One Family's Pet Project Plant City residents may notice the pet store on Wheeler Street is starting to come to life again after being abandoned by its former owner over his sexual predator past. Now the Lewis family has set up shop in the spot, and "We're trying to bring the reputation of the pet store back up." ...more

January 27, 2008

Gary Hicks' first offense, attempted sexual battery of a 5-year-old boy. ...more

January 27, 2008

The flier on the door of the new pet store on Wheeler Street seemed innocuous enough: Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. ...more

January 26, 2008

Gary Hicks Chronology ...more

January 25, 2008

PLANT CITY - The flier on the door of the new pet store on Wheeler Street seemed innocuous enough: Anyone younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Few people in the community realized the true nature of the prohibition, or that it was required by law. ...more

January 25, 2008

The tiny service station on Wheeler Street has seen war, peace and nearly a century of change. Only time will tell if the sturdy structure, which occupies a spot on the National Register of Historic Places, can weather the storm brewing over its new incarnation as a drive-through grooming and pet supply store called Pet City Center. ...more

January 24, 2008

The man once known as the "Hyde Park rapist" has been released again from a state treatment center. ...more

January 18, 2008

TAMPA - The man once known as the "Hyde Park rapist" has been released again from a state treatment center. ...more

January 17, 2008

A man who coaxed sexual favors from two boys in exchange for trips to the skating rink received 16 1/2 years in prison and a sexual predator designation in Circuit Court on Wednesday. ...more

January 11, 2008

On Nov. 1, there was a front page article about a convicted sexual predator named Dale Leland, titled "Family, Friends Plea for Man in Court." It was full of quotes from his friends, neighbors, co-workers and lawyer, all vouching for him. Dale already confessed to detectives. Evidence supported the charges and he was found guilty by the jury. Yet, despite the conviction, these character witnesses implied that the sweet, innocent girls lied, making Dale the victim. MSNBC ran the series, "To catch a predator." Predators would meet "underage" targets online, using sexually explicit language. When the predator showed up for pre-arranged sex, the MSNBC investigator spoke briefly to him, then allowed him to leave. Once outside, local police quickly arrested him. The series concluded with the trial and sentencing of each. Without even touching their underage victims, every predator was convicted. Among them was a doctor, a college professor and a child services worker, all liked and respected in their communities. Like Dale, probably many vouched for them. ...more

November 27, 2007