Broward Firefighter Joseph Habib Arrested Again
Published by The Tampa Pirate June 25th, 2007 in Crime, Family, Florida[[Image:PostImages/josephhabib.jpg|left|Dirtbag Joseph Habib]] Joseph Habib was supposed to protect and help the public as a Broward County, Florida Firefighter. In July of 2006, while attending a Firefighters/Medical Convention in Orlando, Florida, and staying at the Renaissance Resort near Sea World in Orlando, FL, Habib decided it was time to take his fantasy of touching little boys penises to the next level and actually do it. While swimming in the resorts pool with little children Habib, unable to control his fantasy any longer decided to touch five boys all under the age of 10. A short time later after boys began running to the their parents for help Habib was caught in the act by one of the fathers.
Habib was arrested and spent 10 months in jail. His trial was held in May, he was being charged with three counts of sexual molestation of a child under the age of 12. The other two boys parents didn’t want to drag them through a trial. Habib represented himself, and if convicted was facing 75 years in prison. A conviction on all charges for molestation seemed to be a lock, but surprisingly the jury returned lewd and lascivious verdict. The maximum penalty was 180 days which Habib had already served and he was sent free later that day.
Upon reviewing the case it was discovered that the reason Habib was found guilty of only lewd and lascivious was because the jury wasn’t told they needed to check the box on the conviction sheet for under 12 so the judge was forced by default to charge him with lewd and lascivious on a minor over 12. The parents, the jurors and the prosecutor were stunned.
Now Habib has been arrested for a forth charge because one of the other boys who didn’t file charges the first time IS this time, and the prosecutor has promised to get it right this time. I have a friend who is directly involved in the case since one of the victims is a relative so I will stay on top of this case. The trial should be in October.
[tags]Joseph Habib, child molester, Broward County Firefighter[/tags]
Wow Pirate this is shocking. All because of a technicality
I will have the boys and their families in my thoughts that they can put this sick twist out of their lives and move forward. I hope that the powers that be ensure this “second chance” is not wasted and this guy ends up where he belongs.
The sad thing is that if people like BLueRibbon would seek treatment now they may not end up like this guy. Instead they feed the addiction. THIS is what becomes of “pedophile activists”.
Daydreamer,
It’s a travesty of justice, but not surprising. Our legal system is so convoluted it can really make some major blunders.
I agree, and that is why I have no pity on them. They could seek help, but don’t until it is too late. Than they say they only needed help.
I will be keeping on top of this case.
Thanks for commenting.
Peace
Mark
aka
The Tampa Pirate
The saddest thing to watch is the American citizens blinded by their own ignorance. As we face a catastrophic financial crisis started by Clinton, and perpetuated by every politician since, my fellow.[...]
OH mY GOD, and he was still a firefighter at the time of the next arrest?? I looked for a link to your coverage of the sheriff who slammed the lady on her trunk so I could link up to you. I mentioned you when I wrote but couldn’t find the article with a search. I’m going to link this one. (of course)
Tampa Pirate ………………. you are just THAT special. I have not been doing my usual reading but found you right on top when I was looking for something else.
What a pig this guy is but obviously he felt comfortable in those surroundings. What does THAT tell you? (sorry)
Vox,
Wow, great to see you are still around. I was worried about you. I miss our debates. I am not sure if he is still a firefighter I will look into that. This guy is a real piece of crap and I hope and pray that they can bury his ass this time. I will send you an e-mail and tell you more of the facts. I don’t want to disclose some of the sensitive stuff because of the pedos that now troll my blog.
I miss ya and will be checking up on you.
Peace
Mark
aka
The Tampa Pirate
The saddest thing to watch is the American citizens blinded by their own ignorance. As we face a catastrophic financial crisis started by Clinton, and perpetuated by every politician since, my fellow.[...]
I dont know who you think you are or where you are getting
your information from but what you wrote about how the jury
didn’t check the right box and Joey was released on that is
absolutly obsurd. You should be ashamed of yourself. And
saying that you are a friend of one of the families. I sat
in that courtroom everyday, I listened to everything that
was said, and I was there when the verdict came in. You have
NO IDEA what you are talking about! Just because someone
is accused of something that doesn’t mean that they did it.
People in this counrty are arrested everyday on false charges.
You should be ashamed of yourself. Anyone who knows Joey knows
that he isn’t capable of doing something like this. It isn’t
who he is. And for anyone who doesn’t know him personally to
pass judgement on him or anyone else for that matter is
completely ignorant in my book.
