Crackhead Crackdown Showdown Update !
The substantial criminal records of the men who yesterday received a restraining order from Judge Julio E. Gonzalez Jr. against a Poinsettia Heights man, were obtained today by Tim Smith's Fort Lauderdale.
They are sometimes called the Railroad Track Gang, not so lovingly, by residents in the four neighborhoods surrounding NE 13th Street in Fort Lauderdale. They have been holding up in makeshift campsites along the RR tracks, and some are suspect in the areas' recent surge in crimes. They had complained to the Public Defenders Office that local businessman and artist Steve Sticht, had chased them with a chainsaw, posted wanted posters of them, and threatened to kill them. Sticht, a member of one of the area's anti-crime committees, says that is "all bull", that he just cut down one of their many campsites, dubbed "Camp Crackhead", after authorities were either unable or unwilling to accomplish it.
Here are the men and some highlights of their rap sheets:
Steven Charles Newton (42)
a.k.a. "Shorty"
Multi State Offender
Total Felony Charges - 15
Total Felony Convictions - 5
Total Misdemeanor Charges - 9
Total Misdemeanor Convictions - 2
Total Failure to Appear - 3
Total Incarcerations - 5
( charges include Burglary, Larceny, Cocaine Possession, Resisting Arrest, Cocaine-Sell, Trespassing,among others)
Michael Scarola (39)
a.k.a. - Michael Carpece,
- Cross Eyed Mike
Multi-State Offender
Total Felony Charges - 11
Total Felony Convictions - 6
Total Misdemeanor Charges - 20
Total Misdemeanor Convictions - 11
( charges include Burglary, Larceny, Cocaine Possession, Lewd/Lasciv, Prostitution, Trespassing, Shoplifting, Resisting Arrest, Drugs Sell, among others.
James Earl Brown (38)
Total Felony Charges - 7
Total Felony Convictions - 3
Total Misdemeanor Charges - 4
Total Misdemeanor Convictions- 0
Total Failure to Appear - 5
Total Incarcerations - 0
(charges include Burglary, Larceny, Fraud, Cocaine Possession, Cocaine-Distr, Trespassing, among others)
Terry Dwayne Hampton (41)
Total Felony Charges - 2
Total Felony Convictions - 1
(charges include Cocaine Possession, Drug Equip, Trespassing)
These men have a Protective Order in place against Sticht, which orders him to stay away from their residence, which in this case we assume means "Camp CrackHead" on the FEC Railroad line! Another hearing is scheduled on April 17.
They are sometimes called the Railroad Track Gang, not so lovingly, by residents in the four neighborhoods surrounding NE 13th Street in Fort Lauderdale. They have been holding up in makeshift campsites along the RR tracks, and some are suspect in the areas' recent surge in crimes. They had complained to the Public Defenders Office that local businessman and artist Steve Sticht, had chased them with a chainsaw, posted wanted posters of them, and threatened to kill them. Sticht, a member of one of the area's anti-crime committees, says that is "all bull", that he just cut down one of their many campsites, dubbed "Camp Crackhead", after authorities were either unable or unwilling to accomplish it.
Here are the men and some highlights of their rap sheets:
Steven Charles Newton (42)
a.k.a. "Shorty"
Multi State Offender
Total Felony Charges - 15
Total Felony Convictions - 5
Total Misdemeanor Charges - 9
Total Misdemeanor Convictions - 2
Total Failure to Appear - 3
Total Incarcerations - 5
( charges include Burglary, Larceny, Cocaine Possession, Resisting Arrest, Cocaine-Sell, Trespassing,among others)
Michael Scarola (39)
a.k.a. - Michael Carpece,
- Cross Eyed Mike
Multi-State Offender
Total Felony Charges - 11
Total Felony Convictions - 6
Total Misdemeanor Charges - 20
Total Misdemeanor Convictions - 11
( charges include Burglary, Larceny, Cocaine Possession, Lewd/Lasciv, Prostitution, Trespassing, Shoplifting, Resisting Arrest, Drugs Sell, among others.
