Author: Nandeen Yanes

The Central Florida girl grew up in Leesburg, Florida. She cheered for the Gators while at the University of Florida, and continues to love all things orange and blue

Florida school board fired officer Dubraska Guevara over drunken incident || Miami-Dade County News

Florida school board fired officer Dubraska Guevara over drunken incident

Miami-Dade County News

Miami-Dade County, Fl. — The Miami-Dade School Board has fired a 34-year-old sergeant with the district’s police agency who Doral police said caused a disturbance inside a restaurant earlier this year.

The alleged incident took place on April 24 at Heaven Mykonos in CityPlace.

According to an incident report, Dubraska Guevara and another school district officer she was dining with, Jennifer Marie Grenier, were “disorderly and disruptive” and refused to pay their bills.

Police said the manager asked the women to leave the restaurant several times before the officers arrived.

Officials said the women appeared to be “heavily intoxicated”.

Police said the women were eventually escorted downstairs to wait for a third woman to pick them up.

“Ms. Guevara began a verbal altercation with Ms. Grenier and later began removing an article of clothing off of her person,” the incident report states. “As a result of her behavior, Ms. Guevara was handcuffed to prevent further action.”

Although he was handcuffed and placed in a police vehicle for several minutes, Guevara was not arrested that night and was allowed to leave with the woman who was picking them up.

On Wednesday, Guevara asked board members to spare the job she’s held since 2014, saying she was off duty that night, but that she knows she deserves some sort of discipline.

“It’s my job and I love my job, and I do it with a passion,” she said.

However, the school board approved her termination without discussion.

Grenier was also disciplined for her role in the incident, but she is not facing termination.

Stay tuned for more updates and Miami-Dade County News.

Jeanetta Lynette Blow arrested for murder of her 2 year old son || Titusville News

Jeanetta Lynette Blow arrested for murder of 2 year old son

Titusville News

Titusville, FL. – A Titusville mother has been charged with the death of her son.

Jeanetta Lynette Blow, 29, has been charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child and tampering with or fabricating evidence.

Titusville Police were called to Parish Medical Center for suspicious death in June of 2020.

According to an affidavit, Blow had brought her 2-year-old son to the emergency room, where staff noted that he was unresponsive, not breathing, and had no pulse. The medical staff could not save the child’s life. The staff also noted that the boy’s body temperature upon arrival was 92 degrees.

Blow told detectives that she woke up finding the boy unresponsive and took him to the hospital. She said that the day before, she took the boy to the park, where she “picked up the dirt, licked it, and said ‘Ew’ before she knocked it out of his hands.”

The woman claimed that she and her children lived with her mother, but the police could not find any personal belongings of the family at this supposed residence.

Blow later confesses to detectives that she lives with her boyfriend in a Park Vista apartment.

Detectives executed a search warrant and found several personal belongings of Blow and her children. A search of a dumpster near the apartment uncovered garbage bags containing vomit, soiled paper towels, a stained sheet, plastic gloves, and several of the food items mentioned by Blow.

Once inside the apartment, officers found trash bags similar to those found in the dumpster. Officers found a dirty towel in the toilet tank. A bag was found in the kids’ bedroom which seemed to be stained with vomit.

According to an affidavit, officers found a purple velvet bag containing small plastic baggies commonly used to pack heroin, as well as clear gloves that are usually used when handling heroin, due to the potential exposure to fentanyl. Officers found $5,000 in cash. 

The officers noted that the defendant’s boyfriend was known to police to traffic drugs.

Police said DNA tests of items found in the dumpster tied them to Blow’s boyfriend.

An autopsy found that the 2-year-old’s cause of death was fentanyl poisoning, which eventually led to charges against his mother.

Blow was able to bond out of jail. Her bond was set at $110,000.

Stay tuned with us for the latest updates and Titusville News.

Damara Holness Broward commissioner daughter did $300K fraud || Fort Lauderdale News

Broward politician's daughter Damara Holness did $300K fraud

Fort Lauderdale News

Fort Lauderdale, FL. — Damara Holness appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Patrick M. Hunt on Wednesday in Fort Lauderdale to face federal charges for allegedly lying to get $300,000 that were expected to help small businesses during the coronavirus pandemic, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Holness, 28, applied for $300,000 in Paycheck Protection Program aid on behalf of Holness Consulting, Inc with fraudulent payroll tax forms to allege her company employed 18 people and had about $120,000 in monthly payroll expenses — while she actually didn’t have any employees at all, prosecutors said.

