FDLE Complaint Of Officer Garrett Making A False Statement With Witness Dissuading  

Tallahassee Police Officer Charged with Aggravated Assault Receives Not Guilty Verdict

Tallahassee, FL – A Tallahassee police officer facing aggravated assault with a firearm charges was found not guilty.

The incident happened in May 2012 and involved the officers ex girlfriend.

Lyle Ottley was found not guilty of aggravated assault.

Ottley was accused forcing inside his ex girlfriend Erica Brooks’ home in may of 2012. Once inside, Ottley allegedly threatened Brooks and her new boyfriend who was sleeping there at the time.

The verdict came down around 4 pm. the trial featured testimony from Ottley, Brooks, and Herman Samuel, Brooks boyfriend.

Samuel testified that Ottley burst into the bedroom in May screaming at him to “get the expletive out” multiple times.

He also said Ottley reached for and touched his firearm on his hip. Ottley testified that he did yell that at Samuel, but did not touch his firearm.

In the end, the jury sided with the defense.

The state did offer a deal to Ottley before the verdict came down which he declined.

Tallahassee, FL – Lyle Ottley found not guilty.

Tallahassee, FL – Trial is now underway for a Tallahassee Police Officer charged with aggravated assault with a firearm.

Leon County Deputies arrested 32-year-old Lyle Ottley was arrested at his home back in May.

Ottley is accused of forcing his way into his ex-girlfriend’s home and threatening her current boyfriend who was sleeping at the time. The trial is expected to be just one day. Stay tuned to WCTV for updates on the outcome.

Tallahassee, FL – May 29, 2012 – A Tallahassee Police officer arrested for a confrontation at the home of his ex-girlfriend has been the subject of four internal affairs investigations in the last six years.

Records released by TPD today show Lyle Ottley was hired in June 2006. He served as a patrol officer from 2006 until 2009, as part of TPD’s bike squad from 2009 – 2011 and has been a field training officer since 2011.

TPD says Ottley was cleared in three of the four internal investigations.

One of them found him justified in shooting a pit bull that was attacking a fellow officer in 2010.

The fourth case which dates back to 2007 found that Ottley abused his position. He was accused of flashing his badge and trying to get a towing company to release his friend’s car without paying for it.

###

Officer Ottley’s employment history.  Please see below:

Officer Lyle Ottley           DOB: 12/14/79

Date of Hire:                      6/27/06

Work Assignments:

2006-2009  Patrol Officer

2009-2011   COPPS (Bike Squad)

2011- Present  Field Training Officer

Mr. Ottley has the below Internal Affairs investigations while employed at TPD:

-2006     Allegation of Improper Procedure/ Crime Scene Investigations  Exonerated/Case Purged -2007     Allegation of Improper Conduct/Abuse of Position  Sustained-Case is attached -

2009     Allegation of Improper Procedure/Excessive Force  Exonerated/Case Purged  -

2010     Special Investigation- Firearm Discharge- Vicious Animal  Justified-Case is attached

Tallahassee, FL – May 27, 2012 – A Tallahassee Police Officer charged with burglary and aggravated assault made his first court appearance Sunday morning.

Most days, 32-year-old Lyle Ottley puts on a uniform as part of his job as an officer with the Tallahassee Police Department. But the uniform  Ottley put on Sunday 5-27-12 was a drastically different one.

Dressed in a blue prison jumpsuit, Ottley sat before a judge for the first time. Ottley was arrested at his home Friday night 5-25-12. after Leon County Deputies say he forced his way inside the home of an ex-girlfriend, Erica Brooks, who’s the mother of his child, and threatened her and her current boyfriend, Herman Samuel. He’s charged with burglary and aggravated assault. Charges Ottley’s attorney fought.

“From what I see here, your honor, I don’t see any probable cause for burglary. I don’t see any probably cause for aggravated assault. There may be a trespass here,” says Ian Nesbeth, Ottley’s attorney.

