MISSING AND ENDANGERED OCOEE WOMAN TRACY OCASIO: POI ARRESTED JAMES VIRGIL HATAWAY
Ocoee, FL- There has been an arrest, on an unrelated charge, of the person last known to see missing Ocoee woman, Tracy Ocasio alive in the early morning hours of May 28th. James Virgil Hataway was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia as police executed a search warrant on his home in their efforts to find Tracy.
According to Orange County Court Records, Hataway is already facing a felony criminal mischief charge which he was arrested for on April 19, 2009 and is out on bond. In 1998 Hataway pled not contest to 2 counts of felony theft and burglary of a dwelling, for which he received a sentence of 11 months in Orange County jail.
As a prior criminal history report was filed in that case, it is presumed Hataway has a juvenile record as well.
Hataway’s home at 147 Lyle St in Ocoee is approximately one block away from where Ocasio’s Chevy Cobalt was located.
(Editor’s Note: Does it bother anyone else how closely these two resemble each other?)
Sgt. Mike Bryant, Head of Investigative Services Division of Ocoee Police Department, said there was no evidence whatsoever to indicate that Tracy Ocasio was at Hataway’s home when searched by Police at approximately 7 PM Monday. A search of the residence produced no leads as to Ocasio’s whereabouts and cadaver dogs at the scene seemed to confirm that.
“When we checked for the cell phone records, cell phone towers still indicated that she was in the area of his house by 8:30 in the morning,” Sgt. Mike Bryant of the Ocoee Police Department said. “So that part of his story doesn’t quite add up.”
As James Hataway was being escorted from a patrol car into Orange County jail, Hataway proclaimed his innocence:
“I’m innocent,” “She left,” “I hung out with my father,” “We just hung out. She gave me a ride home.”
Police have stated that Hataway admits Ocasio gave him a ride home from the Florida Taproom Bar, but says he insists she left after dropping him off.
It is not known at this time if Ocoee PD will speak to Greg Toole, mutual acquaintance of Hataway and Ocasio, further regarding her disappearance. Valerie Buoy from Fox News, in her report filed last evening, claims Hataway removes debris from lakes for a living, and is very familiar with local waterways and dumping grounds.
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Blink, great job on the update!
Here’s a snip from the Orlando Sentinel this morning…
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/orl-bk-tracy-ocasio-missing-ocoee-060209,0,1237163.story
Hataway told police he gave the woman a ride back home, but cell phone records place her in the area of W. Franklin Street — near Hataway’s residence — hours after that ride home.
“When we checked for the cell phone records, cell phone towers still indicated that she was in the area of his house by 8:30 in the morning,” Sgt. Mike Bryant of the Ocoee Police Department said. “So that part of his story doesn’t quite add up.”
http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/news/orange_news/060109_Person_of_interest_Ocasio
At this link there is a video. On that video reporter, Valerie Boey, with Fox 35 News makes an ominous claim about James Hataway.
Quote -
“Investigators say that Hataway removes debris from lakes for a living and knows dumping areas very well.”
~
My guess is whatever happened to this young lady if Hataway was involved…happened somewhere away from his home and he simply drove the vehicle there himself and parked it close enough to walk home.
Was her cell phone found? Maybe he disposed of it and the pings @ that time in the morning had nothing to do with the girl’s location?
Cannot trust anyone these days, can we?
Hey Blink, it’s 141 Lyle. It is that falling down house with the dayglo aqua blue vehicle and the dark Ford Ranger. Now, the pings are going to be crucial in finding out where he put her. Northwest a few miles from there is a huge lake. There are orange groves and a lot of farms and swamp in the area as well. Note that it is about 8 tenths of a mile (as the crow flies) from this Lyle St. house to Greg Toole’s house.
The Lyle house is listed as inhabited by Ernest G and Ivonna Hataway. There was an Ernest G. Hataway that died in Sebastian Florida March 12, 2009.
Thanks Red.
I have a very bad feeling about this situation. Additionally, I have a very bad feeling about the Toole/Hataway friendship.