James Earl Brown (38)
Total Felony Charges - 7
Total Felony Convictions - 3
Total Misdemeanor Charges - 4
Total Misdemeanor Convictions- 0
Total Failure to Appear - 5
Total Incarcerations - 0
(charges include Burglary, Larceny, Fraud, Cocaine Possession, Cocaine-Distr, Trespassing, among others)
Terry Dwayne Hampton (41)
Total Felony Charges - 2
Total Felony Convictions - 1
(charges include Cocaine Possession, Drug Equip, Trespassing)
These men have a Protective Order in place against Sticht, which orders him to stay away from their residence, which in this case we assume means "Camp CrackHead" on the FEC Railroad line! Another hearing is scheduled on April 17.
Since Judge Gonzalez is up for re-election this year, my question is who is running against him?
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I really have to wonder about this Judge Gonzalez not just Ordering a "court protction" for these f***** up felons, but how he "pleads" for one in front of him. I sat in his court room (#5810)yesterday morning. I saw & heard how he pleaded "not guilty" for many & they were not even standing at the podium.
I always thought it was up to the defendant how they wanted to plead. I guess, I was wrong for the Judge took this away from many yesterday.
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Thanks Tim, for your extensive research in making this invaluable info available to the public. I live in the vicinity, and have showed these photos to my children, as they walk to school at Sunrise Middle, and God forbid they have to loose their lunch money for crack cocaine,or worse yet, be accosted by one (or more)of those derelicts.Keep up the great work Tim- I only wish the Mayor of the city were as concerned as you, consistantly so, in or out of office.....I will offer my time and moving expenses to these creeps if I can relocate them in any of the neighborhoods the bleeding heart attorneys and judges live in!!!!
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In 1979, Steve Sticht became our neighbor on NE 2nd Ave. At the time, I was in sixth grade and he was nine years older than I. Steve became a friend and a big brother to me and looked out for our family. We have remained life-long friends.
My last visit to Ft. Lauderdale was in 1999. I visited Steve and he explained that he and his neighbors had a chronic issue with people hanging around the tracks and using crack. Again, this was in 1999. Obviously, this problem has not changed or been handled by proper authorities.
Steve Sticht is a person of high integrity. He has a family. He's an artist. And through his artwork he challenges people to think. Physically harming a person or people is not what Steve is about. These allegations against Steve are slanderous and unfair.
And judging from the above felons' resumes? Come on...
Matt Zacharias
Ann Arbor, Michigan
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I can't believe one of the blue bike guys is violating anyone's rights. He's not that kind of guy. It seems to me he's trying to protect his community and he's doing it creatively as any artist would. Judge Gonzalez needs to open his eyes. The facts speak for themselves.
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I think Steve Sticht should run for the City Commission for that District. I do not agree with his current tactics, but he is a person that takes action and I have not seen much from the Commissioner Rodstrom that holds the Office today.
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I lived on that block and Steve was my good neighbor for 8 years. My home was burglarized 5 times by these derelicts and their predecessors.
That particular block of 13th Ave is unique in that the homes are very close to the tracks and Wool Plumbing and FPL have properties that are left unattended for long periods of time which promotes this as a site for homeless squatters. Things improved between 2000 and 2004 but deteriorated after the city went broke and shut down the 13th Ave police substation and reduced community policing efforts.
As a neighbor I supported Steve's efforts and assisted him from time to time in mending the fences along the tracks. I still fully support his efforts to this day.
The judge's decision is clearly out of context and an insult to Steve and all of the fine people, my former neighbors, that live on his block.
Thanks as always to Tim Smith for shining a realistic light on this subject.
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Let's get together and do a Crime Walk along the Railroad Tracks. (get our PD, any news station that would be interested as well as the Sun-Sentinel)
Even invite the Judge! Let him see first hand what one deals with. (maybe he will move them into his neighborhood ~ LOL)
The Judge sounds much like Naugle ~ "in your neigborhood but not mine")
LOL ~ don't forget your AK-47'S if you have one.
Let the Judge know that Stephen is only doing what he believes in ~ protecting his neighborhood & the children that live within. He is not a criminal!
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I support Steve,he is a wonderful person. Question: do the neighbors near these tracks call the police to report vagrants or bums sleeping on the tracks? I think it's time for channel 7 to get in on this, that's one way the judge will be forced to assist or he will be out of office when the news gets done with him.
As I recall it would be illegal to set up a tent and live wherever you want.
Maybe some people need to report how threatened they feel (something along the lines of what these vagrants did)and see if that helps. I would call the police and ask for a copy of the police report each time they come out. Perhaps then they will get tired of being scolded by the police officers and decide to take their camp to a campground. In California you go to jail for camping in areas that are not designated camping zones. Florida should have a similar statute on the books for this very reason. That's something we can all work on that would benefit many.