FBI Miami special agents found that a bank in Georgia approved her fraudulent application and wired $300,000 to a Holness Consulting, Inc. bank account in Florida in July 2020 and that she paid accomplices a fee to pretend they were her employees, endorse the checks and return them to her, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors said Holness cashed fraudulent checks at the company’s bank.

Holness is a former president of the Broward County Democratic Black Caucus. She’s also the daughter of former Broward County Mayor Dale V.C. Holness, a current Broward commissioner who is running for Congress.

Damara Holness is accused of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Hunt released her from custody on a personal surety bond of $100,000.

Officials are asking anyone with information about fraud related to pandemic aid to call the National Center for Disaster Fraud hotline at 1-866-720-5721 or file a complaint online.

Damara Holness’ attorney, Sue-Ann Robinson, issued the following statement Thursday morning:

“My client Damara Holness is a 28 year old single mom who despite having a high profile parent has had to chart her own path personally and professionally. There have been allegations made regarding her business and access to funds made available through the PPP loan program. Like everyone else, Ms. Holness is entitled to the presumption of innocence.

“Despite a full investigation by the feds confirming no involvement by her father or his campaign; there has been an unexplained rush to complete and publicize this indictment. It is unfortunate that the timing of these allegations against my client has seemingly been synced to allow it to be folded into her father’s campaign for federal office.

“Ms. Holness maintains her confidence in the judicial process and we stand prepared to have these allegations against her fully and fairly addressed by the Courts at the appropriate time.”

Stay tuned for more updates and Fort Lauderdale News.

Orlando man Juan Felix accused of stomping puppy to death || Orlando News

Orlando man, Juan Felix accused of stomping puppy to death

Orlando News

Orlando, Fl. – Police said an Orlando man was arrested as he was accused of stomping puppy to death.

Juan Felix, 22, was arrested. He has been charged with cruelty to animals, a third-degree felony.

“They found 3-month-old Husky dead inside a crate,” police said.

Police say Orange County Animal Services received an anonymous tip from someone on August 5 that led to a man in Crowntree Lake Apartments pulling a small black-and-white dog by a leash and stomping on the animal, according to an arrest affidavit.

When OCAS went to Felix’s apartment, he told an officer that no one had beaten the puppy named Blaze and that he ended up walking the dog, which was acting normally. The affidavit said that the officer found Husky dead inside a crate covered with a black blanket.

The officer also noticed an adult husky in the apartment who showed no signs of distress.

Felix later told investigators that Blaze had kennel cough, which may have caused the puppy’s death. Felix’s roommate, who was the dog’s co-owner, told investigators that Felix said he “tapped” Blaze on the back because the puppy had an accident inside but denied stomping on him.

According to the report, during a necropsy at OCAS, X-rays showed that the puppy had a hip fracture.

Investigators found video captured by a nearby apartment’s Ring camera that showed Felix walking up a stairway in the apartment complex with an adult Husky and pulling Blaze by the leash. The affidavit states that when Felix got up the stairs, he pulled Blaze’s leash so hard that the puppy slid on his side across the concrete and could not move.

The video shows Felix repeatedly kicking a screaming puppy into the door of an apartment. When Blaze didn’t wake up, Felix began “repeatedly stomp forcefully” on the puppy as it cried out, according to the affidavit.

“[Felix] intentionally stomped and kicked his puppy, which resulted in excessive infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering to the puppy and resulted in the death of the puppy,” an officer wrote in the affidavit.

According to the report, Felix’s adult husky was impounded for his well-being.

Reached by phone, a man who identified himself as Felix declined to comment.

Stay tuned for more Orlando News.

2 people shot while driving in Opa-Locka || Opa-Locka News

2 people shot while driving in Opa-Locka

Opa-Locka News

Opa-Locka, Fl. – Police are investigating after 2 people shot Tuesday night in Opa-Locka.

According to authorities, the two victims were traveling in a vehicle when someone opened fire.

It happened near the intersection of Burlington Street and 22nd Court just before 9 p.m.

Both were struck in the lower parts of their bodies and rushed to the hospital in stable condition, police said.

Police said they could not believe it was a road rage shooting.

Opa-Locka police said they were working with Miami-Dade police and that the two robbery suspects currently in custody are possibly linked to the shooting.

Detectives are actively working on the case.

Officials have not released any information or details about any of the potential suspects.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.

Stay tuned with us for more updates and Opa-Locka News.

Daytona Beach police officer Jason Raynor dies after being shot in the head || Daytona Beach News

Daytona Beach police officer Jason Raynor dies after being shot in the head

Daytona Beach News

Daytona Beach, Fl. – Daytona Beach Police Officer Jason Raynor died on Tuesday from injuries stemming from the June 23 shooting, officials confirmed.

