183rd Annual Grand Communication Itinerary

Below is the schedule for the 183rd Annual Grand Communication at the Rosen Plaza Hotel (9700 International Drive, Orlando, Florida 32819, (800) 366-9700).

Sunday, May 27, 2012

• Registration 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the ballroom registration desk
• Ladies Registration 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at the ballroom foyer
• DeMolay Advisors Development Course 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at salon 8 on second floor
• Church Service 11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. at ballroom C
• Memorial Service – (immediately after Church Service) 11:45 a.m – 12:30 p.m.
• Grand Master’s Banquet  in the grand ballroom.  Doors open 6:00 p.m. with dinner at 6:30 p.m.

Monday, May 28, 2012

• Opening
• Afternoon session
• Election of Grand Lodge officers
• Florida Lodge of Research
• Actual Past Masters Degree at 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

• Registration
• Continuing Grand Lodge session
• Ladies Luncheon

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

• Registration
• Continuing Grand Lodge session
• Installation of Grand Lodge officers

http://glflamason.org/grandlodge/grandcomm1.html

GRAND ORATION

By: R:. W:. Albert M. McDonald, Grand Orator 2010-2011

Most Worshipful Grand Master, Most Worshipful Past Grand Masters, Elected and Appointed Grand Lodge Officers, Ladies, Guests, and my Brethren all:  I would like to start by thanking our Most Worshipful Grand Master, J. Dick Martinez, for the privilege and honor of serving our Fraternity this year as Grand Orator and giving me this opportunity to speak to you today.  This oration is framed into a speech of two parts, the first concerning Memorial Day, the second about our Ancient and Honorable Fraternity.

Would all of our veterans please rise. We thank you for your service to our Country.

Memorial Day

A day when people change their daily routine and do not go to work or school. It must be a day for a whole country to stop working long enough to remember how and why we got here. A day set aside to honor those Americans who did what they had to do then, so that we can do what we do now. It’s all about freedom and the right to choose and worship and vote and be a major part of the government that runs your life. Because we believe so fervently in our democracy, the United States of America has committed billions of dollars and millions of men and women to defend a two hundred plus year old Constitution that works.

History may prove me wrong, but, so far, nobody’s done it better; and we must remember those men and women who put their lives on hold to slug it out with the Kaiser in World War I, then against Hitler in World War II, and a police action in Korea, and how do you describe Vietnam and we’re still there with our men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan. In order to be a soldier, you must be a certain age and in good physical condition. Because being a soldier requires physical capabilities usually reserved for the young, that is where our kids come from. Most of them are between 18 and 22; and it’s been that way from day one. If they happen to be born at the wrong time, they will be the right age to put their lives on hold, learn how to be a soldier, and do what has to be done to allow us to be here today…in the land of the free and the home of the brave. We reserve the use of our enormous military power to defend our Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the most important of all human goals…Freedom.

It is because of all those who paid the ultimate price that we pause on this Memorial Day to remember the men and women who never came back. The children they never had a chance to have, the legacy they never had a chance to leave. The price of freedom is neither free nor is it dumb. It is costly and it is worth it. Historically, it shows that the human spirit will always rise to the occasion where just being free is in question. There is probably no one in this room who doesn’t have a son or daughter, father, or grandfather, neighbor, or friend who went off to war. Through the good and bad and the right and wrong, they carried our flag; and today…we salute them. This amazing human experiment that started in 1776 still seems to work just fine. Of course, there are faults and failures but can you show me any other historical evolution that comes remotely close to what we have achieved? Today we honor and remember those who have made it possible. God Bless the United States of America.

Our Fraternity

We were all first prepared within our hearts to be made a Mason. Therefore, is it not fitting that we have chosen the Masonic Medical Research Laboratory as our Flagship Charity; the foremost leader in cardiac research, where every heartbeat counts and directly serves the good of mankind by their research and findings. We serve the good of mankind by demonstrating our human emotions involved with the heart such as honor, pride, compassion, charity, and brotherly love.  We say that our Fraternity teaches good men to be better. When considering the men who want to be one of us, we should be like the Marines wanting “The Few, The Good, The Proud.” Once they join our ranks we should be like the Army and encourage, inspire, and teach them “To Be All They Can Be.” Our Ritual is what separates us from other associations of men and our installation ceremony reminds us that as our secrets have been faithfully transmitted to us, it is our duty to convey them unimpaired to our latest posterity.

