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Who are the sex offenders in your neighborhood?
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Grandmother abducted from her home and beaten by in-home vacuum cleaner salesman. Read her story
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Every day companies large and small introduce dangerous felons into unsuspecting
consumers lives. Some are just ignorant to the dangers, others claim to do criminal
background checks and don’t. Although criminal background checking is not fool proof
and there are bad people who have not yet offended or been caught, most if not all
of the crimes below could have been prevented with pre-employment criminal background
checks.
Palm City, FL Feb 5, 2011
Police: Contractor charged homeowner $107,000 for a $10 seawall patch job
http://www.wtsp.com/news/topstories/story.aspx?storyid=173071&catid=250&GID=3uFQWw9q2ymWku3Y+QHThThSeijN2RsKrdKZRBdDU3g%3D"
Sarasota Fl, Jan 11, 2011
Distraction Burglars Hit Two Homes in Sarasota
The Sheriff's office say the suspects randomly show up at homes and claim to be contractors....
http://www.abcactionnews.com/dpp/news/region_sarasota_manatee/sarasota/distraction-burglars-hit-2-homes-in-sarasota
Orlando Fl, Dec 20, 2010
Things a Burglar Won't Tell You
Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters or delivering your new refrigerator....
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2010-12-20/news/os-box-burglary-xmas-tips-20101220_1_alarm-system-burglars-helpful-hint
NEW YORK, Oct. 12, 2010
Perils of Using Unlicensed Home Contractors
Sex Offernders, Drug Addicts and Murderers working as contractors
hhttp://wap.cbsnews.com/site?t=X5ayyrPXsWDQy3sqRL4t3g&sid=cbsnews
10/6/2010 Hillsborough County FL
Hospice Worker Accused of Stealing From More Patients
http://www.baynews9.com/article/news/2010/october/158960/Hospice-employee-accused-of-stealing-from-more-patients
6-26-2010 Pinellas County Fl
Pest Control Worker With Record Steals $15,000 From Customers Including Rays
Championship Ring
If you don't think your business is at risk every day or that consumers don't care, make sure you read the reader comments below the story.
http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/st-petersburg-police-pest-control-worker-stole-rays-championship-ring/1111162
Brevard County
6-16-10
Knife-Wielding Roofer Shot by Officers
An out of work roofer was stopped by deputies for suspicion of DUI. The man exited his car wielding a knife and charged deputies claiming he would not go back to prison.
http://www.wftv.com/news/23916657/detail.html
April 17, 2010
Housing Authority loses lawsuit for performing inadequate background check on
convicted felon
The jury agreed, and CharlotteObserver.com quoted the foreman as saying that the just felt like the elderly woman’s murder could have been prevented with better background checks. The attorney also said he hoped the judgment would make the Housing Authority do more comprehensive background checks on tenants.
A tragic story such as this reminds employers – and landlords – of the importance of national multi-jurisdictional searches that can uncover criminal records that job applicants – or tenants – have in states other than the one in which they currently live and work.
http://www.pinewswire.net/2010/04/jury-finds-housing-authority-negligent-in-elderly-woman%E2%80%99s-murder-after-tenant-background-check-misses-neighbor%E2%80%99s-criminal-past/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A%2BPINewswire%2B(PI%2BNewswire)
Tampa Fl Dec 13 2009
At some centers, felons watch the preschoolers
Since 1985, the Department of Children and Families has cleared 5,803 people to work with kids despite serious records. Their ranks include former cocaine users, prostitutes, spouse abusers, burglars and, in rare instances, kidnappers and killers.
Is your loved one in the care of a convicted felon?
http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/article1058442.ece
Orlando Fl Sept 29 2009
Is your loved one in the care of a convicted felon?
A six-month investigation by the Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel into Florida's background screening system found disturbing flaws that allow those with criminal records - offenses include child abuse, assault and murder - to work in day care centers, assisted living facilities and homes for the elderly and disabled. Employees are routinely hired before background checks are made. Even when criminal offenses are discovered, caregivers can still work with little more than a promise not to break the law again. Children and defenseless adults have been harmed and exploited while in the care of people with criminal pasts, their trust betrayed by a system that fails to protect them.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/crime/orl-special-trustbetrayed,0,1814914.htmlpage
Gulfport Fl
Unlicensed contractors nailed in undercover Gulfport operation
The condo owner said he wanted someone to remodel his bathroom.
The job required knocking out a wall in his first-floor unit. The problem: It was a load bearing wall.
None of the eight contractors who inquired about the job said removing the wall — which helps support the entire building — could create a safety hazard.
"None of them said it was a load-bearing wall," said Gulfport police Lt. Howard Coombs. "They just said they'd do it."
http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/unlicensed-contractors-nailed-in-undercover-gulfport-operation/1049778
Boca Raton Oct 18, 2009
Gymnastics Teacher Accused Of Fondling Girl
Deerfield Beach police arrested Raymond Adams, 38, on child fondling and molestation charges Wednesday.
Adams has coached gymnastics at facilities in both Broward and Palm Beach counties.
According to jail records, Adams has a prior sexual misconduct charge against him from another state.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33347481/ns/local_news-w_palm_beach_fl/
11-19-08 SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla.
Dance Teacher Who Drugged, Molested Girls Gets Six Years
All the little girls wanted to do was dance, but he wanted more and he was willing to drug innocent Seminole County girls to get it. George Fagan committed some of the worst sex crimes in Central Florida and he was given one of the lightest sentences. Fagan was sentenced Wednesday to just six and a half years in prison even though he abused young students for a very long time.
http://www.wftv.com/news/18018196/detail.html
Oct 16, 2009 North Carolina
NC inmates being freed have 256 prison infractions
The inmates are scheduled to be released Oct. 29 after state courts sided with one of the inmates, double murderer Bobby Bowden, that a 1970s law defined a life sentence as only 80 years. The state's Fair Sentencing Act in 1981 included a retroactive provision essentially cutting all those sentences in half, and good behavior and other credits have shortened the sentences to the point that they are now complete.
