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Figure In Baby Sabrina Case Heading To Federal Prison

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By ELAINE SILVESTRINI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 22, 2009

TAMPA - A man who figured prominently last year in the investigation into the 1997 disappearance of Sabrina Aisenberg was sentenced today to 37 months in federal prison on a weapons charge.

Scott Overbeck, 44, pleaded guilty in October to being a felon in possession of an explosive device, a crime that doesn't require the offender to have any intent to use the device. Overbeck has said he didn't plan to hurt anyone with the improvised explosive device investigators found in his bedroom.

U.S. District Judge Elizabeth Kovachevich told Overbeck it is time he straightened out his life after a 20-year record of crimes, including drug offenses and assaulting police officers. One more crime, she said, and he would be "warehoused" in prison with no hope left.

Public defender David Secular said Overbeck "has struggled with substance abuse difficulties throughout his life that he's never gotten appropriate treatment for." He said Overbeck hopes to use his prison sentence to get treatment.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Riedel said the homemade bomb found in Overbeck's bedroom was extremely dangerous and had to be detonated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Agents described the device as being made with a 1 1/2- to 2-inch commercial fireworks mortar shell with an 8-inch fuse and five skeet-loaded shotgun shells duct-taped to the perimeter. It also contained explosive powders.

"He thought it was of a much more benign character," Secular said. "He thought it was nothing more than a firecracker."

"It's a good thing he doesn't celebrate the Fourth of July," the judge said.

The Aisenberg investigation was in the news last summer amid reports Overbeck had claimed he purchased a 12-foot boat from Sabrina's mother, Marlene, and speculated the boat once carried the body of the 5-month-old child, who disappeared from her Valrico home and has not been found.

A sheriff's office informant, Dennis Byron, reportedly said Overbeck admitted chopping up the baby's body after Marlene Aisenberg killed the child in the boat.

Reporter Elaine Silvestrini can be reached at (813) 259-7837 or esilvestrini@tampatrib.com.

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