Requesting Help to Identify

 

May 12, 2023

Levy County Detectives are seeking the public’s assistance to help identify three subjects captured on home surveillance attempting to break into vehicles. Today Deputies, Detectives and Crime Scene personnel responded to nine different reports in the Inglis and Yankeetown area and are attempting to identify the perpetrators.

Multiple theft reports were taken by deputies. These reported thefts were mainly from owners whose vehicles were unlocked. This is an unfortunate reminder that we must LOCK our vehicles every time they are left unattended, even if we are at home. Remove any valuables and firearms from inside the vehicle.

Anyone who can assist is asked to call the Levy County Sheriff’s Office Detective Rob Bowers at 352-486-5111 ext 266. Anonymous tips can be made to Crime Stoppers at 1-877-349-8477. You could be eligible for a cash reward.

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Chiefland Man Arrested for Sexual Misconduct

 

May 8, 2023

On May 2, 2023 the Levy County Sheriff’s Office opened an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct which occurred between John H. Jordan (2/20/63) of Chiefland and a 13 year old child. Detectives began their investigation conducting multiple interviews. In cooperation with the Florida Department of Children and Family Services Child Protection Team, Detectives obtained evidence of multiple sexual encounters Jordan had with the child which began in December of 2022.

On May 5, 2023 Detectives confronted Jordan at his home and obtained his statement. Jordan made statements to Detectives which corroborate details obtained from the victim and witnesses. Detectives took Jordan into custody at the conclusion of his statements.

A search warrant was also executed at Jordan’s home. Detectives collected multiple items from inside the home that will be forensically reviewed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Forensic Laboratory for DNA. Detectives also seized electronic devices which will also be examined.

Jordan was booked into the Levy County Detention Facility. He has been charged with two counts of Lewd and Lascivious Battery and two counts of Lewd and Lascivious Molestation. He is being held on and $1,300,000.00 bond. 

This investigation is still on-going and Detectives are requesting assistance from anyone who may have information to contact Detective Ryan Sullivan at 352-486-5111 ext. 360. Anyone who wishes to make an anonymous tip can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-877-349-8477.

 

Missing Children Located in Colorado

April 25, 2023

Yesterday, April 24, 2023 the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in cooperation with the Levy County Sheriff’s Office issued a nationwide missing child alert. Levy County Sheriff’s Office Detectives were working with the Florida Department of Children and Family Services (DCF) to execute an order of protective custody for two children, Raiden Phoenix (1 year old) and Ember Willoughby (11 months). The children were temporarily placed in the custody of Raymond Otero (48) of Williston when the children’s mother, Hailey Palmer (21) of Williston was arrested for an outstanding warrant issued from the State of Indiana. Palmer was extradited to Indiana where she is being held and her release date is unknown.

Raymond Otero refused to cooperate with DCF Agents during the investigation and fled the State of Florida with the children. Shortly before midnight last night the Levy County Sheriff’s Office was notified that the children had been located in Colorado. Law Enforcement at the Rocky Ford Police Department in Otero County Colorado reported Raymond Otero dropped the children off at their station and left. Both children are in good health and are being cared for until they can be picked up by representatives of DCF. Raymond Otero did not want to speak to law enforcement and his current location is unknown.

Levy County Sheriff’s Office is still working on this investigation. Detectives are seeking a warrant for Raymond Otero for interference of custody. Anyone who has information related to this investigation is asked to contact Lieutenant Mike Narayan at 352-486-5111. You can make an anonymous tip by contacting Crime Stoppers at 1-877-349-8477.
 

Inglis Man Pays More Than His Bar Tab- Sentenced to Four Years for Battery on Law Enforcement Officer

 

April 20, 2023

On January 8, 2023 nearing midnight, Deputy Nelson Macias was on patrol in Inglis. He witnessed what he thought was a disturbance occurring in the parking lot of Our Pub as he drove past. He turned in to the business and saw two men yelling at each other. He approached the two men to inquire if everything was ok. Deputy Macias was immediately confronted by one of these men who began to curse at him, threatened to beat him up and kill his family. This man, whom Deputy Macias knew as Aaron M. Beam (11/20/79) of Inglis, took a fighting stance and approached closer to his patrol vehicle. Beam walked to the driver’s window, reached inside the patrol vehicle and then pointed his finger in Deputy Macias’s face and again threatened to beat him up. 

The other party to the original parking lot argument, Leon Maclin (5/22/89) of Inglis, also aggressively approached Deputy Macias who was still seated in his car. Deputy Macias used his car door to push Beam away and got out. He told Beam he was under arrest and instructed him to place his hands behind his back. Beam then threw a punch at Deputy Macias that did not connect. Deputy Macias countered and used Beam’s momentum to pin Beam to the ground.  Deputy Macias held Beam on the ground for the next 20+ minutes as he was unable to call for assistance. Deputy Macias’s radio was damaged during the physical altercation.   

Patrons from inside the bar came out and surrounded Deputy Macias as he held Beam to the ground. Most offered no assistance as they were too busy videoing and making anti-police statements. One patron did not follow the masses and called 911 alerting Levy County Communications that Deputy Macias needed help. Additional law enforcement from both Levy County and Citrus County arrived to assist Deputy Macias and Beam was taken into custody on multiple charges. Leon Maclin was also arrested on scene.

Yesterday, April 19, 2023 Aaron Beam, who has been in custody at the Levy County Detention Center since his arrest, entered a change of plea in Circuit Court. Beam pled guilty to burglary of an occupied conveyance, resisting arrest with violence and two counts of battery of a law enforcement officer and was sentenced to four years (48 months) in the Florida Department of Corrections.

Leon Maclin’s case was closed after Maclin was found deceased in a camper trailer in Inglis on March 22, 2023 from an apparent overdose.

Inglis Man Arrested for Shooting Passing Vehicle – Hitting Passenger

 

April 20, 2023

Levy County Deputies responded to the intersection of SE 201 Street and SR 40 East to a reported shooting incident shortly after 8:00 p.m. last night. Deputies arrived to discover a man had been shot in the leg with what appeared to be a shotgun blast. The victim, a 47 year old male, was transported to a nearby emergency center for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

Multiple Deputies arrived to assist in locating the shooting suspect. The victim and witness told deputies two shots came from a nearby property they were passing. Upon hearing the first shot the driver of the vehicle stopped. The victim stepped from the vehicle as the driver was yelling at the shooter. This is when the second shot was fired, striking the victim in the leg. The victim and driver fled the area to safety and contacted law enforcement.

Deputies responded to the location where the shooter was last seen. Deputies did not locate the shooter at the home and found evidence this person was still nearby. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit, “Air 1”, responded to assist. Shortly after midnight Air 1 located a person hiding in the woods on the property. Levy County Deputies apprehended this person and took him into custody.

Deputies identified the shooter as David Andrew Ruttinger (2/23/60) of Inglis. Ruttinger told deputies he fired at the vehicle because it was driving in a reckless manner. He said reckless drivers are a constant issue near his home and he was attempting to shoot the tire. He panicked when he saw law enforcement responding and hid in the woods.

Ruttinger was arrested and taken to the Levy County Detention Center. He has been charged with multiple crimes to include aggravated battery with a firearm and aggravated assault with a firearm. He is being held on a $307,000.00 bond.

Sheriff McCallum expressed his appreciation for the assistance provided by Sheriff Billy Woods and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office personnel. He also encouraged citizens to exercise their Second Amendment rights for only legitimate self-defense situations.