Somer Renee Thompson #2 10/29/09 - 4/26/10

[Bearlyhere]

Somer, we have not forgotten you.

 

[cookie]

Somer, we have not forgotten you.

 

Amen to that !

[Brandi]

Somer, we have not forgotten you.

 

Amen to that !

[cookie]

 Brandi..thanks for the beautiful picture of Somer...

[trimmonthelake]

http://wokv.com/localnews/2010/03/child-porn-arrest-in-somer-tho.html
Local News      
Child Porn Arrest In Somer Thompson Neighborhood
By
Sam Jordan
@ March 18, 2010 7:44 PM Permalink | Comments (0)

Another child porn arrest out of the Orange Park neighborhood that Somer Thompson lived in.

Though authorities do not believe 64-year-old Charlie Watkins was involved in the 7-year-old's murder, he is facing one count of receiving child pornography and one count of possessing it.

His lawyer says Watkins only had the porn because he heard child porn was involved in the Somer Thompson case, but authorities say it was downloaded in September, before she went missing.  He's known as 'grandpa' to many kids in the neighborhood, and his lawyer says he knew Somer Thompson.

Watkins faces 5 to 20 years in prison if convicted. He's in jail on $20,000 bond.

[Brandi]

Thanks, Trimm.

Here's more:

FBI makes child porn arrest near Somer's home
By Stephen Kindlan Staff writer
ORANGE PARK – FBI agents have arrested a 64-year-old man who lives near the Somer Thompson family on child pornography charges but say the man is not a suspect in the 7-year-old child’s abduction or murder.

Sixty-four-year-old Charles Watkins of 226 Chestnut Ct. was arrested without incident early Thursday, March 18, at his home, FBI Special Agent Jeff Westcott said. He said Watkins is charged with one count each of receiving and possessing child pornography.

The charges are related to computer images, but Westcott declined to give further details.

He said the arrest follows a lengthy, multi-agency investigation that based on tips and other information that surfaced during an investigation into the murder of Somer, who was abducted on her way home from Grove Park Elementary school on Oct. 19. Her body was found two days later at a South Georgia landfill.

Watkins is not considered a suspect in her slaying, Westcott said.

He said the Clay County Sheriff’s Office was one of several agencies involved in the Watkins investigation, but the case was turned over to the FBI because of the nature of the charges. A federal grand jury returned an indictment one day before the arrest was made.

Watkins’ arrest comes on the heels of the Feb. 11 arrest in Meridian, Miss., of former Orange Park area resident Jarred Harrell.

Clay County Sheriff Rick Beseler considers Harrell, who initially was charged with 29 counts of possession of child pornography but now faces additional charges of molesting an unidentified child younger than 5 years old and promoting a sexual performance involving the same girl, as a person of interest in the Thompson case.

Investigators have said they believe Harrell molested the child in a house once owned by Harrell’s stepfather at 1152 Gano Ave. The house is situated near an area where Somer last was seen.

The initial child pornography charges were filed after two of Harrell’s roommates evicted him from the apartment they shared on Wells Road. The roommates had become suspicious of Harrell and turned over a CD allegedly belonging to Harrell to local authorities. Investigators said they discovered numerous pornographic images of children on the CD, as well as other images on a computer they believe belonged to Harrell.

Harrell, 24, moved to Mississippi sometime after his eviction, and now is being held in isolation at the Clay County jail and is being held without bond. He is being represented by a public defender.
http://www.claytoday.biz/content/2090_1.php

and:

Orange Park Resident Charles Watkins Faces Federal Charges
 Dave Wax     Created: 3/18/2010 11:57:24 AM    Updated: 3/18/2010 4:44:22 PM
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A man who lives near Somer Thompson's home has been arrested on federal child porn charges.

Charles Watkins, 64, was arraigned in U.S. District Court this morning on two counts of possession of child pornography.

Police have said his arrest is in no way related to Somer Thompson's disappearance and murder. After 7-year-old Somer disappeared from the neighborhood near her Orange Park home last October, police searched the area for sex offenders and other related offenses.

Watkins was interviewed as part of that search. His home is about a quarter of a mile from Somer's home.

Marcus Barnett, Watkins' attorney, said his client is innocent.

"Obviously, the officers were combing the neighborhood; he lives near where Somer lived, and (police) asked him if he knew anything ... (Watkins) asked how he could help," Barnett said.

He said Watkins was told by police that the abduction might be connected to child pornography.

Barnett said Watkins went online to see if he could get more information on the investigation. "He went online and he would look at images."

But when he realized the images were not of Somer, he hit "click delete, click delete," Barnett said.

He was expected to be released on a $20,000 bond this afternoon.

The FBI handled the arrest, said U.S. Attorney's Office spokesman Steve Cole, but he would not comment on Watkins' defense that this was a misunderstanding.

"We are simply saying (he was) indicted yesterday, arrested today," said Cole.

Neighbor Billy Key witnessed the arrest, he said. "We ran to the window, they all jumped out with guns.  He (Watkins) was apparently backing down the driveway, made him get out, frisked him, handcuffed him and took him off."

