Bryan Robinson & His House Flip Scam Victims

Bryan Robinson is perhaps best known for being part of the DreamVision Team...the man who stood before the public and announced that all funding for the project was in place. Yet that's not why we're taking another look at Robinson today. Remember his house-flipping scheme which allegedly claimed at least three victims who unwisely invested in this plan? It seems that two more have become collateral damage in his machinations.

Before we relate this tawdry tale, we want to ask if you've ever regretted assisting a friend as a favor...only to find out that you've been used? Perhaps you didn't think it through since your intent was to do nothing illegal? We believe this is the case with Caitlin Burns Holland and Brad Bolding who worked/partnered with Robinson. 

The sting: Bryan Robinson told potential investors and others that he had purchased approximately 20 defaulted properties in Madison County. Presumably he needed more cash to fix these homes up and sell them for a substantial profit, something known colloquially as "flipping." Robinson approached his investors with the line that he would produce this return in a very short time, that they had nothing to worry about since he would mortgage the properties to them until the sales were made. In other words, if the investors didn't get their money back on schedule, they would take possession of the homes which were worth much more than their investments. 

Robinson then typed, or had typed, these mortgages made out to the various investors, but used the name of a Madison County law firm:

Looks pretty official, doesn't it? The problem is that Bryan Robinson misspelled the name of the firm. It's not "Carlton & Jacobs," but "Cartron & Jacobs":

Logically, wouldn't Robinson have had an employee of this law firm notarize his signature? Yet for those who trusted Robinson, this didn't seem to be a problem...and that became their undoing.

Tomorrow: Bryan Robinson implicates his associates.

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Resa Witt has posted on her FB  page that criminal charges have been brought against the deputy who had to escort her husband Terry out of the Colbert County Court House:

We're extremely curious as to just where these charges have been filed. After all she didn't say a complaint, she said "criminal charges," meaning something filed by state or federal government. While we may be curious, we're not going to hold our breath for some record of them to be sent us. 

Gun Control? Thermostat Control? Moral Control?

First, from Jay Redmon:

As a former educator, school shootings always hit me hard. However, while I grieve each one, I don't allow my emotions to get the best of my common sense.

Gun control measures DON'T WORK. If they did, countries that have harsh controls over firearms access wouldn't have ANY murders. Most politicians always promote gun control as a means of totally eliminating violent crime. Most such politicians live in a fantasy land devoid of personal responsibilities.

Now, speaking as a former law enforcement officer trained in Active Shooter Response, I'm a firm supporter of arming teachers. I'm not advocating arming ALL teachers, but the ones that are willing to undergo the extensive and intensive training should be afforded that option.

Teachers have been, and always will be, the TRUE First Responders to school tragedies. They need to be given the TOOLS to respond appropriately.

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SWEAT?

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From Leslie M. Shoals:

There was a Valentine dance at the (Muscle Shoals) middle school over the weekend.

Principal Kevin Davis used the opportunity for a teachable moment. 

Yes, he sad he would teach Shoalanda and the parents a lesson by cranking up the heat so high on the children that it was unbearable.

Bullies will always bully, even against innocent children.

Bless the children and old people who can't defend themselves, for there are those who walk among us that are cowardly bullies who take their anger issues out on the innocent.

School Board - there are none so blind as they who will not see - or listen to the truth.

Leslie M. Shoals

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A word about Bryan Robinson: 

Not all who use and abuse others do so at the point of a gun like Blake Austin Hines. Some set others up to take the fall for them. Some take the money and leave others holding the bag of seemingly illegal activities, destroying careers in their need to accumulate illegal wealth. 

Tomorrow we'll update our readers on Bryan Robinson's alleged house flipping scheme. It won't be a pleasant read.

What "Yellowhammer News" Said...

We've said before that we're moderates on almost all issues. That means middle of the road and that means "gun control" as well. We like to read the opinions of others, as long as they're well thought out and well written. Alabama's Yellowhammer News is often criticized for being too conservative, even nutty. Late last week, the publication blamed recent mass murders on the fact that Americans have become more evil.

It's something no rational person would want to believe, but is it actually true? Or is it a case of past generations simply knowing if they acted on their evil impulses they would be immediately punished...and not by a court of law, but by a gang of vigilantes who would make every second of their last minutes on earth a living hell?

Maybe it's a little bit of both?

