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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Hi annals…think you misunderstood as I sometimes do!! My comment was focuses on posts I read at one of the links to a service that did research on pings for private individuals. There were some posters in there quite upset over their “rights” to privacy and not wanting the ability to have their pings retrieved (why I have to wonder).
I feel as you do…what the heck does anyone care what I say or do? BUT…if I were missing I certainly would want closure for my family if the worst was to occur.
As for recording the pings whether live calls or not…probably so.
Hopefully, they will NEVER need to track yours and all in your life will be well :>)
Actually, being I live in the mtns…I often don’t have cell coverage and it disturbs me since I often hike off a long way into the woods (literally miles and alone expect my Colt Trooper ;>) If I was injured, they’d have to rely on the last place a tower pinged me. Personally, my hubby and I are trying to get a company to put a cell tower at the top of our property for that reason and the $$$ we’d get. so far, no luck :>(
Thanks again, Brenda. Sorry for the over-reaction. My bad. Hope you can get your tower. Around here the fight always goes in the opposite direction; they do not want the towers, but they do want reliable cell service!?! Be careful of those black bears, ya hear.
Annals,
Can’t vouch for this articles veracity, but it mentions a murder case reported in the NY Daily News where this is specifically discussed. Apparently the towers store the data regarding phones that ping it for a certain period of time. No call neccessary.
http://www.inthesetimes.com/article/2627/
I did’t think LE’s comment above, at least until further clarified meant anything other than they know that phone “pinged” the tower at Hataway’s location until 8:30 am. I didn’t neccessarily think it meant it was turned off after 8:30am either, I thought they just weren’t saying either way, (unless they’ve reported specifically it was shut off after that elsewhere and I didn’t see it, that may very well be).
Annals;
There does not need to be an incoming or outgoing call for your cell phone to ping. So if cell phone is just sitting on a table, not call activity whatsoever, every few minutes it sends out a signal to the nearest tower. This is how the term “signal strength” has come to be.
So it’s safe to assume her phone was either powered off sometime around 8:30ish in the morning, or the battery died. Just because it registered as late as 8:30, doesn’t mean there was any calls coming in or out of the device.
I have to wonder if the fact this cell phone is now known to have been in the area…was her body also in the area until that time? What do we know about Toole’s activity after 8:30am. Has LE mentioned HIS cell phone pings from 8:30am on that day? Did he work?
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/orl-bk-tracy-ocasio-060409,0,1860517.story
Newly released reports show that Ocasio’s phone made a call at 4:30 a.m., hours after she allegedly dropped Hataway off at his home. Friends say that police have made contact with the person who Ocasio’s phone called, however detectives have not released that person’s name
re: post #106…I meant did her work that day?!
Hey Annals..NO problem. If you look through the posts, I misunderstood another on this article further up. All it is is emotions on a subject we feel strongly about getting in the way of clear thinking. Don’t worry, I’m constantly working on that issue myself, but what matters is we both clearly see it and so all is well in the world of Blink :>)
I was thinking that maybe he dropped by his house, where he assaulted her and she dropped or intentionally left her cell phone, was placed back in her car and driven somewhere…
Then he drove her car near his house at 8:30am and found the phone where he had assaulted her at his house, where they had originally parked.
And, the car? He may have continued driving it, parking it again… near his house. This man is brazen, imo.
Is that possible?
(This will be my last post if you delete it)
Behave and I wont delete anything.
B
Again, I would be looking for credit card receipts…
maybe in his father’s name or in the name of the man
who’s clothes were found on the side of the road.
I’d be looking for gas, beer, cigs whatever.
… and don’t forget ATM’s. You have to have cash for drug transactions.
God Blink! I cannot type today, but am trying my best to punch the keyboard to ask if HE worked the day Ocasio was reported missing. Do you know?
which?
B
Blink,
Have they found her purse? The link to the article I have attached from orlando Sentinel mentions she was scheuled for Jury Duty. Did she attend the scheduled jury duty? Is there a connection maybe with the jury duty case she was to participate?
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/orl-bk-tracy-ocasio-060409,0,1860517.story
Blink…I meant Hataway. With all the bad news, I cannot keep names straight.
The woman who claimed Hataway tried to kill her last year did press charges and Orange County Sheriff’s Office has asked the reporting agency to up the charges to attempted murder!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There are now six cases of missing and assaults because of this guy…he is so guilty. He claims Stacy didn’t like the drugs he had at his house so she went home. BS..he is lying…
Pray to God OCSO can break this serial killer.
Blink, your radar needs tunning up doll. You were way off on this one.
Should I assume your the young lady who Hataway attacked allegedly last year?
Which Part is my radar “off”? Be clear on one issue, I think this guy is dangerous and he needs to be off the street, but he is not the only one in this scenario.
