Northpinellas: Pinellas digest

LARGO -- A Clearwater man pleaded guilty in Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Court on Wednesday to breaking into a woman's home and raping her. Vladimil Cruz, 19, of 1381 Voylan Ave., Apt. B, was sentenced to nearly 12 years in prison and 10 years of probation for burglary and sexual battery. Cruz was accused of breaking into a Clearwater woman's home and holding down her arms as he raped her. He was arrested Jan. 1, about 15 minutes after the attack.

Murder solicitation brings 8-year term

LARGO -- A Clearwater woman was sentenced Wednesday to eight years in prison for offering an undercover police officer $500 to kill her ex-husband. Christina Lue Decker, 36, of 2918 Drew St., No. 217, who pleaded no contest in Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Court last month to a charge of solicitation to commit murder, also cannot have any contact with the victim. She was arrested in February. Clearwater police began investigating Decker in December, after receiving information that she wanted her ex-husband killed. The pair apparently were in a custody battle. Police arranged a meeting with Decker. She made the $500 offer and provided an officer with a photograph of her ex-husband, along with his home address. The conversation between Decker and the undercover officer was recordedon tape.

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