News-Press from Fort Myers, Florida • Page 63

NEWS-PRESS, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1998 11D State A Woman accused of running Internet Beanie Baby scam GoMoom to gefl a peek of vampire cult's worfdngs The Associated Press PENSACOLA A woman charged with operating a fraudulent Beanie Baby scheme on the Internet was snagged by the same tool she used to pitch her scam, investigators said. A Tennessee toy collector prompted the investigation when she complained to Escambia County sheriff's deputies she never received the rare "Nana" and "Chilly" Beanie Babies for which she had paid $2,500. Sheriff's detective Ray Briggs said Friday that he then sent an e-mail message to potential victims at an Internet auction site where users bid on all sorts of goods, asking them to contact him by return e-mail. "Within 45 minutes 1 had all the information I needed," Briggs said. "That would normally have been a day's work, tracking down all these people all over the country." His detective work resulted in the arrest Thursday of Melissa Ann Stiver, 35, of Pensacola, who was accused of collecting $10,609 by auctioning rare versions of the cuddly toys that buyers never received.

She was charged with one count of communications fraud and five counts of grand theft, each carrying a maximum penalty of five years in prison, and two counts of petty theft, each punishable by up to a year in jail. Stiver was released from jail after posting a $5,000 bond. She told Briggs the Beanies were in the mail but was unable to produce any documentation such as certified mail receipts. She admitted receiving the money and said she had spent much of it on various home-improvement projects and to pay bills, Briggs said. The investigator seized her computer and a collection of about 30 not-so-rare Beanies from her home.

He also seized a checking account with about $2,500 of her suspected fraud proceeds. The Associated Press TAVARES The afternoon before Heather Wendorf's parents were allegedly bludgeoned to death by her Rod Ferrell, the 15-year-old girl and the self-styled vampire leader sucked each other's blood in a cemetery ritual. Heather "crossed over" into being a fellow vampire during the ceremony, investigators say. When Ferrell, 17, goes on trial Monday for first-degree murder, the real questions on everybody's mind questions that likely will be raised by defense attorneys are what role, if any, did Heather play in the murders? And why did she flee to Louisiana with Ferrell and other members of his so-called vampire clan after her par- ents' gruesome deaths? Heather was cleared by a grand jury of criminal charges a year ago and could be an important witness during the trial. The trial is expected to last at least three weeks: Among the evidence prosecutors hope to use are DNA samples that they say link Ferrell to the murder She dyed her hair red, purple, blue and green, depending on her mood.

"I thought he was an intriguing person because I've never really met anyone like him before," Heather said in a deposition. "I didn't really have that many friends. I didn't really have that many people to talk to, so I mainly talked to him." When Ferrell later moved to Kentucky, Heather stayed in touch. They wrote each other and talked on the phone frequently, at one point forcing Ferrell's mother to shut off her phone service because of a $1,000 bill. Heather and Ferrell also wrote and talked to each other's friends.

One of Ferrell's friends whom Heather wrote letters to was John Goodman, in Murray, Ky. In Kentucky, Goodman told investigators that he, Ferrell and Scott Anderson had developed a fascination with the occult and played vampire role-playing games. About a half-dozen or so members of this role-playing group called themselves "the clan" and made weapons. Goodman told investigators that scene and taped statements Ferrell made to investigators. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

Richard Wendorf and Naoma Queen were found slain Nov. 25, 1996, in their Eustis home, about 35 miles northwest of Orlando. Richard was beaten severely in the face as he lay on a family room sofa; Naoma was found facedown in a pool of blood in the kitchen. A sign surrounded by circular marks was burned into Richard Wendorf body. Police said it was the sign of the Rod Ferrell vampire clan, and each circular marked represented a clan member.

The members of the clan included Heather, now 16, in Florida, and three other teen-agers from Kentucky. Howard Scott Anderson, 17; Dana L. Cooper, 20; and Charity Keesee, 17, are charged with being principals to murder and are scheduled to be tried later this year. Heather and Ferrell met two years ago at Eustis High School. Artistic and feeling trapped in a small town, Heather felt out of place at school.

She wore black tights with cutoff shorts. Associated Press file photo DEFENDANT: Rod Ferrell arrives in a Tavares courtroom for a pretrial hearing. Ferrell is alleged to be the leader of a "vampire cult" and is charged with murder. Ferrell liked to hurt people and always talked about killing someone if he didn't like them. He said that Ferrell had tortured animals for a long time.

fin -i mil nerrr Dr. Phillip E. Andrews is PLEASED to announce the relocation of his practice from Ear, Nose and Throat Associates 3487 Broadway to Ear, Nose and Throat Specialists of Florida. 39 Barkley Circle, Port Myers, Do You Want To Hear Better? ft i mtunn I Experience Beltone's Dr. Andrews is now associated with Dr.

James Fuller and Dr, Richard Lane, formerly Associates in Head and Neck Surgery and Dr. Alexander Lozano and Howard Barrow, formerly Cape Coral Associates in Ear, Nose and Throat Your records may be transferred to the new office by signing a records release at the old Broadway office or the new Barkley location Exclusive Computer System We enter your personal hearing data into our computer program, Selectafit, which analyzes your information using our exclusive fitting a mathematical formula that calculate; the best customized solution for your hearing Then we can digitally program this solution into our new Programmable Comfort Circuit! Dr. phinip e. Andrewi a Full range of Ear, Nose and Throat, Head and Neck care will continue to be offered. 39 Barkley Circle: 936-1616 New Patients Being Accepted I This newspaper is printed on recyclable paper $200 OFF Invisa Save up to $200 on the regular retail price of Invisa.

