Beware........... A thief resides in fort white

[Bobby]

I know this person and none of this makes any sense. I haven't seen her in over a year but this isn't consistent with the type of person she is. She wouldn't steal. Would she talk a big game? Well actually that sounds like her. Why don't you ask the best female cave diver to walk the planet? Sounds like they dive for time to time together.. If cave diving is as close knit as everyone says it is maybe she could shine some light on the subject...


Sent from my Shearwater Predator...

Garth,
I am sorry to inform you that this is not new and that it happens all too often. The cave community gets its share of unscrupulous and immoral people in proportion to the rest of the world. Fortunately our community is small enough that it is rare compared to the populace. This is not the first, won't be the last, and in certainly not the biggest issue we have had.

I also know the person, know more than I would like of the specifics, and unfortunately have to say that it is what it is.

[Jont]

I know this person and none of this makes any sense. I haven't seen her in over a year but this isn't consistent with the type of person she is. She wouldn't steal. Would she talk a big game? Well actually that sounds like her. Why don't you ask the best female cave diver to walk the planet? Sounds like they dive for time to time together.. If cave diving is as close knit as everyone says it is maybe she could shine some light on the subject...


Sent from my Shearwater Predator...

Garth:

Unfortunately it is completely accurate and quite true, we all have friends that have done bad things and we all have pressures that our friends aren't aware of, in all honesty Id bet it's this economy that drove this person to commit such desperate acts. This person is far from the worst person on earth, this person should make everyone whole, offer sincere apologies and move on with life.

FYI: you may want to rethink statements like "Why don't you ask the best female cave diver to walk the planet?" statements like this are rarely accurate, impossible to prove and generally speaking make you look foolish.

I hope your friend makes good.

JT

[fno]

Garth, I personally know at least six or eight of the "best female cave divers on the planet" None of them would appreciate your reference to them regarding this issue. People make some bad choices in life and if those choices are not consistent with the comunity that they reside in or participate in, well they get what they deserve.

Frank Ohidy, cave diver.....

[TONY CHANEY]

I know this person and none of this makes any sense. I haven't seen her in over a year but this isn't consistent with the type of person she is. She wouldn't steal. Would she talk a big game? Well actually that sounds like her..

Garth, we fellow NCPDRA members all knew her. After moving to Fla. maybe she changed, maybe she got her back againt the wall and needed the money to make ends meet, etc. Who knows why but, there is simply way too much evidence to look the other way and focus on how she was before. When you become cave certified, and please do, you will almost never see a more trusted group. I trust that you will also see these fine divers will come to your defense if anyone places blame on another caver unless the one placing the blame has a S+*& load of evidence. fines group outside the Marine Corps I have met. I have to believe that she is in fact a thief and equally sadden to see her sink so low out of the water.

[Benderr]

Generally, law enforcement can't seize or recover stolen property without evidence. In most cases, this is a serial number, or owner-applied mark/number. It's a good idea to have all your serials in two places (in case the list gets stolen). Without serial numbers LEO's are usually able to do two things: jack, and squat.

-b

[Jont]

Generally, law enforcement can't seize or recover stolen property without evidence. In most cases, this is a serial number, or owner-applied mark/number. It's a good idea to have all your serials in two places (in case the list gets stolen). Without serial numbers LEO's are usually able to do two things: jack, and squat.

-b

Very true but if enough people step forward with the same story they will make the arrest ESPECIALLY if they know the person doesn't have the means to fight, crimes like this generally indicate that the perp doesn't have any money ........

[Squirrel Girl]

Garth,
I am sorry to inform you that this is not new and that it happens all too often. The cave community gets its share of unscrupulous and immoral people in proportion to the rest of the world. Fortunately our community is small enough that it is rare compared to the populace. This is not the first, won't be the last, and in certainly not the biggest issue we have had.

I also know the person, know more than I would like of the specifics, and unfortunately have to say that it is what it is.

Yeah, what Bobby (and several of the other recent posters) said.

