Page 2 - Florida Sentinel 11-2-18

Feature
Community Activist Threatened At Early Voting Site
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Earlier this week, the Sentinel received several telephone calls about a com- munity activist receiving a death threat. The incident took place at an Early Voting site in North Tampa.
When contacted by the
Sentinel, Bishop Michelle Patty confirmed that she had been threat- ened. Bishop Patty is ac- tively campaigning for incumbent Shawn Harri- son in the race for the Florida House District 63 Seat. The woman accused of threatening Bishop Patty, identified by the police re- port as Ms. Ingrid Felton, is actively campaigning for Attorney Fentrice Driskell, who is challenging Harrison for the seat.
The incident was re- ported to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office at 10:16 a.m., on Thursday, Oc- tober 25th.
A spokesperson for the Hillsborough County Sher- iff’s Office said deputies re- sponded to the Jimmie B. Keel Public Library, 2902 W. Bearss Avenue in reference to the complaint.
When deputies arrived, they interviewed Bishop Patty, Ms. Ingrid Felton, and Lamard Hickman. Deputies stated in the report that Bishop Patty, Hick- man, and Ms. Felton have opposing political views and they became engaged in a verbal altercation.
At some point during the altercation Ms. Felton told Bishop Patty that she was going to have a stroke.
The spokesman stated that another person inter- viewed whose name was not released stated that Ms. Fel- ton spoke in tongue and told Bishop Patty, ‘you will be dead.’ Bishop Patty con- fronted Ms. Felton about the statement and Ms. Fel- ton said her spells come true and she can’t unsay them.
BISHOP MICHELLE PATTY ... Community Activist
The spokesperson further said Ms. Felton heard that Bishop Patty was filling out ballots for other people and she wanted to confront her, and Hickman filmed the in- cident.
The spokesperson said the incident was docu- mented. However, no inves- tigation is underway.
Bishop Patty also stated that they called police again on Tuesday because Ms. Felton was following her. She also confirmed that the incident was filmed and
placed on social media.
In a telephone message left by Bishop Patty, she said, “She came back the next day and the Sheriff had to be called again. ... I’ve been a loyal supporter of this paper for the last 27 years and I have always made sure that I have many people ad- vertise with you guys... There
is a video.
She further said, “This in-
timidation is ugly and every- body out here is just appalled that this lady is on this lot with the same foolishness.”
When contacted by the Sentinel, about the inci- dent, Ms. Fentrice Driskell stated, “Ms. Patty has a long history of bullying
and intimidating people at the polls and our campaign has been treated no differ- ently. This carefully edited video is a weak attempt to make herself look innocent in an altercation she started.
“These accusations are nothing more than a desper- ate attempt to attack my campaign and confuse the community about who is the right choice for District 63.
“From passing out false endorsement cards to screaming lies at people try- ing to vote, this video is just another dirty trick to help her Republican friends steal yet another election from our community. It will not work.”
PAGE 2-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2018