Judge throws out evidence in which officer claims to smell marijuana
LARGO — A judge has thrown out the evidence in a drug possession case, saying there was insufficient proof a Largo police officer actually smelled the odor of marijuana he said was coming from a car. It's the second time in a year that a judge has questioned a search in a drug case handled by Officer Michael Vegenski, and both cases involved the purported odor of marijuana. In the newest case, Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge Timothy Peters granted a motion filed by Jordan Tawil,
Post Script to Blog Piece on Judge Andrews This Week: The Oath
The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, that is the oath a witness is required to make in court before offering testimony. If a witness lies on the stand, the State Attorney can criminally charge that witness with perjury because we recognize as a society that lying is wrong. We are supposed to tell the truth, especially in court under oath. Upon taking office Florida judges, who serve the people, swear to the following, “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I
Pinellas judge finds St. Petersburg officer's testimony 'incredible' — and not in a good
ST. PETERSBURG — Last fall, members of the Police Department's street crimes unit converged on a green sport utility vehicle spotted making a rolling right-hand turn at a red light. The driver, Emanuel Bell, had just left a suspected drug dealer's house. Bell pulled into a McDonald's at Fourth Street and 38th Avenue N and held out his driver's license for the officer, who approached his window. The officer made Bell get out, then searched a center console after seeing Bell mo
Similar Name, Police Mistake Lands Innocent Woman In A Florida Jail
St. Petersburg, Florida -- Imagine being pulled over for speeding and then all of a sudden, being handcuffed and carted off for jail and you have no idea why. That's what happened to one St. Petersburg woman. The 10 News Investigators have been going through police records and talking to those involved to discover how this could happen. It appears a rookie police officer -- who was still on his probationary period -- and his field training officer made a huge mistake that tur
Police mistake puts wrong woman in jail
St. Petersburg, Florida -- Imagine being pulled over for speeding and then all of a sudden, being handcuffed and carted off for jail and you have no idea why. That's what happened to one St. Petersburg woman. The 10 News Investigators have been going through police records and talking to those involved to discover how this could happen. It appears a rookie police officer -- who was still on his probationary period -- and his field training officer made a huge mistake that tur
Pinellas deputy Christopher Taylor resigns rather than face Internal Affairs investigation
LARGO, Fla. - For the second time this week, a deputy from the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office has resigned rather than go before an Internal Affairs review board. Sgt. Christopher Taylor resigned Wednesday after reviewing thousands of pages of documents over several days, according to authorities. As the subject of an Internal Affairs investigation, Sgt. Taylor, a 14-year veteran, was supposed to testify under oath and answer questions. Instead, he chose not to. On Monday,
Third Pinellas County narcotics deputy resigns in grow house investigation
LARGO — The three narcotics deputies who pursued marijuana growers by monitoring a Largo hydroponics store have now all left the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, snared by allegations of trespassing and other misconduct. Paul Giovannoni, 31, resigned Friday after reading evidence against him collected by the Internal Affairs Division, Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said. Detective Michael Sciarrino and Sgt. Christopher Taylor, the other members of the grow house team, resigned earlie
Pinellas narcotics detective resigns after seeing sheriff's evidence against him
LARGO — One narcotics detective has resigned and three others will begin disciplinary hearings this week amid allegations of trespassing, lying and brutality that have plagued the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office for months, Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said Monday. Michael Sciarrino, 36, was scheduled to be interviewed under oath today in an administrative hearing. Instead, said Gualtieri, Sciarrino quit on Monday after reading thousands of pages of interviews and documents collect
WingHouse arrest now part of Sheriff's Office investigations
LARGO — The WingHouse was hopping Sept. 2 when Carissa Michelle Weaver watched her boyfriend go out to the parking lot to make a phone call. When she checked on him a few minutes later, she saw two men grab him and push him to the ground. Weaver screamed. The commotion that followed is now part of an internal affairs investigation by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office and a civil rights complaint to the U.S. Justice Department. Weaver's boyfriend, Sergio "Junior'' Valdivies
Tampa man says cell phone video of police got him arrested
TAMPA - Jeff Patch, 27, was arrested while shooting cell phone video of a Tampa Police investigation in a public parking lot in May 2011. Police charged him with obstructing or opposing an officer. Patch was recording the video in an Ybor City parking lot last May. You can hear a police officer say on the video, "step back" and Patch responds, "Sir, I took two steps back." The cell phone video is dark and shaky, but Patch says it shows two Tampa Police Officers investigating
