Deputies Arrested

2 Deputies arrested for dealing in stolen property

BRADENTON - Two Manatee County Sheriff Deputies were arrested this afternoon for their involvement in a stolen property investigation.

Charles Elsenheimer, 44, is charged with 13 counts of Dealing Stolen Property, and 23 year-old Garry Harrison, is charged with two counts of Dealing in Stolen Property.

In late August of 2005, the Sheriff's Office began investigating information that one or more Deputies were involved in illegal activity at Cleopatra's, a Palmetto adult entertainment establishment.

The probe revealed that while Elsenheimer and Harrison were employed at Cleopatra's they purchased what was believed to be stolen liquor from undercover officers. The Sheriff's Office were not aware that the two were working at Cleopatra's.

Both men resigned from their Patrol Deputy positions today. Elsenheimer was first employed with the Sheriff's Office in 1997, and Harrison began working for them in 2001.

An investigation continues regarding the two former Deputies.

All Articles

Two area sheriff's deputies were arrested Tuesday and two others abruptly resigned amid an FBI probe into their association with a Palmetto strip club.

Manatee County sheriff's Deputy Charles E. Elsenheimer, 34, was charged with 13 counts of dealing in stolen property for reportedly buying caseloads of liquor that he thought was stolen. His cousin and fellow deputy, Gary P. Harrison, 23, was charged with two counts.

Authorities say both men worked off-duty at Cleopatra's strip club, a windowless bar along a fast stretch of U.S. 41 on the northern edge of Palmetto.

Elsenheimer also reportedly leaked confidential law-enforcement information to an undercover detective who posed as a patron of the club.

Harrison and Elsenheimer resigned Tuesday after interviews with internal affairs investigators.

In Sarasota, sheriff's Deputies Alfred B. Ainscoe and Edward P. Falcone also resigned amid allegations connected to the criminal case in Manatee. Neither was immediately charged with a crime, however. It is unknown whether Ainscoe and Falcone also worked at Cleopatra's.

The sheriffs of both counties remained tight-lipped Tuesday, and neither would comment on the ongoing FBI probe.

"We're a law enforcement agency, not a law-breaking agency," Manatee County Sheriff Charlie Wells said.

Elsenheimer, a sheriff's deputy for nearly nine years, and Harrison, who became a deputy in 2001, could not be reached for comment.

Elsenheimer was released on $13,000 bail; Harrison is free on $2,000 bail. Arraignment is scheduled for Sept. 1 in Manatee County Circuit Court.

Ainscoe, 45, a youth services deputy, and Falcone, 36, who works special investigations, could not be reached Tuesday evening. The 10-year employees did not give a reason for their resignations, Sarasota Sheriff Bill Balkwill said.

The Sarasota Sheriff's Office will do its own internal investigation after Manatee officials conclude their criminal investigation, the sheriff said.

Any criminal findings, Balkwill said, would be turned over the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Manatee County authorities began investigating the case after several tips -- including complaints from fellow deputies -- were passed to administrators in August 2005.

The tipsters said sheriff's deputies were working at Cleopatra's.

Department policy forbids sheriff's deputies from working off-duty at bars. Elsenheimer and Harrison did not tell supervisors about their money-making side venture. "They absolutely knew we would refuse," Wells said.

Two Hillsborough County sheriff's deputies slipped into Cleopatra's undercover to investigate claims that Manatee sheriff's deputies were working at the bar.

Harrison talked to an undercover officer who said he could provide large amounts of liquor at a discounted price, authorities said.

Over the next several months, Harrison and Elsenheimer reportedly bought caseloads of brand name rum, vodka and other liquor for cut-rate prices.

One time, Elsenheimer reportedly bought cases of Barcardi rum, Crown Royal whiskey, Grey Goose vodka, Captain Morgan Rum and Jagermeister for $150; the wholesale value of the alcohol was $862.

Another time, Elsenheimer reportedly was given a free case of Bacardi for his "protection services."

The undercover officer told the duo that the liquor was cheap because it was stolen, according to sheriff's reports.

Sometimes, Elsenheimer said the orders were on behalf of Cleopatra's. Other times he said the booze was for personal use.

Elsenheimer brought his source to his New Year's Eve party and ordered more alcohol, sheriff's officials said.

