Look “Pretty in Pink” for Ladies Night in Downtown Winter Haven on Sept. 30
by James Coulter
Are you, like, totally down for a rad night with your gal pals? Take a blast to the past with a special 80s-themed “Pretty in Pink” Ladies Night in Downtown Winter Haven on Sept. 30 from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm.
More than 30 participating businesses in Downtown Winter Haven will host shopping, dining, and drink specials. This evening’s theme, “Pretty in Pink”, will help promote breast cancer awareness month in October. Select businesses will be offering pink cocktails and candy, as well as other special giveaways and discounts to celebrate.
“From candy cocktails, door prizes, and raffles for a spa day, there is something for every lady Downtown!” said Bailey McDaniel, Assistant Director for Main Street Winter Haven, Inc. “We are SO looking forward to our new benefactor, AdventHealth, joining us at Ladies Night. They are bringing an amazing display to support, remember, and raise awareness about breast cancer. You’ll have to stop by to see it!”
With nearly 33 local businesses and eateries, this year’s event is expected to be their biggest yet for Main Street Winter Haven. Of course, to ensure public safety and health during these uncertain times, special precautions will be taken. Social distancing and masks are highly recommended for attendees, especially while indoors.
“The goal of an event like this is to encourage people who might not normally come Downtown to explore and shop Winter Haven’s local small businesses! All in all, it’s sure to be a blast for ladies AND for Downtown businesses!” McDaniel said. “If this event is anything like we expect, Downtown will be filled with ladies looking to celebrate our small businesses and kickoff Breast Cancer Awareness month!”
“Pretty in Pink” Ladies Night will be hosted Thurs. Sept 30 from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Admission is only $10, and wrist bands will be provided on the corner of Central Avenue and 4th Street NW in Central Park. Attendees must pre-register for their map online at: www.mainstreetwh.com
Winter Haven Detectives continue to seek help in locating
the whereabouts of 64 year-old Densley Brown. Brown was last in touch with
family members on the morning of August 11, 2021 around 7:45 a.m.
Brown left his Palmetto Ave. home in a 2010 Blue Hyundai
Sonata with a Florida vanity tag “MSSUPA”. He spoke with his daughter
on the phone telling her he was having chest pains and was headed to the
hospital. He didn’t indicate which hospital, but all Bay area hospitals have
been checked and there are no records of him being at any of them.
Multiple attempts to locate Brown have netted negative
results. There has been no activity on any of Mr. Brown’s accounts and the
vehicle has not been reported on any toll roads in the State.
Anyone with information on Densley Brown’s whereabouts is
asked to contact Detective Chapnick at 863-632-0071.
On Wednesday, September 29, 2021, at approximately 6:30 p.m., Auburndale Police officers responded to a 911 call regarding a reported shooting of a person in the area of 3009 Allred Drive, Auburndale, Florida. The neighborhood where this incident occurred consists mostly of structures containing multiple apartments.
Officers arrived to find a 17-year-old male lying on the ground between two apartment buildings who had been shot. Officers began lifesaving measures, including CPR, and continued until Auburndale Fire Department and Polk County Fire Rescue medics arrived and took over. The victim was transported to Lakeland Regional Health medical center where he was pronounced deceased shortly thereafter.
Auburndale officers, with assistance from Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies and air support, as well as Winter Haven Police K9, attempted to locate the suspect. The suspect, identified as Dashaun Trevell Marshall, BM, 01/12/2005, was able to elude capture. Auburndale Police detectives obtained a juvenile pick-up order (warrant) for the arrest of Marshall on charges of second-degree murder. He is still being sought by law enforcement.
During the on-scene investigation at approximately 7:15 p.m., officers arrested Journey Danae Myricks, BF, 10/28/1996, of Haines City, FL, for resisting an officer without violence. She was transported to the Polk County Jail receiving facility without further incident.
If you know the whereabouts of Dashaun Marshall you are asked to call 911 or (863)401-2240. If you witnessed the shooting, you are asked to contact Detective Alex Pena at (863)965-5555. Anyone with information may call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS to remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward.
We will bring you updates as they become available.
Two Winter Haven men additionally charged with sexual battery of three children
On Friday, September 24, 2021, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office concluded a month-long undercover investigation to identify suspects who possess and share child pornography. The operation, called “Operation Guardians of Innocence VII,” was carried out by undercover detectives from PCSO’s Computer Crimes Unit and resulted in the arrests of 16 people.
