Mike Narayan Promoted to Sergeant

MEDIA RELEASE

 

Date:     June 29, 2010

Time:    7:45 PM

 

On June 29, 2010 Sheriff Smith promoted Corporal Mike Narayan to the rank of Sergeant in the Criminal Investigations Division (CID).

 

Mike began his career with the Sheriff's Office in 1999 and has done an excellent job in CID.  Mike's hard work and dedication has not gone unnoticed by his peers and the executive staff.  Mike has worked undercover in the Drug Unit, Patrol Division and currently working in Investigations.

 

We are very proud that Mike has advanced his law enforcement career to the rank of Sergeant and we expect great things from him.

 

Congratulations and best wishes in you new position.

 

 

 

 

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Major Evan Sullivan
Levy County Sheriff's Office
FBI-National Academy 183rd Session
Office: 352-486-5446
Cell:    352-577-4218

Stephen Walther Arrested

MEDIA RELEASE

 

Date:                June 29, 2010

Time:                5:30 PM

 

Fanning Springs, Florida-On June 28, 2010 Deputy Kevin Kinik stopped a blue Oldsmobile for the occupants not wearing the safety belts.  During the traffic stop in Fanning Springs the driver; Stephen Walther advised that he does not have a driver's license because they are suspended.  Walther was arrested for driving while license suspended and search incident to arrest Deputy Kinik seized drug paraphernalia, needles, scales and spoons.

 

The passenger, Jennifer Sims was arrested for possession of a controlled substance (pills).  Deputy Kinik seized a clear plastic bag containing blue pills in the glove box.  Sims stated that the pills were ibuprofen and Kinik contacted poison control and discovered the narcotics were sulfamethoxavole trimethoprim which is a prescription for antibiotics.  During the arrest Sims had in her purse green pills and the pills were identified as cephalexin.  The narcotics require a prescription and Sims was unable to provide doctors prescription.  Sims and Walther was arrested and transported to the Levy County Jail.

 

The Walther family is very familiar with the Levy County Sheriff's Office.  On June 16, 2010 Investigator Tom Martin arrested Stephen Walther's father Scott Walther, his brother Lukas Walther and Marc Walther for numerous burglaries, theft and drug charges.

 

Defendant:

 

Stephen M. Walther

16590 NW 80 Ave.

Trenton, Fl

W/m, 29

 

Jennifer Sims

6800 W Burke Way

Homosassa, Fl

W/F, 36

 

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--
Major Evan Sullivan
Levy County Sheriff's Office
FBI-National Academy 183rd Session
Office: 352-486-5446
Cell:    352-577-4218

Bronson Man Arrested for Filing a False Report

MEDIA RELEASE

Date: June 29, 2010

Time: 4:45 PM

Bronson, Florida-On June 24, 2010 Investigator Jay Crooms arrested Thomas Rutkowski for filing a false report. On June 5, 2010 Rutkowski reported to the Sheriff's Office that unknown person(s) broke into his shed and stole a flat screen 42" television valued at $ 1,297.

The investigation revealed that Rutkowski was renting to own the TV from Farmers Furniture and he was behind on his payments. Rutkowski fabricated a lie that his TV was stolen in an endeavor to defraud his insurance company. Rutkowski was arrested and transported to the Levy County Jail.

Defendant:

Thomas Rutkowski

6930 NE 100 Court

Bronson, Fl.

W/m, 52

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--
Major Evan Sullivan
Levy County Sheriff's Office
FBI-National Academy 183rd Session
Office: 352-486-5446
Cell: 352-577-4218

Bronson Man Arrested For Sexual Battery

MEDIA RELEASE

 

Date:                June 29, 2010

Time:                4:45 PM

 

Bronson, Florida-On June 24, 2010 Deputy Mike Wilkinson arrested Leon Wiggins for battery on an inmate at the Levy County Jail. Wiggins and inmate Samuel Haines were involved in a verbal argument in "F" dorm.  The verbal argument continued from the dorm to the cell and Wiggins struck Haines in the right cheek, upper lip and above his left eye.  Wiggins was currently in jail for the Four Corners Bar burglary, grand theft and criminal mischief.

 

The owner of the Four Corners Bar reported a burglary on September 4, 2009.  During the burglary the subject apparently cut himself and DNA evidence was collected at the scene.  Crime Scene Investigator sent the DNA to the Florida Department Law Enforcement lab and received a hit that the DNA belonged to Wiggins.  During the DNA search FDLE also received a positive match that Wiggins DNA was involved in a sexual assault that was reported on January 24, 2004.  Wiggins is accused of placing a date rape drug in the victim's drink at a party and then sexually assaulted the victim.  On June 29, 2010 a warrant issued for the arrest of Wiggins for sexual battery.  The Sheriff's Office is very familiar with Wiggins.  He has been charged with 55 felony/misdemeanor charges and has a total of 20 convictions.