"It saddens me and it makes me angry and it makes me feel insecure," said Barbara Laputka, another neighbor.
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?storyid=153475&catid=3

Good grief! IMO, she should feel MORE secure that these sick pedophiles are being pinpointed and arrested. (Unless I misread her and she was saying she is saddened by all the pedophiles out there.)

[Brandi]

Charlie Watkins

from: http://www.news4jax.com/news/22877454/detail.html#

[Brandi]

Charlie Watkins

from: http://www.news4jax.com/news/22877454/detail.html#

In the above article, this appears:

Walker's attorney, Mark Barnett, said the only reason there was pornography on his client's computer was that he heard pornography might be involved in Somer's disappearance, so he downloaded some child porn, then immediately deleted them.

"First, they came to him and asked if he knew anything and asked for help," Barnett said. "Then they met back with him again and was looking on the Internet for stuff and he told them, 'I was looking for stuff,' and police said, 'Maybe there is something on your computer that could help us. Will you turn it over to us?' He said yes."

The indictment shows that the child pornography found on Walker's computer was downloaded in September, a couple of weeks before Somer disappeared.

Barnett told Channel 4's Jim Piggott that Walker knew Somer was actually helping authorities search for her.

"He 100 percent completely, voluntarily handed over his computer," Barnett said. "He told him it could help solve the crime. He was glad to help. "

Barnett said it is likely Somer was in Walker's home at some point because, "the grand kids and all of their friends would come over."

After a brief hearing on the pornography charges, bond was set at $20,000. The judge stipulated that if released, Watkins have no contact with any children -- including his grandchildren -- and will not be allowed to use a computer.

[cookie]

grandchildren?? a chill ran up and down my spine upon reading those words and a pedi being mentioned in the same article...this man was probably improper with his own grand children if the truth be told..jmo..

[trimmonthelake]

http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/tracy-collins/2010-03-25/are-you-ready-weekend
Are you ready for the weekend?
Submitted by Tracy Collins on March 25, 2010 - 10:09am
What's a girl got to do to get Staci Spanos to sing around here? It's probably for the best that she didn't. Staci thought "Mama Mia" was a song by Queen. Oh well ... looking forward to seeing "Mama Mia" at the Times-Union Center this weekend. And I hope you will join me at the Somer Thompson Benefit Concert Saturday.

 

Listen to the 99.9 Gator Country podcast, watch WJXT-TV4's "The Morning Show" video and check out the links below for ideas on how to fill your weekend!

Remember, if you're bored in Jacksonville, it's your own fault!

[trimmonthelake]

http://wokv.com/localnews/2010/03/fdle-harrell-case-takes-time.html
Local News      
FDLE: Harrell Case Takes Time
By
Sam Jordan
@ March 24, 2010 7:36 PM Permalink | Comments (0)

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement continues to work the Jarred Harrell case.

The 24-year-old remains in prison held on $1 million bail on child porn possession charges and is being held without bond on the second set of charges that include production of child pornography.  Dominick Pape with the FDLE says every computer that they believe he's ever used is viewed as possible evidence.  "To do a good forensic examination takes a lot of time," said Pape.

None of the dozens of charges are connected to the murder of Somer Thompson, though Harrell remains a person of interest in that case.  He's due in court for pre-trial motions next month.

[trimmonthelake]

http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/tracy-collins/2010-03-25/are-you-ready-weekend
Are you ready for the weekend?
Submitted by Tracy Collins on March 25, 2010 - 10:09am
What's a girl got to do to get Staci Spanos to sing around here? It's probably for the best that she didn't. Staci thought "Mama Mia" was a song by Queen. Oh well ... looking forward to seeing "Mama Mia" at the Times-Union Center this weekend. And I hope you will join me at the Somer Thompson Benefit Concert Saturday.

 

Listen to the 99.9 Gator Country podcast, watch WJXT-TV4's "The Morning Show" video and check out the links below for ideas on how to fill your weekend!

Remember, if you're bored in Jacksonville, it's your own fault!

Saturday from 3 to 11 p.m   Twenty dollar donation.

[Nut44x4]

Sheriff: Major Break In Somer Thompson Murder
Friday, March 26, 2010 6:49:32 AM

GREEN COVE SPRINGS -- The Clay County Sheriff’s Office said it will make a major announcement in the death investigation of 7-year-old Somer Thompson.

Investigators did not immediately clarify what the new developments were, saying only that they will hold a news conference at noon Friday. Watch it LIVE when it happens on News 13.

http://www.cfnews13.com/News/Local/2010/3/26/sheriff_major_break_in_somer_thompson_murder.html

[Nut44x4]

Announcement to be made in girl's murder case
The Associated Press
ORANGE PARK, Fla. -- Clay County authorities say they will announce a major development in the slaying of 7-year-old Somer Thompson.

The sheriff's office plans a news conference Friday in Orange Park to provide new information about the death.

