Crime Journal

By Times Staff Writer
Published November 10, 2007

TAMPA

Man guilty of trying to have woman killed

A federal jury on Friday found a Tampa man guilty of trying to hire a hit man to kill his ex-girlfriend. Robert Curtis Covington, 35, wanted Kristy Cotto killed to keep her from testifying against him in a domestic violence and weapons case in state court, federal prosecutors said at trial. But Daniel Castillo, Covington's attorney, argued that undercover law enforcement agents were the ones instigating the conspiracy. During the first day of trial, jurors saw FBI surveillance footage that showed Covington talking to two men in a parking lot and sketching out a map to Cotto's East Tampa home. One of the men was an undercover officer. U.S. District Judge James Whittemore will sentence Covington on Jan. 28. Until then, he remains in jail.

Report of gunman has schools on alert

Four Hillsborough schools were put on a modified lockdown Friday morning after reports of an armed man lurking in the woods near Lowry Elementary, 11505 Country Hollow Drive just south of Linebaugh Avenue. Just after 8 a.m., Lowry students reported seeing a man dressed in camouflage, armed with a rifle, said Hillsborough sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter. Deputies searched the area for nearly three hours, which affected Lowry and Westchase elementaries, Davidsen Middle School and Alonso High School. Authorities didn't find anyone. Still, Carter said deputies do think someone, possibly a hunter, was in the woods. Hunting season recently started, said Carter and deputies who searched the area by helicopter reported seeing large deer in the woods.

NEW PORT RICHEY

Man gets 22 years for murder attempt

A Pasco County man was sentenced to 22 years prison Friday for kidnapping and trying to kill the mother of his infant son. In September, Robert Anthony Roakes, 26, was convicted of ambushing, beating and imprisoning Misty Lynn Chapman, 25. Roakes' girlfriend, Nadine Scherer, 26, is awaiting trial in the case. Days after a violent break-up, authorities say, Roakes lured Chapman out with the promise of diaper money on Feb. 26. That's when she was jumped. Chapman awoke in Roakes' van and escaped onto State Road 52, authorities say. Roakes grabbed her and was assaulting her again when a deputy pulled up, saving her life.

LAND O'LAKES

Driver dies after hitting utility pole

A 59-year-old woman died Thursday afternoon after she lost control of her truck, hit a utility pole and flipped her vehicle, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Margo Shelley of Old Town was driving south on U.S. 41, north of State Road 52, when the accident occurred. Officials say no other vehicles were involved. Shelley, who was wearing a seat belt, was transported to Spring Hill Regional, where she died, according to the Highway Patrol. Both directions of U.S. 41 where shut down for several hours Thursday evening as officials removed the utility pole from the road.

[Last modified November 10, 2007, 00:04:16]