 

Defendant:

 

Leon Bernard Wiggins

550 Hurst Street

Bronson, Fl.

B/M, 44

 

 

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--
Major Evan Sullivan
Levy County Sheriff's Office
FBI-National Academy 183rd Session
Office: 352-486-5446
Cell:    352-577-4218

Airplane Crash In South Levy County

MEDIA RELEASE

 

Date:               June 25, 2010

Time:              6:30 PM

 

Inglis, Florida- The Levy County Sheriff's Office received a 9-1-1 call at 3:09 PM in reference to a plane crash in the Inglis area.  Upon arrival Deputy Allen Breeding observed a 2008 Luscombe single engine airplane upside down obstructing the east bound lane of highway 40 near the Peaceful Acres area. 

 

The pilot John Kuniyoshi, 36 from Lake Worth and two passengers Malcolm Ford, 53 from Sanford and Jordan Astrin, 25 Oviedo left the Sanford airport this morning and flew to Cedar Key for lunch.  During the flight back to Sanford the plane developed engine problems and Kuniyoshi made an emergency landing in a field.  During the landing the wings struck a small tree and the plane went through a fence and down the ditch and landed upside down on Highway 40.  This is the fourth airplane crash the Levy County Sheriff's Office has worked this year.

 

Kuniyoshi has been a pilot since 2007 and the three men walked away with minor scratches.  The Federal Aviation Administration was notified and Agents are enroute to continue the investigation in the plane crash.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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--
Major Evan Sullivan
Levy County Sheriff's Office
FBI-National Academy 183rd Session
Office: 352-486-5446
Cell:    352-577-4218

Levy Investigator Wins Gold Medal

MEDIA RELEASE

Date: June 22, 2010
Time: 12:00 PM

The Florida Police & Fire Games began June 20-26 in Martin/Indian River & St. Lucie Counties. The Olympics began in 1985. Tom Martin an Investigator for the Levy County Sheriff’s Office competed this year in the 220 pound weight class in the bench press contest. During the statewide competition Tom won the gold medal by bench pressing 465 pounds. The Florida Police & Fire Games crowned Tom as the strongest man in the Police & Fire Fighter Olympics in Florida.

We are very proud of Tom’s accomplishment and congratulate him in winning this prestigious award.


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Chiefland Family Arrested for Burglary/Drugs/Stolen Property

MEDIA RELEASE
Date: June 17, 2010
Time: 11:30 AM

Chiefland, Florida-On June 16, 2010 Investigator Tom Martin arrested Lukas Walther and his father Scott Walther for several felony charges involving residential burglaries and drugs. The Criminal Investigation Division executed a search warrant at the Walther residence at 7630 NW 115th Street. During the raid Investigators seized a stolen 19” flat screen television, several handguns/rifles/shotguns, boxes of ammunition, cocaine and marijuana.

The Walther’s have been suspected in a crime wave committing several residential burglaries in Levy County. The investigation continues and more charges are expected. The father, Scott Walther is a convicted felon in Georgia for possession/manufacturing/distributing marijuana and his son Lucas is a convicted felon for burglary and grand theft. A witness in the case advised that Lucas traded the stolen television for five (5) oxycodone pills.

On June 10, 2010 Marc Anthony Walther, another son of Scott Walther was arrested for burglary, grand theft, possession of methamphetamine, possession of controlled substance (Pills) and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Defendants:

Scott Walther
7630 NW 115 Street
Chiefland, Fl
W/M, 53
Charges: Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, dealing in stolen property, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Lukas Walther
7630 NW 115 Street
Chiefland, Fl
W/M, 22
Charges: Burglary, dealing in stolen property, theft, possession of controlled substance (Oxycodone), possession of ammunition by a convicted felon.

Marc Anthony Walther
7630 NW 115 Street
Chiefland, Fl
W/M, 26
Charges: Burglary, grand theft, possession of methamphetamine, possession of controlled substance (Pills) and possession of drug paraphernalia.

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Levy Fugitive Arrested in Brunswick Georgia

MEDIA RELEASE

 

Date:                June 17, 2010

Time:                11:00 AM

 

Bronson, Florida-On June 16, 2010 Adam Bolden was arrested by Glenn County Sheriff's Office and the US Marshals Service South East Regional Task Force in Brunswick, Georgia.  Bolden was wanted by Levy County Sheriff's Office for four felony warrants.  Levy authorities who are members of the US Marshals Service Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force received information that the fugitive fled to Brunswick, Georgia.

