| Probable cause affidavit: |
SUBMITTED BY: CHENOWETH, JACOB 0708 (AR15-14017) did unlawfully and knowingly obtain, use or endeavor to obtain or use the property of THE VICTIM, to-wit: A 2013 SUZUKI 750 CC GSXR MOTORCYCLE, by exercising control over said property with the intent to either temporarily or permanently deprive THE VICTIM of a right to the property or a benefit thereof, or did appropriate the property to HIS own use or the use of any person not entitled thereto, and knew or should have known that said property was stolen, in violation of Florida Statute, 812.014(2)(C)(6). ON 012315, THE CITRUS COUNTY SHERIFFâS OFFICE RECEIVED A REPORT OF A GRAND THEFT OF A RED IN COLOR 2013 SUZUKI 750 CC GSXR MOTORCYCLE FROM 6656 WEST HILGER COURT IN HOMOSASSA, FLORIDA. ON 022115, DEPUTY STRICKLAND (0276) WAS DISPATCHED TO 6862 SOUTH BLACKBERRY POINT IN HOMOSASSA, FLORIDA. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT INSIDE A SHED AT THE RESIDENCE WAS A BLACK IN COLOR 750 CC GSXR MOTORCYCLE WHICH WAS STOLEN FROM 6656 WEST HILGER COURT IN HOMOSASSA. ON 0222215, I WAS CONTACTED BY DEPUTY VIGGIANO (0682) WHERE HE ADVISED HE CONDUCTED A TRAFFIC STOP ON MR STEPHEN LASSELL JR (DEFENDANT) AT THE CORNER OF HOMOSASSA TRAIL/MICHIGAN AVENUE. DEPUTY VIGGIANO FURTHER ADVISED THAT THE DEFENDANT HAD INFORMATION IN REFERENCE TO THIS CASE. THIS DETECTIVE THEN RESPONDED TO THE TRAFFIC STOP LOCATION. UPON ARRIVAL, I MADE CONTACT WITH THE DEFENDANT AND CONDUCTED A DIGITALLY RECORDED INTERVIEW. THE DEFENDANT WAS READ HIS MIRANDA RIGHTS VIA PRE PRINTED AGENCY CARD, WHERE THE DEFENDANT ADVISED HE UNDERSTOOD AND AGREED TO SPEAK WITH THIS DETECTIVE. DURING THE INTERVIEW, THE DEFENDANT ADVISED HE PURCHASED THE 2013 SUZUKI MOTORCYCLE FROM MR JAY CONTINO. HE STATED THE INITIAL ARRANGEMENTS WERE TO GIVE $1,000.00 DOWN AND MAKE $100.00 PAYMENTS EVERY TWO WEEKS. THE DEFENDANT WAS UNCERTAIN OF THE TOTAL AMOUNT THAT HE WAS GOING TO PAY FOR THE MOTORCYCLE. THE DEFENDANT FURTHER STATED THAT HE HAD A BILL OF SALE FOR THE TRANSACTION AND WOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE IT TO THIS DETECTIVE AT A LATER TIME. ARRANGEMENTS WERE MADE FOR THE DEFENDANT TO MEET THIS DETECTIVE ON 022315 TO PROVIDE ME WITH SAID BILL OF SALE. THE DEFENDANT THEN ADVISED THAT HE DISCOVERED THE MOTORCYCLE WAS STOLEN, GOT SCARED AND ATTEMPTED TO HIDE THE MOTORCYCLE IN A SHED LOCATED AT 6862 SOUTH BLACKBERRY POINT IN HOMOSASSA. ON 022415, I MADE CONTACT WITH THE DEFENDANT AT THE CITRUS COUNTY DETENTION FACILITY WHERE HE IS INCARCERATED ON UNRELATED CHARGES. I CONDUCTED A DIGITALLY RECORDED INTERVIEW WITH THE DEFENDANT AND READ HIS MIRANDA WARNINGS FROM A PRE PRINTED AGENCY CARD. THE DEFENDANT ADVISED THAT HE UNDERSTOOD AND AGREED TO SPEAK WITH ME. DURING THE INTERVIEW, THE DEFENDANT AGAIN STATED THAT HE HAD PURCHASED THE MOTORCYCLE FROM MR CONTINO, AND THAT HIS GIRLFRIEND, MS JESSICA KRUM, HAD THE BILL OF SALE. I MADE CONTACT WITH THE DEFENDANTâS GIRLFRIEND, MS KRUM, WHO PROVIDED SAID BILL OF SALE TO ME. UPON INSPECTION OF THE BILL OF SALE, I OBSERVED THAT ONLY JAY CONTINO HAD SIGNED IT. I THEN OBTAINED MR CONTINOâS SIGNATURES BY UTILIZING THE ââDAVIDââ PROGRAM. THIS REVEALED THAT THE SIGNATURE FROM THE BILL OF SALE DID NOT MATCH THOSE FROM MR CONTINOâS FLORIDA DRIVERS LICENSES. ON 022515, CONTACT WAS MADE WITH MR CONTINO AT THE CITRUS COUNTY DETENTION FACILITY WHERE HE IS INCARCERATED ON UNRELATED CHARGES. A DIGITALLY RECORDED INTERVIEW WAS CONDUCTED; WHERE MR CONTINO WAS READ HIS MIRANDA RIGHTS VIA PRE PRINTED AGENCY CARD. HE THEN ADVISED THAT HE UNDERSTOOD HIS RIGHTS AND AGREED TO SPEAK WITH ME. MR CONTINO THEN DENIED HAVING ANY INVOLVEMENT WITH THE VICTIMâS MOTORCYCLE, AND FURTHER ADVISED THAT AT NO TIME HAS HE EVER RIDDEN ON OR TOUCHED THE VICTIMâS MOTORCYCLE. WHEN ASKED IF HE SOLD THE MOTORCYCLE TO THE DEFENDANT, MR CONTINO STATED NO. I THEN ADVISED HIM OF THE ALLEGATION THAT HE SOLD THE MOTORCYCLE TO THE DEFENDANT, AND A BILL OF SALE WAS PROVIDED. MR CONTINO ADVISED THAT THE BILL OF SALE WOULD BE FAKE AND REQUESTED TO SEE IT. I THEN SHOWED HIM THE BILL OF SALE THAT WAS PROVIDED TO ME BY THE DEFENDANTâS GIRLFRIEND. MR CONTINO IMMEDIATELY STATED THAT THE SIGNATURE WAS NOT HIS. HE THEN ADVISED THAT HE IS TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CRIMES HE TOOK PART IN, BUT HE WOULD NOT ADMIT TO SOMETHING HE DID NOT DO. AT THAT TIME, THE DEFENDANT WAS CHARGED WITH ONE COUNT OF GRAND THEFT AUTO AND TURNED OVER TO DETENTION STAFF FOR BOOKING AND PROCESSING. THE DEFENDANTâS BOND WAS SET AT $2,000.00 FOR THE ABOVE LISTED CHARGE. |
