The Official Unofficial Seminole Heights Blog

 

Walter R. “Buzzy” Heinrich – First Appearance

 

Since 1988 Judge Heinrich has sat on the bench as a Hillsborough County Judge. Elected in 1988, he has been re-elected unopposed in 1992, 1996 and 2000. Many may remember his father, also Walter Heinrich, who was appointed Sheriff of Hillsborough County by Governor Askew in the late 1970. He served from 1978-1992.

 

Most will know of Judge Heinrich for one of the most publicized cases in recent history, that of David Lee Onstott. Judge Heinrich released convicted sex offender David Lee Onstott on cash bond of just $100 after he violated state law, failing to register as a sex offender.  David Onstott had been previously convicted of brutally raping a woman, yet, after failing to register, Judge Heinrich released him. He later sexually assaulted and murdered Sarah Lunde.

 

In 2003, Judge Heinrich allowed Mark Pickens, convicted of rape and battery against a law enforcement officer, to post a cash bond of less than $2000. Within 6 months, Mr Pickens raped a 39 year old mother of two.

 

 

Denise Pomponio – Circuit Criminal, Drug, Juvenile Delinquency,
County Criminal, Domestic Violence Criminal

 

 

Denise was appointed by Governor Jeb Bush and elected in 2004 without opposition. Her husband is a Tampa Police Sergeant.

 

In October, Judge Pomponio decided to go lightly on Patrick Hooker for his robbery with weapon and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Patrick received (2) 48 month probation sentences to run concurrently per Judge Pompino on 10-16-08. Barely two months later, Patrick was arrested again for Robbery/violation of probation.

 

In December, Judge Pomponio allowed Chavese Yarbrough to be released with time served for his role in an armed robbery in Seminole Heights. Chavese attempted to rob a pedestrian in broad daylight. A witness called 911 and informed them that Yarbrough had broken into a nearby home to hide. Within minutes the officers responded and captured the armed Yarbrough. Both the victim and witness positively identified Yarbrough as the would be robber.  

 

 

Judge Barber

 

Judge Tom Baber was appointed to the circuit bench by Governor Charlie Christ in 2008. Judge Barber offered a bond of $15,000 to Carlos Brown in October when he was arrested for Robbery while using a firearm. However, Carlos had been arrested TWO times prior for carrying a concealed weapons. Since being released, Carlos has since been arrested again for drug related charges. He now is back in Jail with bond revoked. We will watch this case closely and follow-up on progress.

 

 

If Florida offers our judicial system the ability and the necessary tools to hold criminals accountable for this actions, why are our presiding judges not protecting the citizens with the harshest penalties available?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Neighbors, we have some very important elections coming up this month. However, these are typically prove to be the lowest turned out office. Yet, these should be the most important. As TPD does their jobs arresting drug dealers, prostitutes and other criminals throughout our neighborhood, it is usually up to the judge to determine the fate of those arrested. How often have you heard TPD say “We did all we could do, it is out of our hands. The system turns them out as fast as we can arrest them.”

Now we have a chance to send a message to these judges. Many judges are up for re-election on August 26th. To find out who is on the ballot, visit the precinct finder at the Supervisor of Elections website. http://www.votehillsborough.org/PrecinctFinder.aspx

Time permitting, I will try to do more research on each candidate.