Page 3 - Florida Sentinel 12-9-16 Online Edition

Local
Teacher Accused
Of Racist Remark Suspended, Transferred
A Pasco County teacher placed on administrative leave for allegedly telling three Black students that they could “be sent back to Africa” has been disciplined.
John Sousa has been suspended without pay for three days. After the suspen- sion, he will be transferred to a different school.
Sousa, a white teacher and coach of the boys’ golf team at Wesley Chapel High School, is accused of telling the students, “Don’t make me call Donald Trump to get you sent back to Africa.”
The comment was made the day after Trump was de-
clared the winner in the pres- idential race.
Sousa allegedly made the statement to three Black stu- dents in the hall during the break between classes. One of the students went home and told his parents, who posted the incident on Facebook.
The parent said he spoke to Sousa, who apologized for making the comment and that it was not intended to be racist.
When the Pasco County School District learned of the incident, Sousa was placed on administrative leave with pay, pending the outcome of an investigation.
Businessman Who Was A Member Of ‘Triple Nickles’ Dies
CHARLES LEROY THOMAS 7/20/1920 --- 12/3/2016
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
A Tampa businessman who was one of the last known members of the Elite military unit has died following a lengthy illness. Mr. Charles Leroy Thomas was 96-years-old.
Mr. Thomas, along with the late Mr. Pete Smith and the late Mr. Walter S. Stokes were all members of the Elite 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion known as the “Triple Nickles.”
The 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion was an all-Black airborne unit during World War II. However, they were never sent into combat over- seas.
Instead, they were deployed to the west coast of the United States in the winter of 1944-1945. Once arriving, they became known as “Smoke- jumpers.”
The Japanese would release balloon bombs along the coast to start forest fires. The “Smoke- jumpers” would extinguish those fires to prevent them from spreading.
During the winter of 1944–45, the Japanese released 9,000 balloons and it is believed that 1,000 actually reached the United States.
Mr. Thomas enrolled in the ROTC Program at St. Emma’s Naval Academy at the age of 12. After graduating, he returned to Tampa and at- tended Middleton High School.
At the age of 16, he enlisted in the U. S. Army. He became a Quarter Master and Surgical Tech- nician before joining the “Triple Nickles.” As a member of the unit he became a pioneer para- trooper and a pioneer firefighter.
A native of Ocklawaha, Florida, his family moved to Tampa when he was an infant. He at- tended the public schools of Hillsborough County before enrolling at St. Emma’s Naval Academy.
Mr. Thomas returned to Tampa after his military stint and became a businessman and Civil Rights activist.
Mr. Thomas and his wife, Mrs. Laura Gainey Thomas owned and operated several businesses including The One Stop Inn and the Barbecue Express, both in Hillsborough County; and The Turn Table, and Laura’s Seafood & Bar- becue, both in Eustis, FL.
He was a longtime member of First Mission- ary Baptist Church, of Seffner until his health de- clined.
Mr. Thomas is survived by his wife, 4 daughters, other family members and friends.
A Memorial Celebration will be held for Mr. Thomas on Saturday, December 10th. See Fu- neral Page.
Courtnee Brantley Appears In State Court 2 Days After Release
On Monday, December 5th, Ms. Cortnee Brantley was released from federal prison. She served a year on the charge of misprision of a felony in connection with Dontae Morris.
Ms. Brantley was ac- cused of helping Morris after he shot and killed two Tampa Police Officers, Jef- frey Kocab and David Curtis on June 29, 2010.
She was convicted of the charge in federal court, but remained free on appeals until January 2016.
On January 2, 2016, she was arrested and charged with criminal mischief, bat- tery domestic violence, and violation of a federal rule. Ms. Brantley decided to drop her final appeal and to begin serving the year-long sentence.
However, on December 7th, Ms. Brantley was back in state court. She pleaded not guilty to the charges and is set to appear in state court again before Judge Lisa Campbell on January 17th.
Ms. Brantley was driv- ing Morris when their vehi- cle was stopped by the officers. Morris was con- victed of fatally shooting both officers. Following the shoot- ing, Morris fled on foot. Ms. Brantley drove away from the scene without attempting to help for the officers.
CORTNEE BRANTLEY
Morris was also con- victed of killing four other in- dividuals, and was given the death penalty. He is currently on Florida’s Death Row.
Applications Being Accepted For 13th Circuit Court
The Thirteenth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission is accepting applications to fill a vacancy on the Circuit Court of the Thirteenth Circuit in and for Hillsborough County. The vacancy was created by the resignation of Judge Herbert J. Baumann, Jr.
Each applicant must be a resident of Hillsborough County, a registered voter, and a member of The Florida Bar for the past five years.
Applicants must submit a fully completed original and one copy of the application, along with a photograph attached to the original and to the copy, to Andrew J. Mayts, Jr., GrayRobinson, P.A., 401 E. Jackson St., Suite 2700, Tampa, FL 33602, no later than 5 p.m. EST on Jan. 9, 2017. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
In addition to the original and one copy, applicants are requested to provide one electronic unredacted (PDF) copy of the application and one electronic redacted (PDF) copy of the application. Any material redacted by the applicant must be limited to exempt, or confidential information that is exempt from public inspection pursuant to Chapter 119 and Florida's public records law.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2016 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 3-A