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From left, at the
the bill singing ceremony : State Rep. Kevin Ambler; |
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6/23/06
1:00p.m.
WHAT: Mayor Pam Iorio and Chief Steve Hogue will be available to talk about the new law
here in Tampa after the Governor signs it in Tallahassee. The victim and her mother
who prompted Tampa Police to write the new law will also be available.
WHEN: Monday, June 26th 2:00p.m.
WHERE: Tampa Police Headquarters 411 North Franklin Street, Downtown Tampa
When the Governor signs this bill into law on Monday, June 26th, it will become a first-degree
misdemeanor to lure or entice a child into a car or building. The current law, Statute 787.025,
only allows officers to arrest a suspect on this charge if the offender has a previous conviction of
a sex offense against a child. Tampa Police Major Sophia Teague was prompted to draft the
new legislation when a man attempted to lure 11 year old Sonia Ivette Acezedo off her bike and
into his truck with a twenty-dollar bill last August. Tampa Police Officers quickly
tracked down the suspect, but were unable to arrest him because of the loophole in the law.
Senator Les Miller and Representative Kevin Ambler sponsored the bill and helped build
support for it. Both lawmakers along with Major Sophia Teague and Major George McNamara,
who spearheaded the effort to revise the law, will be in Tallahassee with the Governor when he
signs the law. Hillary Session with the national children’s group, Child Protection Education of
America played a critical role in lobbying for the bill. She will also attend the bill signing.
Laura McElroy
TPD Spokesperson