“One of the vilest crimes is the sexual abuse of children. Those arrested in this operation not only create a market for the sexual abuse and rape of babies and children worldwide, every time these images and videos are uploaded and shared, these innocent children are victimized over and over again. As you know, this is only the beginning – once we serve search warrants and seize these suspects devices, a forensic analysis will be conducted, and we will, in all likelihood, be adding more child pornography charges. This is also an example of why it is so important for parents and guardians to ensure parental controls are enabled on all of your child’s devices.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
The youngest person
arrested is15-years-old, while the oldest is 68-years-old.
Detectives served 23
search warrants, and at the time of arrest, detectives seized all known
electronic communications devices belonging to the suspects, with forensic
searches of those devices to follow. Those searches could turn up additional
images and/or videos depicting child pornography, and the suspects will be
additionally charged. Attempts are also made to identify the children in
various images and videos.
The 16 men arrested
face a total of 2,777 felony charges.
TWO WINTER HAVEN MEN
ADDITIONALLY CHARGED WITH SEXUAL BATTERY OF THREE CHILDREN AND OTHER CHARGES
Following up on a tip,
on September 16, 2021, detectives served a search warrant at the home of 32-year-old
Harrison Egbert of Winter Haven and located 1,000 videos and images of
children as young as 2-years old being sexually battered. Egbert told
detectives he had looked at “thousands” of child pornography files,
some depicting “infants” on SnapChat and Instagram. He further
confessed to sexually abusing three girls (ages 5, 7, and 8-years-old). Egbert
told detectives he videoed and photographed the sexual abuse with the help of
his friend 30-year-old David Lavin, Jr. of Winter Haven.
During an interview,
Lavin admitted to detectives his involvement with multiple sexual battery
crimes and child pornography crimes. Lavin transported one of the victims
multiple times to Egbert’s residence and participated in the videoing and
photographing of the sexual abuse.
The Department of
Children and Families (DCF) was notified.
Also arrested were 30-year-old
Ivonnette Leon of Winter Haven and 36-year-old Shannon Speller of Winter
Haven for interfering with the investigation.
Harrison Egbert is charged with:
Enhanced* Possession of Child Pornography
(1,000 counts) (F2)
Promotion of Child Pornography (1 count) (F2)
Possess to Promote Child Pornography (1 count)
(F2)
Capital Sexual Battery (5 counts) (FC)
Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance (5
counts) (F2)
Lewd Molestation (5 counts) (FL)
Egbert told detectives
he worked as a clerk at Leadfeather Guns and Ammo in Winter Haven, and he is a
veteran of the Marine Corps.
David Lavin, Jr. is charged with
Capital Sexual Battery (FC)
Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance (2
counts) (F2)
Promoting Sexual Performance by a Child (1
count) (F2)
Lewd Exhibition (1 count) (F2)
Lavin’s prior criminal
history includes 1 felony and 6 misdemeanors for Domestic Violence Battery,
Possession of Marijuana, Failure to Appear, Knowingly Driving on a Suspended
License, and Violation of Probation.
Ivonnette Leon is charged with
Tampering with a Victim (LF)
Accessory after the Fact (F3)
Contributing to the Dependency of a Minor (M1)
Leon’s prior criminal
history includes 1 felony and 2 misdemeanors for Burglary, Battery, and Driving
with No License.
Shannon Speller is charged with
Accessory after the Fact (F3)
Others arrested during
the operation are as follows (in alphabetical order):
David Boyd, 52, from
Lakeland. Following up on a
tip, detectives searched Boyd’s electronic devices and located images of
children as young as 6-months old being sexually battered, some of which Boyd had
photoshopped himself into. Boyd told detectives he worked for South Florida Gun
and Pawn as a clerk. Boyd is charged with 516 counts of Enhanced* Possession of
Child Pornography (F2) and one count of Promotion of Child Pornography (F2).
Jonathan Derisse, 20,
from Davenport. Following up on a
tip, detectives searched Derisse’s phone and located images of children as
young as 8-years old being sexually battered. Derisse told detective he was
currently unemployed, but he had previously worked a summer job at Sea World.
Derisse is charged with 6 counts of Possession of Child Pornography (F3) and 3
counts of Promotion of Child Pornography (F2). His prior criminal history
includes 3 felonies for Written threats and a Bomb Threat.
Jesse Durant, 29, from
Davenport. Following up on
a tip, detectives searched Durant’s cell phone and located images of children
as young as 6-months old being sexually battered. Durant told detectives he
works for Hilton Vacations as an overnight maintenance supervisor. Durant is charged
with 45 counts of Enhanced Possession of Child Pornography (F2).
