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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Patti Person:
I am a friend of Tracy’s family. I have scoured every picture of her I could find. Is this what you are referring to? It is Tracy and her Mom, Liz.
http://tinypic.com/r/28lgrit/5
MF
Bingo, Bango, Bongo!
I was just trying to say that I came to see if there was any news…
I want to see him caught!
Patti
we know who you are. Your cut off. Best wishes.
Blink
• re: the facial hair – The small patch under the lower lip is called a ‘soul patch’. Don’t know about out there, but out here in CA it’s very trendy/edgy – very popular in San Francisco etc. with hip artistic types (as is the shaved head – especially if one is losing one’s hair!). Guess it is standard fare out here, the mug shots did not strike me as ‘mean’ or ‘threatening’ looking at all . . .
• re: Pam’s post # 32 – again, with the ‘shaved head & goatee’ comment – as per above, is pretty commonplace . . . couldn’t figure out why you were concerned about his tats either – the links you posted did not show any connection between his & the prison gang tattoos. . . did I miss something that you were trying to point out?
• re: woman coming forward with story of previous attack – I don’t understand why on earth if this is true that charges were not filed?!? How could he have gotten away with that? Someone else above posted that he “joked about the incident”, yet later says that he “didn’t remember what happened”. . . Huh? Where is some sort of proof that such a serious charge is even valid? Am confused . . .
• And – he has a child?!? Criminy – yet ANOTHER stellar ‘parent’ – out partying & doing drugs . . .
No, I agree it’s not well written. Seeing poor writing more often on these news sites, many are Fox it seems. I had to reread quite a few paragraphs trying to follow. But you know I’ve been a little dumberer lately,
LOL so I may not be a good judge. Thanks for the follow up on the other thread, you really get me thinking about different angles…..has to be adding new synapses to the brain wiring!
Well, Missing and recent:
http://www.ocala.com/article/20090514/ARTICLES/905149987/1001/NEWS01?Title=Bloody-clothes-human-bones-found-in-search-for-missing-man
By Austin L. Miller
Staff writer
Published: Thursday, May 14, 2009 at 9:08 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, May 14, 2009 at 2:36 p.m.
OCALA NATIONAL FOREST – Blood-stained clothing items belonging to Derek James McGivern, a Silver Springs man who has been missing since May 3, were found Wednesday afternoon.
Click to enlarge
Derek J. McGivern
Buy photo
MARION COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
The site, near Northeast 49th Street Road, was secured overnight and a search resumed Thursday morning.
On Thursday, officials also found human bones, including a skull, scattered over an area of 50 yards or so. A medical examiner was called to the site.
Officials plan to use dental records and DNA testing to identify the human remains.
According to officials on site Thursday morning, on May 7, a newspaper carrier making early morning rounds saw what he called “drag marks” on Northeast 49th Street Road, a dirt road off of CR314A. He said he shined a spotlight and noticed blood, but didn’t think too much of it in the rural area.
He said when he saw reports in the Star-Banner on Wednesday about the search for a missing man being conducted in that area Tuesday, he called authorities.
When deputies and others arrived on scene Wednesday, they noticed one shoe in a grassy area near Northeast 49th Street Road and then shorts, pants, shirt and sneakers in a wooded area.
The clothes tested positive for traces of human blood.
Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Jenifer Fisher said investigators found bear tracks at the scene and believe an animal may have dragged the body.
Because of poor visibility late Wednesday, the searchers – including members of the Sheriff’s Office, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Marion County Fire Rescue – secured the area Wednesday evening and picked up the search Thursday morning.
Florida Highway Patrol troopers were also on scene Thursday morning. They are working to determine whether or not McGivern may have been in the vehicle with his friend Allen Strickland during a pursuit by a deputy on the night of May 3. Authorities said there has been speculation among people familiar with the case that McGivern may possibly have jumped from the moving vehicle.
THE DISAPPEARANCE
Sheriff’s detectives said that between 10 and 10:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 3, witnesses saw McGivern, 27, and Strickland, 33, at the Back 40 Lounge at 15949 East SR 40. There was a disturbance in the parking lot, but no one could say for sure either man was involved, or if they left together.
