| Prisoners wearing gps tracking devices Original Source Link: (May no longer be active) http://tampatrib.com/pasconews/MGABC3H2DLD.htmlhttp://tampatrib.com/pasconews/MGABC3H2DLD.html
Sheriff Rolls Out New GPS System By CANDACE J. SAMOLINSKI csamolinski@tampatrib.com Published: Oct 4, 2003
LAND O' LAKES - The Pasco County Sheriff's Office kicked off its global positioning system monitoring program. Nine prisoners were selected for release Friday after judicial approval, spokesman Kevin Doll said.
Their crimes are varied, but they share the distinction of being the first chosen to await their court dates at home, rather than in jail, on the condition they wear ankle monitors equipped with GPS.
It's a move designed to ease overcrowding in the county's jails and to allow the prisoners to remain productive citizens, sheriff's officials have said.
All of the prisoners are on what's known as passive monitoring, which tracks their movements daily and sends a report to deputies. Failure to follow the rules of their release could send them back to jail.
Among those released was Crystal Johnson, 24, of New Port Richey, who was arrested on charges of aggravated domestic assault and simple battery. Johnson was selected for passive monitoring by a judge's order, Doll said. Active monitoring wasn't an option since Pasco currently lacks the equipment, which sends minute by minute reports of a prisoner's movements.
Here are the other prisoners released on monitoring Friday:
* Paul Duewson, 30, of Shady Hills; violation of probation charge on a possession of marijuana conviction.
* Aaron Gillespy, 24, of Hudson; drunken driving charge.
* Brady Hiller, 24, of Holiday; charges of business burglary and possessing burglary tools.
* Damen Mallett, 19, of Port Richey; vehicle burglary charge.
* Andrew Matoviech, 33, of Port Richey; violation of probation charge on a drunken driving conviction.
* Michael Moran, 23, of Crystal Springs; eight counts of failing to appear in court to answer bad check charges.
* Fred Wietzel, 52, of New Port Richey; charges of possessing cocaine, marijuana, heroin, drug paraphernalia and a controlled substance.
* Amy Rockwell, 28, of New Port Richey; 24 counts of forgery and uttering a forged instrument.
Reporter Candace J. Samolinski can be reached at (813) 948-4215.
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