You get out of Freemasonry what you put into it. How often have you heard that statement or repeated it yourself? My Brothers, would you please take a few moments and look around at the Masonic family that has assembled here today and think about the friendships and brotherly love you have experienced because of this great Fraternity. Now I ask you, have we not gotten more from being a Mason than we have given individually? With the positive situations that Freemasonry offers us on a daily basis, can you imagine your life anymore without it? I know I certainly cannot.

How many times have you helped a Brother by answering a question for him or you might be a Lodge or District Instructor or maybe you deliver a Charge or a Lecture at a Degree? Whatever the case may be, that one Brother comes to you and says, “Thank You” while offering his right hand. Is there no better response than “I’m just being a Brother?”  Watch a Brother receive a twenty-five, forty, or fifty year service award or be present when a Brother is Raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason by their father, grandfather, or some other family member. You hear that little quiver in their voice or see that tear in their eyes, you know their heart is filled with pride and emotion.  Look at this group of men to my left who have distinguished themselves as men and Masons.  They have previously and will continue to spend countless hours and drive many miles promoting our Fraternity, diffusing Light and imparting Knowledge. What a demanding schedule they must have, but yet they do it because they have the heart of a Mason and a love of this Fraternity.

Our current Elected Grand Lodge Officers have given us a plan with a vision for our Fraternity for years to come. It is up to each one of us to make sure this succeeds by being that Brother in each Particular Lodge that puts the plan into action. We are a band of Brothers who best can work and best agree because Masons Always Rise to the Occasion.  Let us not forget our Ladies and the contribution they make. If it were not for them being right there beside us, we could not do what we do. Each year they support the First Lady’s Project, banding together and forming friendships that will last just as ours do. Whether you attend an Official Visit or a function of some kind, there they are, laughing, kidding each other, and having fun. They have to balance their schedule between family, work, and Masonry just as we do.

My Brothers, you will have observed that I have asked you some questions and made some observations about our great Fraternity. I hope I have caused you to reflect on what this Fraternity means to you and how we can best serve to move this Fraternity forward.  Having this opportunity, I would be remiss if I did not thank those Brothers who have cased me to have a fantastic Masonic journey to date, my brother-in-law, Albert Brennan, Jr., who said I had been a Mason my whole life and just didn’t know it, also these Most Worshipful Past Grand Masters: Robert D. Trump, Robert P. Harry, Jr., Joe A. Fleites, and Dale I. Goehrig for allowing me to serve our Fraternity in different capacities. Most of all, I would like to thank my best friend and wife, Eileen, for always supporting me and being right there with me.  May God Bless our service men and women wherever they may be defending our freedom, the greatest Fraternity in the world, and the United States of America. I Thank You.

And now, the SOS band dedicated to…save our Schoepf? Sell our shrimp? What a Beastie dilemma.

How’s about a little felon-free funk to liven up your Friday?

Masonic rumor has it that alleged Shrimp Meister Schoepf Schopf is unaware of felony charges filed against him.  Brothers, kindly refresh his memory with the above signed and notarized document.

Baby we can do it, take our time do it right, we can do it baby.

But as they say, no sleep ’til Brooklyn and no speedy trial.

Always happy to help,

Felon-free Masonry

Why chicken is not beef

pan·dem·ic:  adjective  (of a disease) prevalent throughout an entire country, continent, or the whole world; epidemic over a large area.

