Florida Single Mom Falls Victim to Elaborate Scam: Concrete Driveway Stolen After Putting Home on Market, Leaving Her with $10k Replacement Bill

  April 12, 2024    Buddieizreal

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Florida Single Mom Falls Victim to Elaborate Scam: Concrete Driveway Stolen After Putting Home on Market, Leaving Her with $10k Replacement Bill 

A Florida mother faced a costly scam after putting her home up for sale, as scammers orchestrated the removal of her driveway, leaving her with a $10,000 bill for replacement just weeks before her planned move.

Amanda Brochu listed her home in Apopka, Florida, for sale in December. Soon after, individuals arrived at her $289,000 property, attempting to measure her concrete driveway. One contractor revealed that a person named Andre had inquired about a driveway replacement quote at Brochu's address but backed out when asked for payment and proof of ownership.

As Brochu was preparing to leave for the holidays, she received a doorbell camera notification that crews were tearing up her driveway. Upon her return, she found her driveway gone, having fallen victim to a scam where scammers enlist contractors to work on homes, leaving the homeowner responsible for the bill.

The contractor Brochu confronted showed her text messages indicating that Andre had received a $7,200 quote for driveway replacement and had agreed to it but claimed he couldn't provide the deposit. Brochu contacted the Orange County Sheriff's Office, leading to an attempt to contact Andre.

Initially, Andre denied the accusations and hung up on the police, later stating it was a mistake and providing them with a supposed contractor's number, which turned out to be the Orlando airport's phone number. Subsequently, her driveway was removed, leaving a dirt track.

Unable to afford the $10,000 replacement cost, Brochu sought help. A local radio sponsor, upon learning about the incident, offered to replace the driveway for free. Brochu plans to donate the funds raised from her GoFundMe to charity.

Brochu's real estate agent, Rocki Sanchez, expressed shock at the situation and learned it might be part of a scam. The four-bedroom, two-bathroom house is currently listed on Zillow for $289,990, with a commitment to install a new driveway before closing.

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Two Boys, Aged 12 and 17, Accused of Killing Three Teens in Marion County; $10,000 Reward for Capture of At-Large Suspect

  April 11, 2024    Buddieizreal

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Two Boys, Aged 12 and 17, Accused of Killing Three Teens in Marion County; $10,000 Reward for Capture of At-Large Suspect 

Two teenagers, aged 12 and 17, are facing first-degree murder charges in Marion County after allegedly killing three teenagers, while another suspect, a 16-year-old, remains at large. The victims, two girls and a boy, were found with gunshot wounds in the Ocklawaha area over the past week.

Sheriff Billy Woods disclosed that the suspects fled the scene after simultaneously killing the three teenagers, leaving behind substantial evidence. The arrested individuals are Robert Robinson, 17, and Christopher Atkins, 12, both charged with first-degree murder. The third suspect, Tahj Brewton, 16, is still on the run.

A $10,000 reward has been announced for information leading to Brewton's arrest, and Sheriff Woods urged anyone with knowledge about his whereabouts to come forward.

While the motive for the shootings does not appear to be linked to gang rivalry, Sheriff Woods mentioned that all the teenagers, both suspects and victims, were associated with gangs. The suspects were known for committing burglaries and robberies in the area, obtaining the gun used in the killings through these criminal activities.

The sheriff emphasized that the suspects and victims had previously collaborated on burglaries and robberies but had a falling out, leading to the tragic turn of events. Sheriff Woods stated, "There is no honor among the thieves, and at some point, these three individuals turned on our three victims and murdered them."

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DoorDash Driver Apprehended and Charged in Connection with Alleged Attempted Sexual Assault

  April 10, 2024    Buddieizreal

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DoorDash Driver Apprehended and Charged in Connection with Alleged Attempted Sexual Assault 

In north St. Louis County, a DoorDash driver, Travaye Gaines, has been arrested and charged with an alleged sexual assault, a disturbing incident that unfolded in Spanish Lake.

Viewers are cautioned as the details of the incident are unsettling. According to prosecutors, Gaines stands accused of sexually assaulting a customer inside her apartment. The victim, who opened the door for her food delivery, reported that Gaines forced his way inside, removed her towel, and assaulted her. Fortunately, she managed to escape and seek help from a neighbor.

