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'Love' Remark Costs Deputy

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By LISA A. DAVIS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 10, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - A Pasco County sheriff's deputy who served as a school resource officer was fired late Wednesday, accused of making an inappropriate comment to a 13-year-old girl earlier that day.

Sheriff Bob White fired Cpl. Christopher Magavero, 42, after he confirmed that he told the River Ridge Middle School student, "I feel like I'm falling in love with you," according to the sheriff's office.

The girl told a guidance counselor, which triggered an investigation.

"We have no evidence that anything physical took place," sheriff's spokesman Doug Tobin said Thursday. Tobin said White thought immediate termination was appropriate because of the nature of the charge and the involvement of a child. Often, personnel are placed on administrative leave while being investigated.

"The deputy definitely committed an incredible error in judgment," Tobin said.

Magavero, who is married, has been a Pasco deputy since June 2000 and a school resource officer since 2004.

Magavero has three business days to appeal.

Accountant Pleads Guilty In $230,000 Loan Case

TAMPA - An accountant pleaded guilty Thursday to lying to the Bank of Tampa to obtain more than $230,000 in loans for his business.

Jose I. Roman, 44, of Tampa could face a maximum of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine for the charge of making false statements to a bank, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

An accountant in private practice, Roman submitted information overstating his clients' assets or understating their liabilities, prosecutors said. He submitted bogus tax returns with overstated income entries to influence the bank to issue the loans, prosecutors said.

Sheriff's Office Rules Man's Death A Homicide

TAMPA - The body of a 37-year-old man was found in a Tampa house Thursday and the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has ruled the case a homicide.

Deputies were called to 14701 Del Valle Road about 3 a.m. A caller told deputies that Brett Aaron Coffin, of 7607 Alema St., Tampa, was unconscious inside.

Hillsborough County Fire Rescue paramedics pronounced Coffin dead at the scene. Authorities said Coffin had severe injuries to the upper body.

Neighbors told deputies that the home on Del Valle Road is known to house transients and possible drug users.

Dade City Man Accused Of Sex Attack In April

TAMPA - Dade City police arrested a man who they say broke in to a woman's home in April, held a gun to her head and forced her to perform a sex act.

DNA evidence linked Mandarin Heshamin Colbert, 30, to the April 21 home invasion on Lake Avenue, police said.

A cell phone, wallet and cash were also taken, police said.

Colbert was charged with home invasion robbery and sexual battery. He was being held in the Land O' Lakes Jail with bail set at $200,000.

Man, Woman Found Shot; Both In Critical Condition

BAYONET POINT - A man and a woman found shot in the woods Thursday afternoon were airlifted to a Tampa Bay area hospital where they were listed "very critical condition," the Pasco County Sheriff's Office said.

The sheriff's office received a call about

3:21 p.m.

When deputies arrived at 31211 Secret Lane, they found a man and woman, between the ages of 40 and 50, shot in their upper torsos.

They were found in or near a four-door vehicle in the woods just off the edge of Secret Lane, said sheriff's office spokesman Doug Tobin.

The names of the two victims were not available.

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