• Suppose a family member fell ill after eating tainted seafood.
• Suppose that “ill” in this instance meant not food poisoning as you know it but rather a rare, virulent infection defying treatment and resulting in a slow and excruciatingly painful death.
• Suppose this foodborne illness struck others in your city, state, and country then spread across the globe.
• Suppose world health officials spent countless hours and dollars tracking the infection’s source.
• Suppose the answer was found in a bag labeled “Malaysian shrimp.”
• Suppose officials traveled to Malaysia only to discover that the tainted shrimp was in fact indigenous to other and yet unknown waters.
• Suppose that while more time and dollars were spent tracking the toxic shrimp source, thousands globally were afflicted after eating similarly tainted seafood.
• Suppose your family member succumbed to foodborne illness.  
• Would you suppose that money earned from mislabeled food was worth more than life itself?

Continuance granted in alleged Shrimp Meister saga (or perhaps he will grace the Grand Communication with his presence after all)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA

CASE NO. 12-20117-CR-LENARD

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

Plaintiff,

vs

ORDER CONTINUING AND RESETTING TRIAL DATE

KARL DEGIACOMI,

WALTER SCHOEPF,

CULINARY SPECIALTIES, INC.,

Defendants.

THIS CAUSE came before the Court on the Defendants’ Motions to Continue Trial, D.E. 30,31,33. The Court being fully advised in the premises, it is

ORDERED and ADJUDGED that the motions are GRANTED. The Court finds that the ends of justice served by granting the continuance outweighs any interest

of the public or the Defendants in a speedy trial, based on the continuity of counsel and the reasonable time needed for counsel to prepare with due diligence for

trial. It is further ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that the trial of this cause is set to commence during the two-week trial period beginning

August 27, 2012.

Calendar Call in this matter is set for 4:00 p.m. on August 22, 2012.

THE COURT FURTHER FINDS that the period of delay resulting from the granting of this continuance, to-wit: March 20, 2012 to and including the date trial

commences shall be deemed excludable time under the provisions of the Speedy Trial Act, 18 U.S.C. Section 3161.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that the parties shall provide the Court with the following:

1. In each case tried before a jury, each party shall file proposed voir dire questions, proposed jury instructions and proposed verdict form(s) three (3) days before

commencement of trial. On the first day of trial, counsel shall email to the Court the proposed jury instructions and verdict form(s) at lenard@flsd.uscourts.gov.

2. All exhibits must be pre-marked. On the first day of trial all parties shall submit a typewritten exhibit list setting forth the numbers and description of

each exhibit.

3. General citation to treatises or handbooks during trial will not be accepted by the Court. Any cases orally cited by counsel during trial must be provided to the

Court in hard copy form.

4. Not later than five (5) days prior to the first day of trial, the parties will file with the Court memoranda required to address any unique issues of law or evidence

which are anticipated to arise at trial.

DONE and ORDERED in Chambers at Miami, Florida this 14th day of May, 2012.

JOAN A. LENARD

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

cc: counsel of record

Inquiring-and Masonic-minds want to know

A reader recently opined that Felon-free Masonry was not an accurate depiction of Masonry and ”lodge matters” should be handled in that manner.

Brothers, felon-free Masonry is not anti-Masonry.  However, it is against lying, cheating, defrauding, and other misrepresentation in the name of Masonic precepts.

Poor reflections of Freemasonry stem from thrice convicted violent felon James Anderson “Jimmy” Foster, who for over ten years hid his criminal history from Hillsborough Lodge No. 25 and the Grand Lodge of Florida.  Additionally, Foster denied the lengthy criminal history (including a 25 year prison sentence, two stints in prison, time  spent in a Florida Department of Corrections mental health facility, and a fifteen year period of probation) when confronted with it in September 2009.

Thus, Foster lied, cheated, and defrauded every single Master Mason in good standing across the globe.  Period. 

When active in Masonry, Foster caused more harm than good.  Likewise, a seemingly ill-equipped successor ruled with only a short temper and gross mismanagement.  Those questioning these individuals were threatened with Masonic charges and/or became the subjects of outlandish rumors.    

Further, Foster’s farcical Masonic trial included an odd sidebar between Joseph Meketsy and James Bustin in which the latter, as an alleged tool of J. Dick Martinez, supposedly brokered a suspension instead of a well-deserved expulsion.  You know, because that’s an alleged right for all Masons whose special friends grew up close to Mr. Martinez, right?  Moreover, is this the definition of handling lodge matters in a lodge manner?