Nesbeth contends his client  was never a threat to either Brooks or Samuel.

“The only time it says anything about the weapon being removed, Ottley removed the weapon and put it on the porch to show that he was non-threatening,” says Nesbeth.

The judge ordered Ottley to stay away from both Brooks and Samuel and to not have access to his guns. Ottley is also scheduled to undergo a psych evaluation. He is being held on $40,000 bond.

Ottley is suspended with pay from TPD pending the outcome of the criminal investigation.

Tallahassee, FL — May 26, 2012

Lyle Ottley will make his first appearance before a judge Sunday 5-27-12 morning. Ottley is being held at the Leon County Jail.

Tallahassee, FL — May 25, 2012

TPD says Ottley has been suspended with pay  pending the outcome of the criminal investigation. TPD says once LCSO completes its investigation, TPD will conduct its own.

Tallahassee, FL — May 25, 2012

On May 25, 2012, Herman Samuel reported an aggravated assault and armed burglary.  Samuel reported that he lives with his girlfriend, Erica Brooks.  Around 2:15 AM Brooks ex-boyfriend, Lyle Ottley, entered the home and threatened him with a firearm. Ottley is a police officer for the City of Tallahassee and was wearing his Law Enforcement uniform, complete with duty belt and duty firearm at the time of this incident.

Ottley indicated that he had just gotten off work, prior to coming to Brooks’ home.  This home is located in Leon County, outside the geographical jurisdiction of the City of Tallahassee.  Ottley was not on an official call for service and was not there in an official capacity.  His supervisors were notified and responded to the scene. Ottley was arrested at 6:30 PM May 25, 2012 with charges of Armed Burglary and Aggravated Assault.

Holiday Safety Tips

Tallahassee, FL – November 21, 2012 -

For shoppers heading to malls and other retailers, authorities want to make sure you don’t let criminals ruin your holidays.

Experts say it’s a good idea not to carry a purse or a wallet when shopping during the busy holidays.

Shopper Brii Kindem says, “In fact, right now I have nothing on me except this little purchase I just made.  There are a lot of people that pick pocket.  Then they get more money for their stuff they want and that’s not cool.”

Tallahassee Police say if you do carry a purse, hold it close to the center of your body.  Officers say purses that hang by your side become an attractive target.

Avoid carrying large amounts of cash is also suggested.

When arriving at your shopping destination, police say park your car in a location that is highly visible, park close to the store entrance when possible, and park in an area that will remain well lit after dark.

Tallahassee shopper Anna Kvalvik says, “I do a quick scope of who’s around and make sure all of my doors are locked.”

That’s a good idea according to police.

Officers say you should also have your keys ready before you get to your car.  They say fumbling for your keys while standing at your car could give a criminal enough time to make you a victim.

They say never leave bags or anything visible inside of the car.

Kvalvik says, “I usually put stuff in the trunk and then lock it so that people don’t look in and be like, oh loo, I was just going to go inside and buy that but I might as well just take it from the car.”

For more tips, please see the press release below.

PRESS RELEASE FROM TALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT

The Tallahassee Police Department knows you probably need a well-deserved break and look forward to the holiday season, but don’t let criminals spoil your fun.  Here are some suggestions to help keep you and your property safe during the holidays.  As always, if you see something, say something, do something.

HOLIDAY SHOPPING

Go shopping with a friend.  There is safety in numbers.

Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Pay for purchases with a check, credit card, or debit card, when possible.

When arriving at your intended destination, where do you park?  Your vehicle should be parked in a location that is highly visible, close to an entrance, and in an area that will remain well lit after dark.

When leaving your vehicle, always make sure it is completely secured.

When approaching your vehicle, check the area for people that seem to be loitering.  If someone or something does not seem right or is suspicious, do not go to your vehicle.  If you are at a mall, contact Mall Security as they can escort you to your vehicle. In an area that may not have security, return to the business and request they contact law enforcement to check the area.

