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Best of the worst: Mug shot hall of shame

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Check out these lookers who ran into the law.


Woman sues city after Port Orange police K-9 bites her

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A Volusia County woman who was hospitalized in 2013 after being bitten by a police dog is suing the city.

June Dileo, 53, was bitten last summer while she was searching in Port Orange for a missing 4-year-old boy.

Dileo's family said she needed to get 27 staples in her leg and stitches in her hip, and abdomen because of the bite.

The lawsuit claims she was bitten at least five times by the dog and blames the city for failing to properly train the German shepherd.

The city has not commented on the lawsuit.

Lakeland teacher got pregnant after sex with 17-year-old student, police say

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Lakeland police arrested a teacher on Monday night who they say was having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student.

Jennifer Fichter, 29, an English teacher at the Central Florida Aerospace Academy, has been charged with six counts unlawful sexual activity with a minor.

The investigation was prompted after the victim's mother found text messages on her son's phone and told the teacher to come to the mother's home, according to police.

Fichter told the boy's mother she had sex with him 20 to 30 times, got pregnant at one point and had an abortion, according to police. She also professed her love for him and said she does not regret her actions, police said.

Police said they found during the investigation that the 17-year-old and Fichter had been texting each other with Fichter, using two different aliases and meeting in the early morning hours for sex in the parking lot of the Reserve Apartments.

The victim also told police he had sex with Fichter numerous time outside the city jurisdiction. Those incidents are under investigation by Polk County and Hillsborough County agencies.

UCFPD investigate sorority hazing allegations

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University of Central Florida police are investigating allegations of hazing against a sorority accused of leading two blindfolded pledges into woods on campus and telling them to finish an entire bottle of rum before they could leave.

Once the Chi Omega pledges finished the bottle, the report says, several active sisters dropped them off at a campus parking garage where they wandered around drunk with no way home the night of April 4.

"Both were intoxicated and unable to find their way back to their apartments on foot," the report says.

One pledge had "bruises and scrapes on her hand and arm from falling, while she attempted to find her way home after the incident at the Arboretum."

Eventually, one pledge was able to reach her boyfriend, who picked up both pledges.

On April 5, one of the victims told a pledge sister about the incident, who reported it to chapter executive board members. The student leaders then reported the incident to national alumni leaders.

"Upon learning of the incident, the Chi Omega national organization immediately informed university officials and the chapter began its internal disciplinary process," said Whitney Heckathorne, a spokeswoman for the national organization. "Through this process all three members involved have voluntarily resigned their Chi Omega membership."

Although the three sisters who were allegedly behind the incident are no longer part of Chi Omega, the sorority's future is still uncertain.

Aside from the police investigation, UCF administrators also placed the sorority under an emergency suspension on charges of violating UCF's hazing, alcohol and disruptive conduct rules, according to a letter UCF sent to the sorority president Monday.

The "interim suspension" was imposed prior to a formal hearing because UCF invoked a policy reserved for "unusual cases" involving the health and safety of the community.

The sorority is set to meet with a UCF administrator to review the interim suspension later this month.

It was too early in the process for the national sorority to comment on whether an ultimate punishment for the entire chapter is warranted, but Heckathorne did point out Chi Omega does not tolerate hazing and that this was "a potential, isolated hazing incident," rather than a systemic problem.

"The Chi Omega national organization will continue to partner with UCF and the police in ongoing investigations," Heckathorne said.

The incident comes after UCF temporarily banned all Greek Life activities in February 2013 to work with chapters on alcohol and hazing issues.

UCF said Chi Omega's actions are limited to approved organizational business meetings while the interim suspension is in effect.

Possible lightning strike ignites fire as severe weather hits Central Florida

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Authorities say they are battling a fire possibly ignited by a lightning strike on Tuesday in Celebration as severe weather moves through Central Florida.

[MORE INFO:  Live radar | Temperatures | PICS: Fire ignites]

Osceola fire officials said the fire, which could have been sparked by a lightning strike, ignited on Latta Street at the 24-unit Evander Square Apartments and the roof and top floor are charred.