Well, at least Bustin successfully brokered something.  You know, what with that nasty little foreclosure.

So, in the words of the late Paul Harvey, felon-free Masonry tells “the rest of the story.”

Brothers, kindly remember that there are three sides to every story:  Yours, mine, and the truth.  As many have noticed, the instant truth contained herein is supported by extensive criminal records, court documents, and newspaper articles.  Just as the first amendment protects your right to free speech, felon-free Masonry gladly serves your right to know.  And judging by recent search engine terms, a lot of folks want to know.

Search terms used to find Felon-free Masonry include:

dick martinez bankruptcy	2
j. dick martinez, bankruptcy: the answer is a seven figure filing blowing in the wind.	2
j dick martinez bankruptcy 7 figures	1
freemason lodges that will acept felons?	1
j dick martinez bankruptcy	1
Other search terms	3

(Supposed) Shrimp Meister Schoepf requests rescheduling

Schoepf Docket Updates: 

Defendant’s MOTION to Continue Trial by Walter Schoepf. Responses due by 5/24/2012 (Kafka, Carl) (Entered: 05/07/2012) (detailed below)

and

ENDORSED ORDER denying 25 Motion to Consolidate Cases as to Karl Degiacomi (1), Walter Schoepf (2), Culinary Specialties, Inc. (3). Signed by Judge Joan A. Lenard on 5/7/12. (pm) (Entered: 05/07/2012)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA

Case No. 12-20117 – LEONARD/O’SULLIVAN

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

Plaintiff,

vs.

WALTER SCHOEPF,

Defendant.

MOTION TO CONTINUE TRIAL

COMES NOW , the Defendant, WALTER SCHOEPF, by and through his undersigned defense counsel, does hereby respectfully request this Honorable Court

reschedule the trial date of May 21, 2012, and in support states as follows:

1. This case is presently scheduled for the May 21, 2012 trial period.

2. Defendant,

WALTER SCHOEPF was arraigned on March 19, 2012.

3. The undersigned counsel is in the process of reviewing voluminous discovery received from the Government and is currently requesting additional documents

for review for which the Government has issued a subpoena. Counsel has had insufficient time to assess the case and fully review significant paper discovery.

There are on-going discussions regarding a resolution.

4. Assistant United States Attorney Norman O. Hemming, III has no objection to this request and the Defendant is currently not in custody.

5. This Motion is filed in good faith and not for the purposes of delay.

6. It is requested that the Court set this matter for the August 2012 trial period.

MEMORANDUM OF LAW

A trial court has broad discretion in granting a continuance. United States v. Rojas-Contrereras, 474 U.S. 231, 236 (1985), citing 18 USC § 3161(h)(8); United

States v. Jackson, 50 F.3d 1335, 1339 (5th Cir. 1995).  “Section 3161(h)(8) authorizes the trial judge to grant a continuance if the ends of justice

served by taking such action outweigh the best interest of the public and the defendant in a speedy trial. See Id.

WHEREFORE, counsel for the Defendant, WALTER SCHOEPF, respectfully requests this Honorable Court reset the instant case for the August 2012 trial period.

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I HEREBY CERTIFY that I electronically filed the foregoing with the Clerk of the Court by using the CM/ECF System which will send a Notice of Electronic Filing to

Norman O. Hemming, III, Assistant United States Attorney, 99N.E. Fourth Street, Miami, Florida 33132, and Richard Escobar, Esquire, 2917 West Kennedy

Boulevard, Suite 100, Tampa, Florida 33609, counsel for Karl Degiacomi, this 4th day of May, 2012.

Law Offices of Brian E. Gonzalez, P.A.

