We remind our readers of two key points:
1. West Boca is one of the safest communities in South Florida. Our arrest reports should not change your view of that.
2. All arrestees are innocent until proven guilty.
The most salacious crime story of the week comes with the arrest Boca Chase’s Chris Nill (27). The probable cause affidavit (thanks to our friends at Boca News Now) and blotter entry set forth unusual circumstances.
The blotter indicates the arrest was made by FAU Police. Mr. Nill, however, was arrested at his home in Boca Chase (in West Boca about 8 miles west of the FAU campus). The PC affidavit says the officer was working as a special investigator for the State Attorney on a computer crimes task force. You can read more about the task force in this Sun-Sentinel article from 2012.
The circumstances of the accusation are dubious. Mr. Nill allegedly used the Gnutella peer-to-peer file sharing network. His IP address was being monitored for nearly two years for no apparent reason, from March of 2012 through February 2014. Are they watching all of us too?
A search warrant was issued on March 11th. They allegedly found “child notable type child pornography” in files they downloaded from his IP address, and on his laptop computer when they searched his house.
While many defendants will resolve cases like this with a plea bargain, they can be difficult to prosecute. The government has to prove that Nill knowingly possessed child pornography.
It is unlawful for any person to knowingly possess … a photograph, motion picture, … data, computer depiction … which … he or she knows to include any sexual conduct by a child.
Gnutella is a peer-to-peer file sharing network.
When police attempted to interview Nill, he wisely remained silent. Any defense lawyer will tell you that even innocent people should remain silent. Will police and prosecutors be able to find other evidence to prove that Nill knew those files were on his computer, and that he knew what was in them? Maybe. Or maybe he didn’t know. Another odd detail is that the court record shows his offense date as February 18th rather than when he was searched and arrested in April.
We see no prior criminal history for Nill though he had a run of traffic tickets about 9 years ago.
In the sad world of domestic violence,
Travis Fredrickson (above center, 35) was arrested for kidnapping a child, battery by strangulation, and tampering with a felony proceeding. His reported address is in the Gallery section of Palmetto Pines (south of Palmetto and west of 441), and he works in sales in the agricultural industry. He might be a Dolphins fan, but aside from that poor judgment we see no criminal history.
Jerry Rodriguez, Jr., (above right, 20) was arrested on the 5th on three counts including kidnapping and/or false imprisonment of an adult, and battery. His reported address is an apartment or townhouse very close to the YMCA. Mr. Rodriguez is a student at Palm Beach State, and was previously arrested in March for battery with a vacuum, per the Sun-Sentinel. We see a total of four felony arrests in his criminal history including aggravated assault with a firearm back in 2009 for which he was sent to state prison.
Please note that this is NOT the same as the Jerry Rodriguez who runs the local business PositiveROI.
Next up are a few drug arrests. Please note that West Boca News opposes the “War on Drugs,” a failure much like alcohol prohibition.
Chris Johnston (above left, 27) was arrested on the 5th for cocaine possession. Johnston’s reported address is in Logger’s Run off Ponderosa. He is a graphic designer from Boca Raton.
James South and a friend were booked by Boca PD around the same time on the morning of the 5th. The friends are accused of possessing marijuana, controlled substances without prescriptions, and drug equipment. South was held until the following afternoon. South is a resident of Trends north of SW 18th near Boca Rio. We see no prior criminal history for any of the three of them.
Akino Chantiloupe of Sandalfoot Cove was arrested late on the 4th for aggravated battery of a pregnant victim and robbery. Per the Boca city website this resulted from him stealing a phone from a teenage girl at a bus stop. He has not been released from jail as of yet. This is the third felony arrest we see for Mr. Chantiloupe. He has had a couple stints in the county jail.
Chris Sagmoe was booked early on the 5th and released in the afternoon on the 6th. He’s accused of burglary and robbery. His reported address is off Sandalfoot Boulevard close to the Cumberland Farms, and not far from the Sandalfoot KKK guy.
Per court records these appear to be Mr. Sagmoe’s 11th and 12th felony cases out of 34 total cases in the system for Palm Beach County. He went to state prison in 2010 for a roughly three year sentence.
Almost last and least, we have two larceny cases:
Yvette Rodriguez (above left, 41, Sandalfoot area) and Angela Mignone (right, 53, Century Village) were booked minutes apart late on the 3rd by PBSO for petit theft. Each was released early on the 4th without having to post bond. Neither has any significant criminal history.
And in the “we didn’t know you could get arrested for that” category, Robert Jones was arrested late last night by Boca Raton city police for a non-moving traffic violation, something to do with a license plate or vehicle registration. He has not been released yet and bond is set at $500. Seems odd to us. Jones’ reported address is listed as “at large” (which might mean homeless) in zip code 33428.