Following the incident, the victim received a FaceTime call from an unknown number, revealing Gaines engaging in inappropriate behavior. With the assistance of DoorDash, the police were able to determine Gaines' location.

Travaye Gaines now faces charges of burglary, attempted rape, sexual misconduct, and resisting arrest in connection with the disturbing event.

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Mother of Three in Houston Faces Homelessness Pursuing Social Media Influencer Dreams

  April 09, 2024    Buddieizreal

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Mother of Three in Houston Faces Homelessness Pursuing Social Media Influencer Dreams 

A mother named Kieria Jones and her three children find themselves without a home in Houston after relocating from Tallahassee to pursue dreams of becoming a social media influencer in 2024.

Expressing her initial motivation for the move, Jones explained, "It's mainly what I came to Houston for. That's where most of all of my favorite YouTubers are from."

Despite having no personal transportation, Jones managed to rent a car by utilizing disability checks for her son. However, her children expressed a desire to return to Florida with their grandmother, given the challenging circumstances.

"If I feel like I'm putting too much on them with me being stressed, then I would go back," Jones informed Houston Mayor John Whitmire.

Initially employed at Denny's upon arriving in Houston, Jones was able to afford a motel room, but the financial strain became overwhelming over time. Aware that her decisions significantly impact her three kids, Jones and her children sought refuge in a warming center during the January 16 freeze, prompted by dropping temperatures rendering the streets unsafe.

Unfortunately, the warming center unexpectedly closed on January 17 at noon, catching Jones off guard. Mayor Whitmire stepped in to connect her with assistance to address her precarious situation.

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Tragic Christmas Eve: Sister Fatally Shot as Teenage Brothers Engage in Gunfight Over Presents

  April 08, 2024    Buddieizreal

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Tragic Christmas Eve: Sister Fatally Shot as Teenage Brothers Engage in Gunfight Over Presents

 Tragedy unfolded on Christmas Eve in Largo as two teenage brothers now face charges following a deadly altercation within their family, as reported by authorities.

Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri revealed that the incident occurred during a Christmas shopping outing with the family. The 14-year-old and 15-year-old brothers engaged in an argument, fueled by jealousy on the part of the older brother over the number of gifts their mother was purchasing for the younger sibling.

Upon leaving the store, the family, including the brothers, their mother, their 23-year-old sister, and her 10-month-old and 6-year-old sons, headed to their grandmother's residence on 22nd Avenue Southwest in Largo. The plan was for the grandmother to care for the children while the sister went to work.

At the grandmother's home, tensions escalated when the 14-year-old brandished a gun, threatening to shoot his brother in the head, as per authorities. Initially, the 15-year-old resisted engaging in a physical altercation, and the boys' uncle intervened to separate them. The 14-year-old left the home briefly, prompting his sister to discourage the conflict, reminding them it was Christmas.

However, a new argument erupted between the 14-year-old and his sister, who was carrying her 10-month-old son in a baby carrier. The situation escalated when the 14-year-old directed derogatory language at his sister and proceeded to shoot her in the chest with a .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun, according to the sheriff's office.

In response to the shooting, the 15-year-old retaliated by firing at his brother, shouting, "You shot my m***** f****** sister." Subsequently, the 15-year-old fled, discarding his firearm in a nearby yard. Authorities apprehended him at a relative's home in Clearwater.

The 14-year-old shot once in the stomach, and underwent surgery after being transported to the hospital, while their sister tragically succumbed to her injuries.

The 14-year-old now faces charges of first-degree murder, child abuse, and being a delinquent in possession of a firearm. Meanwhile, the 15-year-old is charged with attempted first-degree murder and tampering with physical evidence. The Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney's Office will assess whether the 14-year-old will be charged as an adult.