2917 W. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 120

Tampa, Florida 33609

When words and worlds collide

In response to last weeks’ search terms used to find felon-free Masonry: felon free masonry:  Yay, you found us!
felon freemasonry:  ^
corvettes suck:   Felon-free Masonry agrees.
orlando 893.135 on 2012 april 19:  Not sure about the Orlando and numbers thing; we too may need to google that.
prince hall masonry: Thank you, Prince Hall brethren, we appreciate your readership!
felon freemason:  James Anderson “Jimmy” Foster and quite possibly charged but not convicted Walter Schoepf
freemason accecpt felon:  Felons who have fulfilled the terms of their sentence(s) (and can prove this) AND have full restoration of civil rights may be elligible for membership.
fl810.02(3b):  We’ll get back to you on this after we too google it.
is smoking weed unmasonic conduct:  Felon-free Masonry assumes no one is smoking weed at/in lodge though it likely is considered unmasonic conduct.
grounds for expulsion from free masonry felon:  Grounds for expulsion, hmmm, looks as though it’s harder and harder to get kicked out these days; at least if felon Foster’s case is an example (kindly refer to multiple previous postings).
dui conviction freemason:  Many Masons have had DUI convictions and some have been arrested for refusal to take the breathalizer test (hey, that almost spells joke).
tampa bay prince hall masonic lodge:  Hello, gentlemen!
masons + felony:  = Jimmy Foster and charged but not yet convicted Walter Schoepf.  Kudos to Schoepf for incurring federal felony charges, that’s quite the feat.
norman hemming iii:  You got us with Norman Hemming III; we too will need to google that one.
freedom tower nyc:  An amazing building in one of the most fabulous cities ever!
freedom tower:  It is built on what should be considered sacred ground.  God bless those who passed so tragically and those who will soon occupy the tower.
wham:  Wake us up before you go go, don’t leave us hanging on like a felon-free yo yo.
j. dick martinez, bankruptcy:  The answer is a seven figure filing blowing in the wind.
“joseph citro” “tampa”:  A Past Master in good standing who never stole a Past Master’s portrait from the Past Master’s room yet whose portrait was subject to such theft on a day when Past Masters Jim Bustin and Walter Schoepf showed up to collect bum air conditioners and allegedly supposedly took a bit more.  Perhaps those two should remember:  Take a picture means with a camera, not from the wall.
convicted of a felony can i become a mason:  It’s possible if you’ve successfully completed the terms of your sentence (including parole, probation, and payment of fines), can prove it, and have full restoration of civil rights.
if we forget the past we are destined to repeat it jonestown:  It’s true that if we do not remember the past, we will repeat it.  Also, Seductive Poison by Deborah Layton is the best account of the rise and fall of Jim Jones and Jonestown.

Let Freedom Ring

As of April 30, 2012, the Freedom Tower surpassed the Empire State Building as New York City’s tallest building.  Here’s to the 104 floors that will soon grace the lower Manhattan skyline and tower over this great land!

 

 

Smuggler’s Blues

Dear Walter Schoepf Schopf,

It was nice to see you at church this evening.  Please know that Felon-free Masonry applauds your efforts to get closer to God while laboring under felony charges because most usually wait until jail to find Jesus.  

Oh, and what’s with that nasty front fender mangling?  Surely it’s not a game of if the feds are gonna take my stuff, I’m gonna funk it up first, right? 

No, surely not.  

Now, on to the meat of the message. 

Though Felon-free Masonry fully supports the assertion that the accused are innocent until proven guilty, it must ask:  Did you ever consider smuggling shrimp from foreign lands into the United States and if so, how would you do it? 

You probably couldn’t tape the shrimp to your body as depicted in Midnight Express; it’s doubtful the slippery suckers would adhere for more than a few seconds if even.  However, much can be said about body odor masking the smell of shrimp or shellfish; properly labeled or otherwise.

And, given a predilection for Birks, you couldn’t ferry food in footwear.  However, you could bring along felon Foster to fill a boot and a hat or such.

But whatever you would do, please don’t bring along Joe K (hey, that almost spells joke).  You know, what with him being admittedly so easily coerced into filing false charges against an innocent brother.   Do not think for one second that such an individual would not toss a shrimp smuggler off of the boat.

So that leaves Jim. 

Yes, use Jim.  You know he’d never leave behind photographic evidence, on the wall or otherwise, and perhaps your relationship would adapt well to a prison environment. 