Pressure from the water in the building also pushed open patio doors on the first floor. Osceola County fire officials said the all units are destroyed.

There are no reports of injuries, but Osceola fire officials said several people were concerned about their pets inside of the building.

"I saw a few people that looked like they worked at Disney that ran home when they heard it was on fire and were pretty upset, crying and kind of hugging each other," said Greg Taussig, who lives in the complex. "I feel terrible there are a lot of good people in this building and a lot of people that are working in the area and I just can't imagine bouncing back from having your house burn down or at least damaged."

The fire had Celebration Boulevard shut down near the Interstate 4 entrance.

Severe thunderstorm and other weather warnings were issued Tuesday in Central Florida as a line of storms trekked across the region.

A severe thunderstorm warning was re-issued for Orange County and Brevard County until 4:15 p.m. Thunderstorm warnings were issued for Orange, Seminole, Marion and Polk counties earlier in the day. 

Downed tree limbs were reported in some areas, but no there were no immediate reports of severe damage.

Temperatures warmed to 87 degrees in Orlando.

"Behind the front, temperatures will be 10 degrees cooler," Bridges said.

Wednesday's high temperature will reach 77 degrees, with a 20 percent chance of rain.

The overnight low into Thursday morning will be in the mid-60s.

"Rain chances will be on and off at 30 percent through Saturday, with highs back in the mid-80s by the weekend," Bridges said.

Easter Sunday will be dry, with a high in the mid-80s.

Pics: Dragons take to the water

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With a max crew of 20, the dragonboats took to the water in the Banana River in Cape Canaveral for the 2nd Annual Space Coast Dragon Boat Races. This year the event benefits JDRF. It was a picture perfect day to be on the water.

Celebrity bad hair days

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Think you're the only one having a bad hair day? You're not alone. There are plenty of celebrities that have had them, too.

Rapper severs penis, jumps off building

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Rapper Andre Johnson severed his penis and jumped from a Los Angeles apartment building early Wednesday, police said.

Johnson was seriously injured, but survived the fall from the second level of the building in North Hollywood, Los Angeles Police Sgt. William Mann said.

Johnson, along with his recovered penis, was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he was being treated, Mann said.

Details about what triggered the incident were not available.

Johnson has been a member of Northstar, a Long Beach, Calif., hip hop group that was part of the Wu-Tang Clan family, according to the Wu-Tang Clan website.

He performs under the name Christ Bearer.

His recording credits include "When the Guns Come Out," which was included on the soundtrack of the 2004 film "Blade: Trinity," according to the Internet Movie Database.


Video: Baby argues with father using no words

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A 14-month-old boy argues with his father -- despite the fact that the child doesn't know any words. 

Selfie-taker gets kicked in head by train conductor

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A man attempting to take a selfie as a train zips past him was kicked in the head by the train's conductor.

Jared Michael posted the short video on YouTube with the message: "I tried to take a selfie while a train passed a 'safe' distance behind. I guess I was still too close and got kicked in the head. I messed up."

In the video, the train's conductor can be heard shouting something inaudible before sticking his foot out and kicking Michael directly in the face and head.

Florida teacher disciplined for explicit photo returns to work

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A Heritage High School teacher who showed a picture of a nude man to students last month has returned to work after a two-week suspension.

Social studies teacher Damian Wilson was projecting cellphone pictures onto a screen in his classroom, and while flipping through the photos, scrolled too far — projecting an explicit picture of male genitalia.

Wilson had used his phone to take pictures of food crumbs students had left in his classroom, in an attempt to show students how messy they were leaving it, Local 6 News partner Florida Today reported.

“It was, at most, on the screen for three seconds,” Wilson wrote in a statement included in Brevard Public School’s internal investigatory file. “I was so embarrassed and sad. The (sic) was a mistake and there was no intent.”

He could not be reached late Wednesday for further comment.

