Florida

Judge sets $1.4M bond for pastor accused of fleeing to Texas after sexually abusing girl in Florida Keys

Published

2 years ago

April 20, 2024

Judge sets .4M bond for pastor accused of fleeing to Texas after sexually abusing girl in Florida Keys

MARATHON, Fla. – A 62-year-old man who served as a First Baptist Church pastor when a teenage girl accused him of giving her a spiked drink and sexually abusing her appeared in court on Saturday in the Florida Keys.

Rev. Monte LaVelle Chitty, a registered police volunteer, appeared before Monroe County Circuit Judge James W. Morgan III at the Marathon Courthouse wearing a light blue jumpsuit and handcuffs.

Monroe County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Chitty on March 4 after they found incriminating text messages to the girl including, “I prefer you pass out after I play not before” and “You can’t even remember what I did.”

He was released on a $75,000 bond.

“While you were out on bail, you committed a new crime,” Morgan said about his failure to appear in court.

The U.S. Marshals Service arrested Rev. Monte LaVelle Chitty on April 5 on a warrant out of Monroe County. (US Marshal Service – Monroe County Sheriff’s Office)

According to deputies, Chitty had fled to Texas, and the U.S. Marshals Service arrested him on April 5 at Woodville on Morgan’s warrant.

Chitty was facing charges of sexual battery on a child, delinquency of a minor, and lewd and lascivious molestation on a child.

Morgan set his bond for the sexual battery charge at $1 million. The bonds for the other two charges were $300,000, and the bond for the failure to appear charge was $100,000, so the total bond is $1.4 million.

“If you post bail, I am ordering you to report to pre-trial services once a week,” Morgan told Chitty in court.

Mug shots of Monte Chitty taken after his initial arrest in March (left) and after he was extradited back to South Florida after fleeing to Texas in April (right) (MCSO)

The judge also ordered Chitty to wear a GPS ankle monitor and cover its cost.

According to Alaska Public Media, in Southwest Alaska, authorities feared there were other victims since he had also served as a pastor at the Cold Bay Chapel and as a village public safety officer in the Alaskan communities of False Pass and Akutan.

Local 10 News Reporter Janine Stanwood and Assignment Desk Editor Joyce Grace Ortega contributed to this report.

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Florida

Joel H. Sharp, Jr. Obituary

Published

6 hours ago

April 17, 2026

Press Room

Joel H. Sharp, Jr., a devoted husband, father, grandfather, distinguished attorney, and cherished member of the Orlando community, passed away peacefully at his home in Windermere, Florida, on April 11, 2026. He was 90 years old.
Joel was…

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Florida

Newly appointed Florida Panthers President of Business Operations excited organization’s future

Published

18 hours ago

April 16, 2026

Press Room

Newly appointed Florida Panthers President of Business Operations excited organization’s future

SUNRISE, Fla. — The new Florida Panthers President of Business Operations, Mike White, is settling into his role with the organization.

“This is a winning culture. It’s not coming in where we have to fix certain things — it’s more about amplifying those experiences that have already been created,” White said.

Before the Florida Panthers’ final game of the season, White spoke with WPTV Anchor and Panthers 360 host Mike Trim.

WATCH:

Newly appointed Florida Panthers President of Business Operations excited organization’s future

White was named to his position on March 31.

Trim asked White about his top priorities in his new role.

“There are two lenses by which you look at things. One is the advocacy of the fan — the fan is at the center,” White said. “We want to create a really great experience and a really great product for the fan to enjoy. The second is in support of hockey and hockey operations.”

White said he’s been busy in his first two weeks on the job.

Most recently, White served as Chief Product Officer at Amazon’s autonomous vehicle company. He also worked for 11 years with the Walt Disney Company in several senior leadership roles.

The Florida Panthers beat the Detroit Red Wings 8-1 in their season finale.

WPTV

As the Florida Panthers chase a third Stanley Cup championship this season, WPTV is along for the ride!

We will be highlighting the team with our new show on South Florida’s 9 called “Panthers 360”.

Hosted by WPTV anchor Mike Trim, watch the show each Wednesday evening and also streaming at 7:30 p.m.

We will take an in-depth look at the season, break down film and connect with the players and special stories off the ice.

Every Monday at 12:15 p.m. on the WPTV YouTube page, Trim will be joined by different analysts to discuss the latest on the team. We want to hear your thoughts, so post your questions and comments while the live interview takes place!

South Florida’s 9 is your home for Panthers hockey all season long!

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Florida

Florida Lottery Powerball, Lotto, Fantasy 5 results for April 15, 2026

Published

1 day ago

April 16, 2026

Press Room

Florida Lottery Powerball, Lotto, Fantasy 5 results for April 15, 2026

The Florida Lottery offers several draw games for those hoping to win one of the available jackpots.

Here’s a look at the winning numbers for games played on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.

Winning Powerball numbers from April 15 drawing

13-21-27-43-45, Powerball: 26, Power Play: 5

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from April 15 drawing

08-11-41-44-53, Powerball: 03

Winning Florida Lotto numbers from April 15 drawing

05-27-36-43-45-46

Check Florida Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto Double Play numbers from April 15 drawing

13-14-25-46-49-51

Check Lotto Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Fantasy 5 numbers from April 15 drawing

Midday: 01-05-20-26-36

Evening: 04-15-17-19-25

Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from April 15 drawing

Morning: 03

Matinee: 07

Afternoon: 08

Evening: 03

Late Night: 08

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win

Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.

Just the FAQs, USA TODAY

Winning Pick 2 numbers from April 15 drawing

Midday: 6-7, FB: 4

Evening: 2-4, FB: 9

Check Pick 2 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from April 15 drawing

Midday: 2-9-3, FB: 4

Evening: 0-8-8, FB: 9

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from April 15 drawing

Midday: 5-7-5-8, FB: 4

Evening: 9-5-5-6, FB: 9

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 5 numbers from April 15 drawing

Midday: 7-5-5-3-5, FB: 4

Evening: 8-3-0-0-1, FB: 9

Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Where can you buy Florida Lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at any authorized retailer throughout Florida, including gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. To find a retailer near you, go to Find Florida Lottery Retailers.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize

Prizes of $599 or less: Claim at any authorized Florida Lottery retailer or Florida Lottery district office.
Prizes for $600 to $1 million: Must be claimed in person at any Florida Lottery district office for games that do not offer an annual payment option.
Prizes greater than $1 million and all prizes with an annual payment option: Must be claimed at Florida Lottery headquarters, except Mega Millions and Powerball prizes, which can be claimed at any Florida Lottery district office.

You also can claim your winnings by mail if the prize is $250,000 or less. Mail your ticket to the Florida Lottery with the required documentation.

Florida law requires public disclosure of winners

If you’re a winner, Florida law mandates the following information is public record:

Full name
City of residence
Game won
Date won
Amount won
Name and location of the retailer where the winning ticket was purchased.

When are the Florida Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Florida Lotto: 11:15 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
Jackpot Triple Play: 11:15 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Fantasy 5: Daily at 1:05 p.m. and 11:15 p.m.
Cash Pop: Daily at 8:45 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 2:45 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 11:45 p.m.
Pick 2, 3, 4, 5: Daily at 1:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Florida digital producer. You can send feedback using this form.

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