I probably know a lot more of the specifics than I'd like to, too. I'm from far away and am not really involved, but know several people who are or may be involved. On the one hand, I wish, 'Isn't that what the internet is for? To warn others so they don't get taken in?' But geez, I'm a moderator here on the CDF. We can't let a libel case get going. There are a hundred reasons why individuals might not want to get involved in publicly commenting. To start with, there are two sides to every story. From what I've heard, the evidence is pretty damning, but it's not something I'm comfortable with "deciding." I'm just not a part of the goings on. Some people have suspicions. Some people have "I think I'm missing something that XYZ might have had the opportunity to pinch." There are a people who just aren't comfortable going public. There are people who don't want to be involved in a public brawl. There are some people who own businesses and don't want to risk problems with that. There are just a million reasons why any given person might not want to comment publicly.

Besides. The word is now out. Some people, such as bluetickle was in a position where he felt he could publicly state what he felt were factual statements. I don't think we're going to get more than that unless or until some cases have gone to court at which time, they'll probably be public record.

More philosophically, I phoned a friend who lives in cave country and we talked for a long time about the situation. We felt we'd grown up in pretty "normal" middle class households that just didn't have problems. But geez, the cave diving community. When I think of the people I know or people who are friends/colleagues of people I know who have gone to jail, on drugs, or otherwise MESSED UP--they're cave divers. Anybody remember Wayne Marshall? How 'bout Rat?

But of course, some of the BEST people in the world are cave divers.

There are a lot of reasons why people can go bad. Sometimes people are put in really tough positions and make some terrible decisions. Some people have some mental illness issues. Some people have had abusive upbringings. How many people simply lie to themselves about why what they're doing is right? I mean the jails are full of people who deny to the end (to themselves and everyone else) that they did what they're accused of.

Anyway, the story isn't over yet. Society needs to make sure some actions are not to be tolerated. It's always easy to jump to assumptions. I do it all time. But assumptions can be wrong and we all need to be careful over things such as this.

[Garth]

Garth:

Unfortunately it is completely accurate and quite true, we all have friends that have done bad things and we all have pressures that our friends aren't aware of, in all honesty Id bet it's this economy that drove this person to commit such desperate acts. This person is far from the worst person on earth, this person should make everyone whole, offer sincere apologies and move on with life.

FYI: you may want to rethink statements like "Why don't you ask the best female cave diver to walk the planet?" statements like this are rarely accurate, impossible to prove and generally speaking make you look foolish.

I hope your friend makes good.

JT

Your right. This morning I re-read that part about what I wrote above and it sounds ridiculous. My apologies for the way that read. My attempt was to mention it appeared she was making friends in the community and to hear from them but it is apparent that she has made more enemies than anything else. I have no idea if the economy changed her or if something happened when she moved to florida but it most certainly is possible.
I do know Tony Chaney and he is one of the most stand up guys on the planet and I can say that in all seriousness as well as in an attempt make fun of myself for saying the previous comment on the best female cave diver.
Anyway, just sucks when things like this happen.


Sent from my Shearwater Predator...

[stairman]

The best female cavediver on the planet IMO would be Jill Heinerth. I doubt very seriously that she knows anything other than whats been stated publicly and is probably surprised and dissappointed in this discovery as well.

[JillHeinerth]

The best female cavediver on the planet IMO would be Jill Heinerth. I doubt very seriously that she knows anything other than whats been stated publicly and is probably surprised and dissappointed in this discovery as well.

That's very kind of you Stairman. You are right, I am not too fond of all of this stuff, but also understand people's "need to know." I had a serious falling out with this individual many months ago and asked her to stay out of my life and off my property. That's all I really wish to share. It's all very sad and disappointing. On the other hand, she was helpful in some of my film productions and will receive credit for her efforts. Light and dark in the same person.
Squirrel Girl is right, our community gets its share of the good, bad, odd and criminal much like the rest of society. I've moved on from my bad experience and chalked it up as a lesson learned about humanity. I prefer to concentrate on the amazing folks that I see at dive sites every day. We are fortunate to have such an incredible pool of people with talents, passion and love for this sport.