Good luck Steve - call channel 7 and direct them to this website for reference, tell them about how the legal system turns their heads when it comes to repeat offenders living in makeshift tents along railroad tracks within so many feet of your home. They should eat that up.
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Hey Everybody! The Miami Herald picked up on this information. See Sunday's Herald. I wish the judge could read all the positive comments on this blog.
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Forget this judge Gonzalez, he only did what any judge would do without hearing both sides to the story. What is unattractive is the fact that because they have these temporary restraining orders against me they feel right at home running around on 13th street and the FEC railroad tracks as if they have a free reign to do so. It is a travesty of justice that the Fort Lauderdale Police department have people like James E. Brown on their side as a confidential informant. And just you ty to get someone to actually say they do! Not going to happen. But next time you drive by the Sunshine Food and Drug Market or 815 NE 13th street just look at the criminals/crackheads/male hustlers sitting on the steps. They are the guys who make your daughter's fiance ask "what kind of a neighborhood do you live in?" Well this is our neighborhood, and we deserve a lot more reaction from our police and our city. Let me tell you, it is only going to get worse before it gets better at this point in time. Do you think the mayor could even take a little bit longer time to email me except to say he is going to send my emails to the city manager. Ha! I have never even heard from our wonderful city manager. Let's do what we have to. Call the police, email the city Fathers/Mothers and tell them how we feel. This isn't the sixties with all the heroin users and being all "peace, love and understanding". These are difficult times and "WE" need to be aware and be PROACTIVE! If you see someone who doesn't belong, you are usually correct. Call the police. Get them out there. That is PROACTIVE, taking an action before you lose your G.P.S. and have a broken window to repair or your house is broken into for someone to take your belongings so they can buy a few crackrocks. Let us ALL be more involved in our neighborhoods and take them back!!!
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Ok, so I moved into the house I live in back in 1996. The neighborhood seemed ok, not too bad. I own a dog and we go for walks in the morning and the evening. I have seen some pretty crazy things out here on the streets of my neighborhood. Mostly things pertaining to Crack Cocaine. Different things like prostitutes both male and female out on NE 13th Street, crackheads who buy crack cocaine out in front of the Sunshine Food Market then make their way back to the FEC (Florida East Coast) railroad tracks to smoke what they just bought. I’ve found many crackpipes, condoms, pornographic magazines and dirty soiled clothes. I’ve also found purses, backpacks and other items that were probably stolen and dumped after being gone through. Most of these bags and purses were stolen. I have been seeing these things go on for 12 years or more. Not much has changed around here although it does have it’s ups and downs. In the last 2 years, mostly since Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma came through, we went without streetlights for a long period of time. During these darkened times the Crack Cocaine dealers were quite rampant in the areas of NE 13th Street and Dixie Highway. They found a new group of Crack buyers and they were made up of a lot of the people that traveled to South Florida to get work fixing up damage done by the 2 hurricanes. Unfortunately a lot of the people coming here for work already had addiction problems. Finding crack right out on NE 13th Street only added to their problems. After Hurricane Wilma I had 2 bikes stolen from my property. One of the bikes was found right around the corner from my house on the FEC railroad tracks. A few days later 3 crackheads went into a neighbor’s carport and left with 6 tool boxes. I went after one of the guys and held him for the police. The police went down to the tracks where they found the tools and one of the other crackhead thieves. They were arrested and back out on the streets in under a week.
Around this time I started attending the “Neighborhood Crime Meetings”. At the first one I attended I brought along crackpipes and chore boy scouring pads (which are used as filters inside the crackpipes) plus pictures of the filthy conditions where the crackheads hang out near the FEC tracks. I met with Major Frank Adderly who seemed concerned at what I was telling him. Soon I was in contact with an officer from FLPD’s Homeless Outreach Program. Her name is Officer Monica Ferrer and she made great strides to help with the clean up the conditions on the “tracks”. She took pictures of the people she would find on the tracks and if they were there again they were charged with trespassing. I think she made 15 or so arrests in about a week. I was given her cell phone number and would call her if I saw people on the tracks. Needless to say Officer Ferrer was promoted and was no longer in the area of NE 13th Street and the FEC railroad tracks. It was amazing how quickly the conditions deteriorated when she wasn’t presen
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