Around 11:35 p.m., Deputy Gary Skinner noticed a broken passenger’s side headlight on a 1997 two-door Chevy on CR 314A and Northeast 14th Street.
The deputy tried to stop the vehicle, but the driver, Strickland, sped away. There was a pursuit and the Chevy sideswiped two parked vehicles before stopping, according to a Sheriff’s Office report.
Strickland was the only person in the vehicle when it stopped.
Skinner and another deputy conducted a field sobriety test, which Strickland reportedly failed. Officials found a white pill identified as Seroquel in his pocket.
He was taken to the Marion County Jail and charged with DUI for failure to submit to a breath test and with driving while license is suspended or revoked.
Detectives said they believe the men left the bar together and that something may have happened between then and the time of the vehicle pursuit.
They know Strickland purchased beer at the Kangaroo gas station at the corner of SR 40 and CR 314A. Officials said Strickland told them he was too intoxicated to know whether or not McGivern was with him when he drove away from the station.
Citing the advice of his attorney, Strickland declined a request for an interview Thursday afternoon.
Magicfan:
Maybe. I don’t see it, I hear it. I believe your daughter
to have been transported somewhere. I’m praying she’s still
alive and that whoever had her or was with her will tell what
happened to her. I’m sorry if I offended you in any way.
Did she ever speak about these men?
Red has my e-mail.
Be strong…
So, Hathaway was at the bar, and/ or in the p-lot? LE has updated their theory since May 14th, it seems.
You are up late Blink, (likewise). Geeze, I thought multiple personas were only in the cases we discuss. I guess it’s like a backwards compliment. The further you get ahead, the more there are left behind to snipe at your heels…….Synapses firing away. Have a good night.
I love how razor-witted y’all are on here. Truly.
B
Magic Fan:
I went to the article and came back to post…
I was not aware of your question being posted.
Good Luck!
Comment by adam — June 2, 2009 @ 9:49 am
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
No offense “b” but you kinda, sorta, big time left that impression.
I Don’t do ambiguous Sunflower, what’s your issue? Succinctly, please.
B
It’s bad, but seriously, not much worse than yours.
Er. Ok Then. Thanky Danky.
B
Hey Scoop, Sorry to take so long to get back. I just saw your post. I think a few things, some of them with no facts to back them up. I think Hataway and Toole are involved. I think we will see that they were closer than presented so far. We may even find that they work closely together. I tend to believe Ex GF when she says that drugs were an increasing presence in Hataway’s life. Also in Toole’s. Therefore, by association, I think Tracey had the same connection with them. Her genetics were a bit a beyond these two guys. She would not date them unless there was a reason. She was attractive enough to have landed a good guy if she chose to. It is possible that one or both of the guys felt a sense of entitlement if they were supplying her with recreational pharmaceuticals.
What is the “scoop” on the shirt? You mentioned this well in advance of any public knowledge about anything. Are you psychic or do you know someone that was present in the bar? If psychic, and you know where she may be just say so and I will go there and look.
I also think that Hataway fessed up to being in the car quickly to explain the presence of any DNA or fingerprints in there. He sure is quiet now though. It sure is looking as if his outside personna, as presented to the world, is not who he is inside. I also imagine he will lawyer up pretty quick.
Re: #54 I’m sorry, am I slow? I don’t see any mention of Mr. Hataway in the article. What am I missing?
Thank you for all you do Blink!! I’m here everyday!
No, your not, we are trying to figure out who the missing Apopka man is alledgedly linked to Hataway. I think we have successfully concluded it is not this guy, who appears to have jumped from a moving car and dragged into the woods by a bear?? Yeesh.
B
Checkered shirt?! I have no idea about any checkered shirt. I do know that Ive seen Jimmy wear a shirt with sleeves maybe 2 or 3 times. He always wears tank tops. And hes not the type of guy to try and hide his tattoos, hes a total “look at me Im a tough guy” kind of guy. Although his parents were deaf and he is fluent with sign language I have never known him to work (probono or otherwise) with deaf people. Its kind of hard to get that type of work when you have no car, no cell phone, a drinking problem, a drug addiction and you have a long rap sheet…. Thats when you get a job cleaning the scum off of the sides of ponds… Real brainiac shit…
BLINK!!!