I never said I was a friend of the immediate families I said I am friends with someone who’s nephew was one of the children who were touched by this sick freak. BTW you jackass, I allow you the privilege of commenting anonymously. The people who read you comment don’t know who you are, but I do. It’s funny he admits to fantasizing about this and they did find him guilty of lewd and lascivious you idiot. I guess that is lost in your ignorant little defense of “Joey”.
BTW dumbass I think that he is a nasty sick monster and it’s a shame I wasn’t on the jury. Lets see what happens with the next case. You can make excuses for sick behavior, but it doesn’t make it go away.
TTP
The saddest thing to watch is the American citizens blinded by their own ignorance. As we face a catastrophic financial crisis started by Clinton, and perpetuated by every politician since, my fellow.[...]
To the moron who “knows what really happened”
Would you mind explaining why Habib (aka sick freak who’s taking up valuable space and oxygen) admitted to these crimes you claim are “false charges”?
http://cbs4.com/topstories/local_story_198131726.html
First of all, I highly doubt that YOU (Tampa Pirate) know Joseph, so how can you pass judgment on hearsay? I read all the comments and followed the story. I don’t know him, but I do know that a person is innocent until proven guilty, obviously you don’t. “Someone who knows what really happened” seems to have their head on straight and says they sat there through the trial, and yet you have the gall to call them a jackass and the person below you calls them a moron (guess they jumped on the bandwagon and can’t form their own opinion). I honestly think you should get out of your basement and unplug the computer since it seems that you have nothing better to do then bash somebody that you don’t even know, much less even had a single conversation with. I also think that you are divulging to much information about this trial and I highly doubt that your “facts” are even facts. Somebody that starts a “story” bashing somebody they don’t know obviously has their own insecurities. Oh, and about “keeping on top of the case”, what are you a Lawyer? Why are you making this your personal business when its not? I understand that you are a friend of the nephew, or somebody that is seeking some kind of attention and does so at somebody else’s expense. Get over yourself and get your facts before you post such a false story about somebody you don’t know. Not to mention how you name call a person that sat in the courtroom delivering you facts, yet you ignore them. “Somebody who knows what really happened”, I applaud you, unfortunately we live in a world of people that don’t care and bash others b/c their opinion matters over everybody else’s and they can’t be wrong, ever.
Day Dreamer, I won’t sit here and name call b/c I don’t want to sink to your level, nor that of the “Tampa Pirate”, but please step off your pedestal and understand that everything you read, especially on the net, is usually juiced up to the “standards” of Americans. Perfect example is that I personally knew somebody who was majorly hurt, it made it to the papers and was so out of whack that there was really no truth left to it, and I knew the whole story. It was told to me from the person’s hospital bed out of their mouth. You want the truth, you have to either be there or know them personally to get it, you can’t rely on the news or a site such as this.
Disgusted,
You show your ignorance in three ways:
1) I never said I know this prick.
2) Innocent until proven guilty does not apply to how citizens are suppose to think, only to how the courts are to treat people accused of a crime.
3) I live in Florida dumb-ass, we don’t have basements.
This guy was found guilty of lewd and lascivious on a minor which means the children were over 12 but under 18. None of the children in the case are over 12. I guess though that if children are over 12 they are fair game in your world to be touched and grouped by nasty idiots, and should just deal with it.
Your opinion is yours, but so is mine. If an adult touches a child inappropriately than they are a scumbag. I don’t give a rat’s fat ass about their back story. I could care less whether their Uncle Billy played hide the sausage with them when they were little or they slept in their mommy’s bed and were breast fed until they were 10. It is WRONG to touch a child in an inappropriate manner.
Screw being politically correct. I will not stop reporting the truth.
TTP
The saddest thing to watch is the American citizens blinded by their own ignorance. As we face a catastrophic financial crisis started by Clinton, and perpetuated by every politician since, my fellow.[...]
You show your stupidity in 9 ways:
1. Apparently you know so much about him to be able to write such and extensive article about him.
2. Are you telling me that in your 40 years of being alive you have not been picked for a jury b/c if you have ever been picked for a jury you would know that they tell them that the defendant is innocent until proven guilty and that they should listen to all of the evidence before making their decision…and just in case you didn’t follow my legal mumbo-jumbo, juries are made up of citizens.