Sincerely,

Felon-free Masonry

Because you want to know.

Many have asked how Felon-free Masonry learned of Walter Schoepf’s arrest and felony charges.  Well, friends and brothers, the answer is simply this:  Someone googled and his/her  very specific search terms appeared in the WordPress list of phrases used to find this blog.

As you may have noticed, some previous blog entries include lists of such terms.  These phrases are compiled on the blog’s “dashboard” (user control panel).  A glance at the dashboard one particular recent evening revealed a rather intriguing pair of search terms:  Walter Schoepf arrest and Walter Schopf arrest. 

A googling of those terms led to this United States government press release:

http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ole/news/2012/02/23_culinary_specialties.htm

That article led to public records which ultimately let the shrimp cat out of the allegedly mislabeled bag.

And here we are today. 

Felon-free Masonry admits:  Allegedly mislabeled shrimp are good for business!  Not only have they increased blog veiwership, they’ve taken the heat off of thrice convicted felon James Anderson “Jimmy” Foster.   At least for now, that is.

Vell played, Walter Schoepf Schopf, vell played.  You are the vind beneath our felon-free vings.   (That said, felon-free Masonry vould rather eat mislabeled shrimp be vounded vith something sharp and rusty than have a Bette Midler tribute but you’ve earned it.  Score indeed.)

Alleged Shrimp Meister Schoepf’s Calendar Call Cometh. Trial set for May 21, 2012 (or I guess we know who’ll be too busy to bother with Grand Lodge this year)

In calendar form slightly different from that of the Mayans, the United States Government announced today:

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA

CASE NO. 12-20117-CR-LENARD/O’SULLIVAN

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

Plaintiff,

vs.

KARL DEGIACOMI,

WALTER SCHOEPF,

CULINARY SPECIALTIES, INC.

Defendants.

THIS CAUSE is set for jury trial for the two-week trial calendar commencing on May 21, 2012 and Calendar Call will be held on May 16, 2012 at 4:00 p.m.

At the calendar call, the Court will assign each case a number for trial.   All cases will remain on the calendar until tried or until counsel receives further notice

from the Court.  Additionally, counsel shall make all motions for continuance in writing.  Except the calendar call, the Defendant is directed to attend all

hearings/conferences.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that the parties shall provide the Court with the following:

1. All counsel are instructed to submit, in writing any special voir dire questions five (5) days prior to the first day of trial.

2. Not later than five (5) days prior to the first day of trial, the parties will file with the Court memoranda required to address any unique issues of law or

evidence which are anticipated to arise at trial.

3. General citation to treatises or handbooks during trial will not be accepted by the Court. Any cases orally cited by counsel during trial must be provided to the

Court in hard copy form.

4. In each case tried before a jury, each party shall file a copy of proposed voir dire questions and proposed jury instructions within three (3) days before

commencement of trial. On the first day of trial, counsel shall email the Court at, lenard@flsd.uscourts.gov the proposed jury instructions and verdict form(s).

5. All exhibits must be pre-marked. Also, the parties shall submit a typewritten list, setting forth the numbers and description of each exhibit, within three (3)

days before trial.

Absent further order of the Court, all pretrial motions will be filed in accordance with the Standing Order on Discovery (within 28 days of arraignment).

DONE AND ORDERED in Chambers at Miami, Florida this 26th day of April, 2012.

JOAN A. LENARD

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

cc: Counsel of Record

All eyes are on…

Wallyball, followed closely by the strangest search term ever:  Jimmy Foster Masonic Temple.  Wow.  Watch out for that lightning bolt.

Additional search terms used to find www.felonfreemasonry.wordpress.com since April 12, 2012:

2012-04-12 to Today

Search	Views
walter schoepf	18
jimmy foster masonic temple	7
felon freemasonry	6
masonic felons	3
hillsborough 25 lodge facebook	2
freemasonry	2
wham	2
masonic lodgeprnce hall orlando	1
can a felon be a mason	1
pawn frawns	1
what is a prince hall daughter of isis	1
frolicking sheep	1
prince hall grand lodge orlando florida	1
j. dick martinez bankrupt	1
redneck cock fighting

Tales from the shrimped

How much shrimp could an alleged shrimp meister knit if a supposed shrimp meister could knit shrimp?

