MEDIA RELEASE
Date: March 2, 2012
Time: 2:30 PM
The Levy County Sheriff's Office is proud to announce the transfer of Lt. Shawn Hunt from the Uniform Patrol Division to the first ever Agriculture/Marine Unit. In the history of the Sheriff's Office the citizens have never had a full time Ag/Marine Investigator. The Sheriff's Office is offering another outreach program to work throughout our county with our farmers, timber business owners and clam farms in Cedar Key. The duties will consist of investigating any Ag related crimes, educating the farmers by giving crime prevention tips and Community Policing
Levy County, the ninth largest in the State of Florida, has over 1100 square miles to cover. This Unit will patrol waterways including rivers, estuaries, and the Gulf of Mexico. The Ag investigator will work closely with city, county, state and federal agencies.
The Agricultural Crimes Unit patrols all of the agricultural areas, along with any other type of land that the Road Patrol Deputies cannot routinely patrol. The Ag investigator will respond to all routine and emergency calls within these areas including agricultural related crimes involving the citrus industry, nurseries, livestock, and environmental related complaints. These can range from illegal dumping to toxic chemical and waste hazards. This Unit works closely with the Levy County Animal Control Services on livestock and animal related issues. The Ag investigator will be the liaison between the agricultural community and the Sheriff's Office.
The Marine Unit is a specialized unit that has a unique job within the agency. It handles various nautical complaints and assists lost boaters on the waterways in Levy County. The Marine Unit is involved in Boater's Safety Classes, Vessel Inspections, Marina Inspections, Navigational Hazards and Enforcement of Florida's Boating Laws. This Unit will assist in missing/lost person cases in areas where the Road Patrol Units are unable to provide assistance due to the terrain. It is at that time that the specialized equipment such as ATV's, airboats and four wheel drive vehicles of the Marine Unit are necessary. Other duties include investigating thefts of boats, boating equipment, burglaries to boat docks and boat houses. The Agricultural/Marine Unit will also respond to all emergencies throughout the county due to natural disasters or critical events.
Lt. Shawn Hunt began his career at the Levy County Sheriff's Office in 1989. Hunt has worked in the Uniform Patrol Division, K-9 Unit, Drug Unit and served as Watch Commander with the Patrol Division. Hunt is native Floridian and hails from Williston. Hunt has experience in farming and has a good rapport with our local farmers in Levy County.
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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