Odd, strange, or bizarre news stories from Florida

Florida deputies fatally shoot suspect wanted for sexually assaulting and impregnating an 11-year-old

By Christine Roberts / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Monday, September 3, 2012, 7:38 AM

Florida deputies fatally shot a man wanted for sexually assaulting and impregnating an 11-year-old girl Saturday.

Gregory Johns, 42, was killed at a motel in Treasure Island, Fla., a week after his girlfriend's 11-year-old daughter was taken to the hospital for stomach pains and underwent tests that showed she was pregnant.

Johns immediately asked his girlfriend for the keys to her car so that he could go buy cigarettes.

He never returned.

Gregory Johns was found locked inside a bathroom at the Trail's End Motel early Saturday morning.

Johns, who allegedly sexually abused the girl several times, committed a string of crimes until officials found him locked inside a bathroom at the Trail's End Motel early Saturday morning.

In the week before he was killed, Johns allegedly robbed a couple at knifepoint in Vinoy Park in St. Petersburg, according to local television station WTSP-TV.

He reportedly left a letter at the scene in which he apologized to the 11-year-old girl for assaulting her.

Shortly after the robbery, Johns reportedly broke into the home of a 78-year-old St. Petersburg woman. He allegedly kept her tied and gagged for 12 hours.

Johns called the 11-year-old girl's mother the same day and apologized for assaulting her daughter, Pinellas Sheriff Bob Gualtieri told Bay News 9. He also said that cops would have to kill him before he would go back to jail, according to police.

Johns has served ten different stints in jail since 1987 on charges of aggravated assault, armed robbery, burglary and drug charges.

Deputies found Johns at the Trail's End Motel Saturday thanks to a tip.

When they arrived at his room, the suspect emerged from the bathroom with a knife and threatened to kill them, prompting the deputies to open fire.

The deputies have been placed on paid administrative leave until the conclusion of an investigation.

The synthetic drug “Smiles” may have been behind the fatal attack allegedly carried out by “Sons of Anarchy” actor Johnny Lewis on Wednesday, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Sources told the publication that detectives believe the hallucinogenic drug, C2-I, could have fueled Lewis into allegedly attacking and killing an 81 year old woman, from whom he is believed to have rented a room. He also allegedly dismembered her cat.

Lewis was found dead in the driveway of a home on Lowry Road in Los Angeles, after falling on his head from a balcony or roof.

The Times reports the incident began shortly after 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday when police were notified of a woman screaming and three men fighting.

Man dies after live roach-eating contest in Fla.
By SUZETTE LABOY
Associated Press

The winner of a roach-eating contest in South Florida died shortly after downing dozens of the live bugs as well as worms, authorities said Monday.

About 30 contestants ate the insects during Friday night's contest at Ben Siegel Reptile Store in Deerfield Beach about 40 miles north of Miami. The grand prize was a python.

Edward Archbold, 32, of West Palm Beach became ill shortly after the contest ended and collapsed in front of the store, according to a Broward Sheriff's Office statement released Monday. He was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. Authorities were waiting for results of an autopsy to determine a cause of death.

The medical examiner's office said Tuesday it has sent samples of Archbold's remains for testing, but results are not expected for another week or two.

"Unless the roaches were contaminated with some bacteria or other pathogens, I don't think that cockroaches would be unsafe to eat," said Michael Adams, professor of entomology at the University of California at Riverside, who added that he has never heard of someone dying after consuming roaches. "Some people do have allergies to roaches," he said, "but there are no toxins in roaches or related insects."

None of the other contestants became ill, the sheriff's office said.

There was no updated phone number listed for Archbold in West Palm Beach.

"We feel terribly awful," said store owner Ben Siegel, who added that Archbold did not appear to be sick before the contest. "He looked like he just wanted to show off and was very nice," Siegel said, adding that Archbold was "the life of the party."

Siegel said Archbold was selling the exotic prize to a friend who took him to the contest.

The grand prize has been put aside in Archbold's name and will be given to his estate, Siegel told the AP.

A statement from Siegel's attorney said all the participants signed waivers "accepting responsibility for their participation in this unique and unorthodox contest."

The bugs consumed were from an inventory of insects "that are safely and domestically raised in a controlled environment as food for reptiles."

Florida Man Dies After Completing Bug-Eating Contest
http://newyork.grubstreet.com/2012/10/florida-man-dies-after-bug-roach-eating-contest.html?e=grubstreet--20121009

Wildlife officials in Florida say the mystery monkey of Tampa Bay bit a woman during an unprovoked attack in St. Petersburg.

Florida Fish and Wildlife spokesman Gary Morse says the woman was sitting outside Tuesday when the monkey bit her on the back.

The Tampa Bay Times (http://bit.ly/TfZIhE) reports the incident was reported to wildlife officials, who sent a trapper to the area.

The wild rhesus macaque has become famous in the Tampa Bay area. It has a Facebook page and has been featured on Comedy Central's Colbert Report. The elusive monkey has been spotted numerous times in the Tampa Bay area in recent years.

Officials have warned the public against feeding the monkey. Officials believe the monkey was cast out of a colony in Silver Springs near Ocala.

Officials believe the monkey was cast out of a colony in Silver Springs near Ocala.

Yes,,,, asideaways is spelled correctly.

http://gawker.com/5950883/floridians-looking-for-updates-on-meningitis-outbreak-call-phone-sex-hotline-instead-after-governor-gives-out-wrong-number