MEDIA RELEASE
Date: May 30, 2011
Time: 8:15 AM
On Saturday, 5/28/11, at approximately 12:58 AM, James George a family member of the recently deceased owner of Hershel's Quick Stop, in Otter Creek reported a burglary in progress. George stated to deputies that he had a bad feeling that someone might attempt to break into the store, so he remained inside the store after the business closed. George reported that he heard glass breakage three times and seen Brian Smetana running towards the business armed with a fence post. Smetana hurled the fence post through the window and George armed himself with a 44 caliber pistol. George gave a verbal warning and then fired one round not trying to hit Smetana. After the shot was fired Smetana immediately ran on foot and was later located by deputies at his residence in Otter Creek.
Smetana stated to Investigator Roger Bell that his mother used to work at the store and was let go. Smetana advised that he shot three times with a BB gun into the store. Smetana then armed himself with a fence post and through the post through the glass door. Smetana told Investigators that he was surprised that someone was inside the store and they fired a shot in his direction. Smetana stated that he had no intentions to entering the store, but was mad that his mother was terminated from the store.
Smetana was arrested for shooting into an occupied dwelling. Smetana bonded out ($15,000) of jail on May 28, 2011.
On May 29, 2011 the Levy County Sheriff's Office received a 9-1-1 call in the Cedar Key area. A mother, of a 15 year old child reported that Brian Smetana used a ladder and entered her daughter's bedroom. The complainant found Smetana naked in her daughter's bedroom and held him at gun point until deputies arrived on the scene.
The investigation revealed that the victim knew Smetana and they have been having sexual intercourse for the past two months. Smetana admitted to having sex with the 15 year old and he was arrested for lewd & lascivious sexual battery with a child.
Defendant:
Brian Anthony Smetana
250 N. Otter Creek Ave.
Otter Creek, Fl
W/M, 07/02/1992
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Major Evan Sullivan
Levy County Sheriff's Office
FBI-National Academy 183rd Session
Office: 352-486-5446
Cell: 352-577-4218