Digest

Crime journal

By the Times staff
Published June 29, 2007

Hit-run suspect arrested at mexican border

TAMPA -- Adrian Cuero-Rodriguez was on a bus headed for Brownsville, Texas, when Laredo police arrested him at a border town bus station. Hillsborough deputies think Cuero, 27, was driving the white van that struck and killed 26-year-old Cesar Cordero Gonzalez Sunday evening as he was pedaling his bicycle south on Seventh St. SW. Hillsborough investigators on Tuesday recovered a white Ford van from behind Cuero's residence at 2018 15th St. SE in Ruskin, Lot 6. Sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter said the vehicle fit the description of the one involved in the accident and had damage consistent with Cordero's crash. Juan Solache, 41, who is married to Cordero's niece, said he helped tip off Hillsborough deputies about Cuero's whereabouts, based on information he'd culled from the man's neighbors. Cordero had three children ages 7, 13 and 15. His wife, Ema Alvarado Canto, and his youngest son arrived from Mexico five months ago.

Housing official gets year in prison

BROOKSVILLE -- Joe Ann Bennett, the former program manager for the Brooksville Housing Authority, was sentenced to a year and one day in federal prison, less than half her recommended sentence of 2 1/2 years Thursday. Bennett received the shortened sentence for testifying against Betty Trent, the authority's suspended executive director. They would bill the authority for work that wasn't performed, then pocket the cash. Trent, who was convicted on seven federal charges that carry a maximum sentence of 40 years, is expected to be sentenced in September. Bennett and Trent are also responsible for paying back the $40,650 they stole from the government.

Shooter sentenced to 15 years

NEW PORT RICHEY -- Christopher X. Hutchins was sentenced him to 15 years in prison for manslaughter in the death of Jessica Fraccalvieri, a 19-year-old mother from Spring Hill, Thursday. Hutchins maintained he was simply showing off his new gun when he shot Fraccalvieri outside the Calendar Girls strip club on U.S. 19 in Hudson on Feb. 2, 2006. At one point, Hutchins faced a charge of second-degree murder, but his attorney and the state agreed to a lesser charge because Hutchins had only one arrest before the shooting.

Driver in dragging faces DUI charges

NEW PORT RICHEY -- A man who ran over a 13-year-old girl last month and dragged her under his car as he crashed into a house was arrested Wednesday on four driving under the influence-related charges. Jose Martinez, 59, initially told authorities that he swerved May 2 because a bicyclist had cut him off. But witnesses saw no bicyclist, and tests revealed Martinez's blood alcohol content was 0.262, more than three times the level at which Florida law presumes impairment, the Florida Highway Patrol said. The girl, Alyssa Tippett, was treated for a broken pelvis and put into a coma to reduce brain swelling. She was released last month and is doing fine, said family friend Kim George. Martinez of 8005 Banister Lane, Port Richey, is being held on $11,500 bail at the Land O'Lakes Detention Center.

[Last modified June 29, 2007, 02:58:05]