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Rafael A. Olmeda

2 sentenced to prison for setting teen on fire

Linda Trischitta, Rafael A. Olmeda Sun Sentinel

Last updated Wednesday, February 15, 2012 - 4:39pm

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Two teenagers accused of setting schoolmate Michael Brewer on fire in a Florida parking lot more than two years ago pleaded no contest to second-degree attempted murder Tuesday, throwing themselves on the mercy of a Broward County judge instead of taking their chances with a jury.

Aggravated Assault, Crime, Arson, Teens, Fire, National Read more Comments

Man, 81, sentenced for conducting phony breast exams

Rafael A. Olmeda Sun Sentinel

Last updated Friday, December 2, 2011 - 5:06pm

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- An 81-year-old man who admitted posing as a doctor and giving free breast exams to women at a Lauderdale Lakes, Fla., apartment complex in 2006 was sentenced on Friday to serve the next 13 months in prison.

Crime, Courts, Fraud, National Read more Comments

Beating victim was a 'bully', teen suspect's mom says

Rafael A. Olmeda Sun Sentinel

Last updated Saturday, October 8, 2011 - 9:42am

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Deerfield Beach beating victim Josie Lou Ratley was being a bully and should apologize to the teenage boy who nearly beat her to death, the boy's mother and stepfather said to a national TV audience Friday.

Ratley, 16, suffered irreversible brain damage in the March 17, 2010, assault at a Deerfield Beach Middle School bus stop. Wayne Treacy, who knocked her to the ground and stomped on her head repeatedly while wearing steel-toe boots, plans to mount an insanity defense against a first-degree attempted murder charge when his trial starts Jan. 26.

Crime, Murder, Bullying, Texting, National Read more Comments

Mother of girl beaten at school bus stop sues district

Rafael A. Olmeda, Sun Sentinel

Last updated Friday, January 28, 2011 - 10:15am

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- The mother of the girl who was viciously beaten at Deerfield Beach Middle School filed a negligence lawsuit Thursday against the Broward County School District, alleging the March 17 attack could have been prevented with adequate security.

Josie Lou Ratley, now 16, suffered permanent injuries and brain damage when she was assaulted at a campus bus stop, said her attorney, Sean Domnick. A school resource officer was at the school at the time of the attack, but did not witness it. The assault -- during which Ratley's head was slammed to the ground and stomped on multiple times -- was finally stopped by a teacher.

Wayne Treacy, now 16, has been charged as an adult with first-degree attempted murder and faces a maximum sentence of 50 years if convicted.

The school was negligent, the lawsuit says, in "failing to have adequate security ... failing to take reasonable steps to prevent unauthorized entry on school ground ... (and) failing to adequately supervise the bus pick up area."

Schools, Assault, Lawsuit, National Read more Comments

Parents of boy accused in beating apologize

Rafael A. Olmeda Sun Sentinel

Last updated Monday, April 12, 2010 - 9:37pm

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- The mother and stepfather of Florida beating suspect Wayne Treacy appeared on the "Today" show with his lawyer Monday morning to apologize to the family of the girl he's accused of trying to kill.

Crime, National Read more Comments