These columns list arrests and not convictions, unless otherwise stated. Anyone listed here who is later found not guilty or has had the charges against them dropped is welcome to inform this newspaper. The information will be confirmed and printed.
John Allan Starnes, of Northeast 23 Lane, was charged with launching or throwing deadly missiles at occupied buildings or vehicles, willfully interfering with fire suppression and criminal attempt or conspiracy to commit a felony.
The Criminal Action Team was established just a few months ago and Sheriff Noel Stephen states this team which was created using grant funds and allows the sheriff’s office to have a team dedicated to the problem areas in the county was essential in solving this case.
Since April, the team has been working on the case brought to them by Okeechobee County Fire Rescue. Okeechobee County Fire Rescue made contact with Cpl. Richard Varnadore of the Criminal Action Team and explained they have been experiencing criminal mischief for about 18 months. Someone, now identified as Starnes, has been placing sharp objects in the path of emergency response vehicles at each fire station. Since the action team began looking into this, there have been approximately six occurrences.
“This puts the men and women responding to emergencies in harms’ way,” said the sheriff. “He had a beef with the Okeechobee County Fire Rescue and with the county commission and thought it best to handle it himself by endangering the men and women of Okeechobee County Fire Rescue.”
Fire Chief Earl Wooten said at first the problem was thought to be just coincidental, but it was not long before they realized they had a problem on their hands. Multiple times, they found nails outside the fire station bays, mostly station one, but the others were not exempt. He said often, they would respond to a call and find nails in the tires. Fortunately, they never caused the fire crews to be stranded or to be hindered getting to a caller.
When asked why he thought Starnes might have been doing this, Chief Wooten said he did not really know but assumed he had a complaint with the fire department regarding a fire at his own property in the past. The chief said the nails, tacks and various sharp objects were found at various times of the day around the employees’ private vehicles and in front of emergency response vehicles.
According to records from the Okeechobee County Clerk’s Office, Starnes filed a lawsuit against Deputy Fire Chief/Deputy Public Safety Director Justin Hazellief, accusing him of taking out Starnes’ electric meter, thus causing his water and sprinkler system to turn off in his shop. The shop, which he describes as a 100’ x 50’ building, was completely lost, including the contents of the building. In his lawsuit, he asked for $8,350. The suit was filed in June 2023, and in July 2023, the case was ordered to mediation. The complaint was dismissed without prejudice in September 2023, just over 22 months ago.
When the team arrested Starnest, they allegedly recovered evidence that was in his possession.
Bond has not been set.
