August 30, 2016
John Smith (no we didn’t make up his name) 2-19-84 was
arrested on August 18, 2016 at a mobile home located at 13750 NW 88 Terrace in
Chiefland. Smith caught the attention of the Sheriff’s Criminal Investigation
Division several weeks prior based upon a tip. Investigators learned Smith had
traveled to the Chiefland area from Lee County and was wanted by Lee County
Sheriff’s Office for burglary and grand theft. It was also rumored Smith had
transported illegal weapons from Lee County to Chiefland. Investigators noticed
a spike in residential burglaries in this same general area, but were uncertain
of Smith’s exact location until August 18th.
LCSO Investigators arrived at the home on 88th
Terrace and contacted the home owner who was not related to Smith. Investigators
established a perimeter around the home and the owner allowed investigators to
search for Smith. Smith was not immediately located. Investigators interviewed
Megan Wilk (6-17-86), later determined to be Smith’s girlfriend, who gave
conflicting stories as to Smith’s current whereabouts.
Investigators thoroughly searched the room Smith and Wilk
were living in and found a trap door in the floor. The trap door had been
covered by a piece of furniture. Investigators broadened their search and did
locate Smith hiding in the crawl space underneath the mobile home. He was taken
into custody without incident. Investigators arrested Wilk for obstruction/resisting
arrest without violence, as it was impossible for Smith to place the piece of
furniture back on top of the trap door after he exited.
Numerous firearms were found loaded and unsecured inside the
home and drug paraphernalia was found in the room Smith and Wilk shared with
their small child. The firearms were determined to belong to the home owner and
had not been previously reported stolen.
Smith was booked into the Levy County Detention Facility. He
was charged with the outstanding Lee County warrant and resisting arrest
without violence. His bond has been set at $135,000. Wilk was booked into the
Detention Facility and charged with obstruction and child neglect, which is
based upon the discovery of the drug paraphernalia found within easy reach of
her child. Her bond has been set at $30,000.
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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.
