Latest news with #Leland
Miami Herald
a day ago
- Miami Herald
Armed ex-mayoral candidate robs Dollar General, leads FL cops on chase, feds say
A former mayoral candidate in Tallahassee, Florida, has been sentenced to 22 years in federal prison over robbing a Dollar General store at gunpoint in 2024, following his bid for mayor two years earlier, prosecutors said. Whitfield Leland III, 45, entered the store in Tallahassee on May 20, 2024, while masked and brandishing a gun at a Dollar General manager and demanding him to open the two safes, according to court documents and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida. A customer called 911 and Tallahassee police 'surrounded the store' on Brevard Street minutes later, prosecutors said. While inside, Leland pointed his pistol at a second employee, according to court documents, before prosecutors said he stole the manager's store shirt and put it on to disguise himself as a worker. Leland fled the store in the manager's shirt and ignored officers' commands to stop, leading them on a chase, according to prosecutors. With money 'falling out of his pockets,' Leland left behind a trail while running from police, prosecutors said. Officers following the money trail found Leland hiding in bushes, with more money 'stuffed into his pants,' according to prosecutors. When Leland, still in the Dollar General shirt, followed officers' commands to step out of the bushes, he had 'more cash' that 'fell out of his pockets,' prosecutors wrote in court documents. Leland was sentenced July 25 after pleading guilty to interference with commerce by threat or violence, in violation of the Hobbs Act, brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence and being an armed career criminal in possession of a firearm, the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a news release. His court-appointed federal public defender, Joseph Frans Debelder, and Dollar General did not immediately return McClatchy News' requests for comment July 28. Leland, who was accused of stealing $689 during the Dollar General robbery, ran as a Tallahassee mayoral candidate in 2022, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Describing Leland as a '13-time convicted felon,' prosecutors said he had been previously convicted of three violent offenses. This includes two convictions of resisting a law enforcement officer and one conviction of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to prosecutors. Besides his federal case, he was most recently convicted of grand theft of more than $300, but less than $5,000, Florida court documents show. 'Thanks to the quick actions of our officers and strong collaboration with our federal partners, a repeat violent offender is off the streets,' Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell said in a statement on his federal sentence. Leland, according to the Tallahassee Democrat, was a known activist in the city as well as the executive director of Round Table Community, a nonprofit organization. During his mayoral campaign, Leland said poverty was a major issue plaguing the state capital. 'Poverty is a big issue that may seem unimportant to well-to-doers,' Leland told the Tallahassee Democrat. 'Nothing could be further from the truth. We need to help the least among us to become a greater community together.' Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey won the city's mayoral race in 2022, when he was re-elected. Daily was first elected as mayor in 2018. After his 22-year prison sentence, Leland will serve five years of supervised release, according to prosecutors. He was also ordered to pay restitution by the judge.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Dog the Bounty Hunter's family: Meet his kids, wives and exes
Duane 'Dog the Bounty Hunter' Chapman has amassed a big brood over the years, welcoming 13 children. The reality star has been married six times, first tying the knot with La Fonda Sue Darnell in 1972 followed by Ann Tegnell seven years later. Chapman shares kids with both, having more after he and Lyssa Rae Brittain walked down the aisle in 1982. He and his fourth wife, Tawny Marie Chapman, don't share any children. Duane and fifth wife Beth Chapman have three kids, with the former bail bondsman also sharing a child with ex-girlfriend Debbie White. In 2023, he revealed he had secretly fathered a 13th. Keep scrolling to learn more the 'Dog the Bounty Hunter' star, who married to Francine Frane in 2021 and became the stepdad to her two sons, and his growing family. Christopher Michael Hecht Duane was serving an 18-month prison sentence for a third-degree murder charge when White gave birth to his eldest child, son Christopher, in 1972. The little one was adopted by Keith Hecht and Gloria Hecht when White died by suicide six years later. Duane reached out to the family when Christopher was 19. Christopher was reportedly arrested in 2008 on suspicions of a third-degree assault. In February 2021, he was sentenced to three years in prison following a menacing arrest, a sentence he served in Colorado (via the US Sun). Duane Lee Chapman II The bounty hunter welcomed his second son while married to Darnell. Duane Jr. worked alongside his dad at Da'Kine Bail Bonds in Hawaii, also appearing on 'Dog the Bounty Hunter.' Although the show aired from 2004 to 2012, Duane Jr. and his younger brother, Leland, quit one season ahead of the finale amid a dispute with Beth. Leland Blane Chapman Duane Jr. became a big brother in 1974 when Leland was born. When Darnell placed Leland in foster care, he ran away as a teen and was given the choice to live with Duane — which he took. After quitting his family's reality show, Leland seemingly reconciled with his dad, as Duane posted a birthday tribute via Instagram in December 2020. Leland has been married twice, first to a woman named Maui from 1995 to 2005, with whom he shares sons Dakota and Cobie. He welcomed daughter Leiah with Lynette Yi before marrying model Jamie Pilar Chapman in 2016. Zebadiah Chapman Duane married Tegnell in August 1979 in a Colorado ceremony, shortly after the former A&E personality was paroled. While their son Zebadiah was born in January of the following year, the infant died suddenly at 1 month old. Wesley Chapman Wesley was born in 1980, with his parents divorcing shortly after. He was raised by his maternal grandmother but reconnected with Duane at age 38. 