Crime journal

By Times Staff Writer
Published March 7, 2008

TAMPA

PINELLAS MAN INDICTED IN TIA WEAPONS CASE

A federal grand jury has indicted Benjamin Baines Jr., a 22-year-old Clearwater man who tried to smuggle a box cutter in a book through security at Tampa International Airport last month. The felony charge of attempting to carry a dangerous weapon an aircraft is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Baines already is serving a 30-day sentence at the Orient Road jail after pleading guilty Feb. 18 to state charges of carrying a concealed weapon, a misdemeanor. Baines told investigators he forgot the box cutter was inside the copy of Fear Itself. Baines told airport police he had cut out the pages of the book to keep marijuana and money from being stolen by roommates.

ST. PETERSBURG

Man exposes himself to twins

Police are searching for a man they say exposed himself and masturbated in front of 8-year-old twin sisters Sunday and who may have committed the same crime in front of a 13-year-old girl a month ago. The latest incident happened Sunday evening at a coin laundry on the west end of Central Avenue. The previous incident happened near Fourth Avenue N and 52nd Street. On Sunday, a woman called 911 after seeing the man, who pulled up his pants and rode his bicycle away. Police say the man is white, 30 to 40 years old, 6 feet tall and about 200 pounds. He has light hair and a pock-marked face. He was last seen wearing a green baseball hat, a tan, long-sleeve shirt and tan shorts. His bicycle is dark or black. Police ask anyone with information about the man to call them at (727) 893-7780.

SPRING HILL

Deputy admits to pot use, resigns

A Hernando County sheriff's deputy who was involved in a car crash Thursday afternoon resigned after admitting to superiors that he had recently smoked marijuana. The crash occurred at Spring Hill Drive and Mariner Boulevard. Deputy Patrick Craven was responding to a call when his cruiser collided with a 2008 Dodge being driven by Wanda Urquhart, 46, of Spring Hill. After the crash, Craven was given a drug test, which is Sheriff's Office policy.

BROOKSVILLE

Husband going to prison for hit plot

A 52-year-old Brooksville man who allegedly hatched a plan to kill his wife's boss by hiring a hit man received 50 months in prison and five years of probation Thursday under a plea deal with prosecutors. Lonnie Johnson pleaded no contest to felony counts of solicitation to commit armed robbery and solicitation to commit aggravated battery. The bizarre lovers' quarrel began in the summer after Johnson became convinced his wife, Edna Johnson, was cheating on him with her boss, Maurice Carter. The two were close friends, but Carter said he is gay.

[Last modified March 7, 2008, 00:17:56]