Ashton Howard, 17,
Lakeland. Following up on a
tip, detectives searched Howard’s electronic devices and located video files of
children as young as 10-years old being sexually battered. Howard admitted to
detectives that he uses his cell phone to send child pornography through
SnapChat. Howard is charged with two counts of Promotion of Child Pornography
(F2) and Violation of Probation (F3). Howard is currently on juvenile probation
for Written Threats to Kill or Do Bodily Harm. His prior criminal history
includes 3 felonies for Written Threats, Possession of a Controlled Substance
without a Prescription, and Violation of Probation.
Patrick Johanson, 33, from
Winter Haven. Following up on a
tip, detectives searched Johanson’s electronic devices and located images of
children being sexually battered, some as young as 6-months old. Johanson told
detectives has viewed and shared child pornography on Facebook Messenger.
Johanson also told detectives he worked for the Department of Corrections as a
Correctional Officer at Polk Correctional Institute. He is charged with 26
counts of Enhanced* Possession of Child Pornography (F2) and one count of
Promotion of Child Pornography (F2).
Tyerek Lampkin, 22,
from Lakeland. Following up on a
tip, detectives searched Lampkin’s electronic devices and located video files
of children as young as 12-years old being sexually battered. Tyerek admitted
to detectives that he uses his cell phone to view and trade child pornography.
Tyerek is charged with 197 counts of Enhanced* Possession of Child Pornography
(F2) and 12 counts of Promotion of Child Pornography (F2).
Ludjy Masson-Santana,
21, from Kissimmee. Following up on a
tip, detectives searched Masson-Santana’s electronic devices and located images
and video files, that had been sent through Kik, of children as young as
4-years old being sexually battered. Masson-Santana told detectives he was is a
housekeeping manager at Hilton Orlando in Lake Buena Vista. Masson-Santana is
charged with 148 counts of Enhanced* Possession of Child Pornography (F2) and
12 counts of Promotion of Child Pornography (F2).
Daniel Millan, 16,
from Lakeland. Following up on a
tip, detectives searched Millan’s electronic devices and located images and
video files of children as young as 12-months old being sexually battered.
Millan admitted to deputies that he traded child pornography online. Millan is
charged with 50 counts of Enhanced* Possession of Child Pornography (F2) and
two counts of Promotion of Child Pornography (F2).
Nicholas Nason, 27,
from Lakeland. Following up on a
tip, detectives searched Nason’s electronic devices and located images and
video files of children as young as 5-years old being sexually battered. Nason
is charged with 14 counts of Enhanced* Possession of Child Pornography (F2).
David Oyunjargal, 15,
from Winter Haven. Following up on a
tip, detectives searched Oyunjargal’s electronic devices and located video
files of children as young as 2-years old being sexually battered. Oyunjargal
is charged with one count of Promotion of Child Pornography (F2) and two counts
of Possession of Child Pornography (F3).
Jonathan Ramos, 31,
from Davenport. Following up on a
tip, detectives searched Ramos’s electronic devices and located images and
video files of children as young as 4-years old being sexually battered. Ramos
told detectives he worked in the Deli Department at the Davenport Publix. Ramos
is charged with 670 counts of Enhanced* Possession of Child Pornography (F2).
Kevin Schmidt, 54,
from Lakeland. Following up on a
tip, detectives searched Schmidt’s electronic devices and located video files of
children as young as 7-years old being sexually battered. Schmidt told
detectives he worked as a floor coating installer for Tru-Grit in Lakeland.
Schmidt is charged with 32 counts of Promotion of Child Pornography (F2) and
one count of Possession of Child Pornography (F3). His prior criminal history
includes 5 felonies and 11 misdemeanors for Battery, Disorderly Conduct,
Dealing in Stolen Property, Failure to Appear, DUI, Driving with a Suspended
License, Criminal Mischief, and Violation of Probation.
Richard Sizelove, 68,
from Lake Wales. Following up on a
tip, detectives searched Sizelove’s electronic devices and located images of
children as young as 6-months old being sexually battered. Sizelove told
detectives he he has been viewing child pornography for approximately 20 years.
He also told detectives he worked as the manager at the Bullock RV Park in Lake
Wales, and that he was a Navy veteran who served during the Vietnam War.
Sizelove is charged with 28 counts of Enhanced* Possession of Child Pornography
(F2). His prior criminal history includes 18 felonies and one misdemeanor for
Vehicle Theft, Aggravated Assault, Burglary, Grand Theft Dealing in Stolen
Property, and multiple Violations of Probation.
Guadalupe Villanueva,
15, from Lakeland. Following up on a
tip, detectives searched Villanueva’s cell phone and located images of children
between the ages of 4 and 6-years old being sexually battered. Villanueva is a
student at Mulberry High School. Villanueva is charged with 4 counts of
Possession of Child Pornography (F3) and one count of Promotion of Child
Pornography (F2).