If you return to your vehicle to place packages inside, place them in the trunk.  If this is not possible, place them on the floorboard and cover them.  There may be someone watching and waiting for you to leave your vehicle.  Ideally, the best recommendation is to move your vehicle to a new location.  It should appear that you are leaving the area.

Never leave property inside the passenger compartment of your vehicle that is visible to people walking by.  If it catches your eye, it will catch a potential burglar’s eye, too!

Purses should be held close to the center of your body.  Purses hanging down by your side become an attractive target.  A fanny pack could be used instead of a purse.

Have your keys ready before you get to your vehicle.  Fumbling for your keys while standing at your vehicle could give a potential criminal just enough time to make you a victim.

As you approach your vehicle look under it.  Once at your vehicle, check inside.  You are checking for someone inside or the possibility that your vehicle has been tampered with during your absence.  This process takes only a couple of seconds.

LEAVING HOME

While you are shopping, it is important to make sure your home is properly secured.

Garage doors should be closed and locked

Always make sure all exterior doors and windows are properly closed and locked when you leave.  Most burglaries are a crime of opportunity! An unlocked or opened door or window can easily provide the opportunity.

For all day trips, make sure interior lights are on timers.  This serves two functions.  First, it will appear someone is home.  Second, you will come home to a house that is not completely dark.  Exterior lighting can usually be equipped with a photocell that will activate exterior lighting automatically.

RETURNING HOME

Upon entering your vehicle lock all doors.  This increases the strength of the door during a crash and prevents unwanted passengers from entering while you are stopped.

As you arrive home, check for strangers or strange vehicles loitering near or around your residence.

If you feel you are being followed, DO NOT GO HOME!  Go to a well-lighted, populated area and call the police.

Never exit your vehicle until you feel safe.  If you feel the area is not secure, leave the area and contact police.

Have your house/apartment key in hand and ready before exiting your vehicle.

Do not enter your home if a door is ajar or a window is broken, immediately contact the police.

PARTY RESPONSIBLY

Designate a responsible, non-drinking person to drive and safely escort partygoers home after the celebration.

If you’ve had too much to drink, don’t drive.  Call a taxi, a friend or family member or stay where you are until you are sober. DON’T LET YOUR FRIENDS DRIVE DRUNK!!

If hosting a party, only allow those guests who are of legal age to consume alcoholic beverages.  No one under 21 years of age should be in possession of an alcoholic beverage.

Keep guests to a manageable number and end the party at a reasonable hour.

Tallahassee Officer Back at Work After Arrest & Acquittal

TPD Officer Acquitted of Assault, Fired from Force 10-25 5pm

TPD Fires Ottley 10-25 Noon

TPD Officer Accused of Assaulting his Girlfriend Found Not Guilty 10-19 6pm

TPD Officer On Trial for Aggravated Assault, Firearm Charges Found Not Guilty 10-19 5pm

Trial Underway for TPD Officer 10-19 Noon

Arrested TPD Officer Appears in Court

TPD Officer Arrested on Aggravated Assault and Armed Burglary Charges

II 12-06 Report Officer Ottley

Tallahassee, FL – A TPD officer acquiited of breaking into his ex-girlfriend’s house has just gotten his job back.

The city attorney confirms paperwork was signed yesterday that will allow Lyle Otley to return to work at TPD.

Lew Shelley says Otley filed a grievance after he was fired..   The city manager and police chief reviewed documents and testimony from his trial and Otley was reinstated.

Tallahassee, FL – Trial is now underway for a Tallahassee Police Officer charged with aggravated assault with a firearm.

Leon County Deputies arrested 32-year-old Lyle Ottley was arrested at his home back in May.

Ottley is accused of forcing his way into his ex-girlfriend’s home and threatening her current boyfriend who was sleeping at the time. The trial is expected to be just one day.

Stay tuned to WCTV for updates on the outcome.