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Uber Driver Caught on Camera Sexually Assaulting Woman After Pretending to Rescue Her

  April 08, 2024    Buddieizreal

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Uber Driver Caught on Camera Sexually Assaulting Woman After Pretending to Rescue Her 

A man who sexually assaulted a woman under the guise of rescuing her from another attack has pleaded guilty to the crime, captured on a live webcam. Kerry Calvin Gasag received a 10-year sentence for sexually violating a 34-year-old woman at a Florida tourist hotspot. Initially perceived as a rescuer when he posed as an Uber driver, Gasag later demanded sex, prompting the victim to escape the vehicle in panic. Gasag pursued and raped her near the Southernmost Point buoy in Key West. The entire incident was recorded on the tourist hotspot's live webcam, leading to prompt intervention by a Boston-based emergency services dispatcher, who contacted local police.

The dispatcher, monitoring the webcam, reported, "I could almost swear that I saw somebody get raped." The footage depicted Gasag restraining the woman in a headlock, resisting his advances, and the subsequent assault behind the iconic landmark. Witnesses and the live webcam assisted in locating the victim, who was found nude, crying, and screaming. Gasag returned to the crime scene that night to collect the victim's clothes in an attempt to conceal evidence.

Despite the video evidence, it took two years for Gasag to be arrested and charged with sexual battery, false imprisonment, and evidence tampering. Assistant Monroe County State Attorney Joseph Mansfield revealed that Gasag, facing up to 25 years in prison if the case went to trial, received a 10-year sentence with five years probation for pleading guilty.

The initial attacker, Jorge Calderon Nunez, alleged to have been involved in the earlier assault, is currently held in Miami-Dade County jail on a $225,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in court later this month on charges related to the previous attack.

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Georgia Driver Hit with $1.4 Million Fine for Speeding at 90 MPH in a 55 MPH Zone

  February 27, 2024    Buddieizreal

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 Georgia Driver Hit with $1.4 Million Fine for Speeding at 90 MPH in a 55 MPH Zone

A Georgia resident faced an astonishing $1.4 million ticket last month after being pulled over for speeding on a freeway. Connor Cato was driving through Savannah on September 2 when he was caught going 90 miles per hour in a 55-mile-per-hour zone by the Georgia State Patrol.

Anticipating a 'super speeder' ticket due to exceeding the speed limit by 35 miles, Cato was surprised by the excessively high fine, far beyond the usual $1,000 maximum. Suspecting a mistake, he contacted the court, only to be informed that he must either pay the astronomical amount or appear in court on December 21 at 1:30 pm.

According to Cato, the court representative stated, '"$1.4 million," the lady told me on the phone. I said, "This might be a typo," and she said, "No, sir, you either pay the amount on the ticket or you come to court on December 21 at 1.30 pm."'

Later, Cato discovered that the exorbitant $1.4 million fine was merely a placeholder generated by e-citation software used by the local Recorder’s Court for 'super speeders.' The actual fine would be determined by a judge during Cato's mandatory court appearance.

Joshua Peacock, a spokesperson for Savannah’s city government, clarified that the intention was not to intimidate individuals into court. He explained, 'The programmers who designed the software used the largest number possible because super speeder tickets are a mandatory court appearance and do not have a fine amount attached to them when issued by police.'

Although the city has employed this system since 2017, they acknowledge the need to adjust the placeholder language to prevent confusion. Criminal defense attorney Sneh Patel expressed astonishment at the initial fine, stating that he had never encountered such a high amount for a misdemeanor traffic violation.

In Georgia, misdemeanor traffic violation fines cannot exceed $1,000, along with state-mandated costs. Patel emphasized that even for a misdemeanor of high and aggravated nature, the fine would typically be $5,000. He added that bond amounts exceeding $5,000 are usually reserved for more serious offenses, such as drug trafficking, murder, aggravated assault, or for individuals expected to evade their upcoming court date.

In Other SMH America News

According to the probable cause affidavit initially obtained by NBC DFW and reviewed by PEOPLE, Chad Christopher Stevens, 42, was accused of tampering with evidence and fabricating evidence by disposing of the dead body of his ex-girlfriend Heather Louise Schwab.