Investigators used audio and video to record transactions, which were made at the bar.

Wells said Harrison and Elsenheimer were taken off road patrol during the probe. Elsenheimer worked the front desk at the Sheriff's Office; Harrison was in the warrants unit for a time.

On Tuesday, several Manatee sheriff's deputies wearing ski masks gathered inside the entrance to Cleopatra's at 4 p.m.

The deputies had executed a search warrant at 2 p.m. and still had not wrapped up the work by the evening, said Manatee sheriff's Lt. Bill Jordan, who led the operation.

The deputies loaded what appeared to be boxes of evidence into a white utility van.

A handful of club dancers and customers pulled in but were turned away from the Egyptian-themed establishment.

Jordan said the club's owner, Mark Shepherd, was cooperating with the investigation and would be free to reopen after the deputies finished.

Sheriff Wells said the investigation has not turned up evidence that will hurt criminal cases going through the court system.



Staff writers Cory Schouten and Latisha R. Gray contributed to this report.

:P this what we have in this county to protect us. I think I would rather protect myself. Then have crimianls.!!!!!!!!!!!! It seems everyweek one of you deptys are getting arested.

It's unfortunate that a couple of bad apples spoil the whole image. I feel badly for the ones who put the lives on the line, are poorly paid and now have the bad press. As a life-time resident, I still believe in all of our law enforcement in Manatee County. Hang tough you guys.

It looks like you are doing a pretty good job protecting yourself from getting stung by the spelling bee.

According to the newspaper, some of our guys at the SSO are somehow involved. I read it here (http://www.leoaffairs.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2972). Day-um!!!! :(

WOW this is starting to make wearing womans panties look like normal behavior at thee ol MSO :P :lol: :o :!:

This place is once again showing its true colors! Its amazing that the NAACP is more stand up right now than the Sheriff's office. But the S.O. alway's says they want only the best working for them. As the previous post touched on, their is a "Professional" Law Officer prancing around in Women's underwear and snapping photo's of his Johnson, what the hell is going on there?? Does the MSO have no leadership anymore?? No standards whatsoever?? What a JOKE!! Does anyone hold the leader of this entertainment show (Sheriffs department) accountable for the action of these moron's?? I would hate to see the worst if this crew is the best. Time for a new leader in this orginization. :idea: :idea: I dont know about anyone else but unfortunately this latest alcohol embarrassment is starting to take on the shape of another Delta horror story!

Hey Disgusted Tax Payer.....you running for Sheriff again Murphy??? Just don't use those McDonalds signs again!!!!! Shoemaker can be your campain manager!!!!

Last time I checked, the only person you were responsible for was yourself. One problem is money; no matter how much money we make, it's never enough. Sometimes the prospect of lining your pockets outweighs your good judgment...I think that is probably what happened here (along with a tad bit of 'Holier Than Thou'). Let's keep in perspective that these deputies aren't/weren't bad people, they're judgments were clouded by something mightier than them, I guess. I am not condoning it by any means, but the Sheriff as a person shouldn't be held accountable for these deputies' bad judgments....only the deputies themselves can do that. We will get past this just like we have everything else, and I am sure this won't be the last 'black eye' that this agency is going to get....Let's not lose sight of the men and women out there busting their asses off to protect this community...it seems we never really hear about the good, only the bad. Keep up the good work, and we will continue to work together for the betterment of the community.

While it's sickening that those p.o.s. violated the public trust, the Sheriff can't be everywhere all the time in people's minds to know what everyone is doing. For cryin out loud, he responded to the complaints, launched an investigation, and now these bad cops(in my opinion) are gone. I get so frustrated when people lump all the good MSO employees in with the bad ones. I wonder how the average law abiding citizens would feel if they treated them with that same mentality. There is no way to win, they (Deps) do a great job day in and day out..A job that most people couldn't do with out cracking. But I hardly ever see anybody coming on here to say, "Great job for finding my lost child", "Thanks for getting back my stolen car". NO, you'd rather wait until something negative comes up, then berate all of them.. But don't worry Mr./Ms disenchanted "taxpayer", the 99% of them that are good, honest people will still be there for you when you need them.