'Man it's been a journey to get here, to be in a place to have … a father and his son building a legacy,' the Alabama School of Fine Arts graduate wrote via Instagram in September 2019. 'A legacy that will be passed down for generations to come.' Not only did Wesley found The Human Project to help at-risk youth, but he and his wife, Jodie, run the Chapman Springs Ranch. He is the father of daughters Chloe and Peyton from a previous relationship. James Robert Chapman Duane and Tegnell reunited briefly after their divorce, welcoming son James in their time together. J.R. has stayed out of the spotlight, with very little known about his life. Barbara Katie Chapman In 1982, Duane wed Brittain in a ceremony reportedly performed by a Native American chief in Colorado, days after meeting at a bar. Barbara, who was born in June of that same year, died in a 2006 car crash when she was 23 years old. She was survived by son Travis. Duane honored Barbara on the 15th anniversary of her death with an Instagram post reading, '15 years ago today My Barbara Katie went to be w/ JESUS.' Tucker Dee Chapman Duane and Brittain's second child together, son Tucker, joined the family in September 1983. Despite Duane telling Larry King in 2007 that he 'love[s] him very much,' Tucker has a strained relationship with his dad. When tapes were leaked of Duane saying the N-word to describe Tucker's girlfriend that same year, A&E put 'Dog the Bounty Hunter' on hiatus for the 'foreseeable future.' The show resumed production four months later. Duane claimed in a 2021 'Entertainment Tonight' interview that he had a 'pass' to use the slur from his time in prison. 'I thought I had a pass in the black tribe to use it, kind of like Eminem,' he told the outlet at the time. 'So that was a word that we used back and forth, as maybe a compliment. 'I have never been a racist,' Duane continued. 'I'm 33.5 percent Apache. But because of over 15 years ago, I have an Achilles' heel because I used the wrong word.' Lyssa Rae Chapman Four years before Duane and Brittain's divorce in 1991, their daughter, Lyssa, was born. Lyssa gave birth to daughters Abbie Mae and Madalynn with husband Braham Galanti before getting divorced. She and Leiana Evensen tied the knot in June 2022 after six years of dating. 'Last week Lei and I boarded a boat at 7 in the morning with 7 of our closest family members and we dedicated our love and lives to one another,' the bride gushed via Instagram at the time. The ceremony took place in the Pacific Ocean in Hawaii, with Lyssa's uncle David officiating. At the time, Lyssa told People about Duane's reaction to her coming out, explaining, 'I don't want to put words in his mouth because I don't know what his exact feelings about it are, but he's never shown me anything other than support.' Bonnie Joanne Chapman After an on-again, off-again relationship, Duane married Beth in Hawaii in 2006. They were already the parents of daughter Bonnie, who was born in December 1998. Bonnie, who often shows her makeup skills via Instagram, made headlines in 2021 when she accused her father and Frane of not inviting her to their wedding because of her 'choice to participate in social justice and [Black Lives Matter] protests.' She also alleged that Duane cheated on her mom, writing, 'I hated him every time he did it, but I forgave him for that because I wanted a relationship with my dad' — which led to Duane's 'Entertainment Tonight' denial. Garry Chapman Garry, born in February 2001, was hospitalized in the summer of 2020 after a four-wheeler wreck. Three years prior, his mom was diagnosed with throat cancer. Beth died of the disease two years later at age 51. 'It's 5:32 in Hawaii, this is the time she would wake up to go hike Koko Head mountain,' Duane told his Instagram followers at the time. 'Only today, she hiked the stairway to heaven.' Cecily Barmore-Chapman Beth welcomed Cecily in 1993 with her ex-husband, and Duane adopted the little one when they got married. Cecily was arrested for domestic violence in July 2021, telling Page Six about the alleged act of 'self-defense' in a statement the following month. 'I was attacked. I defended myself,' she claimed. 'I'd do it again. End of story.' Jon In June 2023, Duane told his Instagram followers he had secretly fathered a son named Jon but did not provide further details about his maternity. 'For the last four years, this day was a terrible reminder of one of the greatest losses of my life,' he wrote, referencing Beth's death. 'But God redeemed this day when I discovered my son Jon, who I just met recently, was born on this day. So now instead of sorrow, this day has a new meaning. This is my son Jon and his wife, Jodi.' Gregory Zecca Duane revealed during a 2020 'Dr. Oz Show' appearance that Frane, whom he was engaged to at the time, has two sons from a previous relationship. One of his stepsons Gregroy Zecca made headlines in July 2025 over allegedly shooting and killing his 13-year-old son, Anthony, in a 'freak accident.' After the teenager died in their Naples, Fla., apartment, Duane and Frane released a statement on the 'incomprehensible' tragedy. Solve the daily Crossword
Business Wire
08-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
COVU Announces Fifth Acquisition with Leland Insurance Services, Expands Operational Strength Across California