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Alleged Shoplifter Ignites Confrontation by Setting Store Clerk Ablaze

  February 27, 2024    Buddieizreal

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Alleged Shoplifter Ignites Confrontation by Setting Store Clerk Ablaze 

A store employee, who made an attempt to thwart a man's third theft within a single day, found himself set ablaze during the encounter. Surveillance footage captured the disturbing moment when the assailant doused the worker with lighter fluid and ignited him.

The victim, identified only as Suraj for safety concerns, suffered second and third-degree burns on his face, neck, chest, and shoulder as a result of the attack. Speaking from his hospital bed, Suraj expressed the trauma he and his family are currently enduring.

"It's terrible. You know, I'm still in trauma right now, me, my family," he shared, highlighting the excruciating pain he endures during wound cleaning, describing it as "like over 10."

Having been a clerk at Appian Food and Liquor in El Sobrante for approximately five years, Suraj revealed that while dealing with shoplifters is not uncommon, an incident of this magnitude had never occurred before. On that fateful day, he and a coworker confronted a repeat offender who had stolen lighter fluid on multiple occasions. Suraj attempted to intervene, while his colleague grabbed a bat for protection.

"He just splashed lighter fluid on my face, and I was so scared at that moment," recounted Suraj. "I tried to cover his hand, but I don't know. I don't remember. He just lit the fire on me, you know. I just rushed to the restroom, and I just splashed water on my face."

The Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office apprehended the suspect, 38-year-old Kendall Burton, a homeless individual in El Sobrante. Burton faces charges including assault with a deadly weapon, battery, arson, and robbery, and is being held without bail.

Expressing the need for increased safety measures, Suraj emphasized, "First of all, I would like to say nobody has to go through this kind of situation, and the small stores should have more security or something like that. The workplace should be safer."

Suraj, anticipating several surgeries and a prolonged recovery, is supported by his wife, Sabeena Parajuli, who initiated an online fundraiser to alleviate the burden of medical bills. He shared that his family is deeply affected, noting, "They cry all the time when they come here."

In Other SMH America News

Travis Kelce's ex-girlfriend Maya Benberry has branded the NFL player a 'narcissist and a cheater' - while revealing that she has been getting death threats from Taylor Swift's 'angry fans' after choosing to speak out about their budding romance.

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Florida House Approves Bill Restricting Social Media Access for Individuals Under 16

  February 24, 2024    Buddieizreal

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Florida House Approves Bill Restricting Social Media Access for Individuals Under 16 

The Florida House of Representatives has approved a bill that aims to prevent individuals under the age of 16 from holding accounts on certain social media platforms. The legislation, known as House Bill 1 or Online Protections for Minors, received a vote of 108-7 and will now be sent to Governor Ron DeSantis, a Republican, for potential approval.

If signed into law, HB1 will mandate certain social media platforms to verify the age of account holders. Additionally, it will prohibit individuals under 16 from creating new accounts and require the termination of accounts suspected to belong to underage users. The Senate had already passed the bill with a vote of 23-14 earlier on the same day.

Governor DeSantis, known for his stance on parental involvement, expressed his views on the matter during a press conference. He acknowledged the potential harm of excessive social media use but emphasized the importance of parental supervision. DeSantis is actively working to incorporate a role for parents in deciding whether their children should have access to social media, suggesting that parents should have the option to opt in if they want their kids on these platforms.

The bill broadly defines the social media platforms subject to its provisions. It encompasses companies where at least 10% of daily active users under 16 spend a minimum of two hours per day on the platform, and those utilizing algorithms, push alerts, continuous scrolling, or auto-play videos.

The legislation, introduced on January 5, faces an uncertain future, echoing the challenges seen in other states. A federal judge recently temporarily blocked a similar Ohio law, deeming it likely unconstitutional. The Ohio law aimed to regulate children's access to social media platforms, requiring parental consent for accounts created for those under 16. This legal setback underscores the complex landscape surrounding attempts to regulate social media for young individuals amid concerns about its impact on mental health.

In Other SMH America News

Nicholas' death was entirely– excruciatingly – needless and avoidable. We will get justice for him, the other children and their families.” Authorities discovered a trap floor and drugs hidden in the Bronx day care center where a 1-year-old boy died of a suspected fentanyl overdose, the NYPD said.

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