*enhanced child
pornography meets one of the following criteria:
A child who is younger
than 5 years old
Sadomasochistic abuse
involving a child
Sexual battery of a
child
Sexual bestiality
involving a child
Any movie involving a
child, regardless of length
ALSO ARRESTED:
Following up on a tip,
detectives served a search warrant at 4378 Ramblewood Place in Mulberry and
arrested:
Brandi Nicole Dye, 39,
from Mulberry for:
Possession of Alprazolam (F3)
Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to
Sell (F2)
Possession of Paraphernalia (M1)
Maintaining a Residence for Drug Sales (F3)
Possession of Firearm by Convicted Felon (F2)
Possession of Oxycodone (F3)
Dye’s prior criminal
history includes 35 felonies and 17 misdemeanors for Petit Theft, Driving on a
Suspended License, Possession of a Controlled Substance without a Prescription,
Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Manufacturing
Methamphetamine, Altering a Firearm Serial Number, Possession of Firearm by a
Convicted Felon, Armed Trafficking in Amphetamine, Child Neglect, Tampering
with Evidence, Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Sell, and numerous
Violation of Probation charges.
Kimberly Messier, 54,
from Mulberry for:
Possession of Alprazolam (F3)
Possession of Methamphetamine (F3)
Possession of Paraphernalia (M1)
Possession of Marijuana (M1)
Messier’s prior criminal
history includes 12 felonies and 9 misdemeanors for DUI, Possession of
Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Sell, Possession of
Marijuana over 20 grams, Contempt of Court, Failure to Appear, Driving with a
Suspended License, Possession of Alprazolam, and Violation of Probation.
Jerry Wayne Skidmore,
39, from Mulberry for:
Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to
Sell (F2)
Possession of Paraphernalia (M1)
Maintaining a Residence for Drug Sales (F3)
Possession of Firearm by Convicted Felon (F2)
Skidmore’s prior criminal history includes 13 felonies and 5 misdemeanors for Grand Theft, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Synthetic Marijuana, Tampering with Evidence, Knowingly Driving with a Suspended License, Failure to Appear, and multiple Violations of Probation.
City of Mulberry Hosting Hispanic Heritage Festival This Saturday
by James Coulter
Break out the maracas and put on your sombrero. The City of Mulberry will be celebrating its annual Hispanic Heritage Festival this Saturday at Spence Park from noon to 4 p.m.
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month this Saturday afternoon with festivities including live music, food, and fun and games for the whole family. Master DJBoogie from Ritmo 99.9 will be attending.
“The City of Mulberry is hosting its annual Hispanic Heritage Festival to celebrate the contributions of the Hispanic community to the Greater Mulberry area,” wrote Chelsea Young, Director of Culture and Programming. “We seek to offer a day of fun, food, entertainment, and community fellowship.”
To ensure public health and safety during these uncertain times, attendees are highly recommended to observe CDC guidelines by wearing masks and social distancing.
The City of Mulberry has been hosting its Hispanic Heritage Festival since 2017. The annual event serves as a celebration of the local Hispanic community and their contributions. Even despite these uncertain times, hopes remain high that this year’s event will be as successful as previous years.
“Its success can be attributed to the Mulberry community placing high priority on being a welcoming and inclusive area for both guests and residents,” Young said. “We expect a fun and celebratory day to be enjoyed by all after a tremendously hard year worldwide.”
Mulberry’s Hispanic Heritage Festival will be hosted on Sat., Oct. 2 from noon to 4 p.m. The event will be held at Spence Park, located at NE 1st St., Mulberry, FL 33860. For more information: https://www.facebook.com/cityofmulberryfl
Sheriff Grady Judd will brief the media this morning, Thursday, September 30, 2021 at 10:00 a.m., at the Sheriff’s Operations Center (1891 Jim Keene Blvd., Winter Haven) about “Operation Guardians of Innocence VII,” an investigation by the PCSO Computer Crimes Unit which focused on identifying those who possess and distribute child pornography.
The investigation resulted in the location of at least three victims, as well as the arrests of 16 men who are facing more than 2,770 felony charges. The child pornography included thousands of photos and videos depicting babies, toddlers, and children being sexually battered and forced to engage in sex acts.
“One of the vilest crimes is the sexual abuse of children. Those arrested in this operation not only create a market for the sexual abuse and rape of babies and children worldwide, every time these images and videos are uploaded and shared, these innocent children are victimized over and over again. As you know, this is only the beginning – once we serve search warrants and seize these suspects devices, a forensic analysis will be conducted, and we will, in all likelihood, be adding more child pornography charges. This is also an example of why it is so important for parents and guardians to ensure parental controls are enabled on all of your child’s devices.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Three years ago today, someone took the life of 21
year-old Darnell Powell while he slept. The killer is still out there and we
are asking for the public’s help.
