Donation Purchases K-9 Molly

August 4, 2017

Sheriff McCallum is proud to announce the addition of Molly, the newest member the K-9 Unit at the Levy County Sheriff’s Office. The addition of Molly to the Unit was made possible through a generous donation of $5,500.00 made by Mrs. Barbara Snow on behalf of the US War Dogs Association, Southern Chapter 2. Ms. Snow, Executive Director of the Southern Chapter, is not only a concerned citizen of Levy County, but also an active participant in the Levy County Sheriff’s Office K-9 program. She believes that the K-9 Unit is an essential component to the safety and wellbeing of the community. Ms. Snow presented the donation to Sheriff McCallum on July 28, 2017. Sheriff McCallum accepted the donation and expressed his sincere appreciation on behalf of the Agency, but more importantly on behalf of the citizens of Levy County. 

Molly has been partnered with Deputy Gary Garboski. The team recently graduated from Narcotics Detection and Interdiction Training with great success. Molly and Deputy Garboski are actively on the roads of Levy County pursuing those who choose to transport drugs. Several drug arrests have been made by Deputy Garboski due to Molly’s successful identification of the presence of narcotics during recent traffic stops. Molly’s addition to the LCSO augments the already active K-9 Drug Interdiction and Apprehension program.

Deadly Home Invasion in Williston

James Patterson

Ramon Patterson

August 4, 2017

The Levy County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division and Criminal Investigations Division responded to 4091 NE 212 Court in Williston shortly after midnight to a reported home invasion robbery and shooting. Deputies arrived and found James Patterson (10-4-89) and his brother Ramon Patterson (9-12-93) inside their home suffering from gunshot wounds. James Patterson did not survive his injuries and died while enroute to the hospital. Ramon Patterson is currently in surgery and is expected to recover from his wounds.

Investigators have few leads and are asking for the public’s assistance. If you have any information please contact the Sheriff’s Office at 352-486-5111, or if you wish to remain anonymous call Crime Stoppers at 1-877-349-8477.

18 Hours of Targeted Drug Enforcement

Hammock

Woods

Whyte

August 3, 2017

The Levy County Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force (DTF) and Uniformed Patrol Division conducted a targeted drug enforcement operation in the Rosewood/Cedar Key area of Levy County which began yesterday evening and continued into this morning. Citizens who reside in these areas of the county have filed complaints of recent drug activity in their neighborhoods and Sheriff McCallum answered their call.

Early yesterday afternoon, K-9 Sergeant K. Kinik conducted a traffic stop in Rosewood and with the assistance of his K-9 partner Zombie located marijuana and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle. The driver was issued a notice to appear in court for both of these misdemeanor violations and released at the scene.

Shortly afterwards, DTF investigators made a traffic stop on SR 24. DTF investigators arrested Chad Hammock (2-21-78) of Cedar Key for possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia, and Heather Woods (8-13-91) of Cedar Key for possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Investigators also seized 4 grams of methamphetamine (ICE) and 10.5 grams of marijuana during the stop. The investigation related to these narcotics is still on-going and additional charges could be filed.

This morning Matthew Whyte (5-14-91) was discovered by Deputy K. Davis parked in the Cedar Key State Preserve on SR 24. Deputy Davis spoke to Whyte and during this conversation found Whyte to be in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Whyte, who claimed to be homeless and listed no address, was arrested and transported to the Levy County Detention Facility. Additionally, DTF investigators located homemade objects in Whyte’s car that were obviously made to conceal and transport narcotics. This investigation is still on-going and additional charges could be filed.

Sheriff McCallum has allocated additional units to continue these drug enforcement operations in this and other communities in Levy County. Sheriff McCallum said, “I will continue efforts to rid our neighborhoods of the drug dealers and drug users as we strive to provide a safer environment for our children and families.”

Bronson Man Arrested for Capital Sexual Battery

August 2, 2017

Levy County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division investigators responded to Williston’s Regional General Hospital yesterday afternoon to a report of sexual abuse. The mother of a 10 year old girl said her child told her she had been forced to perform sexual acts. The mother brought the child to the hospital to be checked for injuries and make a report to law enforcement. The mother identified Richard Irving Avis (7-3-79) as the person who had abused her child. Investigators also spoke to the child who identified Avis and described various sexual acts she was forced to perform with him.

Investigators located and spoke to Avis. During their discussion, Avis admitted to performing inappropriate sexual acts with the 10 year old child. Avis further admitted these acts occurred at a home located on NE 92^nd Court in Bronson over a period of several years.

Avis has been arrested and charged with three counts of Capital Sexual Battery on a child under 12. He is being held at the Levy County Detention Facility and his bond has been set at $3 million dollars.