B
I thought Ocoee PD and Seminole Cty was handling this case, you mention OCSO?
I meant Tracy..not Stacy.
Hataway is also estranged from his Mother who tells WFTV he was in juvi court all of his young life. She also claimed to being homeless for two years and hasn’t seen him in years. He was kidnapping and assaulting people as a juvi.
She said she didn’t think he would kill anyone because he was not raised that way. Oh well..sure MOm…we hear you.
Blink, Jennifer Kesse Parents think this guy may have been the one who got Jennifer because she hung out at the Tap Room on a regular basis and also lived in the same area Hataway did.
I CANNOT WAIT UNTIL THIS DUDE BREAKS>>>>>
TO LLOYD BANKS….I HOPE YOU WILL CALL ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE WITH YOUR INFORMATION!!!!! PLEASE, I PRAY YOU ALREADY HAVE.
YOUR POST..
Comment by Lloyd Banks — June 2, 2009 @ 4:37 pm
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.
from myfoxorlando.com……….
“Late Thursday Ocoee Police also told FOX 35 that they had given Hataway a lie detector before he was arrested. Ocoee Police say he “failed that lie detector test miserably.”
I saw this today and thought it was curious.
http://wdbo.com/localnews/2009/06/similarities-in-kesse-and-ocas.html
I wonder if there truly is a connection between the 2.
http://www.wftv.com/news/19657445/detail.html
“Ocoee police say they are getting dozens of leads and looking for more possible victims. They do know Hataway worked clearing shore lines and dumping debris illegally.
“He’s very familiar with going out into open land at night and not getting caught dumping land debris and waste, that’s a concern oh yeah,” said Sgt. Bryant.”
note: the open land remark by Sgt. Bryant
I bring this up because there was a report that FDLE is searching lakes and ponds. I have felt from the beginning that his dumping ground (to speak) could be in the woods somewhere. The open land comment goes to my belief that someone who cleans waterways for a living would act oppositely in covering up his crimes (victims).
IMO~
I agree in the Ocasio case very much ,for not just that reason, but due to access on the evening of the disappearance. The outgoing phone call at 4:30am, and the phone still pinging up to 8:30am. In the horrific event she was placed in water, I would expect the phone to short out quickly.
B
I am sorry, I made a mistake about the S.O. jurisdiction. You are correct Blink, mea culpa. Quote from WFTV..A Casselberry woman told Eyewitness News Tuesday that Hataway tried to kill her last August. Ocoee wants Seminole County investigators to increase the charges in that case from battery to at least aggravated battery or attempted murder.
“We’re hoping Seminole County will step up their charges to keep Jimmy in jail while we continue to look for Tracey,” said Sgt. Bryant.”
B, The reason why I said your radar was off is because you said there were no charges filed against Hataway by the young lady he tried to murder, and there are. In her interview she said she was very disappointed in the way LE handled her case. I bet they didn’t take her seriously, had they, perhaps Hataway would be behind bars instead of killing more women. I think he not only sounds guilty, he looks guilty. His profile fits this crime to a tee.
There is an interview with her on WFTV web site.
I am telling you there are/were no pending charges against Hataway (or warrants, so that should tell you something right there) in Seminole County by this person for this incident. Again, not saying it did not occur, but I checked all his records. Further evidence of this is his bond hearing. If they had not found the juvie record, he would have been bonded out, no doubt. Had they found the alleged assult charges pending, that would have been what he was held on as well. This woman did not want to be Id’d, correct? She would know that if there were charges pending and if they do file charges, that is a matter of public record. Why would she have been under the assumption of anonymity then? The only way they would not be is if they were sexual in nature, which she is not alledging.
Lastly, this guy is about to have bigger problems, stay tuned
B
Here is the interview with the young lady…who was attacked by Hataway. I believe her B, perhaps LE didn’t sign a warrant, they clearly were slack on pursuing him. The gitl may not want people to know her face. I wouldn’t either, if I were her.
http://www.wftv.com/video/19645613/index.html
Also, I don’t believe Hataway’s claims that Stacy didn’t like his drugs so she left. He is full of it. Liar..liar..This guy has slipped through the cracks for far too long.
Looking forward to your next coverage, Blink.
I have seen that, Im simply stating that your assertion that charges were filed is incorrect. No harm no foul, but as you will see I am a facts person, very important on a true crime site.
Lastly, I would request of everyone to doublecheck what links and articles are already on here, we are getting into the duplicates times infinity. Thanks
B
Derrick-
I was on your msypace admiring the lovely pics of your dear Tracy.
I apologize if this is not the right place to ask, but you have some amazing tats- can I ask where you got them?
I am praying for your fiance.
I think his story STINKS!! This from the OS article.