Oh well, one can always toss a few shrimp on the Barbie.

But you know, these shrimp shoes are made for walking and that’s just what they’ll do.  One of these days these shrimp shoes are gonna walk all over you.

Why look, it’s a shrimp swoosh.

And stuff like dees.

Felon-free Update: The Walter Schoepf Arrest Warrant (click on image to enlarge)

 

 

 

Pawns, prawns; tomato, tomato

As James F. Bustin recently said,   “Its a gas to know that we own you all at felon free masonry…we laugh at your postings. “ 

Hey Jim: 

Still laughing? 

Still impressed with your clown car circle of friends? 

Ready to defend yet another brother facing felony charges? 

Still wondering who’s to be bumped from a wall? 

Wow Jim, being you must be a chore.  You know, kind of like juggling knives and dodging a swift poke in the eye.

Perhaps the old adage is true:  You can’t tell the players from the coaches without a federal indictment program.

Wow.  Just wow.

If history tells us anything, it is that the Hillsborough Lodge Past Master portrait wall will soon resemble a chess board.  You know, what with the possible purging of the 2005 Worshipful alleged Shrimp Meister’s Master’s photo coupled with the theft of 2007 Past Master felon Foster’s picture.  That leaves the law abiding 2006 leader’s portrait firmly ensconced in its rightful place.  If it’s returned, that is; please and thanks.

Checkmate, Jim.

Sincerely,

Felon-free Masonry

Walter Schoepf Indictment pages 10-18 (or my, what a gumbo that scamp(i) has allegedly gotten into)

Walter Schoepf Indictment pages 1-9 (click to enlarge)

Walter Schoepf Docket

Defendant (2)
Walter Schoepf Prisoner ID: 99182-004
Pending Counts
18:371.F CONSPIRACY TO FALSELY LABEL AND MISBRAND FOOD (1)
16:3372.F FALSE LABELING OF SEAFOOD (2)
21:331A.F MISBRANDED FOODS (3)
Highest Offense Level (Opening)
Felony
Terminated Counts
None
Highest Offense Level (Terminated)
None
Complaints
None