3. In some parts of Florida, mostly Northern, they do have basements.
4. Maybe if you did a little more research on this “prick”, the you would have seen that he was not found guilty of anything lewd and lascivious. He was found guilty of a third degree misdemeanor of unnatural acts.
5. You stated in your original article that he “decided to touch FIVE boys….”, either your math skills or detective skills are impeccable b/c he was originally accused of FOUR, but only charged with three.
6. Another jab at your impeccable detective skills, you should have known that the boys never reported this so called “inappropriate touching” to any of their parents. After one of the fathers approached the children about what he apparently had seen, the children were still hesitant on admitting anything happened.
7. You stated Habib represented himself, so you are telling me that in any of your readings or information from your source, you never heard the name Eric Schwartzreich who has been stated EVERYWHERE to have been his attorney ?!
8. You stated “surprisingly the jury returned a lewd and lascivious verdict”, refer back to idiotic mistake number 4.
9. Apparently you feel so inclined to belittle people by calling them such “elementary school yard names” as dumb-ass, jack-ass, dirt bag and monster.
In conclusion, you have promised your readers that you will “stay on top of this case”, my advise try a little harder. Also, you are right, your opinion is yours and mine is mine, but to quote a very common statement, “opinions are like assholes, everyone has one”.
Disgusted,
1) I did my research and I talked to one of the family members of the victim.
2) As I said in my last comment to you, the innocent until proven guilty clause is reserved for the courts, not opinions of ordinary citizens.
United Nations Cyber Schoolbus (I know this isn’t about U.S. courts, but it was modeled after the U.S. Bill of Rights. Oh I also figured I would simplify it for you)
History of the Clause
The Thompson Gales Law Encyclopedia explanation
No where does this say that ordinary citizens have to treat people like they are innocent until proven guilty, it is reserved for the courts.
3) Wrong again, a few people may have basements, but definitely not the majority. Than again maybe if you checked an atlas you would see that Tampa (i.e. The TAMPA Pirate) is in West Central Florida.
Basement info Read 1st paragraph.
Map of Florida (Help you out with your geography)
4) Again you are wrong… There is no statute called “un-natural acts”. He was found guilty of misdemeanor lewd and lascivious.
Associated Press
St. Petersburg Times republishing above article quoting same source
5) He initially touched five according to the original complaint. One boy decided he didn’t want to testify. The counts were than four, and one didn’t want to testify unless it was absolutely necessary so the charges moved to three counts.
6) Apparently detective skills, like intelligence waived bye bye to you along time ago.
North Country Gazette
Local 6 WKMG Orlando
Local 10 WPLG Miami
7) Initially he didn’t have an attorney, but was given one later in pre-trial. It doesn’t really matter one way or the other.
8. Please see my correction of YOUR idiotic mistake by re-reading 4).
9) I call people what I see. If someone disagrees with me and states their disagreement in a coherent manner I am more than happy to give respect. When they try to act like a condescending asshole and don’t have their facts straight I could care less what they think.
Apparently from your total acceptance of this cats actions, it would appear you think it is okay to molest or harm children. If he was 100% innocent I would be the first to point that out, but even by his own confession to the police officers he said:
Save your defense of this prick for the pedo blogs and forums, as far as I am concerned it is a shame that he is walking the streets because of a technicality. So far I have kept my promise. The trial starts in October, and we will see where it goes from there.
TTP
The saddest thing to watch is the American citizens blinded by their own ignorance. As we face a catastrophic financial crisis started by Clinton, and perpetuated by every politician since, my fellow.[...]
Honestly, you aren’t worth anymore of my time. You still choose to be an ignorant individual and used clippings from newspapers as your defense. I find it sad that you took my previous outline and added things to it that you felt were important, things I never said. For example, I never said the majority of Northern Fl. had basements and I find it humorous that you actually put a link to map florida, sad really.
Also, you stated “No where does this say that ordinary citizens have to treat people like they are innocent until proven guilty, it is reserved for the courts.” Ok, again, you choose to read only what your tiny mind can handle, I said,
” Are you telling me that in your 40 years of being alive you have not been picked for a jury b/c if you have ever been picked for a jury you would know that they tell them that the defendant is innocent until proven guilty and that they should listen to all of the evidence before making their decision…and just in case you didn’t follow my legal mumbo-jumbo, juries are made up of citizens”,
..so can you show me why you felt to go completely off the subject at hand and decided to say, “As I said in my last comment to you, the innocent until proven guilty clause is reserved for the courts, not opinions of ordinary citizens.” Let me say this slowly so you can comprehend this, citizens are picked to be on a jury so there is a fair trial, they are told that the defendant is innocent until proven guilty. So now you can see that your linked explanations of the clause were just another dumb defense since you have no idea what you are talking about.