Bowden had argued before the Court of Appeals in 2008 that he had accumulated 210 days of good conduct credit, 753 days of meritorious credit, and 1,537 days of gain time credit. But the 60-year-old has also racked up 17 infractions in prison, including two for weapon possession, one for damaging property and several for disobeying orders.
Others have equally long rapsheets: William Baggett, a 60-year-old convicted of a 1976 murder in Sampson County, got a fighting infraction last year — his fifth fighting offense while behind bars. Kenneth Mathis, a 55-year-old who went to prison in 1976 after forcing a woman into the woods and raping her, has had three sex infractions in prison. He was accused in 2005 of assaulting an inmate with the intent to commit a sexual act.
State officials believe dozens more inmates convicted three decades ago could soon be eligible for release because of credits and the 80-year law that was in place for several years in the 1970s.
http://www.dailysentinel.com/news/content/shared-gen/ap/National/US_NC_Life_Sentences.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=1&cxcat=0
Sept 17, 2009- Deltona, FL
Orlando School Hires Teacher with Questionable Past
A school in Volusia County has hired a teacher with a felony record and a history of sexual complaints. The man is now working as a bible teacher at a chritian academy in Deltona.
The school’s principal said he could not find any information about the man's past that might pose a problem. “We have investigated every place he's ever worked and we've gotten good recommendations from every place he's ever worked,” said the Principal.
The man's criminal record includes felony stalking, extortion and witness tampering. He's also faced decades of sexual harassment and abuse allegations after students reported being forced to perform sex acts on him.
http://www.wftv.com/mostpopular/20976148/detail.html
Elizabeth Smarts Kidnapper Performed Roof Repair for Family Just Before Abduction
MMitchell would take on odd jobs at times when panhandling failed to produce enough money for the couple to survive. At one point, he cut his hair, shaved his beard, and attempted to present himself in a more acceptable way in order to get more work. It was during this time, in November 2001, that Lois Smart met Mitchell and offered him work for pay which he did for five hours.
http://crime.about.com/od/current/p/brian_mitchell2.htm
Sept 17, 2009- Sorrento, FL
Lake County Air Conditioning Repairman Arrested with 30,000 Child Porn Images
Lake County Sheffifs Office and the FBI arrested a 33 year old Lake County man for possession of over 30,000 child pornography images including children as young as 4 years old.
http://www.wesh.com/news/20971519/detail.html
Douglas County, Nebraska
Woman raped in her home by a delivery driver for a large national pizza franchise.
When he applied for the job he had been in prison 16 times and had a history of
sexual assault. He is now serving 25-30 years. No background check.
Alamo, California
A plastic surgeon was murdered by ex-convict and an accomplice while working as
a delivery man for an auction house. His first conviction – for firearms offenses
– was when he was 17. He was also a gang member. No background check.
Norcross, Georgia
Woman murdered by the apartment complex maintenance man and convicted rapist. His
criminal record, spanning almost 20 years, included armed robbery, burglary, robbery
by force and credit card fraud. At the time that he was hired by the apartment complex,
there was an outstanding warrant for his arrest on theft check charges. He is sentenced
to life in prison for murder. No background check.
Kansas City, Missouri
80 year old beaten to death in her home by an ex convict working as a plumber. He
had spent the last 25 years in prison for various violent felonies including aggravated
robbery, burglary, assault and kidnapping. No background check.
Alameda, California
A pediatrician was robbed and stabbed to death in her home by a Carpet Cleaner.
When hired by a large carpet cleaning company, he was on parole following a 12-year
prison sentence for armed robbery. He had multiple robbery convictions dating back
more than 30 years. He was convicted for life without parole. No background check.
Alameda, California
A minister’s wife, was raped and stabbed to death in the rectory by carpet cleaner.
He had two previous felony convictions. No background check.
Kenton County, Kentucky
A woman was strangled to death by an employee of a carpet and upholstery cleaning
company. After killing the woman, he used her debit cards to withdraw money from
her bank accounts. He had several convictions in Kentucky and Indiana for theft,
burglary, receiving stolen money by fraud, and assaulting a prison guard prior to
being hired. No background check.
Texas
Jane Doe 2. A vacuum cleaner manufacturer, was found liable as one its distributors
hired a door-to-door salesperson with a criminal record who raped a female customer
in her home. No background check.
Dallas County, Texas
A company was found liable when the brother of the apartment’s assistant manager
killed a female tenant. The assistant manager had a criminal record. No background
check.
Florida
Two students murdered by an employee of a Carpet Drying and Cleaning Co., while
cleaning a carpet in their home. Employee had prior arrest for drugs, carrying a
concealed weapon and resisting arrest with violence. No background check.
Maryland
Jane Doe 3, sexually assaulted in her home by man who had a long criminal record
when he started cleaning carpets for a large national home services company. No
background check.
Woman sued a maker of vacuum cleaners, after a salesman sexually assaulted her in
her home. Hired by an independent distributor, he was on probation at the time for
indecency with a child. No background check.
Pennsylvania
Jane Doe 4, raped in her home by convicted felon working as a meter reader. No background
check.
Boston, Massachusetts
A 77 year-old grandmother and her 32 year-old quadriplegic grandson were murdered
by a home health care aide. When hired, he had six larceny-related convictions.
He had been stealing and murdered them to cover up the thefts. No background check.
Tallahassee, Florida
A woman was violently attacked by a deliveryman employed by a Furniture store. He
was a convicted criminal with a history of mental illness. No background check