Digest

Crime journal

By Times Staff Writer
Published October 30, 2007

TAMPA

Man chooses guilty plea in child porn case

A former MacDill Air Force Base contract system administrator pleaded guilty Monday in federal court to possessing child pornography. Julian Russell Clawson, 24, of Tampa was arrested on the charge in July. An FBI complaint accused Clawson of using the Internet file sharing program LimeWire to download more than 700 child pornography images. Investigators tracked Clawson through a Bright House Networks account registered to his wife, according to court documents. "Mr. Clawson knows child pornography is wrong but does not know how to explain his fascination with the illicit material," the FBI complaint said. Clawson's attorney told the judge several times in court that Clawson wanted to accept full responsibility for his actions, deciding to plead guilty and decline a plea agreement from federal prosecutors. Clawson remains out of jail while he waits for a sentencing date. He faces a maximum of 10 years in prison.

CLEARWATER

Child dies after tumbling into pool

A 14-month-old boy died Monday night after he was found floating in the family pool. Johnathan Pham, of 3107 Chamblee Lane, was transported by helicopter to Bayfront Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. According to a news release from Clearwater Fire and Rescue, several family members were inside the home about 5 p.m. when the child wandered outside through a sliding glass door, which had been left open. Rescue officials estimate he spent three to five minutes under water. There was no barrier around the pool, the release said.

ODESSA

Passing motorist pours gas on teen

A 16-year-old student was waiting for the school bus Monday morning when someone drove past, dumped gasoline on him and drove away, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. Jesse Fuller was waiting for the school bus at 6:10 a.m. at 19506 Pine Tree Road in Odessa when he saw a car pull up, deputies say. Someone threw gasoline on the boy, then drove away, deputies say. As the car left, Fuller heard laughter. Fuller was not injured. He told deputies he thought the car was white. No one has been arrested in the incident.

CLEARWATER

Call about fight leads to drugs

A man out on bail on a drug trafficking charge was arrested again this weekend in Clearwater and accused of conspiring to distribute even larger quantities of cocaine. Tasman "Tas" Bernstein, 28, of Chicago was charged in federal court with conspiring to possess more than 5 kilograms of cocaine with the intent to distribute it. Authorities found the drugs Saturday after they were called out to 3168 Sandy Ridge Drive in Clearwater, where Bernstein is renting a room. According to court filings, police arrived at the address to deal with a fight inside the house. In the process of looking for the victim of the fight, authorities came across a few small bags of drugs. He is being held at a Hillsborough County jail without bail.

[Last modified October 29, 2007, 23:46:28]