Digest

Crime journal

By TIMES STAFF
Published July 12, 2007

RIVERVIEW

CALF INJURED IN THEFT ATTEMPT IS EUTHANIZED

Prosecutors say a 34-year-old Riverview man tied a rope around a calf's neck and tried to steal it, causing the calf injuries so severe it had to be euthanized. Curtis Haven Bacon of 16158 Boyette Road, also known as "Shorty," faces charges of felony aggravated abuse of registered cattle, grand theft of an animal and felony cruelty or torture of animals, jail records show. In June, Bacon slipped onto a private property at 11963 Browning Road in Lithia and tried to drag away a calf with a rope, said Hillsborough sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter. A witness stopped him, but the calf, worth about $400, suffered back injuries and had to be killed, Carter said. Deputies turned the case over to the Hillsborough State Attorney's Office, which filed charges. Bacon was taken to the Hillsborough County jail, where he was released after posting $11,500 bail, jail records show.

TAMPA

Woman sought in extortion inquiry

Investigators believe a Pasco County woman may have information about an attempt to extort money from a Bank of America in Hillsborough County. On June 6, someone called the Bank of America at 250 E Bearss Ave. and tried to extort money from the bank, according to a statement released Wednesday by the FBI. Investigators want to question Catherine Putnam Martin of 28401 Lindenhurst Drive in Wesley Chapel. Anyone with information about her whereabouts can contact the FBI at 1-866-838-1153 or stop by the local FBI office at 5525 W Gray St. in Tampa. Callers may remain anonymous.

SOUTH PASADENA

Swimmer drowns in Intracoastal

A 48-year-old man drowned Wednesday afternoon while trying to swim to a spoil island in the Intracoastal Waterway, authorities said. Richard Mayo, who lived at 1846 South Shore Drive, jumped in from a dock behind his apartment complex about 3:40 p.m., intending to swim to a small island, the Sheriff's Office said. After about 200 yards, he began to flail his arms in distress and then disappeared from view. Witnesses called 911 and the sheriff's Marine Unit recovered his body. An autopsy will be performed to determine the precise cause of death.

INVERNESS

Judge to sentence Couey on Aug. 10

John Couey, the 48-year-old sex offender convicted in March of killing Jessica Lunsford, will face a Citrus County judge for a formal sentencing Aug. 10, prosecutors said Tuesday. Circuit Judge Ric Howard set the long-awaited date ahead of next Tuesday's hearing on whether Couey is mentally retarded, as his defense attorneys assert. If found retarded, Couey would be ineligible for the death penalty, which a Miami jury recommended as punishment for kidnapping, raping and killing the 9-year-old Homosassa girl in February 2005. State law gives the final sentencing responsibility to Howard, who must give great weight to the jury's advice.

[Last modified July 12, 2007, 00:19:02]