“Hataway told investigators Ocasio gave him a ride home from the bar, where witnesses saw them kissing that night. When they arrived at his house in the 100 block of Lyle Street in Ocoee, she wanted to smoke marijuana with him, Hataway told investigators.
Hataway told police he showed her the drugs he had, but she didn’t like them and left. However, records show that Ocasio’s cell phone was near Hataway’s home about 8:30 that morning.”
mam
Miami, FL
Blink, I Understand what you are saying. I still believe the girl when she said she pressed charges. I think the LE agency who did not type out the warrant, or what have you, should be held accountable for not following through with their JOB. They are claiming there are battery charges and they are being asked to UP the charges to attempted murder. Please see who is covering for who. This is much too important for LE to get away with not doing their job. I believe this girl, she has no reason on earth to lie and there are two witness’s, afterall. They saved her life.
When will you be updating on this story? Thanks dear. Sorry to be a pain. I am just so upset this guy has fallen through the cracks. I thought the court hearing was a joke and everyone sounded like they didn’t know what the hell they were doing, especially the prosecutor. Thank God the Judge had enough sense to revoke his bond from his juvi record, but, hey, I don’t even think that is even legal. JUvi records are sealed. Aren’t they????
Not to the court, no. They are a consideration for a judge, to be argued by the PD if necessary.
B
Thanks B…
They are working on it..
She has been identified.
But he soon could be charged in Seminole County. On Thursday, Rachael M. Clarke, 22, of Orlando met with prosecutors in Sanford and told them what happened to her Aug. 7.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orl-tracy-ocasio-missing-hataway-060509,0,5320149.story
That is good to hear. Are you a friend of the family or member, not your ID, just in general?
B
I am so pissed off. They are passing the buck and blaming her for not following up ..YEA RIGHT. She was black and blue covered in scrapes and they called it a misdemeanor. What jerks. Grrrrrrrrrr….Heads should roll here…I am so sick of inept LE!!
Deputies tried to find Hataway during the next few days but could not, according to the report, so they filed paperwork with the State Attorney’s Office in Sanford.
Even so, Hataway was never charged.
Chris White, chief assistant state attorney in Seminole, said Thursday that was because Clarke failed to respond when his office asked for her help.
NO, I am not related at all. Just passionate and I have a feeling this guy has been killing for a long while. There are two other women missing from the area..wondering if he had a hand in this.
This Lloyd poster should contact the State Attorney’s office if Hataway did tell him what he claims. They are looking for witnesses.
Comment by Lloyd Banks — June 2, 2009 @ 4:37 pm
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.
Comment #126. Very inappropriate to ask at a time like this.
I dont agree as it was presented in appreciation and admiration, imo. No malice I saw.
B
My niece Tracy Ocasio, sadly is still missing. I live in California, and I am unable to go to Ocoee to help search for my niece. Please if you are reading this, please help search for my niece. My broher and his wife are devastated and going through such painful horror. If you have any info, let someone know, please, God will bless you for it. Thank you.
Mrs. Grammer, anyone reading that here, I promise you, will do just that.
God Bless you and your family, and bring Tracy home.
B
diana , this is steph ocasio – your niece in pennsylvania – raynoldos daughter. i’ve been doing what i can here in pa – studying, reading, watching. i finally got a chance to talk to the owner of the dominoes i work at – he has agreed that i can call any dominoes in florida and ask them to put fliers on their boxes – i hope they work with us , i’m sure they will. all of us are trying hard i promise.
Blink, here is the latest..A roommate of Hataway has told police he was very violent towards women.
http://www.wftv.com/video/19671721/index.html
Mrs. Grammer~You are all in my prayers. Bless your hearts. I am praying very hard for Tracy.
I dont agree as it was presented in appreciation and admiration, imo. No malice I saw.
B
I’ve left a few comments on here and this is the one that gets a response? I’ll with hold my comments and stick to reading. The bottom line is that these victims have a voice through this site <3
Of course they do June Bug, thus why I created it. It is for them.
B
I remember when Jimmy was stabbed and almost lost his life. I heard the stabbing was random, but now I have to wonder. Maybe it was revenge for something he had done to someone? Who knows? The Jimmy I know of was very soft spoken and very nice, it is so hard for me to believe that he would be capable of murder but I guess you never know these days. I hope that they do find this girl and that the evidence will speak for itself either proving him innocent or quilty. I meet him at a bar called The Junkyard Saloon in Orlando, Lockhart area. I truly hope that Jimmy is proven to be inocent in all of this, I really liked him.
My niece Tracy Ocasio is still missing. As time passes, less and less is been said or done by the police. My brother, her fahter, is going through living hell right now. Please help him search for his beloved daughter. I live in California, and I feel so helpless, not been able to be there and search. Please if there is anyone out there with any information, please let someone know, even if anonimously. Help us find Tracy. Thanks for all of you who care.