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Speaking of evildoers and readers asking why such criminals aren't punished, we were reminded of 23 year-old Blake Austin Hines. He remains in the Lauderdale County Detention Center as of today, having been there since his early January arrest:

Blake Austin Hines

At 17, Hines pistol whipped a woman in her 80s, stealing her money and prescription drugs. He received a three year split sentence. Three years. Split. For pistol whipping and robbing an elderly woman. Think about that.

You be the jury. What would you have given Blake Austin Hines? What do you think Hines will get this time? 

If Blake Austin Hines had gotten what he deserved for the armed home invasion, he wouldn't have been around in January to steal those two vehicles...

Extending Voter Registration/The Witts

We've recently highlighted some proposed changes in state laws that are silly, pandering, and just plain inane. One has now been introduced by Sen. Hank Sanders that may mean well, but would almost be impossible to carry through. Sanders wants voter registration extended to the Monday before a Tuesday election.

Registrars in some counties can now barely update their lists with registration ending two weeks before the election. We don't see this bill going anywhere, but it does point out how well-meaning proposed changes in state laws are often not logical. Oops, we've just used a variation of one of the dirtiest words in the history of mankind. If you're not a regular reader and are totally lost, that word is "logic."

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Yesterday we blogged on the Witts, a Tuscumbia couple planning on suing several entities in Colbert County over alleged blackmail by the Colbert County Animal Control. After we published, we received several private comments from readers about this couple.

In the past decade or so, this former Mississippi couple has initiated several lawsuits. Resa Witt alone has sued the Franklin County Board of Education - not once, but twice. She has also sued an insurance company and just last year established a GoFundMe page for her husband. It seems Terry Witt was injured when a truck pulled into this path, causing him such bodily injury that he was forced to drop out of UNA where he was pursuing a bachelor's degree. Witt lost that semester's tuition; we'll assume there's a lawsuit or two connected to that story as well. In short, Colbert County Animal Control isn't the first to feel the legal wrath of the Witts.

We don't wish to elaborate too much here since a local news outlet is doing a story on the Witts' problem with a respected local veterinarian; however, it seems some have misunderstood the outcome of the situation. The cat in question is still very much alive and hissing. It was returned to the Witts...unfortunately. We understand Prince will soon be in contact with the unlucky moggy to help devise an escape plan.

Rating Terry & Resa Witt the "Scumma de Terra"

Above are Terry and Resa Witt. Currently the Witts are in disputes with at least nine entities in the Shoals area. Nine? Perhaps we shouldn't count the TimesDaily, but we'll throw that one in last. Here's the rundown: 

1. The Witts say they took a presumably healthy cat to be boarded at a doctor's office. The veterinarian says Terry Witt asked for the cat to be euthanized. (Domestic vengeance? Just a thought.)

2. The Witts say a Colbert County animal control officer blackmailed them over the cat when they wanted to get it back. The officer denies this allegation.

3. The Witts say the Colbert County administrator refused to give them the public records they asked for. The administrator says it takes time to get salary information on ALL of Colbert County's employees. We'll throw in a "we say" here also: The administrator probably had to get the info printed out from payroll and picked up there. Such information should NOT be readily available on everyone's computer.

4. The Witts say a Colbert County Sheriff's deputy harassed Terry Witt. The deputy says he simply asked Witt to calm down and leave the courthouse at that particular heated moment. A word of advice: If law enforcement asks you to do something, it's always a good idea to do it.

5. The Witts say everyone who averred the deputy was simply doing his job were lying.

6. The Witts say Colbert County Sheriff Frank Williamson is being investigated for theft of county funds. Nothing has been reported on any such investigation so far.

7. The Witts say head of Colbert Animal Control is in cahoots with the animal control officer. The head of animal control says the officer's story checks out.

8. The Witts say the Animal Control Board is corrupt and are starting a website to reveal all.

9. The Witts say the TimesDaily hasn't accurately told their story. Our personal take is that the local rag has already given these would-be cat killers too much space already.

Trains, Sheffield, & Billy Underwood

From the Midnight Rider:

Trains, Sheffield & Billy Underwood

By: The Midnight Rider

The subject of trains is a very sore subject for the citizens of Sheffield, Tuscumbia and Muscle Shoals. It has seemed lately that there has been an increase of train traffic at these city’s crossings. That is not a bad thing; the bad thing is that trains are sitting still on the tracks, blocking traffic. This has especially been true in Sheffield.

