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Man accused of plotting liaison with children

By Times Staff Writer
Published September 26, 2007

COUNTYWIDE

A Central Florida man was arrested this week and accused of driving to North Pinellas to have an illegal sexual liaison that he set up online. Authorities say John K. Thompson met a woman on the Internet and arranged to have sex with her two young children in exchange for a payment of $100 per hour. Thompson, 37, of Ocoee, showed up at the rendezvous spot Monday. It turned out, however, that the mother was actually an undercover detective in the Crimes Against Children Unit of the Sheriff's Office. Thompson was arrested on one criminal count of solicitation for lewd and lascivious battery. He has been released from the Pinellas County Jail after posting $5,000 bail.

Free dance dresses for girls in need

Susan Schwartz, the unofficial fairy godmother for the Belle of the Ball Project, is providing free homecoming dresses - new and barely worn - to high school girls in need. The giveaway will be held Saturday and Oct. 6 and 13 at Seminole Mall, 11201 Park Blvd. N , next to Bealls department store. Hours are 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For information visit www.belleoftheballproject.com.

Nine stores sell to minors in sting

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office sent underage buyers to 21 stores in North Pinellas on Monday to test whether clerks would sell them alcohol. The kids were able to buy booze at nine stores, so deputies issued notices to appear in court to those clerks at the Circle A Food Mart, 1201 Sunset Point Road, Dunedin; Blue Jay Grocery, 785 San Christopher Drive, Dunedin; Munchies Convenient Store, 2100 Bayshore Blvd., Dunedin; Citgo Gas Station, 1401 Pinehurst Road, Dunedin; Happy Foods, 1714 County Road 1, Dunedin; Mobil Gas Station, 2600 Bayshore Blvd., Dunedin; 7-Eleven, 1290 East Lake Road, Palm Harbor; Cumberland Farms, 353 Philippe Parkway, Safety Harbor; and First Choice Food and Deli, 335 Philippe Parkway, Safety Harbor.

PALM HARBOR

Eat pancakes, learn bike safety

Pancakes with all the trimmings will be on the menu from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Ozona Elementary School, 601 Tampa Road. The fundraiser is sponsored by the Palm Harbor Kiwanis Club. Cost is $3.50 a person or $10 for a family of four. Members of the Bike Rodeo, sponsored by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, will be on hand to teach child bike safety. For more information, call the school at (727) 724-1589.

[Last modified September 25, 2007, 21:08:50]