Again, showing your childish side, “Apparently detective skills, like intelligence waived bye bye to you along time ago”, ok, well I will personally guarantee that I am much smarter then you since you show how close minded you are by making this statement: “I call people what I see.” So you mean to tell me that even though you don’t know the person, you still make your own label of that individual? Its people like you that I fear the most in this society. And guessing by how much time you have on your hands to run this “site”, you probably couldn’t cut it in the real world like us working folk.
Also, I find it funny how you have to repeat yourself, “Apparently from your total acceptance of this cats actions, it would appear you think it is okay to molest or harm children”, I won’t even touch that since you are a sick individual who loosely throws that around.
I’ve wasted enough of my energy on you. You choose to be as ignorant as can be, and when that trial does happen in October, I hope he gets acquitted again.
Disgusted,
You are the one wasting time. You can say whatever crap you feel and because I do support Freedom of Speech I will not edit/delete any comments, unless they are threatening to myself or others on this board. I will not though allow a simple-minded individual who can’t even show me evidence to the contrary to anything I have given proof of (with the exception of the attorney part which I concede I made a mistake on) to hurl insults at myself or my readers without a fight.
Now one more time lets take it from the top. Juries are picked and do their civic duty in COURT… Guilty until proven innocent is reserved for the accused in COURT. Out here… this is not court so no he does not have those rights.
The information I used to prove my points is in news stories, the remainder is from a person who is a family member of one of the victims who sat in court during the entire trial and who’s opinion I value and trust.
Concerning my name calling stance. That is why I am here and why I do what I do. I won’t sugarcoat a pedophile acting out on his fantasies and call it just a mistake by a good guy. This is a guy who needs mental help to get a grasp on reality. If it takes jail to get that for him, so be it.
I actually own my own business and because it is successful I have the time to do what I love. Sorry if you have to remain in the working class, that is your misfortune, not mine.
My last point is in response to your closing statements:
I wouldn’t throw that around if you weren’t so vehemently defending a guy who made the statement to police and confirmed it on the stand:
Even though you read that you closed with:
Your the one who wants a pedophile to go free, without even the benefits of counseling. So if the shoe fits…
The saddest thing to watch is the American citizens blinded by their own ignorance. As we face a catastrophic financial crisis started by Clinton, and perpetuated by every politician since, my fellow.[...]
I’ve been reading what “Disgusted” wrote and I want to thank them for having an open mind and
understanding that the court system isn’t perfect. Thank your for believing in Joey and
defending him like you have been. To the Tampa Pirate apparently I’m not the only “jackass
moron” who understands that innocent people can be accused of crimes they didn’t do. If you
really knew what you were talking about you would know the curcumstances surrounding Joey’s
statement and that the jury had themselves dismissed it because promises were made to him
and the detectives who spoke on the stand incriminated themselves by admitting that they did
something illigal by making him promises to coax a statement out of him. You stated to
“Disgusted” that you would be willing to listen if they had given you actual evidence and knew
what they were talking about. Well guess what I know what I’m talking about and if Joey had
done this then how come when all 4 of those boys were brought into the courtroom and asked to
identify the person who touched them that they decribed a man with dark skin tone, blonde
hair and brown eyes which is the exact opposite of what Joey looks like if you take a close
look at the picture that you posted above where you labeled him a “dirtbag”. Also how is
it that a father who apparently saw this crime happen took the time to stop and talk
to perfect strangers at the pool who were from the same home town as him instead of tending
to the needs of his son who supposedly was just molested. And I would also love to know why
it took these parents so long to contact the proper authorities. Even a small child knows that
when something bad happends you call the police right away. Maybe someone should teach these
parents that cause I think they missed that lesson from their parents when they were kids.
Is that enough evidence for you?
I hope that you never are falsely accused of something as horrible as this situation Joey is
going through right now because non of us are exempt from ever being falsely accused of a
crime the way this society is today. We always think that these things happen to someone
else until it happends to you and then you realize that false accusations can happen to
anyone at any time. And you know and I know that if you were ever falsely accused of
something that people wouldn’t label you like you are labeling Joey until they know the facts.
