Still Missing FL - Steven Cozzi, lawyer, Largo, 21 March 2023 *plastic surgeon arrested*

[CSIDreamer]

In

My assumption is it's a two-part device. The switcher attaches to the back of the car as a license plate holder, while the controller has buttons that allow you to change the plate while driving.

The below photo from an Amazon listing is an example of what I mean.


View attachment 412619


The Tundra had unregistered NJ plates that were either stolen or belonged to the previous owner. TK never registered the truck in Florida, I believe.

I think the Corolla had the switcher because that was TK's regular car and the car he used to transport SC's body to the Everglades. He probably figured that he could evade capture if the license plate cameras along his route didn't recognize his plates.

Kind of makes me wonder how long he's had a need to conceal his license plates. JMO

 

[Tealgrove]

I really feel for SC’s loved ones as I fear his body will never be recovered. I’d be shocked if it was but this guy is so stupid and brazen that maybe he didn’t think through the disposal part of his plan.

So very sad.

MOO

 

[Nila Aella]

I really feel for SC’s loved ones as I fear his body will never be recovered. I’d be shocked if it was but this guy is so stupid and brazen that maybe he didn’t think through the disposal part of his plan.

So very sad.

MOO

I'm hoping LE gets helpful information from these reported on the car return:

Apple I phone
TracFone
USB
Laptop
I pad
GPS tracker

I didn't know what a TracFone was:

TracFone Wireless - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

MOO

 

[Nila Aella]

In

Kind of makes me wonder how long he's had a need to conceal his license plates. JMO

Me too.
Did he buy it specifically for this crime or has he had it a long time? If he had it a long time, why?
JMO

 

[Nila Aella]

If he was dumped in the everglades that doesn't seem to likely.

From the Search warrant: His car was captured four hours South (3/21 at 9:36pm).

...license plate EMFK38 was captured in the area of 52195 Tamiami Trail East, Ochopee, FL 34341

I checked this area and the location is right by Big Cypress National Preserve/Big Cypress WIldlife Management Area, Everglades and Francis S Taylor WIldlife Management Area, and approximately half hour North of the Everglades National Park.

MOO
edit added date and time plate was captured

 

[Nila Aella]

Checking the last siting of him, I wondered where his last place of employment was compared to the siting. Straight on that road about an hour. JMO

From the Search warrant: His car was captured four hours South (3/21 at 9:36pm).

...license plate EMFK38 was captured in the area of 52195 Tamiami Trail East, Ochopee, FL 34341

I checked this area and the location is right by Big Cypress National Preserve/Big Cypress WIldlife Management Area, Everglades and Francis S Taylor WIldlife Management Area, and approximately half hour North of the Everglades National Park.

MOO
edit added date and time plate was captured

Replying to my own post to correct the Everglades National Park bit: After checking maps: It takes 1hr 46 minutes from where his car was captured to reach Everglades National Park by road. MOO

 

[Gloomy Bear]

WELL. This has been a wild thread to read. Innocent Steven was ripped away from this world for no good reason. I don't think we'll ever find his body. As for TK, a criminal mastermind he is not. He has the audacity to carry this out in broad daylight, be caught on camera, leave behind fingerprints, smears of blood in multiple places, and his "kit." He may have excellent anatomical knowledge coupled with steady hands, but clearly he also has zero emotional regulation and a severe lack of critical thinking skills. I will be glad to get this person out of society for good.

 

[Marysmith]

I wonder if this will be a death penalty case.

 

[Nila Aella]

I wonder if this will be a death penalty case.

Florida lists 16 aggravating factors according to wiki. I think number 9 fits.

Number 9:
It was committed in a cold, calculated, and premeditated manner without any pretense of moral or legal justification

Capital punishment in Florida - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

And this 2 days ago about lowering the threshold for death penalty:

Legislation lowering Florida death sentence threshold nears DeSantis' desk

The legislation, wanted by Gov. Ron DeSantis, makes it so only eight out of 12 jury members can recommend death sentences.

www.tallahassee.com

 

[Jemma]

It's kind of strange that he received over 30 reviews in a 2 year period, and then no reviews over the last four years. Presumably he's been working steadily this whole time.

Was he somehow getting more recent (and less positive) reviews deleted?

Covid, i’m sure from 2020-2021 he had a hard time his surgeries are elective and wouldn’t have been able to do them.

