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TRAFFIC CHECKPOINT

February 4, 2003

The Fort Lauderdale Police Department will be conducting a traffic checkpoint on Wednesday, February 5, 2003 between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. in the 800 block of NE 13 Street.

Officers will conduct vehicle inspections along with checking vehicles and drivers for proper and valid paperwork.

No traffic delays are expected as a result of this enforcement.

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CUSTODIAL ARREST

February 7, 2003

Fort Lauderdale Police Department Fugitive Unit Detectives Chuck Morrow and John Curry have taken 19 year old Tracy Rattray into custody in connection with a custodial case involving the Department of Children and Families (DCF).

On October 24, 2001 a court order was issued to take Rattray’s newborn son into DCF custody. This order was issued as the mother (Rattry) at that time was an adjudicated minor and was on runaway status. Rattray had contact with DCF caseworkers but was intentionally keeping the child away from them. A court date was set and Rattray was notified to appear in court on August 27, 2002, but she failed to do so.

The Fort Lauderdale Police Department was notified by DCF of the situation and on September 24, 2002 Rattray made contact with Special Victims Unit Detective Perez-Cubas. Rattary was aware that she was being sought by DCF and Police but had no intentions to bring herself or the baby in. Police and DCF caseworkers continued to be in contact with Rattray and her family attempting to place the child with family members and to resolve the custody issues. According to family and friends being contacted the child was not in danger, was healthy and being taken care of.

Contact with Rattray ended in early October 2002, and an order to take into custody issued for Rattray was activated.

Fugitive Detectives Morrow and Curry began conducting surveillance on family members and known friends of Rattray and late last night, Thursday February 6, 2002 Rattray and the child were taken into custody at a friends apartment in the 600 block of NE 4 Avenue.

The child, a 2 year-old male has been placed into DCF custody and Rattray was arrested and charged with Interference with Custody.

ARRESTED: Tracy Rattray, 12-13-83

CHARGES: Interference with Custody

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TRAFFIC CHECKPOINT

February 17, 2003

The Fort Lauderdale Police Department will be conducting a traffic safety checkpoint on Friday February 21, 2002 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. in the 1100 block of NW 6 Street.

Officers will be enforcing seat belt/ child seat regulations along with checking vehicles for proper, valid paperwork and drivers for current, valid drivers licenses.

This traffic checkpoint is not expected to cause any traffic delays.

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FIRST IN BROWARD!

February 25, 2003

First Arrest of Its Kind in Broward County

February 24, 2003, The Fort Lauderdale Police Special Investigations Division Vice Unit made an arrest of a prostitute that was the first of its kind in Broward County. Police arrested Debra Crittendo, 03/05/64, no current address, in the 800 Block of Northwest Sixth Street, Fort Lauderdale. However, this was no ordinary prostitution arrest. Because of newly enacted Florida State Statute, a third or subsequent violation of prostitution type offenses now constitutes a felony. The person must have had at least two prior misdemeanor prostitution convictions for law enforcement to file the charge. Once charged, the person will be offered admission into a pretrial intervention program or a substance abuse program. This is part of the continued effort by the Fort Lauderdale Police Department to relieve neighborhoods that are being victimized by prostitution and the subsequent crimes.

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BEATING DEATH WARRANT

February 28, 2003

The Fort Lauderdale Police Department has obtained an arrest warrant in connection with the beating death of 39 year-old Michael Miller.

Miller arrived at JT’s Lounge, 3800 Davie Blvd., just before midnight on Sunday, February 23, 2003 and shortly afterward was verbally assaulted by our suspect 39 year-old Jodi Eli Geer. Then just after midnight without provocation Geer punched Miller several times in the face. As Miller attempted to defend himself he was knocked to the ground with Geer falling on top of him. Geer continued to punch Miller and then grabbed Miller by the head and pounded it into the bar’s floor. Once unconscious Geer stood up and began to walk away, but with Miller unable to defend himself Geer turned and “stomped” on Miller’s head and then left the bar.

Fort Lauderdale Police were called to the scene along with Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue. Miller was conscious upon Police and Fire unit’s arrival but refused medical treatment. A police report was initiated and Geer was identified as the suspect in the beating. A search for Geer at this time was conducted but he was unable to be located. At approximately 1:30 a.m. a friend gave Miller a ride to his home in Plantation where family met him. Miller again refused medical treatment and went to bed. Family continued to check on Miller through out the morning. In the afternoon of the 24th family checked on Miller and found him unresponsive. EMS and Plantation Police responded to the home where Miller was ruled to be deceased.

Plantation Police learning of the incident at JT’s bar early that morning notified Fort Lauderdale Police Homicide Detectives who responded to the home.

Miller’s death was ruled a homicide by the Broward County Medical Examiners Office and a warrant was obtained for the arrest of Geer.

Geer is described as a white male, 6’1”, 210 pounds, brown hair, and brown eyes with numerous tattoos on his arm. Geer is known to drive a 1980’s Chevy S-10 pickup, primer gray in color with a light brown drivers side door, possible Fl. Tag # V34FHC.

SUSPECT: Jody Eli Geer, 03-03-64

VICTIM: Michael Miller 02-18-64

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective John Curcio at (954) 828-5529 or Crime Stoppers at 493-T.I.P.S.

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