Did you see this article?
http://wdbo.com/localnews/2009/06/seminole-county-woman-claims-o.html
Dude tried to kill another woman last year. She just came forward. Could be an ex girlfriend. I don’t know.
By the way, I posted this in a Nevaeh blog because I hadn’t ingested my coffee yet. (insert red faced smilie here) Woopsie.
Nevermind, Blink. >:( I just scrolled up and saw it was already posted. Welp, that’ll learn me.
I do honestly hope that woman is a fake because I would like to believe Tracy Ocasio is safe somewhere, taking a break I guess.
Sorry for the mixup. No more internet for me before coffee!
Is it me, or does it seem like the tone has changed in this thread? It looks like there is bickering, but I cannot find the root of why? I must have slept hard… will re-read later
Blink,
I have been unable to find anything that mentions if the father verified that they hung out. If they did in fact hang out was it at 1:30 A.M. or in the morning when they woke up.
If it was in the morning then they could have gone anywhere. I find it odd that the dogs did not pick up anything at the home or in the car. He had to do something with the body.
Did the people who reported the car know what time it actually showed up. I realize that there were phone pings, but if he had her possessions then the phone could have been in her purse.
It is the timeline with the father that is unclear for me. Thanks
Doubt a bear attacked. My guess is the guy was dead and the bear found the body/food. Both my husband and I have encountered bear in our woods and they always run away….BUT…my hubby shot a deer a couple years back and it got dark before he could find it. He went out early the next day to try and locate his buck and found it had been dragged UP the hill 100 yds and a good part devoured. Just a bear’s habit like a buzzard. Is an animal of opportunity and black bears (I’m assuming since east coast here) don’t “hunt”. Mainly eat roots with diet similar to a pig.
Blink, what is with the rash of drug-related/sex offender abduction-murders? Is there a connection between these criminal categories? It’s frightening to see this happening in our country. The victimization of innocent children, neglected by their drug-addicted and/or absentee parents is alarming. What the hell is going on?
i think chris george is the missing person their speaking of hes been missing for about 4 5 months supposedly jimmy and someone else was with george when he went missing the story i heard was chris was strung out on meth and thought the cops were following him he whipped hes car off into the woods somewhere not sure of the location he then ran into the woods and hasnt been see since
Adam- do you have any approximate location or any other information on Mr. George and this incident?
Thanks for contributing.
B
On Comment #62,
A woman, apparently an ex gf, also posted this regarding that article on wdbo.com:
“I knew him as Jimmy but looking back on our relationship there were things I just ignored. I was his girlfriend before and after the attack with the woman in Sanford but felt like it was a situation that went out of control. I am sorry I just didn’t do more to help out.
By Jodi @ 06/03/09 09:20:20 AMreport abuse”
Good morning all!
I just wanted to say thank you to all the locals and friends/aquaintences that know any and everyone involved who are taking their time to post here and help all of us to get a better look and feel for the ppl involved!
Thank you and may Tracy be found safe!
My apologies, I meant comment #63 (by Skeptic) not #62.
thats really all the info i have jimmy told me about this last time i was in town about a month ago when i find out more ill post it
He told you the dude went missing when he was with him? Yeesh.
Was the car found?
B
I know Jimbo and I know he is innocent … I know he is not capable of murder and yes he has had a rough upbringing but you dnt know of his family and if you did you would know he only did what he had to inorder to survive!! He has been stabbed in the gut and not killed the person who did it , he has dated several of my friends and never laid a hand on any of them he is innocent I know !!!
How do you explain the multiple assertions that he has in fact, attacked women? What do you mean he was stabbed in the gut? By whom?
B
adam,
Any chance “Chris George” wasn’t his full name? Like could there be a last name missing there?
Hey Eyes…as for the tone of the comments re: folks starting to banter, simply the fact Blink’s site is becoming more popular and attracting more diverse personalities. I’ve had to be reminded not to get too emotional. Good advice for all really…..
Thanks Brenda – it just seemed there was some slamming going on directed at Blink, and I don’t get it. This site is great!
Red Ranger @ #60:
I agree and no I’m not psychic, maybe a little gifted. All I can tell you is that someone, somewhere, linked to this crime, is a light colored checkered shirt. I think you got your guys… Right now, I’m feeling a little put off and have lost the feeling of being welcome. I don’t want to think about it anymore.
