Comes in response to three shootings at rentals since March, with two fatalities
Evidence photos show liquor bottles and Jello shots all over a rental home that hosted a party that had “witnesses identified as being under the age of 21, and some under the age of 18." (Photo/Osceola County Sheriff's Office)
Osceola County Sheriff Chris Blackmon has had enough of the large-scale promoted house parties taking place in the county’s abundant rental properties, where teens have been served alcohol and illegal drugs — and in three cases within the last two months, gotten shot.
Two victims, 17- and 18-year-old males, were killed.
Four people have been arrested as part of a crackdown on these illegal parties at vacation rental homes, mostly on the far western end of the county.
At a Thursday press conference to announce the arrests, Blackmon — with full disgust in his voice — called the parties at short-term rentals through sites like Airbnb and VRBO an “epidemic,” and vowed to stop them, particularly this weekend.
The Rolling Loud festival, a hip-hop music event expected to attract 50,000 each of three nights over the weekend at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, could have a spillover effect of creating parties elsewhere, by many who don’t even attend the shows.
With Osceola’s high number of available rentals, often reserved by those of age who then invite younger attendees, Blackmon said he expects those fans to mix with those already in town to celebrate Mother’s Day weekend.
And, he and extra Sheriff’s deputies and the help he’s called in from the Florida Highway Patrol are ready.
“I promise you, this weekend, the Sheriff’s Office and its law enforcement partners are gonna hammer these house parties,” Blackmon said. “So, if you’re having a party, expect to see the blue lights, not the ones you want to see. We’re tired of nonsense like our kids being shot. We’re going to take care of business, and I hope it’s nothing.
“I’m asking the parents: where are your kids at night? At these parties, there’s illegal drugs and alcohol, and we get sexual battery and rape calls from these. As a father, and as a Sheriff, do you want your daughters going to these parties? I’m asking parents to help us stop your kids from going to through that trauma, or potentially getting shot and killed.”
Osceola County Sheriff’s homicide detectives are still investigating the deadly shootings linked to rental house parties. On March 14, Qvarious McCloud, 17, Orlando, was shot and killed in the Veranda Palms Subdivision just west of Kissimmee. On April 18, Daesean Moctezuma was shot and killed at another illegal party off Sommerset Hills
Drive just north of ChampionsGate.
And at another party last weekend in Davenport, 18-year-olds from Orlando, Katty Francois and Neika St. Louis, were arrested on misdemeanor charges related to running an open house party and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Evidence photos show liquor bottles and Jello shots all over the home that had “witnesses identified as being under the age of 21, and some under the age of 18,” according to Francois and St. Louis’ arrest affidavits. The party had been promoted via fliers on social media.
The first deputy on scene was speaking to a security officer when a gunshot was heard. Party goers fled the house, and deputies entered the residence to find a firearm and alcohol located inside. A 17-year-old teen later showed up at a Davenport hospital with gunshot wounds to his legs. Blackmon said the shooting victim is not cooperating with detectives.
None of the three shooters have been apprehended. He asked those with information to call Crimeline (800-423-TIPS) if they want to remain anonymous, or the Sheriff’s Office’s Criminal Investigation Department at 407-348-2222.
Robert David White, 19, also of Orlando, was also arrested outside last weekend’s party and charged with possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and possession of a weapon during the commission of a felony after deputies stopped him carrying a backpack containing a Glock 9-millimieter handgun and marijuana.
Investigators concluded that Jeremiah Kelly-Alexander Richmond, 19, of Kissimmee was the promoter of both house parties featuring the deadly shootings and continued to promote them afterwards. Wednesday, he was arrested by the Sheriff’s Fugitive Unit and U.S. Marshals on an outstanding warrant, and was charged with contributing to the
delinquency of a minor and tampering with evidence. He remains held in the Osceola County Jail; Blackmon said he recommended Richmond, who made an initial court appearance Thursday, be held without bond while other charges are explored.
“Anything legally we can make stick, we’re going to throw at him,” the Sheriff said.
Blackmon said the parties get initial scrutiny when they have loud noise and create parking issues.
“Just follow the law. You shouldn’t be serving alcohol to those under 21,” he said. “To these promoters: if you have a party like that, expect to go to jail. If somebody’s killed, expect to be charged with manslaughter, too. I’ve had enough of that.”