The girl disappeared in October while walking home from school in a Jacksonville suburb. Her body was found in a south Georgia landfill two days later.

Authorities have not released further information regarding the Friday announcement.

A 24-year-old man has been named as a person of interest in the case. Jarred Harrell was arrested in Mississippi on charges of child molestation and child pornography and was transferred to Florida. Authorities have said they planned to question him about Thompson's death.

http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/26/1548571/announcement-to-be-made-in-girls.html

[trimmonthelake]

http://www.clickorlando.com/news/22962438/detail.html
'Major Development' In Somer Case
Clay County Sheriff's Office To Make Announcement

POSTED: Friday, March 26, 2010
UPDATED: 7:07 am EDT March 26,2010
ORANGE PARK, Fla. -- The Clay County Sheriff's Office on Friday will announce a "major development" in the case of Somer Thompson, whose body was found in a landfill after she disappeared while walking home from school.

The Sheriff's Office will hold a news conference at noon in the gymnasium of the First Baptist Church of Orange Park. New information about the case will be provided, the Sheriff's Office said.

Somer, 7, vanished while walking home from school in Orange Park on Monday, Oct. 19. Her body was found two days later in a Georgia landfill.

Jarred Harrell, who has been named as a person of interest in Somer's case, recently pleaded not guilty to 55 charges involving possession and production of child pornography and lewd molestation.

Clay County prosecutor Steve Nelson said the charges are related to a 3-year-old girl who Harrell's accused of molesting and the child pornography images and video that deputies said they found on Harrell's computer last month.

Deputies said the evidence comes from a memory card that was found on Harrell when he was arrested in Mississippi. They said images of the young girl were taken while Harrell was living at his parent's home on Gano Avenue, where Somer was last seen before disappearing.

In total, Harrell is facing 55 charges. He is currently being held without bond.

Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.

[trimmonthelake]

http://wdbo.com/localnews/2010/03/breaking-news-charges-for-the.html
WDBO Local News      
Breaking News: Charges for the alleged killer of Somer Thompson
By
Mike Synan
@ March 26, 2010 7:59 AM Permalink | Comments (0)
The Clay County Sheriff has scheduled a briefing.

The Sheriff in Clay County has set that news conference for noon, and he's promising a major development in the murder of 7 year old Somer Thompson. No suspects have been named and no arrests have been announced since Sommer went missing lfrom her Orange Park home last October. Her body was found in a South Georgia landfill days later.

For several weeks, a person of interest has been behind bars. Jared Harell is facing dozens of counts of child molestation and child pornography. This morning the FloridaTimes Union is reporting has been charged with murder. That's a report the Sheriff's Office says it will not comment on until that noon news conference.

(WDBO's Jared Halpern filed this report for us from Jacksonville)

[no rose colored glasses]

Thank-you for these updates

[klaasend]

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/03/26/fla-authorities-provide-new-details-murder-girl/?test=latestnews

Fla. Authorities to Provide New Details in Murder of Girl


The sheriff's office plans a news conference Friday in Orange Park to provide new information about the death.

The girl disappeared in October while walking home from school in a Jacksonville suburb. Her body was found in a south Georgia landfill two days later.

Authorities have not released further information regarding the Friday announcement.

A 24-year-old man has been named as a person of interest in the case. Jarred Harrell was arrested in Mississippi on charges of child molestation and child pornography and was transferred to Florida. Authorities have said they planned to question him about Thompson's death.

[klaasend]

Harrell charged with murder, "major development" to be announced at noon in Somer Thompson death
Posted: March 26, 2010 - 6:39am

 By Beth Reese Cravey

Jarred Harrell, named a person of interest in the 2009 death of 7-year-old Somer Thompson of Orange Park, has been charged with premeditated murder.

Harrell, 24, already in the Clay County Jail on child pornography charges, was arrested anew Thursday. He also was charged with sexual battery on a victim under 12 and lewd and lascivious battery, according to a Sheriff's Office listing released early today of Thursday arrests.

The listing did not say who Harrell was accused of killing, but the Sheriff's Office said in a news release early this morning that it would announce a "major development" at a press conference at noon about the Somer Thompson case.

Harrell will have his first court appearance on the new charges Saturday morning.
(snipped)

[klaasend]

http://www.news4jax.com/news/22954672/detail.html

Harrell Charged With Murder Of Somer Thompson
7-Year-Old Orange Park Girl Was Abducted, Killed In October

UPDATED: 9:45 am EDT March 26,2010

ORANGE PARK, Fla. -- Channel 4 has confirmed that a man arrested in Mississippi on child pornography charges last month is now charged with murder, and sexual battery and other counts in connection with the death of Somer Thompson.

Clay County Sheriff Rick Beseler notified the media before dawn Friday that he will announce a major development in the Somer's homicide investigation at noon.

Sources confirmed to Channel 4's Jennifer Waugh that Jarred Harrell -- named a person of interest in Somer's death when he was arrested -- was charged with murder at 6 a.m. Friday.

(Snipped)