Raynor, who was with the Daytona Beach Police Department for nearly three years, was taken to Halifax Health in critical condition after being shot in the head. His condition remained critical after his surgery until Tuesday when officials said he died as a result of his injuries.

As news of Raynor’s death spread on Tuesday evening, dozens of law enforcement officers gathered outside Halifax Health.

Raynor passed at 8:09 pm. with his family by his side.

“Jason’s sacrifice will never be forgotten,” said Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young.

Raynor is the 10th Daytona Beach officer to die in the line of duty.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been determined.

While updates from the Daytona Beach Police Department on Raynor’s condition are scarce in honor of her family, the department said last week the 26-year-old officer’s condition remained critical.

“We ask for continued prayers and thoughts and thank those of you who have shown support in so many ways,” the family said last week.

An active GoFundMe account for Raynor has raised over $375,000. Around 5,000 people have contributed.

Raynor was an officer in the Daytona Beach Police Department since 2019.

Prior to joining the DBPD, Raynor served as an officer in the Port Orange Police Department from October 2016 to February 2019.

“Officer Raynor was an exemplary officer in our agency, where he continues to be friends with many of our current officers and employees,” Port Orange Police said in a statement after the shooting.

Officials said Raynor received an award after helping rescue a woman who was attempting to jump off of the Dunlawton Bridge.

“Officer Raynor’s on-the-job accolades are surpassed only by his spirit and genuine concern for his brothers and sisters and the communities he serves,” the Port Orange police said.

Raynor’s accused shooter Othal Wallace was arrested 56 hours after the shooting near Atlanta following a multi-state manhunt.

Wallace remains in prison in Volusia County on an upgraded charge of first-degree murder. Earlier, he pleaded not guilty to first-degree attempted murder. He is scheduled to appear before a judge on Wednesday on the new charge.

After the shooting and the search for the suspect, Young said it was heartbreaking for the department.

“I am extremely heartbroken,” Young said. “We work very hard to try to change the narrative so that we don’t have issues that you see in other areas of the country as it pertains to law enforcement and the communities we serve.”

However, Young said the department remains committed to its community.

“I want to reassure our residents, the residents of this city, that even if we are hurt, and even though we are heartbroken, if you need us, we will be there,” Young said.

Stay tuned for more updates and Daytona Beach News.

12 year old boy Markus Eizner Etienne is missing from Boynton Beach || Boynton Beach News

12-year-old boy Markus Eizner Etienne is missing from Boynton Beach

Boynton Beach News

Boynton Beach, Fl. – Boynton Beach Police are searching for a missing 12 year old boy.

According to police,  Markus Eizner Etienne was last seen at his home in the 600 block of Southwest Third Avenue around 10 p.m. Monday night.

His mother said that he was missing this morning and called the police and informed him about his disappearance before 6 am.

Marcus is about 5 foot-5 and 200 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. Anyone who sees Marcus or has information about his whereabouts is asked to call the police.

Anyone who sees Marcus or has information about his whereabouts is urged to call the police immediately.

Stay tuned for more updates and Boynton Beach News.

Man shot at holiday park after chasing people with a knife || Fort Lauderdale News

Man shot at holiday park after chasing people with a knife

Fort Lauderdale News

Fort Lauderdale, Fl. – Officials said that a man shot at Holiday Park in Fort Lauderdale Tuesday morning after chasing people armed with knives.

The incident happened at 5:15 am in the park at 1150 g Harold Martin Dr.

According to Sgt. DeAnna Greenlaw, a spokeswoman for the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, witnesses told officers that one of the people the man was chasing pulled out a gun and shot the man in his leg once.

The man then managed to get to a nearby gas station in the 1400 block of East Sunrise Boulevard, where he asked an employee for help.

Erica Thomas, who works at a Chevron gas station and knows the man, said she called 911 after the shooting.

“He came banging on the window,” she said. “He was like, ‘Help me, sister. They shot me, they shot me.’ And I thought he was playing at first, but then he died. So I ran out the door, tried to help him, and I saw two bullet holes in his leg and a bullet in his stomach.

Thomas said the man went in and lose consciousness.

According to Greenlaw, the man who was shot suffered non-fatal injuries. He said he was uncooperative with the authorities and said he did not want to be prosecuted.

Greenlaw said officers have not been able to locate the other person involved in the shooting or the other victims he was allegedly pursuing.

Stay tuned for more updates and Fort Lauderdale News.