On 9-29-18 at 4:26 a.m., Powell was asleep inside of a
home located at 502 Ave. V NE when someone shot through the window striking and
killing him as he was in the bed.
“We know that there are members in the community
that have valuable information to bring a killer to justice,” said Police
Chief David Brannan. “We are dedicated to finding Darnell’s killer and
implore anyone who knows something to call investigators. It’s not snitching –
it’s bringing justice to a grieving family.”
Heartland Crime Stoppers is offering a $5,000 reward for
information leading to the arrest of the killer.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact
Heartland Crime Stoppers:
* Or download the free “P3tips” app on your
smartphone or tablet.
You will always remain anonymous when you send a tip
through Crime Stoppers and you are eligible for a cash reward if your
information leads to an arrest.
ORIGINAL RELEASE IN 2018: (Please note Crime Stoppers
increased the reward since this release in 2018) The Winter Haven Police
Department is investigating the death of a 21 year-old man who was shot while
in bed over the weekend.
On 9-29-18 at approximately 4:30 a.m., officers responded
to a call of multiple gunshots heard in the area of Ave. V NE and 5th St NE in
Winter Haven. As officers were responding, another call was received reporting
that someone had been shot at 502 Ave. V NE.
When officers arrived, it appeared the shots came from the outside
through a window.
Twenty-one year-old Darnell Powell was found on a bed
inside the residence with what appeared to be gunshot wounds. Officers
immediately began to render aide, however Powell succumbed to his injuries.
This incident does not appear to be a random act. An
autopsy is scheduled for today.
Investigators are asking anyone with information
regarding this case to call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477).
Anonymity is guaranteed and callers could be eligible for a CASH reward of up
to $3,000.
Winter Haven Police needs help in identifying the subject in the video who took a Dollar General worker’s phone.
On Sept. 17, 2021, the victim was working in an aisle at the Dollar General (381 Cypress Gardens Blvd., Winter Haven) when she put her phone on top of some merchandise. As she assisted a customer who was in the aisle, she was away from her phone for a short time. The suspect enters the store, walks past the phone and looks at it. He then turns around and takes the phone immediately leaving the store. The phone is a red IPhone 11 Pro valued at approximately $500.
If you recognize this suspect, please contact the Winter Haven Police Dept. at 863-837-9459.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Heartland Crime Stoppers:
Call 1-800-226 TIPS (8477)
From your cell phone, dial **TIPS
Or visit the website www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on “Submit A Tip,”
Or download the free “P3tips” app on your smartphone or tablet.
You will always remain anonymous when you send a tip through Crime Stoppers and you are eligible for a cash reward if your information leads to an arrest.
Winter Haven Police Department: Good Deed This morning, one of our Lieutenants was in the area of Havendale Blvd. and Hwy 17 when a minor traffic crash occurred. One of the vehicles, driven by Pastor Dan Wade (pictured here with his lovely wife) ended up with a flat tire and he was unable to move the vehicle from the roadway. Just then, the two kind Samaritans jumped out of their truck and went to changing the tire so the vehicle could be moved. (Word is they have been seen in the area in the past assisting other motorists in need.) Way To Go!!!!!
A two vehicle crash occurred Monday afternoon in unincorporated Haines City, and resulted in the death of one of the drivers.
The victim was identified as 80-year old Moss Flannery of Lake Wales; he died at the scene. The other driver involved in the crash was 63-year old Donald Pruitt of Haines City; he was not injured.
The crash happened at about 5:18 PM on Monday, September 28, 2021, on Hatchineha Road at H.L. Smith Road. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Polk County Fire Rescue responded.
Mr. Flannery was the driver of a white 1993 Ford Ranger pick-up truck, and Mr. Pruitt was driving a red 2003 Chevrolet C4500 truck with a flatbed trailer.
Based on evidence and witness statements, Mr. Flannery’s Ford was travelling north on H.L. Smith Road, while Mr. Pruitt’s Chevrolet was eastbound on Hatchineha Road. The Ford approached the intersection, but did not come to a stop at the stop sign, and proceeded into the intersection and into the path of the oncoming Chevrolet which had the right-of-way.
The Chevrolet struck the Ford in the driver’s door area. The impact caused the Ford to roll over on its roof.
Both drivers had been wearing their seatbelts.
No charges are anticipated at this time, but the crash remains under investigation.
The roadway was closed for approximately three hours.
