Page 4 - Florida Sentinel 5-2-17

Local
Family Concerned About Woman Missing For 11 Days
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
The family of a 58-year-old woman is concerned about her safety and welfare. She has been missing for 11 days.
According to her family, Ms. Ethel Brantley was last seen or heard from on April 21st. Her cousin, Julius Braddy, said she has suffered a mental breakdown.
Braddy said all of her im- mediate family is deceased and she only has cousins left. She is single and doesn’t have any children, he said.
Braddy said Ms. Brant- ley has an operable car and a cell phone. However, on that Friday, she went to a neigh- bor’s and asked to use the phone. When the neighbor asked had she made the call, she reportedly said she had for- gotten the telephone number.
Braddy said she called him at 1 p.m. and said she was walking to his house. He told her to just wait and he would get a ride for her. However, that was the last conversation anyone in the family has had
MS. ETHEL BRANTLEY Missing since Friday, April 21st
with her. She was last seen in the area of N. 40th Street and Osborne Avenue.
Braddy further said that she is on a leave from her job. But, she should be taking med- ication. “Sometimes she knows what she’s doing and other times she doesn’t,” he said.
He said the police became involved after the neighbor no- ticed her door was open and called police.
The Tampa Police Depart- ment has listed Ms. Brantley as missing and endangered. Anyone who comes in contact with her is asked to contact Det. Shawn McNiff at (813) 242-3862; or Braddy at (813) 247-2858.
Judge Mary Scriven Is Guest Speaker For Mother-Daughter Tea
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
Judge Mary S. Scriven, U. S. District Judge for the Middle District of Florida, has been selected as the guest speaker for the New Height Destiny, Inc. Mother And Daughter Tea. This second annual “Com- munity, Balancing and Har- mony Tea” will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2017, 11 a. m.–2p.m.attheWest Tampa Branch Library, 2312 W. Union St., Tampa (33607).
Judge Scriven was ap- pointed to serve as a U. S. District Judge for the Middle District of Florida in Sep- tember of 2008, after serv- ing as a Magistrate Judge for over 10 years. She is married to Attorney Lansing C. Scriven and they are the parents of 4 children.
Also scheduled to speak during the Tea to encourage and empower the mothers and daughters are: Dr. She- lia Simmons and Reba Mouton of New Hope M. B. Church; Rev. Nicole Streeter, Associate Pastor, Heritage Christian Commu- nity Baptist Church, will be the Mistress of Ceremonies.
New Height Destiny, Inc. was founded September 5, 2013 by Ms. Paulette Walker, President.
“I attended a Town Hall meeting at Middleton High School for the community to bring forward various con- cerns to elected officials.
U. S. DISTRICT JUDGE, MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA MARY SCRIVEN ...Guest Speaker
After that meeting, City
Councilman Frank Red- dick encouraged me to move forward with my ideas because I could be an asset to the community,” she said. Knowing her passion for the community, Councilman Reddick invited Ms. Walker to the town hall meeting.
Strategies for New Height Destiny were com- bined with ideas from that meeting.
“I felt that if non-violent training along with dining etiquette training, interview etiquette training, etc. were provided to young adults, that could build and strengthen the core of an in- dividual’s mindset,” she ex- plained.
There was a ‘calling’ on her heart that she first de- nied. But after much prayer went on to found New Height Destiny, Inc. With
PAULETTE WALKER ...Founder/President
the assistance of her niece,
Atty. Shaunette Stokes,
she was able to receive her 501©3 status.
The ultimate goal of the organization is to positively impact the lives of at-risk youth, and empower the par- ents to develop positive life perspectives, Ms. Walker said.
Currently, there are 23 girls, ages 7-17, in the pro- gram. The organization re- lies on financial donations and sponsors (sponsors sup- plied the dresses for the girls for the Tea) to make the or- ganization work.
“The girls are very ex- cited about the Tea. Last week, we made tissue flow- ers for the Tea. I always give them a hug after an activity to let them know they are loved and appreciated.”
New Height Destiny, Inc. meets monthly at the Uni- versity of South Florida.
Retired Police Officer Admits Theft Of Government Check
A retired Tampa Police Ser- geant pleaded guilty to the theft of a government check last week. He is facing a maxi- mum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.
According to court docu- ments, Thomas Hevel pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government property. Hevel admitted to obtaining a check in the amount of $4,550 from his wife, former Tampa Police Detective Jeanette Hevel. He deposited it into a bank account and used the money to pay his rent for No- vember 2011.
Hevel, who was a Corpo- ral, retired after more than 20 years of service September 29, 2010. His wife began stealing the checks a year later.
Jeanette Hevel pleaded guilty to the theft of more than $90,000 from the Tampa Po- lice Department. She agreed to make full restitution to the United States Department of Treasury, and a forfeiture money judgment in the amount of $88,504.71.
According to court docu- ments, Jeanette Hevel, abused her position and au-
JEANETTE HEVEL Gave husband stolen check
thority to steal 13 United States Treasury tax refund checks (to- taling $88,504.71), 21 money orders (totaling approximately $10,000), and one refund an- ticipation loan check ($3,007.15) from inside the Department’s secure evidence storage area.
Once Hevel had the checks and/or money orders in her possession, she enlisted others outside the Department to un- lawfully cash the items and then shared the proceeds with them.
She was arrested in 2013, and sentenced to 8 months of house arrest.
A sentencing date for Hevel has not been set.
PAGE 4 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, MAY 2, 2017