B
OK, playing Devil’s Advocate here – maybe she DID just drop him off and had to pull over shortly after for WHATEVER reason and something else happened to her? I don’t know, I’m not convinced this guy is “THE GUY” who is responsible. Something more than drugs and mischief needs to be presented for me to bite, I’m not getting that guy feeling on this guy.
Just because someone has a criminal record, doesn’t make them capable of what we all suspect has happened to this girl. Burglary is a far cry from murder… and the burglary is 11 years old. So for 11 years, he’s been mostly clean?
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Ladies, for heaven’s sake, NEVER, EVER leave a bar with a man you don’t know, if that is truly what happened with Tracy Ocasio. I have my doubts about James Hataway’s story.
Also, NEVER, EVER leave a bar alone, at night, at closing time. Someone could be lying in wait for you to come out. I suspect that is what happened to Tracy.
I hope James’ father tells the truth about nis son’s alleged “hanging out with my dad” alibi. We need to find Tracy. God bless her and her loved ones.
I don’t think this guy did it. It seems like she did something else after dropping him off, maybe something as innocent as pulling over to help someone or stopping at a store. Just a gut feeling. While he has a criminal record, violence toward women doesn’t appear to be a part of it. He just doesn’t fit, imo.
gruesome twosome looking for a threesome ?
iv know jimmy since 6th grade his a good guy and not capable of murder yeah he has a criminal past but murder is a far jump from criminal mischief know one really knows what happened till more evidence arises good luck jimbo and i truly hope this girl is safe
Adam- why do think he is a suspect then? I agree it is early, and on the surface, I agree his profile does not fit. However, that is not uncommon in a situation that may not have been premeditated. Tell us about your friend.
B
“I’m innocent,” “She left,” “I hung out with my father,” “We just hung out. She gave me a ride home.”
Has LE spoke to his father? And do you have any info if they did?
They have. I am hearing it’s the ole, yes he came home, I was in bed but I did not hear anything else.
That’s unconfirmed from an insider.
B
Dear Eyes, Scott Peterson, Mark Hacking, Joran Van De Sloot, and I believe Casey Anthony had no prior criminal record and still murdered. Simply means to me this guy wasn’t to “good” at crime and got caught! Maybe a good thing cuz he’s sloppy and hopefully will help LE find much needed evidence.
Still, I realize you’re playing advocate and I had the same idea that maybe she was buying pot or something and got grabbed. I am no longer leaning that way.
His juvenile record was for kidnapping, I would say the bets are off on the profile of this guy.
However, the record is sealed.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/orl-bk-tracy-ocasio-missing-ocoee-060209,0,1237163.story
Here’s a snip from the Orlando Sentinel this afternoon . . .
“While determining his bail, Judge Heather Higbee questioned Hataway’s prior juvenile conviction of kidnapping and bodily injury out of Hillsborough County.
“Prior history with traffic charges is one thing, but prior history with kidnapping charges is a different thing entirely,” Higbee told Hataway’s public defender.
She placed a $500 bond on the drug-related charges that landed Hataway at the Orange County Jail on Monday. However, Higbee said he must remain in jail because he already was out on bond in a different case.”
Well then, I am proud to say we got that right very early this am. Thanks for posting.
B
HOW HEARTBREAKING!..WHEN YOU LOOK AT HIM, HE HAS GUILT WRITTEN ALL OVER HIS FACE..THAT POOR GIRL..MY PRAYERS GO OUT TO HER FAMILY…NO PUNISHMENT COULD BE SEVERE ENOGH COMPARED TO WHAT THAT POOR GIRL WENT THROUGH..
What is the connection between that little lower lip goatie facial hair and criminal activity? It seems like every mug shot I see these days shows a guy sporting the lower lip goatie.
I had that very conversation this am, dunno
B
It just doesn’t make sense to me that if he did something to her why would he leave her car a block away from his house? I think if he was guilty he would’ve moved it much further away.
