State agencies to discuss fugitive death

TALLAHASSEE --

A state investigation into the drowning death of a fugitive at Hunters Lake five months ago remains a possibility, but further discussion is needed, said a spokeswoman with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Civic activist Brian Moore has publicly filed grievances against the Hernando County Sheriff's Office for what he called "the use, misuse and abuse" of a department helicopter during the attempted capture of James "Little Man" Rayford.

Moore thinks Rayford, who was on Pasco County's most-wanted list, was killed intentionally. He cites conversations he had with neighbors who reportedly saw the pursuit and witnessed the blades of the helicopter bearing down toward Rayford and his kayak.

The sheriff's office conducted an internal investigation and ruled Rayford's death was accidental.

"We have received a complaint letter from Mr. Moore and we are currently reviewing the complaint and we'll discuss it with the governor's office to determine if an investigation is needed," said FDLE spokeswoman Kristen Chernosky. "At this point though, we have not opened up an investigation."

The two agencies will discuss the complaint because both received letters from Moore, she said.

Rayford was contacted on his cell phone by authorities the afternoon of Sept. 10, 2009. He tried to escape by switching boats and paddling away in a kayak toward an island on the lake, the report showed.

When the helicopter approached him, he jumped into the water on his own, deputies said.

"The helicopter responded ... and attempted to persuade him to return to shore," wrote Sgt. Kathleen Reid, an Internal Affairs investigator with the sheriff's office.

Moore said he read the report and referred to a statement made by the helicopter pilot, who admitted he "got so close to him, I blew his hat off."

"I feel vindicated by what was in the sheriff's report even thought they tried to destroy my credibility," Moore said.

Sgt. Donna Black, a spokeswoman with the sheriff's office, said the FDLE's statement about acknowledging a written complaint and discussing the possibility of an investigation is "normal practice."

"It hasn't been given any more importance than any other letter," Black said.

In her report, Reid stated several witnesses felt as though they were "hounded" by Moore and they simply wanted him to "leave them alone."

Moore said he remains optimistic.

"I'm thrilled," he said of the FDLE's response. "It means they're serious about this."

He said he wrote a letter to state officials in September and was told they would not do anything until the sheriff's office itself concludes its investigation.

Moore contacted them again in December after the report was made public.

He said the FDLE was "horribly nonresponsive" until this week when a special agent informed him his complaint was under review by both his agency and the governor's office.

Moore said he also has written a letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder about the case.

If the state decides not to investigate, Moore said he would fire off more letters to the federal government, as well as to the American Civil Liberties Union and other advocacy groups.

He also said he and a group of residents have discussed driving to Tallahassee and confronting public officials in person.