 

[Nila Aella]

The sherriffs office charge report listed this as the statute 782.04(1)(A)/F

Who`s In Jail -

www.pcsoweb.com

Does the F mean Felony murder or do that they think it happened during a kidnapping?
MOO

From FL statutes:

Title XLVI CRIMES Chapter 782 HOMICIDE View Entire Chapter

782.04 Murder.— (1)(a) The unlawful killing of a human being: 1. When perpetrated from a premeditated design to effect the death of the person killed or any human being; 2. When committed by a person engaged in the perpetration of, or in the attempt to perpetrate, any: a. Trafficking offense prohibited by s. 893.135(1), b. Arson, c. Sexual battery, d. Robbery, e. Burglary, f. Kidnapping, g. Escape, h. Aggravated child abuse, i. Aggravated abuse of an elderly person or disabled adult, j. Aircraft piracy, k. Unlawful throwing, placing, or discharging of a destructive device or bomb, l. Carjacking, m. Home-invasion robbery, n. Aggravated stalking, o. Murder of another human being, p. Resisting an officer with violence to his or her person, q. Aggravated fleeing or eluding with serious bodily injury or death, r. Felony that is an act of terrorism or is in furtherance of an act of terrorism, including a felony under s. 775.30, s. 775.32, s. 775.33, s. 775.34, or s. 775.35, or s. Human trafficking; or 3. Which resulted from the unlawful distribution by a person 18 years of age or older of any of the following substances, or mixture containing any of the following substances, when such substance or mixture is proven to be the proximate cause of the death of the user: a. A substance controlled under s. 893.03(1); b. Cocaine, as described in s. 893.03(2)(a)4.; c. Opium or any synthetic or natural salt, compound, derivative, or preparation of opium; d. Methadone; e. Alfentanil, as described in s. 893.03(2)(b)1.; f. Carfentanil, as described in s. 893.03(2)(b)6.; g. Fentanyl, as described in s. 893.03(2)(b)9.; h. Sufentanil, as described in s. 893.03(2)(b)30.; i. Methamphetamine, as described in s. 893.03(2)(c)5.; or j. A controlled substance analog, as described in s. 893.0356, of any substance specified in sub-subparagraphs a.-i., is murder in the first degree and constitutes a capital felony, punishable as provided in s. 775.082. (b) In all cases under this section, the procedure set forth in s. 921.141 shall be followed in order to determine sentence of death or life imprisonment. If the prosecutor intends to seek the death penalty, the prosecutor must give notice to the defendant and file the notice with the court within 45 days after arraignment. The notice must contain a list of the aggravating factors the state intends to prove and has reason to believe it can prove beyond a reasonable doubt. The court may allow the prosecutor to amend the notice upon a showing of good cause.

Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes : Online Sunshine

And here is the FL statute 921.141 to determine sentence of death or life imprisonment.

Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes : Online Sunshine

 

[Nila Aella]

Answering my own post above: I think it means felony capital murder. Below is how it is listed in the pinellas county record. MOO

1.

MURDER IN THE FIRST DEGREE

782.04(1)(A)

FELONY - CAPITAL

03/21/2023

View Records

View Public Records, Court Records, Search Records

www.mypinellasclerk.org

 

[SeesSeas]

Answering my own post above: I think it means felony capital murder. Below is how it is listed in the pinellas county record. MOO

1.

MURDER IN THE FIRST DEGREE

782.04(1)(A)

FELONY - CAPITAL

03/21/2023

View Records

View Public Records, Court Records, Search Records

www.mypinellasclerk.org

Yes, FELONY CAPITAL MURDER.
The charge requires a Grand Jury indictment within 30 days of his arrest.

Rule 3.140 - INDICTMENTS; INFORMATIONS, Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.140 | Casetext Search + Citator

Read Rule 3.140 - INDICTMENTS; INFORMATIONS, Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.140, see flags on bad law, and search Casetext’s comprehensive legal database

casetext.com

Rule 3.140 - INDICTMENTS; INFORMATIONS
(a) Methods of Prosecution.
(1)Capital Crimes. An offense that may be punished by death shall be prosecuted by indictment.

Rule 3.134 - TIME FOR FILING FORMAL CHARGES, Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.134 | Casetext Search + Citator

Read Rule 3.134 - TIME FOR FILING FORMAL CHARGES, Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.134, see flags on bad law, and search Casetext’s comprehensive legal database

casetext.com

Rule 3.134 - TIME FOR FILING FORMAL CHARGES
The state shall file formal charges on defendants in custody by information, or indictment, or in the case of alleged misdemeanors by whatever documents constitute a formal charge, within 30 days from the date on which defendants are arrested or from the date of the service of capiases upon them.

More detail:

https://www.flcourts.gov/content/download/217910/file/Florida-Rules-of-Criminal-Procedure.pdf

Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure
Table of Contents

 

[megs1477]

Checking the last siting of him, I wondered where his last place of employment was compared to the siting. Straight on that road about an hour. JMO

Replying to my own post to correct the Everglades National Park bit: After checking maps: It takes 1hr 46 minutes from where his car was captured to reach Everglades National Park by road. MOO

Just a note from my own experience having driven Alligator Alley multiple times, the fence to keep the gators back is very close to the road (10-20' or less in many places). There used to frequently be breaks in the fence. Gators were lined up along the fence line to sun themselves. For someone who isn't a fan, it was a very creepy sight. There are numerous pull offs along the way for small communities mostly indigenous/off the grid living. There are endless opportunities to make something "disappear", especially if you have assistance. Which is tragic to think about.

 

[raja]

There is a horrible story today about a baby found in the mouth of an alligator in Florida. I think there is a thread here somewhere about his mothers murder and the baby missing. Absolutely horrible. It made me think about what may have happened to SC. Just terrifying.