Every agency has a few turds, the difference is that some sweep it under the rug or look the other way, some don't. MSO eventually pulls their weeds after a thorough investigation. That's something to be proud of. You can't prevent having a few dipshits make it into the dept, but you can get rid of them and that's what you boys are doing up there, it just takes some time.

Keep up the good work!

Every agency has a few turds, the difference is that some sweep it under the rug or look the other way, some don't. MSO eventually pulls their weeds after a thorough investigation. That's something to be proud of. You can't prevent having a few dipshits make it into the dept, but you can get rid of them and that's what you boys are doing up there, it just takes some time.

Keep up the good work!At the SSO, we hire and promote those with criminal records (http://www.leoaffairs.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=16025#16025). :roll:

Don't go picking on the B.B. "Appointees Club"

We can't be havin that.
My point was, MSO takes their trash out when it starts to smell
Maybe I'll go up there.....

Officers' cases may be separate
SYLVIA LIM
Herald Staff Writer
MANATEE - Authorities on Friday continued to investigate a case involving two deputies arrested this week on charges they bought from an undercover detective alcohol they believed was stolen.

Charles E. Elsenheimer, 34, and his cousin Gary P. Harrison, 23, were arrested Tuesday. Two deputies at the Sarasota sheriff's office resigned the same day.

A published report linked the resignations to Elsenheimer and Harrison, but Sarasota sheriff's Lt. Chuck Lesaltato on Friday said "they haven't been linked to the Manatee County probe."

Sarasota officials said deputies Alfred Ainscoe and Edward Falcone did not say why they quit their jobs.

There were no internal or criminal investigations of either deputies before they quit, Lesaltato said.

In Manatee County, authorities remained tight-lipped on details of their investigation.

They began investigating Elsenheimer last August after receiving tips that he was working illegally at Cleopatra's Gentlemen's Club, a topless bar in northern Manatee County.

Enlisting the help of two Hillsborough County detectives, Manatee authorities said Elsenheimer began buying alcohol from one of the undercover detectives for highly reduced prices.

At first, Elsenheimer bought a bottle or two of liquor that he thought was stolen, for his own use, according to sheriff's office reports.

Harrison helped Elsenheimer pick up the liquor.

In one of the transactions, the undercover detective told Harrison that he was stealing the alcohol off shipping docks.

After that, Elsenheimer began ordering cases of rum, vodka, brandy and other liquor, the reports stated. He would tell the detective that some were for his own use and others were for the club.

Authorities also raided the topless bar, off U.S. 41, on Tuesday. Sheriff's officials said the owner of the bar, Mark Shepard, has cooperated with the investigation. Neither Shepard nor Inge Zamora, whom the business is registered to, could be reached for comment.

Manatee County Sheriff Charlie Wells declined to comment on the investigation, except to say it was ongoing.

"We will try to cover every base." Wells said Friday. "We hope to bring it to a close in the matter of the next few weeks and give full disclosure and report on it."

Elsenheimer faces 13 charges of dealing in stolen property charges, the reports stated. Harrison faces two counts of an identical charge.

Both bonded out of the county jail on Wednesday, court records show.

When you're right, nobody remembers, when you're wrong, nobody forgets........

:P this what we have in this county to protect us. I think I would rather protect myself. Then have crimianls.!!!!!!!!!!!! It seems everyweek one of you deptys are getting arested.

Get a life asshole......

This place is once again showing its true colors! Its amazing that the NAACP is more stand up right now than the Sheriff's office. But the S.O. alway's says they want only the best working for them. As the previous post touched on, their is a "Professional" Law Officer prancing around in Women's underwear and snapping photo's of his Johnson, what the hell is going on there?? Does the MSO have no leadership anymore?? No standards whatsoever?? What a JOKE!! Does anyone hold the leader of this entertainment show (Sheriffs department) accountable for the action of these moron's?? I would hate to see the worst if this crew is the best. Time for a new leader in this orginization. :idea: :idea: I dont know about anyone else but unfortunately this latest alcohol embarrassment is starting to take on the shape of another Delta horror story!

Again, assholes that have no idea....with so many employed at MSO there's alwats going to be a few "bad apples". It doesn't matter what type of company you work for, there's always going to be a few "bad apples".

