Page 31 - Florida Sentinel 11-10-17

Funeral
RAY WILLIAMS
MR. ROBERT LEE COOPER, JR.
Mr. Robert Lee Cooper, Jr. passed away on Tuesday, No- vember 7, 2017. Funeral serv- ices will be conducted on Sunday, November 12, at 1 p. m. at Ray Williams Memorial Chapel, 301 N. Howard Avenue, with Pastor Wesley Bruce, offi- ciating. Interment will be Mon- day, November 13, in the Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Florida.
Robert was a native and res- ident of Tampa, Florida. He at- tended the public schools of Hillsborough County and later obtained his GED. Mr. Cooper joined the NAVY in 1973 and traveled to many different countries during his tour. He received an honorable dis- charged.
Robert dedicated his life to the Lord as a young man. Christ became the first love of his life. The second love of his life was his wife, Cathye. Their union began January 15, 1983.
He was preceded in death by: his father, Robert Cooper, Sr.; his sister, Ms. Patricia Cooper and brother, Mr. Ken- neth Cooper.
Robert leaves to cherish his memory and rejoice in his won- derful life: his devoted wife of 35 years, Cathye L. Cooper; mother, Castella V. Cooper; 2 daughters, Rana Cooper and Margrea Cooper; 2 grandsons, Davante’ Cooper and Marquez Cooper; 6 sisters, Robbie Cooper Williams (Warren), Janice Mayweather (Alvin), Jackie Cooper, Paulette Cooper, Diana Cooper Lloyd (John) and Regina Cooper; 3 brothers, Ronald Cooper, Regi- nald Cooper, and Patrick Cooper; 3 sisters-in-law, Veronica Dove (Gary), Tanya Santiago (Willie), and Charsee McCount (Monica); 2 brothers- in-law, Thomas Stewart and Tyvan Sunday (Carla); aunt, Julia Simmons; 3 god-sisters, Edwinda Stewart, LaFawn McKay-Hopkins (Eric) and Glo- ria Smith (Maurice); god- daughter, Kelce Butler; devoted friends, Pastor Terry Smith (Johnnie), Dwayne Bethel (Cecilia) and Doug Swi- ley (Judy); host of nephews, nieces, grand-nephews, grand- nieces, cousins and other rela- tives and friends.
The remains will repose one hour prior to service time (Noon until 1 p. m.), Sunday, November 12 at Ray Williams Memorial Chapel.
Arrangements entrusted to RAY WILLIAMS FUNERAL HOME, Rhodes & Northern, Owners.
Reward More Than $41,000 In Seminole Heights Probe
Man Gets 4 Years,
Crime
BENJAMIN MITCHELL
MONICA HOFFA
ANTHONY NAIBOA
On Tuesday, a district judge sentenced a Palmetto man to prison in a tax fraud case. He was also Court or- dered to pay the Internal Revenue Service $152,418 and forfeit all proceeds from the offense.
U. S. District Judge James S. Moody, Jr., sen- tenced 25-year-old Samuel Priester to four years in fed- eral prison. Priester pleaded guilty on June 13, 2017.
According to court docu- ments, in March 2012, Priester was in possession of several unauthorized pre- paid cards in the names of other people. The cards had been loaded with fraudu- lently obtained federal in- come tax refunds.
He also had a hand-writ- ten ledger containing per- sonal information belonging to others in his possession. Some of the names had nota- tions beside them such as “used,” “good,” or “rejected.” The ledger also contained in- structions as to how much money could be withdrawn from ATMs on a daily basis,
Donations from various organizations in the commu- nity have increased the re- ward being offered in the Seminole Heights murders. Thursday marked one month since the first murder took place.
The combined $37,000 being offered for information about three murders in Semi- nole Heights has increased to $41,331. It is being offered for information leading to the identity, arrest, and convic- tion of persons responsible for the three murders that took place in Seminole Heights last month.
On October 9, at approxi- mately 9 p.m., Benjamin Edward Mitchell, 22, was found near the intersection of
North 15th Street at Frierson Avenue near the bus stop. He died later at a local hospital.
On October 13, at approx- imately 9:30 a.m., the body of Ms. Monica Caridad Hoffa, 32, was found in a va- cant lot in the 1000 block of New Orleans Avenue.
The third murder took place on October 19, at ap- proximately 7:57 p.m., when 20-year-old Anthony Nai- boa was shot while walking north on 15th Street near Wilder Avenue. He died at the scene.
Anyone with information can report it anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay at 1-800-873- TIPS or www.crimestopper- stb.com.
SAMUEL PRIESTER
using various types of pre- paid debit cards.
One of the cards confis- cated matched a card that had been used to purchase new merchandise. The mer- chandise was found in Priester’s room, officials said.
A total of 34 fraudulent income tax returns were filed in 2011 with information in Priester’s possession, claiming $230,045. Of that money, $205,785 had been accurately noted in the hand written ledger. A total of $152,418 in fraudulent re- funds had been issued.
Must Pay $152,418
In Tax Fraud Case
Deputies Arrest 2 In 59
th Grow House Bust Of The Year
PEDRO AVILA
Two people were arrested Wednesday after Hillsbor- ough County deputies exe- cuted a search warrant at their residence at 4513 W. Burke Street. They are facing several charges.
According to police, Pedro Avila, 36, was charged with trafficking in marijuana, manufacturing of marijuana, own, lease or rent- ing property for the purpose of trafficking, grand theft, and 2 counts of possession of a con- trolled substance.
Ms. Mercedes Enciso,
59, was charged with manu- facturing of marijuana, own, lease or renting property for the purpose of trafficking, grand theft, and 2 counts of
MERCEDES ENCISO
Plants removed from Grow House.
possession of a controlled sub- stance.
Deputies confiscated 27 plants, with a street value of $154,000 from 2 rooms in the house. TECO also said $4,040.13 in illegal electricity had been used.
The Tampa police officers arrested a 17-year-old and charged him with discharging a firearm in a city park, being a minor in possession of a firearm, resisting arrest with- out violence, and violation of probation. The incident took place Sunday afternoon.
According to police, offi- cers were already in the area after learning about a large party taking place in Rowlett Park. While monitoring the party, officers heard gun- shots. While attempting to determine the origin of the shots, two officers who were
in the park observed a teenager firing a handgun from behind a tree.
The teenager then at- tempted to flee the scene on a bicycle, but was observed re- moving the gun from his waistband and attempting to throw it away, police said.
A citizen witnessed the in- cident and secured the weapon for police. The teenager was taken into cus- tody and told police he “found” the gun in an alley.
No injuries took place during the incident, police said.
Teenager Arrested For Shooting In Park
UNCLE SANDY
In a world where we live 5, 17, 33, life in the fast lane, it is good 19, 54, to slow down for a minute. 8, 21, 22.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2017 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 23-A