Okay, let’s look at this.A long train can block all the crossings in Sheffield. This in fact cuts the City in half. What if an ambulance is coming from North Montgomery Avenue going to Keller Hospital? They have to sit and wait on the train. What if there is a problem south of the tracks that requires Police presence? But all the crossings are blocked.  

Some people have said that you can drive to the Tuscumbia crossing on Blackwell Road or go to the crossing at Avalon. Well, if it was your loved one in that Ambulance do you want them to have to drive all over the place to cross the train tracks? What if that loved one does not have time to live and not getting them directly to the Hospital causes their death?  

There is a definite problem. County Commissioner Tommy Barnes has stated that he has observed a train blocking a crossing for over an hour. There has been talk for years of an over pass in Sheffield. Well that is great but I don’t see that happening anytime soon. I think the Cities of Sheffield, Tuscumbia and Muscle Shoals should contact Norfork-Southern and come up with a solution to this problem.  

Is it going to have to take the death of someone in an Ambulance waiting for a train and the resulting Civil Lawsuit to get action for this problem?

Sheffield Loses Again

This past Tuesday, the City of Sheffield lost 2 Police Officers and 1 Firerighter. All 3 City Employees had been with the City for some time. But, you know what; I guess the City Council doesn’t see it as a problem. They will just hire someone else, send them to training and then they will leave. It is a vicious cycle.

Billy Underwood

First off, I don’t know Billy Underwood, more than saying hi to him a couple of times. I have read what the TimesDaily and various news sources have written about him recently about his arrest. Now, I might just be a country bumpkin, but I have to think that Mr. Underwood is smarter than to become involved in a scandal or which he is accused.  

Mr. Underwood is good at his job. He is an Attorney that is best suited for certain types of litigation. I am sure he has p***ed some folks off during his career. I think that there is more to this story that has been published. Is this a personal vendetta against Mr. Underwood from someone that he might have p***ed off?   

Remember folks, just because it was in the newspaper or on TV, it is not the Gospel. All of this could be wrong. So, with that, I am saying, I will support Mr. Underwood.  

 “Give them hell, Billy.”

That’s it for now. But remember, the Midnight Rider will always be around to voice his/her/their (?) opinion.  

I am and always will be

the Midnight Rider

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Since the election season is upon us, we will be publishing guest commentaries from several readers. We invite these submissiona, but reserve the right to edit to remove libelous content. Please stick to policy if at all possible; then again, if the candidate kills, cooks, and eats kittens, our readers might just want to know that little fact...

A Valentine's Wish for Everyone, Especially Lauderdale County

If we could give our leaders any gift this Valentine's Day, it would be to place a little more love in their hearts...and to put it poetically, not so much love in other parts. Anyone heard from Bobby and Becky recently?

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It hasn't been all that long ago that Michelle Obama took flak for stating she hadn't always been proud of her country. Today, we're publicly stating we're not particularly proud of our county at this moment.

After the Lauderdale County Commission meeting Monday night, a member was overheard saying the current policy on animal confiscations would not be changed. Why? It seems they don't think sole animal control officer Dwayne Oliver is capable of handling a gun and officers who confiscate property should be armed.

Send Oliver to be trained? Ah, here's the kicker: They don't think he's worth it. We hope Oliver is reading this. We hope he resigns and the commission is forced to hire someone certified in weapons. Voila! Problem solved.

We're pretty much in favor of voting out any commissioners who refuse to vote to change this law. How about you, Lauderdale County voters?

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Lest you think the commission is the only entity in Lauderdale County that doesn't care about animal welfare, look no farther than circuit court. We all know that just saying something doesn't make it so; a career criminal who says his cousin helps spring him from jail is probably blowing smoke (Gerald Surratt's grandmother and Judge Ben Graves' grandfather were siblings). 

So, no, we don't blame Graves for any accident of birth. What we do blame him for is returning animals to abusive owners. We've been sent a list of cases where Graves has done just that. What have the owners done? They've continued their abusive behavior, and nothing has changed. 

Abusive individuals are just that...abusive to animals, spouses, and children alike. We may not be able to put an end to it, but we can put a dent in it. Let's elect those who walk the walk, shall we?