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--COVU, Inc., the leader in AI-native services for insurance agencies, today announced the acquisition of Leland Insurance Services, a well-established California-based independent agency known for its consistent financial performance, high client retention, and strong carrier partnerships. This acquisition marks the fifth in COVU's strategic rollout of agency partnerships designed to expand its AI-native servicing platform while offering agency owners flexible paths to scale or exit. Leland's operational discipline and seamless fit with COVU's hybrid model further solidify the company's foundation across California. 'Leland is a great example of a high-performing agency that fits naturally into the AI-native future we're building,' said Ali Safavi, CEO of COVU. 'They're already running with the kind of discipline, service quality, and customer retention we value—and we're excited to carry that legacy forward through our platform.' Built for Alignment, Not Disruption Led by Richard Herscowitz, Leland Insurance Services brings a stable book of personal and commercial P&C business, with exceptional retention and strong carrier relationships. The agency's structure and service model align tightly with COVU's remote-first, AI-supported infrastructure—making the transition both efficient and customer-friendly. This move is part of COVU's broader mission to enable—not replace—agencies by giving them access to powerful technology, operational support, and an AI-native framework that enhances their ability to serve. Carrier Strength and Book Stability Leland partners with top national carriers including Nationwide, Safeco, Progressive, and Travelers, and maintains strong loss ratios across both personal and commercial lines. With consistent revenue growth and 102% year-over-year policy and revenue retention, Leland adds immediate value to COVU's carrier strategy and California portfolio. Post-acquisition, the agency will fully integrate into COVU's operating model—eliminating traditional overhead while preserving the client experience. Enabling Growth, Respecting Legacy COVU's acquisition approach honors the work and relationships built by agency founders while unlocking a future powered by AI, human support, and operational excellence. Whether agencies want to modernize, retire, or simply park their book, COVU provides a solution that balances efficiency with empathy. About COVU COVU is a transformative platform designed to revolutionize the insurance servicing industry through AI-native solutions combined with human support. The company is dedicated to enhancing customer experiences and operational efficiency for insurance agencies while providing flexible servicing models to meet the demands of modern consumers.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
14-year-old Jacksonville boy with autism reported missing
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is asking for help locating a missing 14-year-old boy who has autism. Leland 'Mikey' Scales, 14, was last seen around 11 p.m. Monday in the 7100 block of Natal Avenue, a JSO news release states. 'It is unclear when he left the residence, but he was seen on foot between 2:30 a.m. and 3 a.m. in the 6900 block of West Beaver Street, heading east while carrying an orange and black backpack,' the news release states. Leland is 5′4″, 150 pounds with blue eyes and blond hair. He was last seen wearing a black Spiderman T-shirt and black basketball shorts. Anyone with information about the child's whereabouts should contact JSO at (904) 630-0500 or 911. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Lazarus Episode 7 release date, time, expectations
Lazarus episode 7 Lazarus episode 7 is all set to make a debut on May 19, 2025, at 11:45 PM as per the Japanese Standard Time (JST). All the fans will be able to stream the episode on Toonami and Adult Swim. The upcoming episode will play a major role in building the momentum around the upcoming few episodes of the show. As for the release of the episode, it will be launched at varying times based on different time zones. Moving forward, let us have a look at the release date and time based on time zones, followed by a recap of episode 6 and expectations from episode 7. Lazarus episode 7 release date and time Time Zone Release Time Release Date Pacific Standard Time 06:45 AM May 19, 2025 Central Standard Time 08:45 AM May 19, 2025 Eastern Standard Time 09:45 AM May 19, 2025 Greenwich Mean Time 02:45 PM May 19, 2025 Central European Summer Time 03:45 PM May 19, 2025 Indian Standard Time 08:15 PM May 19, 2025 Philippine Time 10:45 PM May 19, 2025 Australia Central Standard Time 01:15 AM May 20, 2025 Lazarus episode 6 synopsis by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 'Swing is King': Mr. Hemant's Strategy Finally Explained in Free Session TradeWise Learn More Undo In the sixth episode, we got to see Elaina at the centre of the events. A cult was introduced that worshipped the Al entity, and Elaina was also a part of the cult when she was young. However, she left the group after a while, and this is her second encounter with the members. Leland and Elaina reach the Al Entity and want to use the powers of Naga to find Dr Skinner's location. However, the members of the cult found both of them trying to do that and then went on to let them go through purification. Here, the process of Purification means their bodies will be burned. But, Axel and the crew reach the location and save both Elaina and Leland. Expectations from episode 7 In the seventh episode, we will get to see the efforts of the squad in finding Dr Skinner intensifying because only 17 days are left before the destruction. Furthermore, we will most probably get to see more of Axel in the episode, and the story will achieve a little more pace as compared to all the episodes until now. All in all, the episode will work as a bridge between the story until now and the story that will come in the future. Also Read: Sakamoto days part 2 release trailer reveals release date; Here are the details Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