I find it funny that LE arrested this man on ‘unrelated charges’ however he felt the need to say “I’m innocent,” “She left,” “I hung out with my father,” “We just hung out. She gave me a ride home.”
Am I missing something? I guess with reporters asking him “what did you do with Tracey”, that would prompt him to reply that way?
Great Job Blink
Those two characters really do look like brothers..
Yes Edward, tis really bugging me, ty.
I would really like to see video of that evening, all of it.
How did Toole know she left with Hataway??
B
First, I don’t see guilt written on this guys face at all – he doesn’t have that “evil-ness” look to him like so many others have recently. Not saying he’s not guilty, just he doesn’t “appear” guilty to me.
While I admit the facial hair is creepily becoming a standard among the crazies, it’s not screaming guilt to me on this one. YET.
I’m going to take the sweatpea stance on this one (hey, maybe we can coin that phrase) and wait and see.
This will surprise you, but so am I
B
I dated Jimmy many years ago. We broke up for several reasons but mainly he was getting into drugs and I couldn’t stand his friends…Mr. Toole included. (even though I just found out about Mr. Toole’s sex offender record today.) Jimmy has a huge heart and is a loving father, I can believe the drug charge, and that someone had to give him a ride home from a bar but I cannot believe he would physically hurt a woman. Ever.
So did she give him a ride home or did he give her a ride home? It sounds like she gave him a ride home from his response to reporters and the facts of the case, but the news keeps reporting that he gave her a ride home, which obviously makes no sense.
He said SHE gave him a ride home.
B
i agree there is alot of doubt in my mind and i guess you can never truly know what a person is capable of but until there is definitive evidence i have to stand by my friend it might be the wrong stance in the end from what iv heard hes given DNA and a polygraph that was a few days ago and the cops are still interested in him it doesnt look good on him its a sad situation no matter how you look at it
Yes, it is. But I understand your position and respect it. For those of you that know me pretty well, I have to be honest I am taking a cautious position on this one. Something is not adding up for me.
B
He has a “prior juvenile conviction of kidnapping and bodily injury”
A creature of habit
As far as the goatee thing goes, I don’t find it creepy at all. In fact, when I first saw his pic I thought to myself “too bad, he’s kinda cute”.
And my theory on the two resembling eachother is that friends often look alike. Style may be one of the things they have in common. Case in point, ever seen a flock of teenage girls walking through the mall? Same hair, same clothes, same everything!
This guy had a similar incident last summer where he beat the crap out of a girl because she would not come in the house and have sex with him as she was dropping him off at his house. He was pounding her head into the ground and the only reason he didn’t kill her was because a neighbor had come out yelling he was calling the cops. So, do I think he did it? YES!!!
Your referring to Hataway?
Was it reported?
B
I’m sure she gave him a ride home. Jimmy has a terrible driving record.
Jimmy’s dream job is to be a translator for deaf people. He’s not a preditor. I haven’t heard about DNA or polygraph yet but knowing him, he will take anything to prove he is innocent. I can almost assure you that he will be MORE than cooperative in the search for her and if it is that TOOLE, and Jimmy finds out, I know he’ll do the right thing and inform the police.
Unfortunately, I don’t live in FL anymore or I might know more of what’s going on. But I can tell you that I met Jimmy at a bar, and gave him a ride back to my house, he never did anything threatening, that night or ever. We dated for around 6 months starting that night. This girl knew him, I didn’t. That neighborhood is aweful, look at the pics.
You are right something doesn’t add up. But I believe Jimmy is innocent..even though I have no reason to protect him. I would not be surprised if it had something to do with one of his crazy, racist, drug addict friends though I’m not sure which ones he still hangs out with other that Toole (which I found out today).
Do you know what Jimmy was doing for a living and his drug of choice?
B
Blink did you notice comment 28 on your previous article??
No, will check it out
B
http://www.wesh.com/news/19630001/detail.html
article about comment #25 by DJ
I understand why Jimmy’s friends are reluctant to believe he could have been involved in anything as serious as murder, but until the facts come in, I have to wonder quite a bit.