Tallahassee Police Department Release

Tallahassee, FL – On May 25th, 2012 Officer Lyle Ottley was arrested for one count of Armed Burglary of an Occupied Dwelling and one count of Aggravated Assault with a Firearm by the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. Mr. Ottley was acquitted at trail.

After TPD conducted an Internal Affairs Investigation, Mr. Ottley was terminated by Chief Jones for sustained violations of department policy to include unbecoming conduct, violation of rules and laws, use of force (improper handling of service weapon) and vehicle assignment and operation/unauthorized use.

“If an officer violates the rules of our department, there must be accountability. It is my expectation that every employee demonstrate the highest ethical and moral character while representing the police department in order not to violate public trust” said Chief Dennis Jones.

Please see the attached report for additional details.

Tallahassee, FL-A Tallahassee Police Officer, acquitted of an assault charge just a week ago has been fired.

Lyle Ottley was found not guilty of aggravated assault on October 19.  Ottley was accused of forcing his way inside his ex girlfriend Erica Brooks’ home in May of 2012. Once inside, Ottley was accused of threatening Brooks and her new boyfriend who was sleeping there at the time.

Ottley was hired by TPD in 2006. He severed as a patrol officer for three years before he joined the bike squad.  He later  became a field training officer.

“Based on the jury’s verdict of finding Mr. Ottley not guilty and the glaring contradictions of Mr. Samuel’s testimony, we think that the Tallahassee Police Department’s decision to fire Officer Ottley is extremely unwarranted and totally unexpected,”  says Ian Nesbeth, Ottley’s attorney.

Nesbeth expects his client to appeal his termination.

TPD says it fired Ottley for conduct unbecoming of an officer, violation of department rules and using a department vehicle without authorized use.

Tallahassee, FL – A Tallahassee police officer facing aggravated assault with a firearm charges was found not guilty.

The incident happened in May 2012 and involved the officers ex girlfriend.

Lyle Ottley was found not guilty of aggravated assault.

Ottley was accused of forcing inside his ex girlfriend Erica Brooks’ home in may of 2012. Once inside, Ottley allegedly threatened Brooks and her new boyfriend who was sleeping there at the time.

The verdict came down around 4 pm. the trial featured testimony from Ottley, Brooks, and Herman Samuel, Brooks boyfriend.

Samuel testified that Ottley burst into the bedroom in May screaming at him to “get the expletive out” multiple times.

He also said Ottley reached for and touched his firearm on his hip. Ottley testified that he did yell that at Samuel, but did not touch his firearm.

In the end, the jury sided with the defense.

The state did offer a deal to Ottley before the verdict came down which he declined.

Tallahassee, FL – Lyle Ottley found not guilty.

Tallahassee, FL – Trial is now underway for a Tallahassee Police Officer charged with aggravated assault with a firearm.

Leon County Deputies arrested 32-year-old Lyle Ottley was arrested at his home back in May.

Ottley is accused of forcing his way into his ex-girlfriend’s home and threatening her current boyfriend who was sleeping at the time. The trial is expected to be just one day. Stay tuned to WCTV for updates on the outcome.

Tallahassee, FL – May 29, 2012 – A Tallahassee Police officer arrested for a confrontation at the home of his ex-girlfriend has been the subject of four internal affairs investigations in the last six years.

Records released by TPD today show Lyle Ottley was hired in June 2006. He served as a patrol officer from 2006 until 2009, as part of TPD’s bike squad from 2009 – 2011 and has been a field training officer since 2011.

TPD says Ottley was cleared in three of the four internal investigations.

One of them found him justified in shooting a pit bull that was attacking a fellow officer in 2010.

The fourth case which dates back to 2007 found that Ottley abused his position. He was accused of flashing his badge and trying to get a towing company to release his friend’s car without paying for it.