MSO would be lucky to have a few GOOD apples...

[CTFUUU]

I know many good apples at the MCSO, too bad you don't! :(

As usual, CTFUUU doesn't have anything of value to add to the discussion so she does what she does best - act like a *****.

[CTFUUU]

As usual, CTFUUU doesn't have anything of value to add to the discussion so she does what she does best - act like a *****.act like one?? Are you kidding yourself? Please brother get it straight, I'm the best bish you've ever come across!!!

As usual, CTFUUU doesn't have anything of value to add to the discussion so she does what she does best - act like a *****.act like one?? Are you kidding yourself? Please brother get it straight, I'm the best bish you've ever come across!!!


I think I've heard everything now.

[CTFUUU]

:wink:

to all of you who don't know what the hell is going on keep your smack talking to yourself there are several of us out there busting our ass to do the best that we can. people only like cops when there in trouble isn't it funny how that works. cops are taught and trained to run towards danger while you who are posting the stupid idiotic messages would tuck your tail between your legs and run off. if you think you can do the job better i think that every other mcso employee would feel the same way in saying put up or shut up, and if you have nothing to say to that i guess you made your decision and ran. none of us are saying that we agree with the deputies who were arrested or in any aspect are we trying to defend them. another thing that the joe public doesn't seem to understand is that when you don't work in law enforcement its innocent before proven guilty and when you do its guilty until proven otherwise. we dont have half the rights that regular citizens do i mean hell if i show up at a call and you call me an **** head theres not alot i can do about it but us well we could lose our jobs because oh yeah we don't even have the freedom of speech which is supposed to be automatically granted to us by first ammendment. if you stop to think about it we by doing this job are not even granted the freedoms and rights that any other american citizen are even though we are the ones sworne to protect those rights. so in closing unless you know what its like to walk in our wet soggy boots and torn uniforms from a fight on a previous call were you had to disarm a suspect with no backup because there are not enough deputies out there to begin with i ask you think before you speak and for god sake don't treat the people who are trying their best to make our community a safer place like criminals. those who do wrong will be face the music but don't punish the one's who are doing the right thing day after day.

:P this what we have in this county to protect us. I think I would rather protect myself. Then have crimianls.!!!!!!!!!!!! It seems everyweek one of you deptys are getting arested.
OK THEN, LET US KNOW YOUR NAME SO WE WILL KNOW NOT TO PROTECT YOU.
BUT SINCE YOU CANT PROTECT YOURSELF STFU!

hello! im'going to make website about snoop dog http://snoop-dog.uefhv.com and if you can pls add my link to ypur link page (for money) connect me! my e-mali:snoop-dog-site@uefhv.com

http://crash-test-dummy.833t5oe0q.com
http://dsl-speed-test.833t5oe0q.com
http://sitescope-test.75hzslh3q.com
http://search-search.dll-sofocus-bs.85dnckg.com
http://apartment-builder-home-search.833t5oe0q.com
http://search-search.dll-sofocus-pf.85dnckg.com
http://apartment-pet-search.833t5oe0q.com
http://ask-jeeves-search-engine.85dnckg.com
http://search-zaba.75hzslh3q.com
http://spybot-search-and-destroy.75hzslh3q.com
http://dog-pile-search-engine.833t5oe0q.com
http://blog-blog.myspace.com-search-site.833t5oe0q.com
http://ryder-cup-2006.75hzslh3q.com
http://anti-symantec-virus.75hzslh3q.com
http://anti-avg-virus.85dnckg.com
http://nile-virus-west.75hzslh3q.com
http://crazy-*****.833t5oe0q.com
http://crazy-monkey-game.75hzslh3q.com
http://bone-thug-cd.85dnckg.com
http://bone-thug-n-harmony.75hzslh3q.com
http://bizzy-bone.75hzslh3q.com
http://layzie-bone.85dnckg.com

http://prada-bag-1.blogspot.com/ prada bag (http://prada-bag-1.blogspot.com/) prada bag (http://prada-bag-1.blogspot.com/)
http://phentermine-buy-2.blogspot.com/ phentermine buy (http://phentermine-buy-2.blogspot.com/) phentermine buy (http://phentermine-buy-2.blogspot.com/)