Digest

Crime journal

By TIMES WIRES
Published July 11, 2007

Man accused of desecrating American flag

TAMPA - Police on Monday arrested a man they accused of desecrating the American flag. Donnie James White, 45, of Tampa was arrested in the 3600 block of W Hillsborough Avenue just after 11 a.m. He was charged with one count of public mutilation of the flag, a misdemeanor. Police spokeswoman Andrea Davis said officers patrolling Hillsborough Avenue saw White dragging a flag from his bicycle for about a week, but they didn't make an arrest until Monday, when employees of a nearby business called 911 because White was "disturbing their peace." "He was rubbing the flag between his legs and stomping on it," Davis said. "They asked him to leave, he wasn't willing, so they arrested him on that charge. "He was arrested on a very valid charge," Davis said. During White's first appearance in court Tuesday, Circuit Judge Christopher Sabella agreed that there was probable cause for the arrest and set a $500 bail.

Club manager has charges dropped

TAMPA - Prosecutors dropped noise violation charges Tuesday against a manager of Club Fuel, citing the same technicality that caused a judge to dismiss a similar case earlier this month. Club Fuel, located on the 1900 block of E Seventh Avenue, has racked up more noise citations than any club in Ybor City. Manager Jai Lalwani, 29, was to stand trial before Hillsborough County Judge Lawrence Lefler. A different judge tossed out a case against club manager Richard Mackizer, 38. The written warning Mackizer received did not include the decibel limit, which is a requirement. Assistant City Attorney David Shobe, who is prosecuting the cases against Fuel, said the "same issue with the warning had occurred" with Lalwani's case. There are five remaining noises violation cases against Club Fuel to be prosecuted. Shobe said his office will determine whether the same technicality will be an issue in those cases.

Woman reports beach sex assault

TREASURE ISLAND - Police are investigating a report of a sexual assault on a woman who says she was picked up in St. Petersburg on Tuesday morning, taken to the beach pavilion on Sunset Beach, and then assaulted in a small park adjacent to the pavilion. The victim, who is described as a transient in her 50s, told police that the attacker is a white male who is 6 feet tall and weighs 170 pounds. She said the man told her his name was Russ.

Sex offender faces new charges

MOON LAKE - Michael Christopher Kent, a registered sex offender with two convictions, faces a new charge of committing an unlawful sex act with a minor, according to an arrest report from the Pasco County Sheriff's Office. Kent, 34, is accused of having sex with a 17-year-old girl, which is a felony . The charge was filed late Monday afternoon; Kent was already in the Land O'Lakes jail after violating his parole.

[Last modified July 10, 2007, 23:52:45]