###

Officer Ottley’s employment history.  Please see below:

Officer Lyle Ottley           DOB: 12/14/79

Date of Hire:                      6/27/06

Work Assignments:

2006-2009                            Patrol Officer

2009-2011                            COPPS (Bike Squad)

2011- Present                    Field Training Officer

Mr. Ottley has the below Internal Affairs investigations while employed at TPD:

-2006     Allegation of Improper Procedure/ Crime Scene Investigations                  Exonerated/Case Purged

-2007     Allegation of Improper Conduct/Abuse of Position                                          Sustained-Case is attached

-2009     Allegation of Improper Procedure/Excessive Force                                          Exonerated/Case Purged

-2010     Special Investigation- Firearm Discharge- Vicious Animal                                Justified-Case is attached

Tallahassee, FL – May 27, 2012 – A Tallahassee Police Officer charged with burglary and aggravated assault made his first court appearance Sunday morning.

Most days, 32-year-old Lyle Ottley puts on a uniform as part of his job as an officer with the Tallahassee Police Department. But the uniform  Ottley put on Sunday 5-27-12 was a drastically different one.

Dressed in a blue prison jumpsuit, Ottley sat before a judge for the first time. Ottley was arrested at his home Friday night 5-25-12. after Leon County Deputies say he forced his way inside the home of an ex-girlfriend, Erica Brooks, who’s the mother of his child, and threatened her and her current boyfriend, Herman Samuel. He’s charged with burglary and aggravated assault. Charges Ottley’s attorney fought.

“From what I see here, your honor, I don’t see any probable cause for burglary. I don’t see any probably cause for aggravated assault. There may be a trespass here,” says Ian Nesbeth, Ottley’s attorney.

Nesbeth contends his client  was never a threat to either Brooks or Samuel.

“The only time it says anything about the weapon being removed, Ottley removed the weapon and put it on the porch to show that he was non-threatening,” says Nesbeth.

The judge ordered Ottley to stay away from both Brooks and Samuel and to not have access to his guns. Ottley is also scheduled to undergo a psych evaluation. He is being held on $40,000 bond.

Ottley is suspended with pay from TPD pending the outcome of the criminal investigation.

Tallahassee, FL — May 26, 2012

Lyle Ottley will make his first appearance before a judge Sunday 5-27-12 morning. Ottley is being held at the Leon County Jail.

Tallahassee, FL — May 25, 2012

TPD says Ottley has been suspended with pay pending the outcome of the criminal investigation. TPD says once LCSO completes its investigation, TPD will conduct its own.

Tallahassee, FL — May 25, 2012

On May 25, 2012, Herman Samuel reported an aggravated assault and armed burglary.  Samuel reported that he lives with his girlfriend, Erica Brooks.  Around 2:15 AM Brooks ex-boyfriend, Lyle Ottley, entered the home and threatened him with a firearm. Ottley is a police officer for the City of Tallahassee and was wearing his Law Enforcement uniform, complete with duty belt and duty firearm at the time of this incident.

Ottley indicated that he had just gotten off work, prior to coming to Brooks’ home.  This home is located in Leon County, outside the geographical jurisdiction of the City of Tallahassee.  Ottley was not on an official call for service and was not there in an official capacity.  His supervisors were notified and responded to the scene. Ottley was arrested at 6:30 PM May 25, 2012 with charges of Armed Burglary and Aggravated Assault.

By HLNtv.com Staff

updated 9:54 AM EST, Thu January 10, 2013

NEED TO KNOW

Retired Tallahassee Cop Still On Call

January 24, 2013 by Julie Montanaro

A retired Tallahassee police officer has just returned from Newtown, Connecticut where he offered counseling and prayers to men and women shaken by the Sandy Hook shooting rampage.

The men and women he focused on wore uniforms and badges too.

Kelly Burke spent 25 years as a Tallahassee Police officer. He’s seen lots of things he’d like to forget.

He’s an assistant pastor at Calvary Chapel now and just got back from five days in Newtown, Connecticut.

His job?  Reaching out to first responders who showed up that day to the unimaginable.

