Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Ohio Sex Offender Captured in Bronson




January 20, 2015

On January 16, 2015 LCSO Corporal Mike Bell of the Patrol Division responded to a verbal disturbance at 11150 NE 110 Terrace in the University Oaks subdivision. While conducting his investigation, Corporal Bell learned John H. Whitfield (4-20-79) was residing at this home.  He also learned that Whitfield had fled the residence on foot when he arrived.

Cpl. Bell requested a wanted persons’ check on Whitfield.  Corporal Bell determined Whitfield was wanted in Ohio for trafficking in marijuana and was listed as having violent tendencies. Whitfield was also convicted of rape in Ohio. Whitfield was released from custody in 2006 from the Ohio Department of Corrections. Cpl. Bell conducted further investigation and determined Whitfield had not registered as a sex offender in the State of Florida. Cpl. Bell learned Whitfield had been residing at this home in Levy County since December 11th of 2014.

At approximately 1600 hours Cpl. Bell received information Whitfield had returned to the home. Just prior to his arrival, Whitfield fled again.  Deputy Clint Anderson and his K-9 partner Nero responded to the scene.  After receiving a tip from concerned citizen Carrie Brown, Whitfield was apprehended in a nearby wooded lot.

Whitfield is being held in the Levy County Detention Facility after being charged with resisting arrest without violence and failure to register as a sex offender. His bond has been set at $165,000.00. Whitfield will be taken back to face his charges in Ohio when his charges in Florida have been heard by the courts.

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Lt. Scott Tummond
Criminal Investigations Division
Levy County Sheriff's Office
(352) 486-5111
"Know Something We Don't" Call Crime Stoppers 1-877-349-8477 remain anonymous.