The Orange County Sheriff’s Office Sex Crimes Squad and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Orlando Regional Operations Center were recognized by Governor Charlie Crist today in Tallahassee during the annual Florida Missing Children’s Day ceremony for their outstanding work during an investigation into the May, 2009 home invasion and attempted sexual abuse of a four year old girl.
The team of Orange County and FDLE investigators was named 2009 Law Enforcement Task Force of the year for their work in the case. Members of the team preserved the crime scene for processing, recovered and quickly processed critical evidence, conducted timely interviews and created composite sketches that quickly led to the identification and arrest of suspect in the case.
The FDLE laboratory connected crucial DNA evidence recovered from the scene with similar cases in the area while Orange County investigators secured key video evidence that solidified their case against the suspect who already had a history of loitering and prowling in the area.
Members of the team recognized during today’s ceremony are:
ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE: Sgt. Richard Makewich, Cpl. Jason McMullen, Det. Vance Voyles, Det. David Harms, Det. Phil Graves, Det. Chris Dillon, Det. Eric Debose, Det. David Triano, Det. Heather Kasper, and CSI Melissa Cardiello.
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT: DNA Analyst Melissa Boot Varan, DNA Supervisor Harry Hopkins II, Fingerprint Analyst Chandra Gabriel.