Good Luck!
Patti, you know exactly why that is, dont bring the issues you had at SM here, I wont stand for it
B
the assault on the seminole county woman,jodi”the attack on the woman in sanford”so this is TWO? other woman,where is sanford?,ok so you got 3-4 incidents of of assualts, attacks on people,leaving bars ,rides home,does strictland know jimmi?toole?and what, 2 people missing 1 found dead after being missing.METH ,murder, robbery?(goes hand in hand with meth)so, the seminole womens account is that he strangled her with intent to kill on the spot, spot on, means? motivation?robbery? this one got away,the job takes two?
Susan,
If you are referring to the comment I posted (#70), that comment was posted by someone who called herself Jodi. She says she was JH’s girlfriend before and after the attack on the woman in Sanford. It was posted on this site:
http://wdbo.com/localnews/2009/06/seminole-county-woman-claims-o.html
For the exact quote check comment 70.
move on “scoop” this is about a Tracy not you….
Apopka police say James Hataway is connected to a February case, which involves the disappearance of his friend George Onda.
(copied this from SM)
A few clips from a post over at SM the same one Munkey Munk was quoting….
http://www.wftv.com/news/19645266/detail.html
OCOEE, Fla. — A man, who was initially called a person of interest by police in a missing woman case, has been named the prime suspect in her disappearance.
Ocoee police say James Hataway is being investigated for five possible cases, two missing persons and three assaults. He has been named a suspect in the Ocasio case and a person of interest in the others.
This link from the Orlando Sentinel mentions Hataway’s involvement in the disappearance of his friend Onda Christopher George. It also says that a Crimeline is offering a reward for info on Tracy and has some info on what Hataway said to the police that at least I had not seen. I did not post it cause it is kind of long.
Here is the link,
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/orl-bk-missing-woman-ocoee-orlando-060309,0,2869968.story
In the article from comment 83 the friend’s name is George Onda and in the one in comment 84 they say his name is Onda Christopher George. Does anyone know which one is correct?
I do. Onda Christopher George.
Goes by Christopher, found a trespass on construction site 7/09, looks like he skipped bond, but no disposition.
I can find NO missing Person report, No coverage although I read they have launched searches for this guy. I have to think he may have warrants, why else Zip??
B
This is really getting strange, about the Onda missing and about Tracy missing and now the both are very similar from what was said in the above mentioned article…. and 3 assualt cases…. all linked to “all right guy” JH
Why can there never be a simple solution, or a happy ending. What is it nowadasy seems everything is a sick twisted story and that this one case is what is bring it all to light! I just wish it could all be a mistake and have happy endings, ESPECIALLY in all these little childrens cases
The ONLY similarity I see in the Ocasio and George case, is that there are 2 people he was last seen with (George case has him with another guy at the scene, 2 guesses who that was) that are missing. Otherwise, no similarity whatsoever. The assaults we know 1 of the 3.
B
I see, i guess i think it was a dectective or a cop that said they were similar, i could be wrong, but i guess they too could lie! i just better trust you then! haha
i am a lil confused tho on an article on SM it clearly says he is now a suspect not a POI..
do you have the correct version or can you confirm which? please
I think a cop did say that they were similar, in theory, he’s right, but only for the reason I stated. He may absolutely know more than I because I could not pull bupkiss on this guy.
To my knowledge he is no more than a POI.
B
ok i see where i could have got a lil confused, it was an officer in the orlando article, but i see where they could be putting words in his mouth, all he states in quotaions is it’s just eerie, he could have been referring to something else i suppose….
snipped~
Officer Steve Popp
“It’s just eerie,” Popp said of the coincidences between the cases.
Blink,
In comment 86, when you say 2 guesses on who was the other person with JH in George’s disappearance are you referring to Greg Toole?
I am wondering if this POI, James Hataway has anything to do with the disappearance of Jennifer Kesse. Didn’t she work in Ocoee? This guy has such an extensive violent criminal background.
She did work in Ocoee, yes. However, if you read his case files, his violence is with similar or familiar people. I can tell you unequivocally Jenn would not have been caught dead with this guy. No ride home, nada. IMO
B
Quoted from the article above:
“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.