Preditors are called this for a reason, they are stealth at what they do whether planned or not. As another poster alluded to, no one can truly know a person until they live with them and/or experience something bad done to them by the individual.
Let’s not forget the man who just killed his wife and 2 boys. EVERYONE who knows him is shocked. As I said, no one can know the intent of the soul unless it’s revealed BY that person.
As Blink says, guess we’ll all wait and see what happens here. As for the x gf, I do hope you’re right, but if it turns the other way…understand you knew him a long time ago. He may have had a life experience that changed him drastically.
EyesWIDEOpen- LOL! Obviously you haven’t noticed I’ve been I’ve been trying to stay out of these things lately!!!
Ive known this guy for about 7 years, although he is a nice dude and seems very geniune, he is a master bullshit artist and has gotten thru life taking advantage of peoples good nature and trust. He told me out of his own mouth about the casselberry incident and he was amazed he had never gotten in trouble for it. He was laughing that he was so trashed on cheap beer and meth that he didnt remember what he had done. As far as Im concerned I know he did something to that girl.
B – Remove or edit as you deem fit.
Shaved head, goatee, last paragraph comment from #26, possible correct identifying marks:
http://blinkoncrime.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/toolecocaineconv.jpg
One of these guys could very well be involved in something much more organized IMHO…just saying. http://www.dc.state.fl.us/pub/gangs/prison.html (#2???)
I guess it was the tattoos that alerted me originally and the fact that in Orlando alone, there are at least 75 active “organizations”. This is what we mean about parents being informed and educated.
Thanks Blink as always for your diligence in all that you do.
#19–THERE IS GUILT WRITTEN ALL OVER HIS EVIL FACE….
http://www.clickorlando.com/news/19636190/detail.html
Woman: Hataway Tried To Kill Me
28-Year-Old Called Person Of Interest In Missing Woman’s Case
POSTED: Tuesday, June 2, 2009
UPDATED: 5:59 pm EDT June 2, 2009
OCOEE, Fla. — A woman claimed on Tuesday that a man who has been identified by police as a person of interest in the case of a missing Ocoee woman tried to kill her last year.
VIDEO: Police Look For Clues
The Seminole County woman, who does not want to be identified, said James Hataway tried to kill her by snapping her neck, strangling her and pounding her head against pavement after she took him home following a party.
Hataway, 28, was arrested Monday on drug charges and linked to Tracy Ocasio, who vanished after leaving an Orlando bar with him, police said.
A judge issued a $500 bond for Hataway on the drug charges, but he is being held without bond for violating the conditions of his release from a previous charge. He has not been called a suspect in the Ocasio case.
Ocasio was last seen on Wednesday when she and Hataway were captured on surveillance cameras leaving the Tap Room bar on Raleigh Street in Orlando, police said.
“He knows something, and we hope he tells police what that is,” said Tracy Ocasio’s father, Joe Ocasio.
Detective Mark Olson of the Ocoee Police Department said authorities searched the area near West Franklin Street and North Kissimmee Avenue for 30 minutes on Tuesday for additional evidence.
Olson said there is no indication that investigators should be looking for Ocasio’s body.
Tiffany Rodriguez was at the Tap Room with Ocasio the night she went missing. She said Hataway was the last person to see Ocasio.
“Jimmy was with her the entire night. She left Jimmy’s side for a few moments to talk to another guy, and then she came back, and the video clearly shows her leaving with Jimmy,” Rodriguez said.
Police said cell phone records place Ocasio in the area of Hataway’s home around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, despite his claims that she left at about 2 a.m. Police are not ruling out the possibility she left and had car trouble. A mechanic was investigating Ocasio’s car, which was found abandoned in Ocoee after her disappearance, for any problems.
“I’m innocent. She left. I hung out with my father,” Hataway said while being walked by police.
Ocasio’s best friend, Emily Hamilton, said she is normally is constant contact with Ocasio but was not able to go out the night Ocasio went missing.