Their is ALWAYS two sides to every story.
Someone,
I appreciate you pointing out some things, I will talk to my friend who was there about them, and I will be following this next trial in October. When you take the time to point out and illustrate some of the differences between what I have been told and what I have read I can look into things. When insulting, blanket comments with no facts or incorrect facts are posted I will not change my opinions. Give me a coherent reason and I am willing to dig a little deeper. You have given me a reason to look deeper.
As far as being falsely accused of a crime, I have been through it. I was one guy fighting five guys and I ended up being the one arrested. After two years of continued court dates because the state couldn’t make a case the charges were dismissed. Not only that the state was castigated for wasting 2 years of my time and the courts time on a clear case of self defense. I was looking at 45 years if I would have been found guilty. I know exactly what it feels like.
I still think something more happened in Habib’s case, the case documents I obtained and the eyewitness account from my friend don’t show the events you described, but I will also talk to two reporters I know who were present for almost the entire trial and see what they remember. I find it strange though that if he was completely innocent he would still be found guilty of lewd and lascivious.
TTP
The saddest thing to watch is the American citizens blinded by their own ignorance. As we face a catastrophic financial crisis started by Clinton, and perpetuated by every politician since, my fellow.[...]
Tampa Pirate,
Thank you for acting more civil this response. See how things can be debated and opinions
discussed without having to belittle or degrade. I’m sorry that you had a situation similar
in the fact that you were falsely accused. So you know how it feels. Now magnify that charge
by 1000 and imagine going through that. I can understand that as a parent they of course have
the need to protect their children. But if you look as how they handled it if it really did
happen you start to wonder. I’m glad to know that you will look into what I wrote to you the
last response. I just hope that your sourse doesnt mislead you or lie to you to cover up
the facts that I told you of things that were said and things that happened in the courtroom
just to be able to save face. Also their is a staute for unnatural acts. I found this on the
State of Florida statutes website. Check it out for yourself.
http://www.flsenate.gov/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0800/SEC02.HTM&Title=->2006->Ch0800->Section%2002#0800.02
800.02 Unnatural and lascivious act.–A person who commits any unnatural and lascivious act
with another person commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in
s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. A mother’s breastfeeding of her baby does not under any
circumstance violate this section.
Thank you again for taking the time to look a little deeper into what really happened and
hopefully when you do realize and find out for yourself that what I told you was true maybe
you will rewrite your article about Joey. I know that everyone usually always thinks of the
family of the “victims” but just keep in mind that the accused person has a family too.
Thank you
Someone,
Your 1st post to me a week or so ago was hostile, and you received hostility back, when a person is respectful they will receive respect even if I disagree. Remember this is my house and I allow people to walk in my house. You shit on the floor and you will be shit on. I allow and encourage debate, but I don’t allow ignorance.
If you are related or know Habib and you believe he is innocent I can understand your defending his side of the story. People who come here on a high horse though like Disgusted or with with your first post are going to be treated with disdain at best and will end up getting banned or deleted if I get tired of them. I have that right as this is again my house.
Because of my profession I am very aware of Florida Statutes and if you want to start a lengthy legal debate on that statute, and how it applies to Habib’s case we can. I have other posts I am writing right now, but if you really want to debate this issue we will. I frankly am tired of this and will wait until October to continue this. I want to be in the courtroom for this trial, and I have an in, so if you are there, maybe we will meet.
TTP
The saddest thing to watch is the American citizens blinded by their own ignorance. As we face a catastrophic financial crisis started by Clinton, and perpetuated by every politician since, my fellow.[...]
I also know the true facts as to what happened in this case because I was there every day with the family of the accussed. I’m not hear to argue this case with you, instead, I just want to say, before Judgment is decreed, you have the opportunity to do right. Don’t come under Judgment and finger pointing. Don’t let the enemy win inside of you with negative thoughts without know the true facts. Judge yourself instead of Judging others. God is the best Judge. Come Judgment Day, we all will end up facing our Holy Father. He’s the only one that knows the true facts and we will have to face some day. You don’t know it all and you don’t understand it all, so don’t Judge. Your Judgement is not your own, it’s what you hear. If you Judge yourself, you will not be Judged by others. Instead, Judge your Day, Judge your Worship & Judge your Attitude. Always keep an open mind, no matter what the case, when you’re reporting it.