---

Plaintiff

Date Filed	#	Docket Text
02/23/2012	1	INDICTMENT as to Karl Degiacomi (1) count(s) 1, 2, 3, Walter Schoepf (2) count(s) 1, 2, 3, and Culinary Specialties, Inc. (3) count(s) 1, 2, 3. (cg1) (Entered: 02/23/2012)
02/23/2012		SYSTEM ENTRY – Docket Entry 2 restricted/sealed until further notice. (cg1) (Entered: 02/23/2012)
03/02/2012	5	MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice, Consent to Designation, and Request to Electronically Receive Notices of Electronic Filing for Richard Escobar. Filing Fee $75.00. Receipt # 34575. Responses due by 3/19/2012 (ksa) (Entered: 03/05/2012)
03/05/2012	6	MOTION for Appearance, Consent to Designation and Request to Electronically Receive Notices of Electronic Filing for Brian E. Gonzalez. Filing Fee $75.00. Receipt # 34629. Responses due by 3/22/2012 (ksa) (Entered: 03/05/2012)
03/05/2012	8	Minute Order for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge Patrick A. White: Initial Appearance as to Walter Schoepf held on 3/5/2012 as to Walter Schoepf (2) $125,000 PSB. Arraignment set for 3/19/2012 10:00 AM in Miami Division before MIA Duty Magistrate. Report Re: Counsel Hearing set for 3/19/2012 10:00 AM in Miami Division before MIA Duty Magistrate. (Digital 13:37:06/13:51:30.). Signed by Magistrate Judge Patrick A. White on 3/5/2012. (sl) (Entered: 03/06/2012)
03/05/2012	10	$125,000.00 PSB Bond Entered as to Walter Schoepf Approved by Magistrate Judge Patrick A. White Special Conditions: a. Surrender all passports and travel documents to the Pretrial Services Office;b. Report to Pretrial Services as directed;p. May travel to and from Southern and Middle Districts of Florida and must notify Pretrial Services of travel plans before leaving and upon return. (lh) (Entered: 03/06/2012)
03/19/2012	13	ORDER granting 6 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice, Consent to Designation, and Request to Electronically Receive Notices of Electronic Filing as to Walter Schoepf (2). Signed by Judge Joan A. Lenard on 3/19/12. (pm) (Entered: 03/19/2012)
03/19/2012	15	Minute Entry for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman: Arraignment as to Walter Schoepf (2) Count 1,2,3 held on 3/19/2012, Report Re Counsel Hearing as to Walter Schoepf held on 3/19/2012. (Digital 10:24:18.) (nf) (Entered: 03/19/2012)
03/19/2012		Attorney update in case as to Walter Schoepf. (nf) (Entered: 03/19/2012)
03/19/2012	18	ARRAIGNMENT INFORMATION SHEET Not Guilty Plea entered as to counts Walter Schoepf (2) Count 1,2,3. Court accepts plea. Arraignment held on 3/19/2012 before Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman. (ls) (Entered: 03/20/2012)
03/19/2012	20	STANDING DISCOVERY ORDER as to Karl Degiacomi, Walter Schoepf, Culinary Specialties, Inc.. All motions concerning matters not covered by this order must be filed within 28 days of this order. Signed by Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman on 3/19/2012. (ls) (Entered: 03/20/2012)
03/19/2012	22	NOTICE OF ATTORNEY APPEARANCE: Brian E. Gonzalez appearing for Walter Schoepf (ls) (Entered: 03/20/2012)

A shrimp allegedly by any other name…is allegedly a federal indictment against W:. Walter Schoepf

 

http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ole/news/2012/02/23_culinary_specialties.htm

Two Tampa Residents and a Tampa-Based Company Charged with Conspiracy to Sell Mislabeled Shrimp

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Otha Easley, Acting Special Agent in Charge, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Office of Law Enforcement (OLE), Southeast Division, announce the indictment of Walter Schoepf, 59, Karl Degiacomi, 69, and Culinary Specialties, Inc., of Tampa, on charges of conspiracy to sell mislabeled shrimp, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371; false labeling of shrimp, in violation of 16 U.S.C. §§ 3372(d)(1), 3372(d)(2) and 3373(d)(A)(ii); and misbranding, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 331(a), 333(a)(2), 343(a)(1) and 343(b).

According to the indictment, Schoepf and Degiacomi, the owners of Culinary Specialties, conspired with Richard Stowell, United Seafood, Inc., (United), Adrian Vela, and Sea Food Center, to violate the Lacey Act by mislabeling and selling approximately 500,000 pounds of shrimp.  The shrimp, valued at more than $400,000, was ultimately sold to supermarkets in the northeastern United States.

In prior court proceedings, Stowell and United pled guilty and were sentenced on April 27, 2011 by U.S. District Judge Ursula Ungaro for their role in the conspiracy.  Vela and Sea Food Center also pled guilty and were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Joan A. Lenard on November 21, 2011.

If convicted, Schoepf and Degiacomi face a statutory maximum sentence of up to five years in prison on the conspiracy and false labeling counts of the indictment.  Additionally, the defendants face a maximum statutory sentence of up to three years in prison on the misbranding count.  Culinary Specialties faces fines of up to $500,000.00 per count.  A trial date has not yet been set in this matter.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of NOAA-OLE. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Norman O. Hemming, III.

An indictment is only an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Past Master portrait, Past Master portrait, on the wall; who’s the sticky fingerest of them all?

Dear John Darling brothers,

Please bolt, nail, tack, hot glue, and otherwise secure all photos-including but not limited to those of Past Masters-to your walls.  You know, lest they’re mistaken for air conditioning units.   Just a vord to the vise; please be vise. 

And hey, if the tie matches the Corvette; well, just saying.

Sincerely,

Felon-free Masonry