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Investigation: Deputy Stole Woman's Pills In Traffic Stop

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By VALERIE KALFRIN | The Tampa Tribune
and JOSH POLTILOVE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 7, 2008

TAMPA - Cpl. William Hughes took 19 Oxycodone tablets from a woman during an unrecorded traffic stop, according to a notice of disciplinary hearing signed by Hughes.

The 12-year veteran of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office resigned effective Oct. 14.

A departmental investigation found he took prescription drugs from the woman, according to findings released this week.

In a summary of the investigation, deputies redacted the type and number of prescription drugs. But Hughes' personnel file, viewed Thursday by The Tampa Tribune, included the information.

The sheriff's office said Hughes, 35, committed the following policy violations: misdemeanor petty theft, using prescribed drugs while on duty, conduct unbecoming a member of the sheriff's office and failing to follow department directives.

Assistant State Attorney Pam Bondi said Wednesday that Hughes will not charged with misdemeanor petty theft because the victim didn't fill out the necessary form, as required by law.

According to the summary report's findings, Hughes took prescription pills from a woman's purse during a traffic stop July 23, when he was off duty but in uniform and driving an unmarked sheriff's office vehicle.

He searched the woman's car with her permission and found her purse and the medication.

When the woman later counted the pills, she determined some were missing, the findings say.

In his resignation letter to Sheriff David Gee, Hughes said he was leaving the office "to pursue an opportunity in another career field."

Sentencing Delay For Mohamed

The sentencing of a former University of South Florida student who pleaded guilty to trying to help terrorists has been moved from today to Dec. 18.

Ahmed Mohamed pleaded guilty to providing material support to terrorists by making and posting videos on the Internet that showed how to use a remote-controlled toy to detonate a bomb. The video was posted on YouTube.

Mohamed and his friend, Youssef Megahed, were arrested last year in South Carolina after deputies there found items in their car that prosecutors say were explosives. The defendants maintain they were homemade fireworks.

Megahed is awaiting trial on charges of illegally transporting explosives.

The sentencing for Mohamed, 27, an Egyptian who attended USF and faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, is now set for 8:30 a.m. Dec. 18 before U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday.

Theft Reported At Grow House

Investigators responded to a theft at 4221 Briarberry Lane in Tampa and found a marijuana grow house, Hillsborough County deputies said.

Deputies went to the home at 12:10 p.m. Wednesday. Homeowner Jorge Rodriguez, 31, allowed deputies to search the home. He had six marijuana plants in a room, and 12 plants had been stolen, deputies say.

Rodriguez was charged with cultivation of marijuana, theft of electricity and possession of a residence for the purpose of manufacturing marijuana.

His was released from jail after posting $17,500 bail.

Serial Robber Gets 40 Years

A serial robber was sentenced to 40 years in prison Thursday.

Roberto Enrique Denizard, 25, 2225 E. 131st Ave., pleaded guilty Oct. 8 to 10 counts of burglary in five separate cases.

Prosecutors said Denizard stopped people in the guise of asking directions and then robbed them at gunpoint. He was arrested in July 2007.

Deputies: Man Paid Teen For Sex

A 27-year-old Tampa man twice paid $20 for sex with a 15-year-old girl, deputies say.

Domingo Gomez Diaz was arrested Wednesday and charged with two counts each of procuring a person younger than 18 for prostitution and lewd and lascivious battery.

Diaz remained in Orient Road Jail on Thursday. His bail was set at $30,000.

PINELLAS

Robber Makes Bomb Threat

ST. PETERSBURG - A woman was arrested after she robbed a bank by claiming she had a bomb strapped to her body, St. Petersburg police said.

Jessica Strole, 29, walked into Synovus Bank, 333 Third Ave. N., at 2:07 p.m. Wednesday and said a bomb strapped to her body would detonate if she didn't receive $200, police spokesman Bill Proffitt said. She left after a teller gave her an undisclosed amount of money, Proffitt said.

Officers who patrol downtown recognized Strole in the surveillance video, Proffitt said. She was spotted at Seventh Avenue North and 14th Street and taken into custody.

A staff report

Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at (813) 259-7691. Reporter Valerie Kalfrin can be reached at (813) 259-7800.

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