He remembered hearing one of them say “You respond thinking Who am I going to save today? Who am I going to help?” He got there and there was nothing he could do for these 20 kids and that grabbed him,” Burke said.

Burke is part of Billy Graham’s Rapid Response Team. He’s been to Haiti in the wake of the earthquake. New Jersey after Superstorm Sandy, and now to Newtown.

Each time, he seeks out first responders.

Certified traumatologist Ken Fowler says those men and women are trained to do just that respond, but they too have a breaking point

“It’s even harder if you have a six year old at home and you go in and you see a six year old that’s been riddled with bullets. These kids weren’t just shot once, they were shot multiple times. That impacts you,” Fowler said.

Burke still responds in time of crises, but it’s no longer to keep the peace.  Rather it’s to try to bring peace to first responders who come face to face with devastation … both natural … and man made

“You see a lot of things. But there are those that make you say, “This one’s going to take some getting over.” If there is such a thing and there’s not any getting over it. You can’t undo the event. You just have to learn to put it in its proper place and learn to seek the good that can come out of that,” Burke said.

Both men say bottling up those feelings beneath a tough guy exterior is one of the worst things first responders can do.

Posted: 01/28/2013 12:45 pm EST  |  Updated: 01/28/2013 12:45 pm EST | The Huffington Post

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

UPDATE: Undercover at the Shelter: One Woman’s Experience

UPDATED
By Julie Montanaro
February 15, 2013

Claims of sexual harrassment at the Shelter in Tallahassee have prompted two new investigations.

As we first reported last night, a pastor who works with the homeless went undercover there for a night and claims she was propositioned by a staff member.

He’s been placed on leave and there’s a meeting at 5 o’clock today to determine what happens next.

A missionary who works with the homeless says she spent just a few hours in disguise at The Shelter and was propositioned by a staff member before she even signed in.

Renee Miller’s blog about it all stunned the Shelter Board. The board’s vice chair says the employee in question was placed on unpaid leave immediately. He was told not to report to work Thursday night.

The board scheduled three emergency meetings today including one at 5 o’clock with the staff member who’s accused of propositioning Miller.

Tallahassee Police say they were called to the Shelter that night, but did not write a report and based on Miller’s comments did not find a crime was committed.

The city manager has asked the police chief to circle back to be sure.

According to City of Tallahasee spokeswoman Michelle Bono, The Shelter receives $402,000 in United Way funding as part of the city and county’s Community Human Services Partnership. She says the city has no oversight of the Shelter’s operations.

Leon County Administrator Vince Long said the same thing, but he said the missionary’s allegations of sexual harrassment – and everything from bed bugs to missing backpacks – “”has our attention.”

The Shelter’s board members are just asking the community to consider its decades long track record of free services and not to rush to judgement on these allegations.

WCTV will bring you more on this story tonight on Eyewitness News.

By: Gina Pitisci
February 14, 2013

Tallahassee, FL – A local woman who works with the homeless everyday heard complaints about the Shelter before, but after several weeks of hearing the same complaints, decided to do something about it.

Renee Miller, Director, City Walk Urban Missions: “He says you don’t want to stay in there… You want to come stay with me, I’ll take you to McDonalds.”

According to Renee Miller, that was what she was told upon checking in at the Shelter when she went undercover as a homeless woman for the night.

Renee Miller, Director, City Walk Urban Missions: “I asked for a drink of water when I got there, and the guy who had asked me for sex handed me a half drank bottle of his own water– I couldn’t even get clean water from a spigot, or something in a cup.”

The Executive Director of the Shelter says that although events like this are uncommon they plan to look into the issue further.

Mel Eby, Executive Director, the Shelter: “it’s possible, it’s possible any place and we’ll investigate and of course we wouldn’t tolerate anything like that. We’re going to investigate to look more into it and if there is any truth to it, we’ll take action.”

While undercover, Renee also met a woman who was bit multiple times by bed bugs at the shelter.

