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Two sides protest peacefully

By Times Staff
Published January 24, 2006

The controversial Topeka, Kan., Westboro Baptist Church staged protests Monday in Tampa and east Hillsborough County.

About a dozen members of the church and their children, who say Sept. 11 was a sign of God's wrath, draped themselves in flags and held signs with anti-gay messages outside Newsome High School and the Hillsborough School Administration Building. The school has a club for gay students and their supporters.

Church members were dwarfed by about 50 counterprotesters at Newsome and about 20 who followed them downtown. Law enforcement kept the two sides separated.

"I think it went real well," said school district spokesman Stephen Hegarty. "They exercised their First Amendment rights and so did the counterprotesters."

GIBSONTON - A 51-year-old Gibsonton man was charged with animal abuse and child neglect after animal control officers found a child and several chained and emaciated dogs living in what a sheriff's spokesman described as "deplorable conditions."

Timothy Michael McCollim, 51, of 11312 Bacall Lane had three dogs chained to a carport so tightly that they could not move, according to an arrest affidavit filed by sheriff's Cpl. Kenneth Vetzel.

Inside, an adult dog was emaciated, his hips and ribs poking prominently from under his coat. McCollim told Vetzel that he'd knew the dog needed medical attention, but he had not provided it, the report said.

Fecal matter was abundant inside and outside the home, which also had no running water, no electricity and no edible food, Hillsborough sheriff's spokesman J.D. Calloway said.

The Department of Children and Families took a child living in the residence into state custody.

McCollim, who listed his occupation as a cook at Kazbor's Sports Grille in Tampa, remained in the Orient Road jail Monday in lieu of $6,000 bail.

TAMPA - A 21-year-old Tampa man was arrested after a woman complained that he forced her into a cemetery against her will, police said.

Antonio R. Gowins of 1344 W Chestnut St., was booked Monday morning into the Orient Road jail, charged with kidnapping, aggravated battery and possession of marijuana. But Tampa Police spokeswoman Laura McElroy said the agency is expecting additional charges. The case was initially reported as a sexual battery.

A 20-year-old woman told Tampa police she was leaving Ybor City about 4:30 a.m. Saturday, walking toward 22nd Street when a man hit her, possibly breaking her jaw. He then forced her into Memorial Park Cemetery at 22nd and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, McElroy said.

Officers canvassed the area and identified Gowins as the suspect. Gowins then confessed to hitting the woman, McElroy said. Gowins is being held without bail because of a warrant for failing to appear in court regarding a prior charge.

TAMPA - A Jacksonville man arrested on drunken driving charges Sunday is also a wanted Navy deserter.

Jermaine Bellamy Hudson, 25, was being held Monday at the Orient Road jail after his 2:40 a.m. Sunday arrest at 6620 Gates Point Way in Hillsborough County.

Deputies say Hudson was driving under the influence and driving with a suspended or revoked license. He is also charged with federal military desertion.

He gave his permanent address as 2671 University Blvd. in Jacksonville.

[Last modified January 24, 2006, 00:55:20]