, Deputies Fisher and Cross knocked on the door of the trailer and spoke to Ken Vargas. They told him it was obvious the trailer was just placed there since there were tracks on the ground and new plumbing. Mr. Vargas’ wife stated she did not know the trailer was stolen, but they needed a new home after a bee infestation in their old home. When Mr. Connaughton arrived, he confirmed it was his trailer and Mr. Vargas was arrested for burglary of an unoccupied dwelling, grand theft and criminal mischief over $1,000. His bond is to be set by the judge at his first appearance. Mr. Connaughton agreed to allow Mrs. Vargas to remove her belongings from the trailer.

After leaving the trailer, deputies went to the residence of another suspect, Steve Barton. Both Mr. Vargas and Mr. Barton have recently been released from prison for dealing in stolen property. Mr. Vargas advised the deputies that Mr. Barton would likely be armed and is not mentally stable. Mr. Barton was located on Wednesday, Oct. 24, and was arrested and charged with burglary of an unoccupied dwelling, grand theft and criminal mischief over $1,000. Bond will be set by the judge at first appearance.

Steve Barton

OKEECHOBEE — James Michael Twomey, 59, was arrested on Oct. 24 by Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office Deputy William Jolly after a call from a local woman complaining of an assault on her 70-year-old godmother the previous day. The report states the caller was not present during the assault but called to report it as soon as her godmother told her about it.

James Michael Twomey, 59

Deputy Jolly reports speaking to the victim about the incident. The victim confirmed the assault and said she had been out of town all day the previous day and when she returned home, Mr. Twomey, was drunk. The victim explained she had been allowing Mr. Twomey to live in her shed rent-free. The victim left her home to go to a neighbor’s house to cook potatoes in her microwave. When she returned, she stated, Mr. Twomey was angry because he preferred grilled potatoes. When the victim attempted to take one of Mr. Twomey’s beers from his cooler, he became irate, cussing at her and grabbing her arm.

The victim says she was afraid to pull away because her skin is very brittle. She told him to let her go and never touch her again. He let her go but as she was walking down the wheelchair ramp, she says he jumped off the porch and pushed her from behind almost causing her to fall. The victim was so afraid that she and her 98-year-old mother stayed somewhere else that night.

A neighbor, witnessed the attack and corroborated everything the victim said.

In the report, Deputy Jolly states, Mr. Twomey was passed out and smelled strongly of alcohol when the victim unlocked the shed with a key. The first thing Mr. Twomey said when he saw the deputy was, “I have not touched anyone,” the report states. Deputy Jolly arrested him on charges of battery of an elderly person.

According to the arrest report, the victim had evidence of a bruise on her arm in the shape of fingers. Her back was also sore, but she refused medical care. The report also notes, the victim has a very bad knee and has trouble walking.

OKEECHOBEE – Late Saturday night, a 79-year-old woman was hit by a car and pinned against her own house. The driver of the car was allegedly trying to hit her grandson and hit her by mistake. Chester Eugene Woodall, 28, was arrested by Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office Detective Mark Margerum after OCSO received a call on Saturday night, Oct. 27, in reference to a disturbance. According to the report, dispatch advised a white male suspect driving a gold or silver car was armed with a bat. They further advised someone may have been run over.

Chester Eugene Woodall, 28

While enroute to the scene, Detective Margerum reported observing a Chevy Malibu matching the description with extensive front-end damage. Behind that vehicle was a truck with a driver attempting to flag down Detective Margerum, pointing towards the Chevy Malibu. Detective Margerum reports turning his vehicle around to follow the Malibu. Detective Margerum conducted a traffic stop, and identified Mr. Woodall along with his fiancé Leah Clase, who was sitting in the front passenger seat. The report states Mr. Woodall had blood around his mouth and an abrasion on his back and Ms. Clase kept saying that Mr. Woodall had mental health issues. The Chevy Malibu appeared to have blood and flesh on the grill.

The couple in the truck that had flagged down Detective Margerum spoke only Spanish, but when Deputy José Garcia arrived, he was able to speak to them, and they advised him several people had been run over.

Leaving Mr. Woodall and Ms. Clase with Deputy Stephen Paladino, Detective Margerum and Deputy Garcia proceeded to the residence where they reportedly found a chain link fence knocked down and a trail of blood leading onto the porch, into the front door and straight to an elderly woman lying on a couch. The report states the victim had a deep laceration on her right wrist exposing part of her bone. She also had several deep lacerations below her right knee. There were several family members in the residence who reported seeing the suspect run over the victim. Detective Margerum reports being unable to speak with the victim due to her injuries and the language barrier.

The victim was airlifted to Lawnwood Hospital because of her injuries.

Because Mr. Woodall smelled strongly of alcohol, he was reportedly asked if he would consent to a field sobriety test. He agreed to the test but was unable to complete it and was arrested and charged with DUI at that time.

Ms. Clase was asked how the damage to her car had happened and according to the report, she said she did not know because she had blacked out. During her interview with Detective Margerum, Ms. Clase said Mr. Woodall went out there to have a fight. She said she believes he did it because he is on Lexapro and he should be on Prozac. The report states Ms. Clase admits seeing Mr. Woodall hit the victim and that when it happened she told him he just ruined both their lives.

The report concludes, Chester Eugene Woodall was criminally charged with aggravated battery with a weapon, a second degree felony. He was also charged with criminal mischief over $1,000, a third degree felony. Bond will be set by the judge.

OKEECHOBEE — An Okeechobee man was accused of prowling and arrested early Sunday morning Oct. 29, after he was allegedly seen in a tree.

According to the arrest report, a prowler was seen by two different neighbors on Saturday night on Southeast 38th Avenue. Both called the sheriff’s department out of concern for their neighbor whose house the prowler seemed to be spying on. One of the callers reported seeing the prowler up in a tree near the property.

The report states, Deputy Tyler Ott responded to the call and found a man matching the description of the suspect in the driveway when he arrived at the home. The man was identified as Quinton Thomas Hamner, 32, Southeast 30th Street. The homeowner was contacted and stated he did not know Mr. Hamner, and Mr. Hamner did not have permission to be there but said he had a roommate in a trailer on his property who might know him.

Deputy Ott reported taking the suspect to the home of the roommate to see if he knew him. The roommate stated he did not know Mr. Hamner but said the suspect had walked into his home earlier that evening without permission. When asked if he had called the sheriff, he replied that he had not. He had just yelled at the suspect to get out of his house. He said the suspect then walked back out of the house and closed the door behind himself.

The report continues, the suspect claims to know a blonde woman who lived at that address. The resident confirmed that a blonde woman used to live there three months ago and when she lived there she had told him about a strange man in a tree.
Both residents chose to press charges. Mr. Hamner was charged with prowling, and bond was set at $250.