Mel Eby, Executive Director, the Shelter: “The bed bugs have been a problem all over town, including in the FSU dorms, and we keep working on it, it’s not like we ignore it, but the problem is there are so many transients coming in with new luggage and new belongings and they could be bringing them in.”

Two local homeless men also gave their opinion of the Shelter and their experience while staying there.

Joshua Horne, one homeless man, stated, “It’s alright, Mel’s a good guy, he really is, he’s trying to help people.”

H.B., one homeless man, adds, “At the Shelter, to me, the people ain’t right. See they’ll keep you there, they’ll feed you, but when someone else thought that you are trouble, they’ll put you out and let them stay in there. It ain’t right.”

If you would like to help the homeless in our area, City Walk Urban Missions accepts clothes, household items and monetary donations at their thrift store. They are located at 1351 Thomasville Road in Tallahassee and the proceeds go back to helping the homeless or ex-offenders.

To read Renee Miller’s full blog post, “Undercover at the Shelter”, go to http://www.tallahasseegrapevine.com/blog/view/id_4230/title_undercover-at-the-shelter-in-tallahassee/.

Shelter Board Meets in Wake of Allegations from Undercover Woman

UPDATED
By Julie Montanaro
February 19, 2013

The Shelter’s executive board met tonight to discuss sexual harassment allegations leveled by a pastor who spent one night undercover there.

On Friday, Tallahassee’s city manager asked Tallahassee Police to investigate further. TPD spokesman David Northway says that investigation is still under way and he did not have a target date for its completion.

UPDATED
By Julie Montanaro
February 15, 2013

Claims of sexual harassment at the Shelter in Tallahassee have prompted two new investigations.

As we first reported last night, a pastor who works with the homeless went undercover there for a night and claims she was propositioned by a staff member.

He’s been placed on leave and there’s a meeting at 5 o’clock today to determine what happens next.

A missionary who works with the homeless says she spent just a few hours in disguise at The Shelter and was propositioned by a staff member before she even signed in.

“He says you don’t want to stay in there, you wanna come with me at my house. I will take you to McDonalds,” Miller said.

“We are taking the allegations very seriously,” board member David Maloney said.

Renee Miller’s blog about it all stunned the Shelter Board. The board’s vice chair says the employee in question was placed on unpaid leave immediately. He was told not to report to work Thursday night.

The board scheduled three emergency meetings today including one at 5 o’clock with the staff member who’s accused of propositioning Miller.

“If the employee admits the allegation, I think he’ll be fired on the spot, if the employee denies the allegation, there’s going to have to be an investigation,” Maloney said.

Tallahassee Police say they were called to the Shelter that night, but did not write a report and based on Miller’s comments did not find a crime was committed.

The city manager has asked the police chief to circle back to be sure.

“The city manager has asked the police chief to talk to the woman who wrote the blog post, talk to shelter clients, talk to shelter staff … and the real purpose is to determine is there any additional law enforcement issues that need to be looked into,” said city spokeswoman Michelle Bono.

According to Bono, The Shelter receives $402,000 in United Way funding as part of the city and county’s Community Human Services Partnership. She says the city has no oversight of the Shelter’s operations.

Leon County Administrator Vince Long said the same thing, but he said the missionary’s allegations of sexual harassment – and everything from bed bugs to missing backpacks – “”has our attention.”

The Shelter’s board members are just asking the community to consider its decades long track record of free services and not to rush to judgment on these allegations.

“We hope to have the opportunity to give us a chance to find out what is going on and know that as a board we will follow up and any wrongdoing will be righted,” said board vice-chair Prsicilla Tharpe.

A 5 o’clock meeting among the shelter’s executive board, attorneys and the employee accused of harassment has just wrapped up.

A board spokesman says the employee will remain on leave without pay until they can investigate further. They will hire an independent employment lawyer to conduct the investigation.

WCTV will bring you more on this story tonight on Eyewitness News.