Expires 3-10-98 BELTONE INTRODUCES HEARING AIDS WITH DIGITALLY PROGRAMMABLE I I COMFORT CIRCUIT! 1 I (f li We incorporate Loudness I Growth Profiling to increase your hearing comfort. 1 News-press IMIUSMOTO 2 ItaKi BM Fotl Myers, FL 33901 39(7 WE PROVIDE FREE SERVICE IN OUR OFFICE OR IN YOUR HOME. Coupons can't be combined with any other offers. Offers expire 30 days from receipt of this mailer. Benefits of hearing aids vary by type and degree of hearing loss, noise environment, accuracy of hearing evaluation and proper fit.

i i -j 1997 DesignExceSonce Tr International Award Winner Casual Furniture Accosaorx Mart 3 TM FACTORY STORE ft BONITA SPRINGS 3300 Bonita Beach Rd. NEXT TO PUBLIX 498-7142 7 1 Mitfffl CAPE CORAL FT. MYERS (I WV, 2301 Del Prado 4600 Summerlin Rd. 'j. I I- i NEKTTOBEAUS NEXT TO PUBLIX I 574-4452 936-1110 Professional Care For Senior Gtuens The Cottet family Since I97i mere CCTC Highest Quality OrltUtbtlO Selection STARTING AT Ona-StoD ShODDi ng Benefits of hearing aids vary by type and degree of loss, noise environment, accuracy of hearing evaluation and proper fit.

i 1 00 Aluminum PVC RADIANCE ff SLING Wicker Replacement Cushions a Fax 275-6499 PRICES REDUCED AGAIN FOR FINAL CLEARANCE! Accessories Outdoor Lamps 11621 Cleveland Avenue Just North of Honey Baked Ham Cast Aluminum IMs5S3 fg FINAL DAYS FOR DISCOUriTS OF UP TO 8Q I SUMSAY 12-6! IS) BUILD YOUR NEW HOME NOW 'UIV7V7 i nnim inrfntrT--y'---iitiiriiMiiri "4.l jpy "i jpii'iituffi hi IFMIUCS OF MOST EVERY DESCRIPTION OF MOST EVERY DESCRIPTION up rr To WcCAlvS PAT! up K(rm I I'll iMi ii'Hi'i'lttMi'Mttt rftiirftifrtifjftff to ixutwo to viyw OFF OFF Sj jjmw HOME DSCCHATinG PRODUCTS FABRICS CLEARANCE up JS to KQj) off 0 UP r0 Jim Walter Homes is excited about making 1 998 the year tor many qualified property owners to become very happy remeorvners.Mxi can have a new home traditionally built on your lot with Absolutely No Money Down, No Points, No Closing Costs, No Application Fees, No Private Mortgage Insurance, and Up to 30 Year Financing at 8.5 APR Fixed-Rate for Qualified Property Ownersl Each Jim Walter home is completely finished on the exterior, with your choice of a variety of option packages to finish the interior up to 100 complete. You may decide to do some of the interior work yourself and save money. Choose from more than 30 home designs offered by Jim Walter Homes, the nation's largest builder of on-your-lot, single-family homes. Make 1998 the year of your new home. caii 1-800-492-5837 ext 60 for a free brochure, mall the coupon, visit our web site at http:www.llmwalterhomes.com or visit your VALUE.UMn3.

TO OFF PIJBIIC MOT1CI: i i President It I I BR 4 bedrooms lHiu uj rrrr 2 battw bonus room 1 I Optional deluxe kitchen and bath specs 1 sr I BR Tft EH LR mbr tM Br American 3 bedrooms 2 baths I 13 OUR IIATE IS CHANGING TO Homo a Fabric CENTER OFF COME SEE FABULOUS NEW PRODUCTS ARRIVING DAILY! if7 nearest model home center. FT. MYERS, FL 2570 Colonial Drive Ph: 941936-0804 Please send me your free brochure with more than 30 home designs and information about building on my property. N0198 Name VENICE TJ Maxx Plaza 470 U.S. 41 Bypass N.

(941)485-7917 FT, MYERS K-MartSh. Ctr. 3853 S.Cleveland. (941)939-3090 JimQater HOMES THE NATION'S LARGEST ON-YOUR-LOT HOMEBUILOEH OVER 325,000 BUILT SINCE 1S4 Open 7 days a week Weekend Hours-Sal 8 AM to 6 Sun 1 P.M. 10 6 PM 8 5 APR fxed-rale mortgage financing ow good to the end of the month.

No other offers or discounts apply Pnor sales excluded. Typical franana example, $60 000 purchase with no down payment, 360 payments of $461 .30 per month 130 veers) Walkways and shrubs are not included in the standard oftenng. State I nutS AL-523. AR-HB1003, FL-CRC052378 MS-R0M56, NAPLES Corner Tamiami Trail 7th Avenue North 764 9th St. N.

(941)262-5996 PORT CHARLOTTE Harbor Sq. 4200-D Tamiami Trail (941)627-8510 State Zip Address City Telephone WE ACCEPT VI5A, MASTERCARD DISCOVER, LOCAL CHECKS GIFT CERTIFICATES. OPEN MON-SAT REGULAR HOURS; SUNDAY 12-6. Walter Homes, Inc. 1998.

Copyright strictly enforced. In Louisiana, Jim Walter Maj t0; ater Homes, P.O. Box 31 601 Tampa, FL 33631-3601.