Hello Dianita, my daughter Steph is following this situation like Sherlock Holmes. She will be of as much help as anyone can, please keep her posted on any news you may gather…thanks, uncle Ray
ps: we would love to hear from you.
Steph, you are a doll. Keep up your work in helping Joe and Liz. Steph, I have a daughter that is just a year apart form you, and loves Tracy so much, is so uncanny how my girl has so many things in common with Tracy. her name is Dee, and she too is working on going to Florida to help search. Please gime my love to your dad, my sweet uncle Rey and your mom Linda. I am so proud of you Steph.
His uncle Ray. My email address is icaco1@hotmail. So wonderful to hear from you, even though this is such a sad situation what has happened to my beloved Joe. I will keep you posted f I hear anything new. Give my love to Linda.
diana, thank you for everything you said, much love for you hunnay. and tell my cousin if she wants to go to keep in touch, we should travel together. i think our family should go back to the old way – older cousins watch the younger ones. carlos reyes and jeremy diaz keep an eye on me, i’m alot like tracy and i think they’ve kept me safe. also, hataway has been charged with aggresive battery and other charges for the attack on the girl in august. my parents are praying for all of us, and i can’t believe that two tragic events (uncle joe n tracy) could happen to one great family. it’s not fair.
p.s if this posts twice i’m sorry, i typed it in b 4 and it said my email was wrong, went i came back to the page to fix it my post was gone.
Ocoee Police are looking into possible charges against Hataway regarding claims made by three other women that he attacked them.
One woman, who said she dated Hataway in 2001, included a photo of her bruised arm in her request for a restraining order.
According to court documents, Hataway grabbed and pushed the woman, and woke up her daughter and poured marijuana on the child. The woman said he moved out, but left threatening messages the next day.
Police released blurred video of another woman who said Hataway tried to choke her in August, and would have killed her if witnesses hadn’t intervened.
http://www.clickorlando.com/news/19666096/detail.html?treets=orlpn&tml=orlpn_12pm&ts=T&tmi=orlpn_12pm_1_10550206052009
Another Xgirlfriend said Hataway liked to play choke games with her.
His XRoommate said he was dangerous to women and wanted to kill people
Two people are missing that were last seen with him. He and his friends covered up that crime scene by moving the vehicle and not calling police.
Where the hell is Tracy?
The HAMMER of Justice cannot come soon enough for me for all that is involved.
I’VE JUST RECENTLY STARTED FOLLOWING THIS CASE…. EVERYONE HAS AN OPINION, BUT STILL THE PERSON IS INNOCENT (BY LAW) UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY. IF THE GUY HAD ATTACKED THE OTHER WOMAN THAT IS MAKING THIS CLAIM, THEN WHY ARE THERE NO CHARGES AND WHY NO INVESTIGATION BEFORE NOW? I DON’T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE ARE SO MANY DISSAPPEARANCES AND MURDERS THAT TAKE SO LONG TO SOLVE. I MEAN THEY HAVE DNA TEST, CELL RECORDS, AND OTHER EVIDENCE AT THEIR FINGERTIPS AND YET ……NOTHING.
There are charges made against Hathaway for his attack about a yeat ago. The cops just didn’t bother looking for the man, and then blame the victim for not coming forward for more questioning, so that Hathaway moved from counties. Hathaway even jokes aout the fact that he didn’t even remember the attack all that well because he was full of meth. The ex roommate of Hathaway is been threatened by Hathaways friends for telling the truth about Hathaway. Steph, email me at . Please give my email to your dad. Thanks for been such a loving cousin. I hope we meet someday soon.
Ms. Ocasio, I will email your email to Steph, I do not wish to have it published publicly to protect your privacy.
B
Thank you B. Your web site gives us, my family such comfort. Until this happened, I was so blind to the horror that this situation carries, and I am astounded at the frecuency, and lack of interest and motivation from our society to remedy this problem. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I know that God loves you for helping people like us.
The email is still listed in her post
Got it, thanks
B
hey diana, sorry i haven’t emailed yet – working alot, having some serious complications of my own and blah, however, tomarrow when everyone is awake i will email you, i work nights so it’s impossible to do much of anything without bothering the rest of the family. plan tomarrow – i’m waking up early and drinking umpteen million cups of coffee to get through it all. much love hun – ps – i put a post on one of these guys here – bleh tired can’t remember which one, for DEE. she can hit me back on my email too and i’ll introduce her to my favorite diaz cousin , he’s older and really down to earth – i think he’ll make her feel better. much love hun – stephy
ha! i just saw my boo boo – saying i was your niece, i don’t know what happened there lmao. forgive me guyz, sometimes i’m just a waste of space lol!!