Northpinellas: Twins' decision to hitch a ride goes awry

TARPON SPRINGS - At exactly 9:41 Monday morning, the phone lines at the police station were suddenly deluged with calls from people saying they had seen two women hanging out of a garnet and gold Chevrolet Suburban, screaming for help.

Witnesses said the women appeared to be trying to climb out, but the truck was moving too fast and running through stop signs.

The wild ride lasted about five minutes before a traffic backup on Gulf Road allowed them to jump out.

But by 9:47 a.m., Jeremy P. Butts had been stopped by a police officer, and by lunchtime the 29-year-old pilot from Palm Harbor was booked in the Pinellas County Jail, charged with two counts of false imprisonment, Sgt. J. Allen MacKenzie said. Holly and Heather Akers were rattled, but unharmed, police said.

The short but traumatic episode began when the 19-year-old twins approached Butts outside a house in the 1800 block of Anclote Boulevard asking to use a phone. Police said they needed to find a ride back to their grandmother's house in Pasco County. When Butts offered to drive them instead, the sisters accepted.

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Comments on this article

by BillyBob	03/28/07 11:46 AM
He's Free!

by Madeline	01/09/07 11:04 PM
Can he still fly now?

by Madeline	01/05/07 03:01 PM
Has anyone heard any recent news?

by Kelly	01/05/07 02:38 PM
"Let he who has not sinned cast the first stone". I know the Butts family & I think it is a sad commentary that other people whould find pleasure from putting normal people down.

by Bartlett	12/22/06 01:38 PM
I hope Jeremey or one of his brothers find out who you and gives you what you deserve for writing that about their mom. Jeremy is harmless. He mad a stupid decision trying to be funny and and that is it.

by Tom	12/21/06 10:46 AM
Where can you get the arrest record?

by Nikki	12/20/06 07:02 PM
he's already admitted his guilt. read the police report.

by Nick	12/20/06 05:11 PM
If the twins don't throw a fit, you must acquit. Lawyers, Guns and Money, Dad get me out of this!

by Jenn	12/20/06 03:08 AM
Jo,again, HIS actions has NOTHING 2 do w/ his mother's. I don't care how much u "think" u know this family,u apparently dont bc if u knew them at all,u wouldn't be saying the things u r.What happend w/ his mother,happend over 3 years ago,GET OVER IT!

by Connie	12/19/06 09:47 PM
"Thoughtful" comments will be considered only!!! What a joke!! The comments by JO were only malicious, hateful comments. You call this NEWS coments? Shame on you and Robin Stein. The truth will come out in the end..I hope you apologize.

by Scott	12/19/06 09:32 PM
JO... I can't believe you would bring someone's mother into this situation. You have no class,and questionable values. Why not take a look at yourself? There are 2 sides to every story.

by TS	12/19/06 07:08 PM
There are a lot of missing pieces here and rather then judge, we need to wait to hear Jeremys side. And yes, his mom, has NOTHING to do with him. I hope you (JO)are never in a situation where you are judged because of someone you know or aquainted to

by KeKe	12/19/06 06:47 PM
we don't know what was the outcome of them to really be yelling out the window so we can't say anything bad. But Jeremy, isn't off the hook b'cause he know not to offer young teens rides he don't know, they could be killers or runaways.

by Alex	12/19/06 06:39 PM
Another classmate here..why am I not surprised?

by DC	12/19/06 06:22 PM
Jo, obviously you dont know this family very well if you are questioning their values like this. This family is one of the nicest and well respected families I have ever met. I bet the Butts family would never publicize your mistakes! You are wrong!!

by JO	12/19/06 03:57 PM
I went to school with him and know his family very well. Trust me, what his mom did (in church, have you) is representative of their values. They had evidence of callers who called 911, they just don't jail people without evidence

by Melanie	12/19/06 03:08 PM
Alice.... this idiots ride? They are the idiots that were drugged up on cocaine and just because they are girls they can get away with it? Don't worry their time will come, karma's a bitch!

by Jenn	12/19/06 03:02 PM
Hey Jo, how about you stop judging others. What happend with his mother has NOTHING to do with him! So grow up, and stay out of other peoples business! Apparently you don't know Jeremy enough to even reply to this article! Thanks!

by pat	12/19/06 01:39 PM
this doesnt sound like the actions of jeremy butts, sounds more like the acts of seymour butts

by Nomar	12/19/06 01:33 PM
The story doesn't seem to be complete...makes no sense. This young man comes from a good family, why would he want to "imprison" these 2 young weomen. We will have to wait until Mr. Butts has had a chance to present his case before we judge.

by kathy	12/19/06 01:29 PM
idiots....all of them are idiots

by JO	12/19/06 12:50 PM
hmm, his mom has an affair with pastor Steven King at a church, you don't think he's capable of this? great family values they all have.

by Christy	12/19/06 12:13 PM
Don't believe everything that you read. Im sure there is a logical explanation, Jeremy would not hurt a fly.

by Logan	12/19/06 11:53 AM
AND!?! did the guy lose it or what?

by Steve	12/19/06 10:27 AM
Is this Jeremy Butts, brother of Joshua Butts and Jonathan Butts? I used to know this family, that's too bad if it's them.

by Lucy	12/19/06 10:09 AM
The fact is Mr Butts offered to give them a ride & were unharmed. It's my understanding after they were on the way to their "grandmothers" they wanted to go to a different location to buy crack cocaine. When he refused they exchanged words & got out

by Alice	12/19/06 09:05 AM
They accepted this idiots ride? Meanwhile Mr. Butts will be imprisoned for life....though GW Bush is a law abiding citizen who has never taken anyone for a "ride"? It is amazing how trivial our laws are when you consider the outcomes. Law is dead.

by Chris	12/19/06 08:37 AM
Wow, these girls aren't too bright, are they?