Knife-Wielding Roofer Shot by Officers in Brevard County
6-16-10
Housing Authority loses lawsuit for performing inadequate background check on convicted felon
At some centers, felons watch the preschoolers
Tampa Fl Dec 13 2009
Since 1985, the Department of Children and Families has cleared 5,803 people to work with kids despite serious records. Their ranks include former cocaine users, prostitutes, spouse abusers, burglars and, in rare instances, kidnappers and killers.
Is your loved one in the care of a convicted felon?
Orlando Fl Sept 29 2009
A six-month investigation by the Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel into Florida's background screening system found disturbing flaws that allow those with criminal records - offenses include child abuse, assault and murder - to work in day care centers, assisted living facilities and homes for the elderly and disabled. Employees are routinely hired before background checks are made. Even when criminal offenses are discovered, caregivers can still work with little more than a promise not to break the law again. Children and defenseless adults have been harmed and exploited while in the care of people with criminal pasts, their trust betrayed by a system that fails to protect them.
Gymnastics Teacher Accused Of Fondling Girl
Boca Raton Oct 18, 2009
Deerfield Beach police arrested Raymond Adams, 38, on child fondling and molestation charges Wednesday.
Adams has coached gymnastics at facilities in both Broward and Palm Beach counties.
According to jail records, Adams has a prior sexual misconduct charge against him from another state.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33347481/ns/local_news-w_palm_beach_fl/
Dance Teacher Who Drugged, Molested Girls Gets Six Years
11-19-08 SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla.
All the little girls wanted to do was dance, but he wanted more and he was willing to drug innocent Seminole County girls to get it. George Fagan committed some of the worst sex crimes in Central Florida and he was given one of the lightest sentences. Fagan was sentenced Wednesday to just six and a half years in prison even though he abused young students for a very long time.
NC inmates being freed have 256 prison infractions
Oct 16, 2009 North Carolina
The inmates are scheduled to be released Oct. 29 after state courts sided with one of the inmates, double murderer Bobby Bowden, that a 1970s law defined a life sentence as only 80 years. The state's Fair Sentencing Act in 1981 included a retroactive provision essentially cutting all those sentences in half, and good behavior and other credits have shortened the sentences to the point that they are now complete.
Bowden had argued before the Court of Appeals in 2008 that he had accumulated 210 days of good conduct credit, 753 days of meritorious credit, and 1,537 days of gain time credit. But the 60-year-old has also racked up 17 infractions in prison, including two for weapon possession, one for damaging property and several for disobeying orders.
Others have equally long rapsheets: William Baggett, a 60-year-old convicted of a 1976 murder in Sampson County, got a fighting infraction last year — his fifth fighting offense while behind bars. Kenneth Mathis, a 55-year-old who went to prison in 1976 after forcing a woman into the woods and raping her, has had three sex infractions in prison. He was accused in 2005 of assaulting an inmate with the intent to commit a sexual act.
State officials believe dozens more inmates convicted three decades ago could soon be eligible for release because of credits and the 80-year law that was in place for several years in the 1970s.
Orlando School Hires Teacher with Questionable Past
Sept 17, 2009- Deltona, FL
A school in Volusia County has hired a teacher with a felony record and a history of sexual complaints. The man is now working as a bible teacher at a chritian academy in Deltona.
The school’s principal said he could not find any information about the man's past that might pose a problem. “We have investigated every place he's ever worked and we've gotten good recommendations from every place he's ever worked,” said the Principal.
The man's criminal record includes felony stalking, extortion and witness tampering. He's also faced decades of sexual harassment and abuse allegations after students reported being forced to perform sex acts on him.
Elizabeth Smarts Kidnapper Performed Roof Repair for Family Just Before Abduction
Mitchell would take on odd jobs at times when panhandling failed to produce enough money for the couple to survive. At one point, he cut his hair, shaved his beard, and attempted to present himself in a more acceptable way in order to get more work. It was during this time, in November 2001, that Lois Smart met Mitchell and offered him work for pay which he did for five hours. http://crime.about.com/od/current/p/brian_mitchell2.htm
Lake County Air Conditioning Repairman Arrested with 30,000 Child Porn Images
Sept 17, 2009- Sorrento, FL
Ask the Seal.com Launches in Orlando Florida
June 1, 2009- Orlando, FL
Orlando residents have a new way to quickly and easily find quality companies who have passed a safety and quality inspection. They can simply "Ask the Seal".
No company boasts the fact that they are unlicensed, uninsured, have poor customer service or that they employ unqualified or dangerous employees. Many lie about their qualifications and most consumers do not have the tools or information to tell the good guys from the bad guys. Company president, Ed Marchiselli stated " This is a win win for consumers and businesses who operate ethically and legally. Consumers have a quick and easy way to tell if a company meets our stringent criteria and companies no longer have to try to compete on price with competitors who cut corners and have a lower cost of sale."
Ask the Seal.com helps educate and connect quality consumers with quality businesses. Ask the Seal.com performs a multi-point inspection of the company and owner and employees including licensing, insurance, worker's comp and Better Business Bureau rating and criminal and sex offender checks of all employees interacting with the public.