“I couldn’t come because I had class the next morning, so I told her I wasn’t going to go out that night and then the next morning at 8 her mom started calling me, asking if I knew where Tracey was because she didn’t come home from the bar that night,” Hamilton said.
Anyone with information about Ocasio’s whereabouts is urged to call Orlando police.
Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.
wow, article listd in comment #28 is pretty detailed. makes this guy seem a lot scarier than i previously thought….
I am responding Mobilly, if someone could bring it up that would be great
B
I haven’t been close with Jimmy for several years but we try to keep in touch online. When we were together around 4 years ago, his drug of choice was marijuana. He started doing cocaine a couple of weeks before we broke up. He has always drank, mostly beer.
I do understand, people do change. I am now a successful business woman instead of working in a bar. The Jimmy I knew was concerned only for his daughter and parents. He always worried that his driving record would prevent him from becoming a translator for the deaf. I guess the driving record doesn’t matter.
Drugs can alter people and attitudes but I really think there is something more besides Jimmy. IF Jimmy was involved, his guilt would over come him and he would tell the truth.
To another comment, Toole and Jimmy have been friends at least 4 years.
Ex gf:
I applaud you for making the choices you have and congratulate you on your success. If more women would get rid of the boat anchors that are not committed to those same choices, we would probably have alot less stories like this. I mean that for men or women in a relationship with someone who seems content to allow drugs to bring them down.
How old was his daughter?
B
Sad…
I’m glad they got him, though.
Dear Lloyd,
You wrote: “although he is a nice dude and seems very geniune, he is a master bullshit artist and has gotten thru life taking advantage of peoples good nature and trust”
Please understand my confusion. How can he be “nice and genuine” and a “bullshit artist” who takes advantage of people? I guess just hard to wrap one’s head around the mind of another who is like you describe Jimmy. Not trying to be mean to you, but that does kinda contradict. Like saying “it was salt water…but no salt was in it”.
Brenda I took that to mean Lloyd was pealing the onion for us.
B
I mean he is an amicable, friendly person, but like I said he only SEEMS geniune. Hes a bullshit artist and a pathological liar. Thats why I distanced myself from him. You couldnt believe a word out of his mouth…
B-
In your response to #34 (comment #28) I have pulled up the article for you…(i am on vacation and have way too much time on my hands):
Here is the article:
OCOEE, Fla. — A Seminole County woman who did not want to be identified said she was assaulted by the man authorities said was the last to see a missing 27-year-old woman.
Ocoee police are questioning the woman.
Tracy Ocasio was last seen May 27.
There is security footage from the Florida Tap Room Bar that shows Tracy Ocasio leaving the establishment with a man around 1 a.m. last Tuesday.
Investigators believe the man seen on that tape with the missing woman is 28-year-old James Hataway.
A Seminole County woman said she gave Hataway a ride home from a house party about a year ago, and that when she hugged him goodbye in front of his house, he tried to break her neck.
“He tried to start breaking my neck, I slipped out of it,” she said. “He started strangling me. I got out of my car and I started running down the streets. I ended up slipping and falling, that’s why I have these scares, right here. I have them on my knees. He came up behind me. He started slamming my head down on the sidewalk. I started screaming. And then he took his hand and took both fingers and put them in my mouth and tried to snap my neck again. And I’m screaming, ‘Somebody please help me. He’s going to kill me.’ He ended up picking m up, he had his hands around my throat and two people walked outside, thank God, and saved my life.”
She said misdemeanor battery charges were filed against Hataway in Seminole County, but that police were unable to find him.
Ocasio reportedly gave Hataway a ride home.
Ocasio’s car was found abandoned in Ocoee, about 15 miles from the bar where she was last seen. The car was found not far from Hataways’ home.
Friends and family of Ocasio stepped up search efforts on Sunday, handing out more than 500 fliers with the woman’s information.
“It’s been nothing but silence from Tracy, and there is one thing Tracy is not, it’s silent,” Tracy Ocasio’s mother Liz Ocasio said.
Taryn Anthony, Ocasio’s friend, is passing out fliers, vowing not to give up.
