News on the go
By Times Staff Writer
Published January 28, 2008
TAMPA
Bucs practice squad player arrested in DUI
Former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Charles "Chas" Gessner was arrested early Sunday and charged with driving under the influence. The 26-year-old wide receiver, who spent the last two training camps with the Bucs and was on the team's active roster for two weeks in November, was pulled over after driving the wrong way near Tampa Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard about 12:40 a.m., according to an arrest report. Gessner's eyes were bloodshot and he swayed, mumbled and garbled his words, police said. He took a breath test, which showed that his blood-alcohol level was 0.222 and 0.227. State law presumes a driver is impaired at 0.08. Gessner, who graduated from Brown University, attended training camps with the New York Jets and New England Patriots before joining the Bucs in 2006. He was active in one game, against the Arizona Cardinals on Nov. 4.
Punching police horse nets arrest
A Tampa woman was arrested after she punched a police horse in Ybor City early Sunday, police said. According to the arrest report, three officers on horses were working to clear a crowd outside Club Prana, 1619 E Seventh Ave., about 3 a.m. The crowd was surrounding police who were arresting participants from an earlier fight. Angelica Rene Ayala, 26, of 2511 W Saint Conrad St., grabbed the reins of a black quarterhorse named Buddy and punched the animal in the neck, police say. She was taken into custody and charged with striking a police animal, which is a misdemeanor.
LAKELAND
Florida Southern student found dead
Friends found a 22-year-old Florida Southern College student dead in his apartment Saturday, less than 12 hours after he participated in recreational events on campus. About 11 a.m., Michael Szwed told friends he wasn't feeling well, Lakeland Police Sgt. Terri Smith said. They took him to his apartment, at 410 E Belmar Ave., Lakeland. When they returned about 10 p.m., he was unresponsive. Autopsy results Sunday indicated Szwed suffered from a "lacerated spleen," Smith said. Toxicology results are pending. Smith said there were no signs of foul play Sunday night. Investigators were still trying to determine how Szwed sustained the injury.