WZEP AM 1460 First News Saturday 04-03-10
WZEP AM 1460
Father And Son Sentenced After Beating Man
A father and son were sentenced after beating a man they accused of stealing a bike. In a case Walton Circuit Judge Kelvin Wells said, “is a nightmare for the people of Walton County,” two men were sentenced after they broke into a family’s condo around 10:30pm on July 28, 2008.
According to the police report, Raymond Robert Zeliadt II and Raymond Robert Zeliadt III were accused of coming into the bedroom of James and Nicole Wiley, yelling at them and accusing Mr. Wiley of stealing the younger Zeliadt’s bicycle. The older Zeliadt reportedly began punching Wiley in the face for 10 to 15 minutes. The younger Zeliadt stood at the foot of the bed and kept Mrs. Wiley from leaving, pushing her back into bed. Wiley was on his knees most of the time. After about 15 minutes, the father and son left.
Wiley’s daughter called 911 after she and her friend locked themselves in a closet. When Walton Sheriff’s deputies arrived, they found Wiley with blood on his face, a broken nose and other injuries. When deputies knocked on Zeliadt’s door, they found blood on his shorts.
During the court appearance, Wiley told Judge Wells that Zeliadt beat him in front of his wife and kids. He said the children were terrorized and have gone to counseling for the last two years. He said the children will not come downstairs at night.
Wells found Zeliadt guilt on all counts of burglary with battery and felony battery. The judge said he received glowing letters about Zeliadt from others in his community. The senior Zeliadt told the judge he does not know what came over him that night. Both father and son were sentenced a got probation.
WZEP News Segment 1
B&G Club SO and WCI Battle
The Battle of the Badges Basketball Challenge, hosted by the sheriff’s Office was a great success and a exciting event. The challenge served as a fundraiser for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast DeFuniak Springs Teen Center and raised about $1300 which will directly benefit the DeFuniak Springs Teen Center.
The first game of the challenge was played between the Walton County Sheriff’s Office and the Walton Correctional Institute. The game was very competitive and both teams did a great job representing their agencies. The game ended with the Walton Correctional Institute on top by 14 points, making the final score 64 to 50.
The second game was played by the Teen Center team and the WCI. This game was again very exciting and competitive. The Teen Center battled it out with WCI and finished the game with the win. The game ended with a final score of 41 to 37.
Sheriff Adkinson awarded Mr. Bobbie Smith, Teen Center Director, and the Teen Center Team a Championship plaque commemorating their win of the first ever, Battle of the
Badges. Sheriff Adkinson was very excited with the outcome of the event and is looking forward to continuing the Battle of the Badges Basketball Challenge in the future.
Sheriff Michael A. Adkinson Jr. said this was a great opportunity for the Sheriff's Office and Walton Correctional Institution to show how Law Enforcement works together not only on a daily basis, but to support the youth of Walton County and a great
organization that has tangible results for the children of this community.
WCSO Awards
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office took time out from its busy schedule to honor its employees who have gone beyond the “call of duty”. Those men and women who have displayed incredible bravery while their life, and others were being threatened. Sheriff Michael A. Adkinson, Jr. says, they have helped bring honor to the agency.
There are three Medal of Valor recipients stemming from an incident on April 25th 2009. Walton County Sheriff’s Deputies intercepted Joshua Cartwright on Highway 90. Cartwright had fatally shot two Okaloosa County Deputies earlier that day. The murder suspect had fled into Walton County, where he flipped his truck after veering off the road to avoid spike strips. Walton County Deputies exchanged gunfire with Cartwright, which subsequently resulted in the suspect’s death. The courage and quick actions of Sgt. Keith Parson, Deputy Dustin Burlison, and Deputy Jason Hall on that tragic day led to each receiving a Medal of Valor.
There are three “Meritorious Service Medal” recipients. In August 2009 Sheriff’s Deputies exchanged gunfire with a Texas bank robbery suspect during a high speed pursuit down U.S. Highway 98. The suspect, Matheos Pitkas, leaned out the driver’s side window with his handgun and fired at Deputy Dave Talley on multiple occasions. Lt. Michael Howell and Deputy Casey Lloyd soon joined Deputy Talley in the pursuit. Shortly after the gun battle, the suspect crashed his vehicle and fled on foot. Sheriff Adkinson says the actions of Lt. Howell, Deputy Talley and Deputy Lloyd are prime examples of dedicated Deputies who “refuse to coward in the face of danger and are willing to become the target of a suspect, in order to protect others.”
Deputy Derral Skinner received the Life Saving Medal. In January, Deputies Derral Skinner and Cameron Johnson responded to a medical assist call. While a Firefighter administered chest compressions, Deputy Skinner performed rescue breathing for the subject. The lead paramedic stated that if it had not been for the quick actions of the Deputies and the Firefighter the man would not have lived.
The Deputy of Quarter Award went to Investigator Breezy Adkinson. An Excellence in Teamwork Award went to five Deputies who worked together to get two burglars off the street, and prevented an untold amount of home and/or vehicle burglaries. The Recipients are Sgt. James Fannin, Deputy Christopher Infinger, Deputy Paula Jensen, Deputy Breezy Adkinson, and Investigator Boots McCormick.
A second Excellence in Teamwork Award went to Deputies Kristen Infinger, Dave Robson, and Russell McMillian for helping track down the Texas bank robbery suspect from last August. Over a three day manhunt, these Deputies fielded several possible sightings of the suspect, Matheos Pitkas, and each time handled them with teamwork and professionalism. It would eventually led to the suspect being surrounded before he took his own life.
The Employee of the 1st Quarter Award went to Megan Rathel in the finance division for the Walton County Sheriff’s Office. Megan’s focus has led to improved record keeping, and has worked to make the finance office more accessible by implementing an open door policy.
Hear local sports at 6:50 am, 7:20 am and 12:20 pm and FRN sports at 7:50am & 3:45 pm.
The First United Methodist Church is holding its 3rd Annual Golf Tournament to benefit missionary work in Ecuador. The tournament will be held at the DeFuniak Springs Country Club on April 10th at 8am. The cost is $200 per team. The format is a four-man scramble with a shotgun start. Mulligans, strings, and other “cheats” are available, and encouraged!! As in years past, there will be great prize packages. For more information, contact Rev. Rob West at 333-1334.
The Annual May Day Festival Men's Softball Tournament is in May at the DFS Recreational Complex on Gene Hurley Rd. ONLY 10 slots are available. First come, first serve. The deadline to register is April 31st. The tournament is on May 15. $200.00 entry fee. Visit www.annualmaydayfestival.com for all information and to download the application.
Obituaries
Sybil Berneice Infinger, age 81, of Freeport, passed away March 30, 2010 due to a traffic accident. Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 3, 2010 at New Beginnings Church of Freeport beginning at 3 p.m. with Brother Uvonne Carroll officiating. A time of visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in Hatcher Cemetery. Flowers are being accepted. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at
www.daviswatkins.com. Arrangements and services are under the direction of Davis-Watkins Funeral Home.On Saturdays at 6:45 & 7:45 am, 12:15 & 4:06 pm.
And on Sundays at 6:45 am, 1:06 & 4:06 pm.