Ocasio’s parents said they plan to request their daughter’s cell phone records with the hope of finding new leads.
James Hataway More
Police arrested Hataway Monday night on drug charges not related to the missing persons investigation. Ocoee police call Hataway a person of interest in the case.
Hataway had his initial appearance Tuesday where a judge issued him a public defender and ordered him to be held under no bond.
Lol Pam, Im jealous, and thank you.
I commented on this earlier. I can tell you there is no pending assault or other charges against Hataway in Seminole County. I don’t have any reason to doubt this woman, but if there WERE charges filed/pending as she says, she would know that her name would be out there as it’s public record. It’s not.
B
Re: #39 above
The word “More” in James Hataway More meant there was “more” to the article….not that his name was James Hataway More. (3rd paragraph from bottom of article)
Just wanted to clarify. It came out that way when I copied and printed the article. AARGHHH
thx Lloyd..I obviously missed that.
I don’t mean to be coy, but were either of them in the bar with a light checkered shirt? In my opinion, it could be either one of them, or both. Is it possible that the charges have been filed with the police but have not been heard by a grand jury, therefore, no record of the pending charges?
I have the tendency to lean toward Hataway, simply because he looks a little more conservative, most people don’t hide their tattoos when they go out to drink. But, I think there is going to be something involving a checkered shirt. I would check out Toole’s house/houses. But, I think there’s going to be enough evidence in and around the car to convict one of these men… imo.
.
Red Ranger:
What do you think?
The thing is:
Who was waiting for her?
8)
Patti, respectfully, your like a dog with a chew toy on this, what gives?
B
Lloyd?
Do either of these men wear a LIGHT colored checkered shirt? Are they both friends with Tracy? Has Toole ever been closer than a friend with her.. or have you seen any of them together before? I assume you’ve been to the Tap, right?
Lloyd, thanks for sticking your neck out and telling us about this guy – and signing your full name, no less, for authenticity as opposed to annonymity.
Sounds like the behavior of this guy is sociopathic, as I’m sure you know. I have a neighbor lady in that category. Compulsive liar, constant manipulator and creator of more high drama each month than normals have in a lifetime. AND, wierdly, I continue to like her even as I avoid contact as much as is practical. She’s likable, without conscience and plain dangerous; all in one pretty package.
Funny how sociopaths have aspirations to selfless career paths; my lady wants to offer horseback riding for autistic kids. Translating for deaf people has the same ring to it.
Anna- your assuming this gentlemen signed his real name, I have no way of verifying that. Lloyd sounds very credible to me, I just want to make sure we are discussing facts.
B
IVOIRE: Our opinoins on his look of guilt are obviously different – and actually quite irrelevant. We will have to agree to disagree.
What’s the deal with the plaid shirt? Why so much inquiry about one?
Not sure what “separate investigation” means in this statement found in the below link, but does anyone know if it’s related to Tracy’s disappearance?
“In a separate investigation, authorities are looking into the disappearance of an Apopka man, last seen with Hataway.”
http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/news/orange_news/060209ocasio_search
Not encouraged:
The investigation is ongoing, but detectives did tell FOX 35 that there is no solid evidence, at present time, linking Hataway to the attack on this Seminole County woman, nor is there evidence to charge him with Tracy Ocasio’s disappearance
Blink:
I’m just curious. I’m not in Florida, so I don’t get much news up here… that’s all.
Scoop. I dont buy that for a minute. Try again. Nobody else that reads here will either. jes sayin.
Own your truth, whatever it is.
B
“In a separate investigation, authorities are looking into the disappearance of an Apopka man, last seen with Hataway.”
http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/news/orange_news/060209ocasio_search
Hmm…wondering how many of you were the last person seen with more than one missing person? ……..remarkable.
The descriptions (all of them) by those purported to know this person have my thinking all headed in one direction. The familiar sound of contradictions.
Is it me or is that the worst writing ever, how is a missing man a “btw..”
B
Scoop, did you have a vision/dream aboout a checkered shirt?