Friday, February 11, 2010

** Florida EMT shot while in ambulance last month inflicted wound himself, police say

** South Carolina EMT facing 2 decades in jail if convicted of soliciting sex from a minor

UNITED STATES NEWS

** Police in Pensacola, Florida are now saying that the January 28th ambush style shooting of an Escambia County EMT was actually a hoax. The Pensacola News Journal (Carmen Paige/February 10) quoted Sherriff’s Office spokesman Deputy Chris Wellborn as saying provider Brandon Richie admitted Wednesday that his shoulder wound was self inflicted. Richie had maintained since the shooting that an unknown gunman had come into the back of the EMS unit, tapped him on the shoulder, and fired. After responding to Richie’s help hail, police erected roadblocks and began car searches, but the shooter was not found. Wellborn said an arrest warrant will be issued shortly for Richie’s arrest. The likely charge includes making false reports to law enforcement authorities. Richie was released from hospital January 30.

** A Greenville, South Carolina EMT faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted on charges he solicited sex from a minor. That is the word from Fox Carolina (February 10) which said Pendleton resident Cory Crocker, who works for Anderson County’s Medshore Ambulance Service, has been charged with criminal solicitation of a minor and dissemination of obscene material to a minor. According to the news site, unbeknownst to him, Crocker allegedly engaged in chats of a sexual nature with an undercover police officer. He also apparently sent graphic images to the individual whom he believed was a child. Crocker has since been released on $20,000 bail. A trial date has not yet been set.