Search:
StoriesVideos
Home News 

Story

Man Remains Free Despite At Least 13 Arrests, 23 Charges

Monday, February 27, 2006

At least 13 arrests for 23 crimes from fraud to kidnapping to rape, but police and prosecutors said they can't get the man off the streets. After more than a dozen attempts, prosecutors finally sent Rayon Payne to prison, but a judge's oversight got that conviction thrown out of court.

In some cases, it's a technicality. In others, it's weak evidence. Officers from five Central Florida law enforcement agencies have arrested Payne, some more than once. They say it is absolutely frustrating that he's still on the streets.

Payne has enough mug shots to make his own pack of trading cards and he would be able to buy them, because he's a free man.

"He has served some time, probably not nearly enough. He has escaped the system," said Randy Means, State Attorney's Office.

Time and time and time again he escapes the system. Channel 9 uncovered at least 13 arrests on 23 charges, but very few convictions. In 1999, Orlando police arrested Payne for organized fraud and using stolen or counterfeit credit cards to buy equipment for his pirate radio station. In 2000, he pled no contest and was sentenced to five years probation. During that time, he was arrested for sexual battery, a violation that finally landed him in prison.

But Payne's lucky streak kicked in again. He appealed the sentence, saying when he entered his plea, Judge Bob Wattles never told him he could be deported to his home country of Guyana. An appellate court threw out the conviction and the sentence.

"Where does that stop? Do we have to tell the defendant they may lose their wife, they may lose their job? He should have served the five years," Means said.

The feds tried to deport him anyway, but then couldn't because there was no conviction. A sexual battery conviction was also overturned on appeal. The victim refused to participate in a second trial. The detective who investigated Payne’s original fraud case said officers won't give up.

"Mr. Payne has had a tremendous amount of luck and he's a smart individual, but if he continues on his path in the criminal justice system, eventually his luck will run out," said Detective Bill Moore, Orlando Police Department.

Channel 9 spoke with Payne by phone, but he refused to do an on-camera interview.

Judge Wattles, who took the plea that got thrown out, did not return calls.

Payne is still involved in one court battle with police. He's trying to get back the possessions seized in the fraud case, including a gun, radio equipment and the fraudulent credit cards and paperwork.

Orlando police are fighting to keep that from happening.

More Headlines

Strange News Photos

From brilliant to bizarre, this 99-photo slideshow captures a variety of strange news. Photos are added often, so prepare to be shocked and amused. Take A Look!

Submit News Video And Photos

Send Us Your Video And Photos!
If you're there when news happens, Eyewitness News wants to know! Send us your video or photographs of news events in the Central Florida area. Use your computer or cell phone, attach them to an email and send it to news@wftv.com.

By submitting photos, you agree to the terms of our license agreeement. READ THE AGREEMENT

Please note the following file requirements:
Video: No larger than 2 MB, mpg, .avi, 3GP
Photos: .Jpg or .Gif, No Larger than 500k

Eyewitness News Tipline
If you see news happening, give us a call. Or send a text to by going to News Tips on WFTV.com on your web-enabled cell phone. You can also email us at news@wftv.com.