Times staff
Friday, August 20, 2010
PORT RICHEY
DNA evidence connects man to March rape
A 30-year-old man has been charged in the rape of a woman near the Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union after DNA testing found a match. The masked man confronted the woman around 10:30 p.m. March 23 as she went to use the ATM outside the credit union at 7225 Ridge Road. He forced her into nearby woods at gunpoint and raped her. Authorities matched the DNA of the attacker to Dexter Wandell Johnson, of 9136 Gray Fox Lane, Port Richey. He has been in the Land O'Lakes jail since July 8 on charges of carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a counterfeit substance, possession of marijuana and a fugitive warrant out of Covington County, Ala. After the DNA results came in, Johnson was charged with involuntary sexual battery and attempted armed robbery. He is being held at the jail without bail.
COUNTYWIDE
Dispose of unused medications today
The Pasco County Sheriff's Office will collect unused or expired medications from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at two locations:
• Gulf View Square mall, 9409 U.S. 19, Suite 781, Port Richey (in the overflow parking lot near the sign on U.S. 19).
• The Shops at Wiregrass, 28211 Paseo Drive, Wesley Chapel (in the parking garage on the ground level).
Accepted items include prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins and herbal supplements, veterinary medicines and needles. Citizens can simply drive up, drop off the unwanted medication and drive away. No personal information will be taken. The Sheriff's Office will then properly dispose of the items. This prevents unwanted drugs from being flushed away or thrown in the garbage, which can end up in the county dump and in our water supply.
PORT RICHEY
Democratic Club to meet next week
The West Pasco Democratic Club will meet Aug. 28 to discuss successful political organizing in the 21st century. Lunch will be available at 12:30 p.m. for $5, with the meeting beginning at 1 p.m. at Jasmine Lakes Civic Center, 7137 Jasmine Blvd. Reservations appreciated. Call Mike at (727) 459-2076.
Correction
The Pasco County Sheriff's Office anticipates a roughly $713,000 reduction in salary expenses in its proposed budget for next year. A different figure was mistakenly attributed to Col. Al Nienhuis in Wednesday's Pasco Times.