PAGE 8 - May 13, 2009
THE NEWSCASTER-Nature Coast News
Mail Investigation - Continued from page 1
Inverness Man Held Without Bond on
Guy C. Nelson, Tallahassee, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of Investigations,
Lewd and Lascivious Battery Charges
said his team of postal workers and investigators had been at the residence for about 24
hours. Neighbors said workers could be seen loading mail into a semi truck, as well as other
Jimmy Eugene Sparks, 42, 3033 N. Hooty Pt., Lot 4, Inverness, was
smaller trucks for more than twenty-four hours.
arrested by the Citrus County Sheriff's Office at their Emergency Opera-
According to Sam Montalvo, Miami, Public Information Officer, the contract postal
tions Center, May 6, on 6 counts of lewd and lascivious battery of a 12 to
carrier under investigation has been a contractor for at least two years at the Bronson post
16-year-old child, after he agreed to be interviewed by detectives about the
office, but could have been there longer. Neither Nelson nor Montalvo would confirm the
allegations made against him. According to the arrest report, the 15-year-
employee's name until formal charges were made. Montalvo said after completion of the
old victim told officials that she and Sparks had been involved in a sexual
investigation the report would be sent to a federal district attorney (probably Gainesville).
relationship since January, 2009, and when her mother became aware of the
Montalvo said there have been very few complaints from postal customers about
relationship, she confronted Sparks.
missing mail, and that the investigation by the office of inspector general began in April. He
Sparks corroborated the information that the girl gave detectives
said that the carrier has been replaced while the investigation continues. Potential charges
and was held without bond, as he told officials that he was planning to
Sparks
could range from mail theft to delay of mail. Montalvo noted that they would be going
move to Tennessee and was, thus, considered a flight risk.
through the large amount of mail found, with the ultimate goal of getting the mail delivered.
Man Charged With Lewd & Lascivious
Neighbors on the street said they have seen a burn pile behind the house and
postal workers were seen sifting through the rubble searching for mail. One neighbor said,
when the pile was burning, there was a horrible smell. Another witness said a Bobcat tractor
Molestation of 14 Year Old
could be seen from the road, presumably digging up possible missing mail.
Retired Yankeetown Postmaster Saly Price said, "Don't judge too quickly. As a
Michael Paul Halfacre, 42, Inverness, was arrested by the Citrus
postal employee who started with the post office at age 17 and retired 6 years ago at age 55,
County Sheriff's Office, May 7, charged with lewd and lascivious molestion
there is no way the public could ever understand what happened with Rose, when many
of a 14-year-old girl. According to the arrest report, the girl stated that
managers and employees in the Postal Service can't or don't want to see the whole picture.
Halfacre had touched her inappropriately during the last two years. The
There is so much stress at every level but the further down the line you get to the clerk or
report stated that the parents of a friend of the 14-year-old girl had learned
carrier, the heavier the burden to pull more to meet the requirements due the public by law.
about the incidents, and that was the reason authorities had been con-
Workers try to keep up the image of the USPS in a very competitive world or to help the top
tacted. Detectives spoke with Halfacre, who admitted to touching the girl.
management to meet their goals to get their merits and bonuses just like in any corporate
The report stated that Halfacre became upset, shed tears and showed
business. Been there, done that. For this reason I chose to stay at the bottom."
Halfacre
remorse for the incidents which he told officials had occurred "a few years
Next week Sally Price will get into a somewhat lengthy article to explain the stresses
ago." Halfacre's bond was set at $15,000.
put on postal employees but especially to tell the difference in Rose's job as a highway
contract carrier as opposed to a career position with benefits of other employees. "I am not
Fatal Crash - Continued from page 1
defending a wrong action, but seeing the rest of the picture, many times sheds a different
light on a subject", Price said.
The front of his collided with the left side of Churchill's. The Churchill car rotated slightly
counter-clockwise, slid sideways, and came to final rest partially in the paved portion of the
median, facing southeast. Barclay and 19 year old Stephanie R. Auth of Lecanto were both
taken to Citrus Memorial Hospital with minor injuries.The FHP report stated that alcohol
related charges are pending further investigation involving the Churchill vehicle and that the
Churchill woman was not wearing a seat belt.
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