Ninth Circuit creates Special Victims Unit
January was observed as National Human Tracking Awareness Month.
In the aftermath of that, and all the outreach, including local events to bring what it is and who is fighting i t into the light, the State Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit is creating a new, special victims’ unit that will handle the prosecution of all sexual crimes and allegations of domestic violence.
In a release last week, State Attorney Monique Worrell said consolidating those cases into a single unit will lower individual caseloads. That allows prosecutors to give more attention to each case and place a dedicated unit prosecutor in every courtroom. Attorneys in the new until will receive specialized
Attorneys in the new until will receive specialized training, including training on trauma-informed practices, vital to providing victims with the service they deserve.
Previously, the Office assigned these cases to attorneys in two separate units, one handling sexual crimes and the other handling domestic violence cases. That is no longer feasible, Worrell said, based on the level of funding the State Attorney’s Office receives, and the staffing deficiencies that result from that. Because these two types of cases require similar specialized training to provide victims with appropriate trauma informed support, they have been combined into a single unit where, all attorneys in the special victims’ unit will prosecute cases.
Assistant State Attorney William “Will” Jay, who has 25 years of services with the State Attorney’s Office, will be the Bureau Chief of the new unit. He has served as a Trial Unit Director, has handled a Major Crimes docket, a Sex Crimes/Domestic violence docket, and most recently was a member in the Homicide Unit since 2017, where prosecuted several domestic violence homicides.
Worrell cited the COVID-19 pandemic bringing about an increase in domestic violence nationwide, and its impact on the Ninth Circuit. With caseloads in that unit skyrocketing, and staffing remaining stagnant or declining, Worrell said she took the initiative to change those conditions by creating the special victims’ unit in order respond to this crisis.
“It is critical that, even in the leanest of times, sexual crimes and domestic violence offenses are thoroughly investigated and prosecuted, and that victims of these offenses receive the support and attention they deserve,” Worrell said. “I am dedicated to this mission, and, regardless of what obstacles are thrown our way, will never waver from it.” The SAO also noted that Worrell, along with two
The SAO also noted that Worrell, along with two Chief Assistants, have each taken on a caseload to address the backlog.
Kissimmee man guilty of federal sex exploitation of minor
A federal jury found Kissimmee’s Rafael Antonio Bracero-Navas guilty of seven counts of sexually exploiting a minor child.
Bracero-Navas, 50, faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison on each count and will be required to register as a sex offender. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 1.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, between approximately July 2018 and April 2021, Bracero-Navas used a minor child to produce pornographic pictures that depicted the lascivious exhibition of the child’s pubic area. He did so surreptitiously from outside a bathroom door, taking pictures using a cellphone camera pointed through the crack under the door as the child was stepping out of the shower. Although Bracero-Navas later deleted the full-sized images from his phone, thumbnail images remained and were later discovered by law enforcement, a Department of Justice release said.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Osceola County Sheriff ’s Office.
This is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Kissimmee filling city Summer Camps jobs
The City of Kissimmee’s Parks & Recreation Department is looking for outgoing, energetic, fun, and professional individuals to join the team this summer to work with the summer camps for ages K-8. The summer camp is an environment that creates unique lifelong friendships while experiencing the culture and diversity of staff and campers.
Positions include Camp Director, Assistant Director, Counselor and Bus Driver. Positions start from $12-14 for 40-42 hour weeks.
Individuals interested in applying to one of these positions or any other position with the City of Kissimmee, visit www.kissimmee.gov/careers or call 407-518-2360.
EHEAP deadline extended to May 31
Qualifying Central Florida seniors now have until May 31 to apply for up to $5,000 in energy bill assistance through the Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program (EHEAP).
Applicants must be age 60 or older and live in: Orange, Seminole, Osceola or Brevard counties. The Energy bill does not need to be in the elder’s name, but the elder will need to provide proof of residence. The applicant must be experiencing a home energy crisis, such as disconnection, delinquency or past due bills.
The Osceola Council on Aging is one of three SRA partner agencies processing EHEAP applications. Those interested in applying in Osceola County should contact the Council at 407-846-8532.