Wilson was suspended without pay from March 31 through April 11. In addition, he will not receive any salary increases this school year. Wilson makes about $41,000 a year.

In a March 31 disciplinary letter, district leaders told Wilson they would pursue termination if a similar incident occurs again.

“This disturbing photo was observed by several students,” the letter says. “Student statements further indicate that you asked the students not to tell anyone what had occurred, and that you sat at your desk, crying on your computer.”

Students from the class submitted written statements. Some said they were not paying attention when the photo was displayed. It remains unclear whether the picture was of the teacher.

“I didn’t see anything on the screen when whatever happened, happened,” one student wrote. “It was a mixed feeling through. The classroom, some were laughing, some were shocked. About half of us didn’t even know what happened.”

Local police were contacted, but it was determined the incident was not criminal in nature.

Wilson is continuing to work as a contract teacher, but is not assigned to a regular class for the remainder of this school year. He will fill in for teacher absences, similar to a substitute teacher.

For next school year, he will be reassigned to a regular social studies teaching position at a school where there’s an appropriate opening. It’s unclear where that might be.

Wilson teaches government and history at Heritage High in Palm Bay. Previously, he taught at Palm Bay High.

Before joining the school district in 2006, Wilson worked in government and state politics, including a stint as former Rep. Mitch Needelman's senior legislative assistant.

He’s also served on various West Melbourne boards, such as planning and zoning. He ran unsuccessfully for city council in 2008.

“Mr. Wilson does an outstanding job in working to make sure our students receive a superb, all-around education,” according to his 2009-10 job evaluation.

In 2008, Wilson received a letter of reprimand for not seeking approval before signing a fundraising agreement for the law academy.

Ryan is at 321-242-3664 or mryan@floridatoday.com. Follow her on Twitter @Mackenzie_Ryan.

On this day: April 17

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Benjamin Franklin dies, Daffy Duck makes his debut, the Bay of Pigs invasion begins, the ill-fated Apollo 13 returns to Earth, and two Los Angeles police officers are convicted in the Rodney King beating, all on this day.

2nd woman arrested in animal torture sex porn investigation

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A second woman was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of animal torture after police investigated a pornographic video in which several women tortured and performed sex acts on animals.

Stephanie Hird, 29, was arrested on five counts of animal cruelty with intent to injure or kill, Local 6 sister station WPLG-TV reported.

Sara Zamora was arrested April 4 on eight counts of animal cruelty for her role in the video called "SOS Barn," Miami-Dade police said.

According to a police report, the video shows Zamora and "other unidentified women torturing and killing a wide variety of animals, including chickens, rabbits and more for the sexual gratification of its viewers."

Hird was arrested as she tried to board a plane Wednesday at Miami International Airport.

No other details were immediately released.

8 guns stolen in smash-and-grab at Winter Park shop

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Deputies continue to search for a man who stole eight guns in a smash-and-grab burglary at a Winter Park gun shop.

The robbery happened around 2:30 a.m. Thursday at Straight Arms at 3690 Howell Branch Road.

According to Seminole County sheriff's deputies, the man smashed in the front door of the store and a display case before stealing a rifle and seven handguns.

Someone nearby heard glass shatter and called 911, but a search by deputies, who used K-9s and a helicopter, failed to locate the culprit.

The thief was only described as wearing a hooded sweatshirt, glasses and a covering over his face.

No other details were immediately released.

Watch Local 6 News and stay with ClickOrlando.com for more on this story.

Charges dropped against Seminole County day care worker

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Lewd conduct charges against a former Seminole County daycare worker were dropped on Thursday.

The state says it will not file charges against Harry Shane Rubin, 40, who was arrested in early February.

The arrest came after a girl at the day care accused Rubin of asking her to perform sex acts during naptime at Legacy Academy in Lake Mary. The girl also stated that Rubin tried to bribe her to take off her clothes with candy.

When questioned about the incidents, Rubin said that the child liked to hug him a lot and rub his belly, and may have rubbed him inappropriately on accident.

Local 6 is checking to see if the Department of Children and Families is still investigating the incident. Check back for further details.