 

[PayrollNerd]

My very first memory of Alligator Alley was as a 9-10 year old. Traffic was down to one lane because an alligator decided to sun themselves horizontally across the road. That was 50 years ago, early 1970s, when you drove US41, which is south of the existing I-75. I tell this because if you wanted to dispose of something in the water, you wouldn't drive I-75. There are rest areas, a few entrances to hiking trails but no immediate access to water beyond a canal.

If the perp disposed of the remains in water, he had to have driven on US41, then come back onto I-75 where he was caught on camera. The rest areas and along I-75 are fenced and you wouldn't be able to do anything stealth, like hide a body. Of course, this my opinion. I've vacationed in Everglades City, taken an airboat tour and gone on a buggy into the swamp. You could definitely get to the water quite easily as there is little traffic, and it's mostly a 2 lane road.

If he truly did get out of his car down in that area, the debris on his shoes and clothing should tell a story. If the remains were wrapped in anything, it would get caught up in the foliage along the waters edge.

 

[Nila Aella]

My very first memory of Alligator Alley was as a 9-10 year old. Traffic was down to one lane because an alligator decided to sun themselves horizontally across the road. That was 50 years ago, early 1970s, when you drove US41, which is south of the existing I-75. I tell this because if you wanted to dispose of something in the water, you wouldn't drive I-75. There are rest areas, a few entrances to hiking trails but no immediate access to water beyond a canal.

If the perp disposed of the remains in water, he had to have driven on US41, then come back onto I-75 where he was caught on camera. The rest areas and along I-75 are fenced and you wouldn't be able to do anything stealth, like hide a body. Of course, this my opinion. I've vacationed in Everglades City, taken an airboat tour and gone on a buggy into the swamp. You could definitely get to the water quite easily as there is little traffic, and it's mostly a 2 lane road.

If he truly did get out of his car down in that area, the debris on his shoes and clothing should tell a story. If the remains were wrapped in anything, it would get caught up in the foliage along the waters edge.


View attachment 412819


View attachment 412820

I looked up the address they gave in the search warrant. He was captured on camera in Ochopee on 41 (on your map, just East of Big Cypress WIldlife Management Area).

52195 Tamiami trail east, Ochopee FL 34341 (3/21 9:36pm)

MOO

 

[PayrollNerd]

I looked up the address they gave in the search warrant. He was captured on camera in Ochopee on 41 (on your map, just East of Big Cypress WIldlife Management Area).

52195 Tamiami trail east, Ochopee FL 34341 (3/21 9:36pm)

MOO

I was trying to find the camera location he was caught on last night but I was very tired. Thanks for providing it. I suspect he didn't drive I-75 at all then. He was likely on US 41 the whole way to Miami.

I doubt he stopped at the air strip / visitor center at night. There would be cameras to pick him up if he decided to take that trail into the swamp.

 

[SeesSeas]

This case is haunting me. I'm long-time local Pinellas County and I live about half-way between the Largo law office and TK's Tarpon Springs home. I also worked for decades in Pinellas medical offices and law firms and have had my share of disconcerting exposure to unhinged doctors involved in lawsuits.

My current thoughts are that TK disposed of the body near his home or the medical office.

I am trying to assess the timeframe for TK's drive on 3/21/23 from Tarpon Springs to Miami.

Referencing the AFFIDAVIT. . . TK left Tarpon Springs in the red Toyota Corolla at 5 PM.
This drive would be rush-hour traffic time. In favorable traffic, it takes about one hour to travel from north to south Pinellas County (Tarpon Springs to St Pete Sunshine Skyway). Doubtful he was speeding. During rush hour, this drive likely took 1.5 hours.

Note: 3/21 travel timing per AFFIDAVIT indicates about 3/4 hours travel time between the Largo law office and TK's home:
07:51 to 8:32 Home to law office (41 minutes)
11:16 to 11:58 Law office to home (42 minutes)

Per AFFIDAVIT, travel from Tarpon Springs to Ochopee 16:58 (4:58) to 9:36 = 4.5 hours.

At least an hour of the 4.5 hours would be N to S Pinellas County. So that leaves 3.5 hours
to travel St Pete to Ochopee.
Traveling US 41?
Disposing a body in the dark of night along the way?

March 21,2023
11:16:04 crew cab truck turn to northbound onto S Belcher Road
11:24:42 suspect truck was northbound on S Belcher Road, near the intersection of Gulf to Bay Boulevard
11:58 Toyota Tundra with the red/orange blanket still visible in the bed, driving north toward 511 Seaview Dr.
16:58 PM Toyota Corolla sedan leaves TK's Tarpon Springs home
9:36:51 PM EDT license plate EMFK38 (Toyota Corolla) - 52195 Tamiami Trail East, Ochopee,FL

Scribd

www.scribd.com

 

[Marysmith]

This case is haunting. I can’t even type what my worst fear is but I’m sure I’m not the only one that is thinking it.
I have almost never felt stronger that a case deserved the death penalty to be considered.