Question: Is a call to or from a cell phone required to track the location of the cell? Or is there a signal to the tower created (and recorded) in the absence of calls when the phone is simply “on”?
91-
Cellphones emit pings to towers every few minutes while they are on (powered) so that the towers know their location should they get a call they can route it.
Calls to or from the phone aren’t required.
I know what you are saying about his familiarity with his victims blink..But he also appears to catch his victims off guard.. and he appears to have a habit of vehicle usage of the victim..
They have not found George.. they have not found this girl and nobody has found Jennifer but the culprit used her car.. It would be worth a little more in depth study on him before you discount him om Jennifer.. He may have just pounced on her.. He seems to light up quickly without warning.
My Dear Edward,
I hear you. Jenn’s case is so near and dear to my heart, I cant tell you. I personally plotted maps for her on a search in Orlando once. I agree in theory with the possibility, but moreso from the angle that he dregges water and hauls debris. Will it make sense if I say I find it possible that Tracy’s disappearance may yield our dear jennifer one way or another? I say this publicly as I have discussed this personally with those close to her.
B
A little more detail in this article…. I did not see it posted above yet.
http://www.wftv.com/news/19648776/detail.html
For #92,
Here you go….
***************************
http://insidedateline.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/23/39096.aspx
Welcome to the age of cell phone forensics.
More and more it seems cell phone evidence is being used in criminal trials. And in the Piper Rountree case, it was key.
Often, cell phone records are used in court to establish people’s movements. How? Well, what most people forget, with all that these devices do these days, is that cell phones are really just two-way radios, albeit sophisticated ones.
Cell phones are constantly communicating with a network, sending pings to the nearest transmission tower, which allows your calls to be routed correctly.
Multiple antennas are tracking your phone’s signal, since each tower only covers a few square miles. But, as you move, your call travels with you and is handed off to the base station receiving the strongest signal from your phone. The carrier keeps records of which towers the phone has contacted or pinged, and when. Which means a cell phone’s position over time can be tracked within a few hundred yards. In urban areas with many towers, a phone can be tracked almost to the block. And as most phones become equipped with GPS chips, they only need to be turned ON to pinpoint your location in real time!
**************************
So, to be tracked…all you need is a GPS cell that is turned on. Probably in the future, it’ll be whether it’s on or off.
In one article I read, I learned the gen public can BUY this information! NO kidding. Naturally, a few posters were more worried about their privacy than the fact this site was for helping locate missing persons.
http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=505792
Blink,
He’s gone from POI to Suspect. The test results must be back.
http://www.clickorlando.com/news/19649704/detail.html
James Hataway, was officially declared the main suspect in the case of Tracy Ocasio, who was last seen with Hataway leaving an Orlando bar last week, police said.
Hataway, 28, will also be re-questioned in the case of Chris George, who has been missing since February.
92-
Thanks for the help.
Those could be the clothes of a house painter.. in the Jenniffer Kesse image..
Yes possibly, I agree.
Hi Brenda; Thanks for the info on cell pings. So, they can be tracked in real time when powered, but can I assume that the tracking pings are not recorded/retrievable unless there is an outgoing or incomming call?
These cell phone questions are not driven by any fear about my privacy. Honestly, I have little concern about that. Hard for me to imagine that anyone would care to track me.
I do not think that my comments and questions are of ANY value in actually helping to locate the missing people currently covered on this site. To think so would be grandiose. I have no special investigative skills, training or license. I do not live nearby nor do I have any personal knowledge of anyone here.
I am interested in the seemingly growing phenomenon of missing people and this site provides insight. I am concerned about missing indivuals, why assume otherwise?
My cell phone questions flowed from my curiocity about what implications can be assumed when a cell phone is tracked by LE not-in-real-time. For instance, in this case, when LE said, “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,” does that mean that someone phoned out/in on that cell or only that it was powered until 8:30.
I feel that this is a whole lot of writing to justify a simple question about technology. If these kind of questions are too self serving because they are made in order to enhance my understanding, then I’m willing reserve them until such time as I feel that I might be of value in actually finding someone.
I must have missed something, its all good info peeps.
B