Bronson Man Arrested for Child Neglect

April 5, 2016

On April 4, 2016 at approximately 4 pm Deputy Shelby Kilian was flagged down by a citizen at the Bronson Laundromat. The citizen told Deputy Kilian she found a screaming infant locked inside a vehicle with the windows rolled up, parked in a parking space in front of the Laundromat. The citizen was unable to immediately locate a parent nearby.

Deputy Kilian located the owner of the vehicle, identified as Nelson Santo Perez (12-13-84) who was inside the Laundromat with three other small children. Deputy Kilian ordered Perez to open the locked vehicle and to remove the infant. Deputy Kilian reported Perez appeared to be unconcerned and was prompted numerous times to react faster to unlock and remove the baby from the hot vehicle parked in direct sunlight. Deputy Kilian found the infant was drenched in sweat and her breathing was labored. Perez stood by as Deputy Kilian undressed the child in efforts to cool her. Perez’s main concern was he would be fined by Deputy Kilian. EMS responded and recommended transporting the baby to the hospital for further treatment. Perez initially refused to allow the baby to be transported. 

Ultimately Perez agreed to allow EMS to transport the baby to Shands at UF to be evaluated. Doctors recommended the child be kept overnight for observation. The Department of Children and Family Services responded and have opened their own investigation. 

LCSO Investigators were able to retrieve the video surveillance footage from the Laundromat and determined Perez entered the Laundromat with three small children and was inside for approximately 20 minutes before Deputy Kilian arrived. 

Perez was located at his home later this same evening and Deputies arrested him for felony neglect of a child. Perez is being held at the Levy County Detention Facility. His bond has been set at $100,000.00. 

The infant is expected to make a full recovery.

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Lt. Scott Tummond
Public Information
Levy County Sheriff's Office
(352) 486-5111

"Know Something We Don't" Call Crime Stoppers 1-877-349-8477 remain anonymous.

Multi-County Burglaries

April 4, 2016

Levy County and surrounding counties have been experiencing a trend in daytime burglaries. Homes in our rural areas are being forced into and ransacked by unknown suspect(s). The burglars are taking guns, jewelry and cash as well as other valuables.

These burglaries began in mid-January and are continuing. Levy County has experienced eight of these incidents in several different areas of the county. Burglaries with similarities are also being reported in surrounding counties including Citrus. In addition, Citrus County is investigating a homicide that was discovered on Friday at 6662 W. Candier Ct., Dunnellon. The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office found this homicide scene has similarities to the burglaries that have occurred in Levy County.

The Sheriff’s Criminal Investigation Division (CID) considers these burglaries top priority and is asking for our citizens to remain vigilant. The Sheriff’s CID is working closely with these other agencies as they develop and follow up on all leads. 

Sheriff McCallum urges our public to lock their doors, turn on alarms and report suspicious activities immediately to 9-1-1. Sheriff McCallum says, “Any suspicious activity observed by the citizens we protect, if reported immediately, could help solve these cases. If you see something that just doesn’t seem right, call 9-1-1.” Try to gather as much information as possible such as the make, model, tag number and color of any vehicles seen and descriptions of any people to include what they are wearing.  In order to maintain their safety, LCSO recommends that citizens avoid any potential confrontation with suspicious persons. 

 

If you have any information regarding these incidents, you can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-877-349-8477.

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Lt. Scott Tummond
Public Information
Levy County Sheriff's Office
(352) 486-5111

"Know Something We Don't" Call Crime Stoppers 1-877-349-8477 remain anonymous.

Fleeing Suspect Arrested

April 1, 2016

The Levy County Sheriff’s Office 911 Center received several calls from citizens reporting a reckless driver on SR 121 at approximately 11:30 pm last night. Deputy Ryan Sullivan located the green Mustang described by the 911 callers as it turned on to US 19 in Lebanon Station driving south in the north bound lane. 

Deputy Sullivan paralleled the Mustang driving south in the north bound lane with his emergency lights and siren on attempting to gain the driver’s attention and get him stopped. However, the driver identified as Shane Steven Sparks (12-17-72) accelerated to speeds in excess of 100 mph into on-coming traffic. Deputy Justin T. Mashburn, who assisted Deputy Sullivan, blocked the north bound traffic just north of the Town of Inglis in an attempt to protect other motorists.  

Deputy Sullivan’s attempts to stop Sparks were unsuccessful. Sparks continued to flee from Deputy Sullivan and when he approached Deputy Mashburn’s roadblock, he intentionally swerved to strike Deputy Mashburn’s patrol vehicle. Deputy Sullivan was authorized to utilize the PIT maneuver and was able to successfully stop Sparks before he caused injury to other motorists.

Upon being taken into custody, Deputies suspected Sparks was under the influence of unknown substances. He was transported to Seven Rivers Hospital and was cleared medically before being transported to the Levy County Detention Facility for booking. Sparks has been charged with fleeing and attempt to elude Law Enforcement, reckless driving, assault on a Law Enforcement Officer and possession of narcotics. This investigation is still on-going and additional charges could be filed. He is currently being held on a $250,000 bond.

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Lt. Scott Tummond
Public Information
Levy County Sheriff's Office(352) 486-5111

"Know Something We Don't" Call Crime Stoppers 1-877-349-8477 remain anonymous.