 

On June 16, 2010 Bolden was located at 2200 Wolf Street Brunswick, Ga. and a foot chase ensued.  Bolden jumped several fences but was apprehended without incident.  Bolden is wanted for aggravated battery on a pregnant woman, obstructing justice by harassing the victim, two counts of possession of cocaine, two counts sell of cocaine, fleeing and eluding police in a high speed chase, driving with license suspended and possession of paraphernalia.  Bolden is currently in the Glenn County Jail waiting for extradition to Florida.

 

 

Defendant:

 

Adam Bolden

1002 NW 13 Ave

Trenton, Fl.

 

 

 

 

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Archer Man Arrested

MEDIA RELEASE

 

Date:                June 15, 2010

Time:                8:30 AM

 

Archer, Florida-On June 12, 2010 Investigator Mike Narayan arrested Gary Robert Jones Jr. for having sexual activity with a certain minor.  Jones was transported to the Levy County Jail and has a $ 200,000 dollar bond.

 

The victim now 19, told a relative that Jones began molesting her at age 12 until she was 16.  The victim stated she has a 2 year old child by Jones and he wanted his last name on the child's birth certificate.  Jones is known to the victim and upon his arrest he admitted to having sex with the victim.  Jones stated that he believed he is the father of the child and then requested an attorney.

 

Defendant:

 

Gary Robert Jones Jr.

12591 NE 108 Terrace

Archer, Fl.

Black Male, 45

 

 

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Teen Driver Classes

MEDIA RELEASE

Date:                June 9, 2010

Time:                9:45 AM

 

The Levy County Sheriff's Office Community Relation Division will be offering Teen Driver classes this summer throughout the county.  All classes are free and will begin at 9:00 AM each day and the classes will be approximately 4 hours.  The students will need permission slips from their parents due to some graphic nature of the program.  The permission slips can be picked up at the local schools or from the instructor the day of the event.  If you need more information you can contact Lt. Sean Mullins or Sgt. Max Long at 352-486-5111, extension 278.

 

Dates/Location:

 

Williston High School:

June:                  18

July:                   1, 8,9,19,20,28,29

August:             13

 

Chiefland High School:

June:                 28

July:                  5,6,15,16,22,23,30

August:             12

 

Bronson High School:

June:                  29

July:                  7,12,21,26,27

August:             11

 

Cedar Key High School:

June:                 30

July:                  13

August:               9

 

Yankeetown School:

July:                   2, 14

August:              10

 

 

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Attempted Homicide

MEDIA RELEASE

Date:                June 6, 2010

Time:                8:30 PM

 

Morriston, Florida- On June 5, 2010 deputies responded to 7790 SE 181 Court in reference to a shooting.  Upon arrival at the residence deputies found Joshua Eubanks lying on the ground bleeding from multiple gun shot wounds.  The victim's girlfriend, Rebecca Saverns and her 4 month old child was present during the shooting.

 

The investigation revealed that the victim and suspect were involved in a drug transaction.  The suspect left the victim's residence but returned a short time later.  The victim met the suspect in the driveway and walked to the suspect's vehicle.  The suspect was armed with a gun and told the victim to give him the narcotics.  The suspect shot the victim multiple times in the upper torso and robbed him of the narcotics.  The victim's girlfriend, Rebecca Saverns heard the shots and jumped out of her vehicle leaving her 4 month old child to assist her boyfriend.  The suspect pointed the firearm at Saverns and she turned and ran away from the scene.  Eubanks was airlifted to an undisclosed hospital where he is in serious condition.

 

On June 6, 2010 investigator Tom Martin & Jay Crooms developed leads in the case and identified the person of interest as James Douglas Sexton, 21 from Apopka, Fl.  The investigators believed that Sexton might be in Ocala and the manhunt began with the assistance of the Marion County Sheriff's Office.  Sexton was located on foot in the North East section of Ocala and he led deputies on a short foot chase where he was apprehended.  Sexton is currently in the Marion County Jail for violation of probation from Seminole County for grand theft. 

 

 Sexton was positively indentified through a photo lineup as the person that shot Joshua Eubanks. Levy County investigators has placed a hold on Sexton and will obtaining arrest warrants for attempted homicide and a host of other felony charges.

 

Defendant:

 

James Douglas Sexton

Apopka, Fl.

White Male

01/23/89

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