By: Gina Pitisci
February 14, 2013

Tallahassee, FL – A local woman who works with the homeless everyday heard complaints about the Shelter before, but after several weeks of hearing the same complaints, decided to do something about it.

Renee Miller, Director, City Walk Urban Missions: “He says you don’t want to stay in there… You want to come stay with me, I’ll take you to McDonalds.”

According to Renee Miller, that was what she was told upon checking in at the Shelter when she went undercover as a homeless woman for the night.

Renee Miller, Director, City Walk Urban Missions: “I asked for a drink of water when I got there, and the guy who had asked me for sex handed me a half drank bottle of his own water– I couldn’t even get clean water from a spigot, or something in a cup.”

The Executive Director of the Shelter says that although events like this are uncommon they plan to look into the issue further.

Mel Eby, Executive Director, the Shelter: “it’s possible, it’s possible any place and we’ll investigate and of course we wouldn’t tolerate anything like that. We’re going to investigate to look more into it and if there is any truth to it, we’ll take action.”

While undercover, Renee also met a woman who was bit multiple times by bed bugs at the shelter.

Mel Eby, Executive Director, the Shelter: “The bed bugs have been a problem all over town, including in the FSU dorms, and we keep working on it, it’s not like we ignore it, but the problem is there are so many transients coming in with new luggage and new belongings and they could be bringing them in.”

Two local homeless men also gave their opinion of the Shelter and their experience while staying there.

Joshua Horne, one homeless man, stated, “It’s alright, Mel’s a good guy, he really is, he’s trying to help people.”

H.B., one homeless man, adds, “At the Shelter, to me, the people ain’t right. See they’ll keep you there, they’ll feed you, but when someone else thought that you are trouble, they’ll put you out and let them stay in there. It ain’t right.”

If you would like to help the homeless in our area, City Walk Urban Missions accepts clothes, household items and monetary donations at their thrift store. They are located at 1351 Thomasville Road in Tallahassee and the proceeds go back to helping the homeless or ex-offenders.

To read Renee Miller’s full blog post, “Undercover at the Shelter”, go to http://www.tallahasseegrapevine.com/blog/view/id_4230/title_undercover-at-the-shelter-in-tallahassee/.

Man Settles Suit with Tallahassee Police Over Dog Shooting

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Please Click Here For Video From WCTV On This Exclusive News Story

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“In no way was Smitty aggressive,” said Marshall.  “In no way did he look aggressive,” he said.  “This was basically the officers not manning up to a mistake they made and covering themselves to keep their jobs,” Marshall said.

While Marshall admits he was rude to the officers and told them to leave his property multiple times, he says he feared for his own life after Officer Azevedo shot Smitty.

He says he tried to close the door and get away, but the officers entered his home and Acevedo shot Marshall twice with a taser.

“They shot my dog right on my front porch and then came into my house,” said Marshall.  “What rights do you have if you can’t stay in your own house,”  he said.

“It was determined their actions were completely justified because they were in fear for their own safety,” said Jackson.

Marshall was arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer without violence and petit theft of the dog.

He faced up to 30 years in prison.

However, the state attorney dropped all the charges, noting “the dog in this case does not meet the definition of a deadly weapon”.

Marshall then sued.

Instead of going to trial, the city settled out of court with Marshall for $25,000.

“There was some concern perhaps the sympathy factor because of the dog,” said Jackson explaining the decision to settle.

While Marshall has received the $25,000 settlement, he says his legal bills were more than $40,000.

And he said he sat in jail for two weeks.

He says he was offered a plea deal for three years in prison he’s glad he didn’t take.

“It’s real serious,” said Marshall.  “It would’ve changed my entire life,” he said.  “I’d still be in jail right now,” Marshall said.

Instead Marshall left Tallahassee to get a fresh start in California.

As for Officers Azevedo and Adrick, a Tallahassee Police Department internal affairs investigation cleared them both of any wrongdoing.