FWC to give update on Lake Mary bear attack

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Florida Fish and Wildlife officials will hold a news conference on Thursday for the fourth day in a row since a woman was attacked by a bear in a Lake Mary subdivision.

FWC has killed seven bears since the Saturday attack in the Carisbrooke neighborhood after they say the bears have shown no fear of humans, meaning they cannot be safely relocated anywhere in Florida.

FWC didn't say that they have identified the bear that attacked Terri Frana Saturday night at her home at 1900 Brackenhurst Place. FWC said although they are testing bears for DNA, the tests may come back inconclusive and they may never find the exact bear that attacked Frana.

On Wednesday, FWC said people who are feeding the bears in the neighborhood, which backs up to the Wekiva Wildlife preserve, are "signing their (the bears) death warrant."

FWC said if you encounter a bear at close range, speak to the bear in a calm, assertive voice while backing up slowly toward a secure area. Be sure you are leaving the bear a clear escape route. Stop and hold your ground if your movement away seems to irritate instead of calm the bear. Do not run or play dead. If a black bear attacks you, fight back aggressively.

The FWC also reminded residents to be aware of their surroundings and always supervise pets and children while outdoors.  Residents should contact the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC to report any threatening bear activity.

Watch Local 6 News and stay with ClickOrlando.com for more on this story.

Wanted Osceola County sex offender caught in Bahamas, deputies say

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A sex offender wanted in Osceola County since September 2013 on sexual abuse charges is in custody on Wednesday after being found in the Bahamas, deputies said.

Loomes Wheeler, Jr., 70, was located on the Exuma Islands in the Bahamas on Monday and is being brought back to Osceola County jail.

Wheeler, who also owned the Horse World Riding Stables, was arrested in April on charges of sexually abusing a 9-year-old girl over 100 times. Another woman came forward after the arrest saying Wheeler also abused her several years ago when she was around 6 years old.

In September 2013, Wheeler cut off his GPS tracking device and fled his home on Granada Boulevard in Kissimmee. Deputies said it wasn't until hours later that the GPS monitoring company alerted them that the device had been tampered with. Deputies said they found the device thrown in the woods near Wheeler's home.

Wheeler was located by the Drug Enforcement Agency in the Bahamas during an unrelated investigation.

Test results released for driver in Winter Park day care crash

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Florida Highway Patrol troopers said on Thursday the driver of the car that crashed into a Winter Park day care, killing one child and injuring more than a dozen others, didn't have drugs or alcohol in his system.

No charges have been filed against Albert Campbell, 61, after his Toyota Solara crashed into the KinderCare Learning Center on Goldenrod Road last week. Robert Corchado, who troopers say struck Campbell's vehicle in the back, pushing it into the building, has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident with death.

Corchado, 28, turned himself in last week after the crash prompted a statewide manhunt. He was booked into the Orange County jail on $100,000 bond.

The release of the test results comes a day after FHP released its report on the crash, which killed 4-year-old Lily Quintus.

One of the boys that was admitted to Arnold Palmer Hospital with serious injuries was released on Wednesday.

Three-year-old June DeCaldzada is still in the Intensive Care Unit. Her mother tells Local 6 she is making progress but doctors say she will be in the hospital for at least another month.

Most-fattening Easter candy

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You may pack on the pounds stealing these goodies out of your child's Easter basket.

Cocoa woman killed in overnight crash

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A 30-year-old Cocoa woman was killed when her SUV crashed overnight, Local 6 news partner Florida Today reports.

Florida Highway Patrol troopers said Amber Hope was driving a 2000 Chevrolet Tahoe south on Satellite Boulevard when she lost control near Breckinridge Avenue. The intersection is in a residential area north of State Road 520 in Cocoa. The crash occurred about midnight.

The SUV crossed the oncoming northbound lanes, ran off the shoulder and into the ditch. The SUV flipped and ran into a tree while upside down, FHP said.

Hope died at the scene.

The crash remains under investigation.

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