Zephyrhills man charged with bigamy

By Times staff writer

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 7, 2000

ZEPHYRHILLS -- Richard Martin Amidon was under the impression that he had gotten a divorce from his first wife, and went ahead and married another woman in 1995, authorities said.

But Amidon wasn't divorced, and on Saturday, Pasco sheriff's deputies arrested him for bigamy.

Court records show that Amidon, 38, married Valiance Jordan in September 1986. Jordan told Detective William Croteau that she and Amidon lived together for about two weeks after their wedding, and then he left.

In January of 1995, Amidon married Tracy Tankred, documents show. But when Tankred was in the county clerk's office looking at some paperwork, she discovered that her husband had not obtained a divorce from his first wife.

"(Tankred) did confront (Amidon) about this and (he) stated his wife did divorce him or was supposed to have obtained a divorce," Croteau wrote.

Amidon was arrested at 1:30 a.m. Saturday at his home on 38229 Stebbins Ave. in Zephyrhills. He was booked at the county jail in Land O'Lakes and is being held on $1,500 bail.

Dade City couple face drug charges

DADE CITY -- A 44-year-old man was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana after Pasco sheriff's deputies found 266 grams, or 9.3 ounces, of marijuana in the man's home.

Shawn David Slagle of 19104 U.S. 301 also was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.

Deputies searched Slagle's home and found the marijuana in the master bedroom and office area, according to an affidavit. Slagle told deputies the drug belonged to him. He is being held on $10,500 bail at the county jail in Land O'Lakes.

Slagle's wife, Theresa Slagle, 41, also was arrested on drug charges. Deputies found 10 pills in her jewelry box, but she did not have a prescription for them. She was charged with possession of a controlled substance and is being held on $1,250 bail at the county jail.

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