Page 36 - Florida Sentinel 12-23-16 Online Edition

Crime
Arrest Made In Beating Death
Police Identify Suspect In Fatal Stabbing Death
JUAN CARLOS DIAZ- GUTIERREZ
... Wanted in connection with murder
MS. ROCIO CHAVEZ- BECERRA
Last month, a 31-year-old woman was attacked and stabbed while in the 2700 block of Sammonds Road, in Plant City by an unidentified man.
The investigation led police to a person they believe is re- sponsible for the murder.
On November 28th, the Plant City Police Department began receiving 9-1-1 calls about the stabbing. When offi- cers arrived at the scene, they Ms. Rocio Chavez-Becerra from numerous stab wounds in the upper part of her body. She died at the scene.
Witnesses told police that after the Hispanic man stabbed Ms. Becerra, he fled the scene in her 2007 Nissan Quest Minivan. The van was later found abandoned and was recovered by law enforce- ment.
The witnesses described the suspect as being Hispanic, in his 20s to 30s, about 5’8” tall with a medium build and dark hair.
An arrest warrant has been issued for 25-year-old Juan Carlos Diaz-Gutierrez in connection with the case. The warrant is for second-degree murder.
Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay is offering a reward of up to $3,000 for information that leads to the location and arrest of Diaz-Gutierrez.
Anyone with information concerning his whereabouts could be eligible for the re- ward by calling Crime Stop- pers at 1-800-873-TIPS. They can also report anonymously on line at www.crimestopper- stb.com.
Man Who Struck, Spit On
GREGORY A. WALKER 3/19/1960 —- 11/10/2016
Last month, Tampa Police responded to the 2300 block of N. Nebraska Avenue, in ref- erence to a man lying on the street. He was suffering from upper body trauma at the time he was discovered on November 10th.
Police identified the victim as 56-year-old Gregory A. Walker, a resident of the Tampa Park Apartments. He had been a resident of the housing complex for more than 20 years.
Police said early indications of their investigation revealed that Walker had been in- volved in a physical alterca- tion with another man.
The investigation led police to Jessie Thomas Harris, Jr., 49, of Brandon. Harris was arrested at his home Tuesday afternoon and charged with second-degree murder. He is being held at
JESSIE T. HARRIS ... Charged with second degree murder
the Hillsborough County Jail without bond.
Police said Harris at- tacked Walker in connection with an ongoing dispute be- tween the two men.
A Tampa native, Walker was born in Americus, Geor- gia to James and Henrietta Walker. The family moved to Tampa when he was a child.
He attended the public schools of Hillsborough County and graduated from Plant High School. After reaching adulthood, Walker enlisted in the U. S. Army and served for 8 years.
After completing his mili- tary stint, Mr. Walker re- turned to Tampa. Prior to having to stop working be- cause of health issues, Walker worked as a me- chanic and as a truck driver. In his spare time he enjoyed fishing.
A 30-year-old man is fac- ing 20 years in prison for at- tacking a federal employee. The incident took place on February 9th. Quentin Ce- phus, of Tampa, pleaded guilty to forcibly assaulting and inflicting bodily injury on the employee. No sentenc- ing date has been set.
According to court docu- ments, Cephus approached an unidentified U. S. Bureau of Prisons official at the Hills- borough County Residential Re-Entry Center. Cephus is alleged to have punched the official in the face with a closed fist and inflicted bod-
QUENTIN CEPHUS
ily injury on him. He then spat in the official’s face.
He was arrested and charged with the two offenses in which he entered a guilty plea.
Federal Employee Faces
20 Years In Prison
Ex-Attorney Indicted On Bankruptcy Fraud Charges
A pedestrian who was struck by a vehicle last Satur- day has died. Thomas Ken- neth Vaughan, 55, died as a result of his injuries Tuesday morning around 5 a.m.
According to the St. Peters- burg Police Department, Vaughan was in the 3000 block of Fifth Avenue N., near 29th Street, when he at- tempted to cross the street.
Police said Joseph Ken- neth Deegan, 45, the driver of the 2003 Lincoln Aviator SUV, didn’t see Vaughan.
Investigators said Dee- gan was intoxicated and charged him with DUI caus- ing serious bodily injury. He was released on bond from the Pinellas County Jail.
JOSEPH KENNETH DEEGAN
... Charged with DUI
The death of Vaughan could result in the charges against Deegan being up- graded.
Pedestrian Struck By DUI Driver Dies
Earlier this week, a former attorney was indicted on charges pertaining to bank- ruptcy fraud. If convicted of all the charges, he is facing a maximum five years in prison on each charge.
According to court docu- ments, Josiah Hutton, 60, of Winter Haven, was charged with concealment of assets and embezzlement from a bankruptcy estate.
Officials said Hutton was retained to represent a debtor who was planning to file for bankruptcy. In anticipation of filing a bankruptcy petition, Hutton received a settle- ment check, which was the property of the debtor’s bank- ruptcy estate, and deposited it into his attorney escrow ac- count.
JOSIAH HUTTON Hutton failed to list the
settlement check as an asset of his client, concealing it from creditors and the bank- ruptcy court. He is also ac- cused of embezzling a large portion of the settlement check for his own personal use, officials said in court documents.
UNCLE SANDY
Committing an act 17, 28, of kindness because you can, 18, 28, opens the gates to many blessings 24, 27.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2016 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 23-A