Sheriff McCallum Honors Retiree and Member Awards

Lieutenant Perry Ott

Investigator Robert Bowers

Telecommunicator Sarah Moore

Corrections Officer Betty Watson

Administrative Employee Patty Galyean

March 18, 2016

On March 15, 2016 the Levy County Sheriff’s Office held their semi-annual staff meeting. During this meeting Sheriff McCallum honored recent retiree Lieutenant Perry Ott. Lt. Ott served the citizens of Levy County and became a member of the LCSO family in 1988. Lt. Ott began his career with LCSO in the Jail and transferred to the Patrol Division in November of 1989. He served in our Patrol Division and advanced through the ranks being promoted to Lieutenant in February of 2012.  His responsibilities include Watch Commander of the Alpha shift and as a Field Training Officer he is responsible for training and supervising the majority of our current Patrol Deputies. Lt. Ott joins his wife Linda in retirement and is looking forward to traveling the country and riding his motorcycle. His “can do” attitude and positive influence will truly be missed.  

Sheriff McCallum recognized and conducted the official swearing in of our newest members. Samantha Gilliard (Telecommunicator), Heather Lindsey (Telecommunicator), Raquel Alfonso (Victim Advocate), Paula Kennedy (Human Resource Director), Gloria Kilian (Professional Standards Assistant), Gary Garboski (Patrol Division), Amanda Lugo (Detention Bureau), Tonya Gainey (Detention Bureau) and Lee Dunn (Fleet Manager) took their Oath of Office and were welcomed into the LCSO family.

Sheriff McCallum recognized recent promotions and transfers and also congratulated Sergeant Joey Gore (Detention Bureau), Sergeant Anne Stacey (Detention Bureau) and Corporal Mayra Carroll (Detention Bureau) for their continued exceptional service. Lt. Jimmy Anderson is now assigned the responsibility of supervision of both the Alpha and Bravo Patrol units. Lt. Duane Dykstra is now assigned the responsibility of supervision of the Drug Task Force and Criminal Investigations Division. Lt. Scott Tummond is now assigned the responsibility of supervision of the Professional Standards Division. 

Five Lifesaving awards were presented by Sheriff McCallum. He honored the fast action of Detention Bureau members Nurse Jinean English, Sergeant Joey Gore, Corporal Mayra Carroll and Officer Hubert Capps in their successful efforts which saved the life of a detainee. Additionally, Sheriff McCallum honored Telecommunicator Ashley Dean after successfully instructing a citizen in proper CPR techniques which saved the life of a citizen in distress. Sheriff McCallum honored Telecommuicator Supervisor Nicki Burbach-Knight with the Sheriff’s Award as she was able to calmly and clearly give a father instruction which allowed him to successfully deliver his child.

Sheriff McCallum concluded the meeting by honoring the LCSO member selected as Employees of the Year. This award exemplifies the hard work and dedication of the member who exceeds expectations going above and beyond their regularly assigned duties. Investigator Robert Bowers was awarded the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award. Telecommunicator Sarah Moore was awarded the Officer of the Year award for the Communications Division. Corrections Officer Betty Watson was awarded the Detention Bureau Officer of the Year award. Civilian Employee Patty Galyean was awarded the Administration Division Employee of the Year award. 

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Lt. Scott Tummond
Public Information
Levy County Sheriff's Office
(352) 486-5111

"Know Something We Don't" Call Crime Stoppers 1-877-349-8477 remain anonymous.

Multiple Residential Burglaries Solved

March 18, 2016

The Levy County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division arrested Matthew John Bennett (4-25-83) on March 15, 2016, who was a suspect in multiple residential burglaries in the Chiefland area just west of the City Limits. Victims reported jewelry and other valuables were taken.

Bennett was developed as a person of interest after deputies responded to a residential burglary scene at a home located on NW 64 Terrace on March 9^th. Crime Scene Investigators located unique foot print impressions near the home and collected blood from a broken window at the point of entry. Investigators learned Bennett had recently been released from the Florida Department of Corrections and had registered an address with his probation officer which is near the victim’s home. Bennett wears a prosthetic leg which gave explanation to the unique foot print impressions discovered at this scene.

Before investigators could positively link Bennett to this crime, he struck again. LCSO responded to a burglary report on NW 115 Street, which is within walking distance of Bennett’s home. This homeowner discovered his house had been burglarized when he returned home for lunch. The victim reported jewelry and other valuables had been taken.

Local business cooperation led to these cases being solved. Bennett and a female accomplice sold the recently stolen jewelry to a local business. The business owner contacted LCSO to report this transaction. Investigators located Bennett and the female walking away from the business, and were able to follow them back to his home.

Investigators Tom Martin and Zeb Richburg contacted Bennett and arrested him. They were able to recover jewelry and other merchandise positively linking Bennett to three recently reported burglaries. The majority of the recovered property has been identified by the owners and returned. However, this investigation is still ongoing and Bennett is suspect in other local crimes.

Bennett is being held at the Levy County Detention Facility where he is charged with burglary and grand theft. His bond has been set at $260,000. 

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Lt. Scott Tummond
Public Information
Levy County Sheriff's Office
(352) 486-5111

"Know Something We Don't" Call Crime Stoppers 1-877-349-8477 remain anonymous.