Bath Salts Banned

MEDIA RELEASE

 

Date:                January 31, 2011

Time:                3:30 PM

 

 

 

Attorney General Bondi Files Emergency Rule Banning the Dangerous Synthetic Drug Marketed as "Bath Salts"

 

On January 26, 2011 the Attorney General Pam Bondi announced in an emergency ruling that will add substances containing MDPV (Methylenedioxypyrovalerone), commonly known as "bath salts" to the schedule of controlled substances. 

"Due to the violent nature of the side effects involved in taking these drugs, the emergency measures will provide law enforcement with the tools necessary to take this dangerous substance off the shelves and protect the abusers from themselves as well as others.  As of January 26, 2011 possession or selling MDPV is a felony in the state of Florida.  The common street name for the drug is: Vanilla Sky, Ivory Wave, Ocean Burst and Bolivian Bath. The substance is usually snorted although it can be smoked or swallowed. Reported side effects of MDPV include: increased heart rate, nosebleeds, hallucinations, severe paranoia, seizures, and kidney failure.

 

Retail stores in Levy County that are in possession of any of these products can turn them in to the Sheriff's Office without fear of arrest or they can call the Sheriff's Office and a deputy will gladly respond and obtain the dangerous drugs.  Major Evan Sullivan said "We will make every effort to work with the retail stores but non-compliance will result in there arrest".

 

 

 

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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

Robbery Suspect Arrested

MEDIA RELEASE

Date:                January 28, 2011

Time:                4:30 PM

 

Fanning Springs, Florida-On December 11, 2010 the Levy County Sheriff's Office received a robbery alarm at Tienda Mexican Store.  The victim advised the Communication Center that the three suspects left in a white Ford Explorer.  Prior to arriving at the store the vehicle was located in the parking lot of Stones BP gas station.   Two suspects were seen entering the store and a third suspect was getting out of the Explorer.  One of the suspects was taken into custody and the other two suspects fled on foot through a heavily wooded area.  Three Sheriff's Office K-9's were utilized in tracking the men over three hours but they were able to elude deputies. 

 

The investigation revealed that the suspects entered the store around 9:50 AM.  The suspects acted like they were going to make a purchase and while at the cash register demanded money while armed with a gun.  The clerk and the male customer were pistol whipped and the male was tied up.  The suspects robbed the clerk and the customer of an undisclosed amount of money and fled in the above vehicle. 

 

This is the second time this store has been robbed at gun point.  On October 10, 2010 the store was robbed at gun point and the same modus operandi was used during that robbery. 

 

Later in the day a 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier Florida tag 713-WTZ was stolen from Discount Liquor in Chiefland.  The victim left the vehicle running and went into the liquor store only to find their vehicle stolen.  It is believed that that two armed suspects stole the vehicle and may be traveling to the south Florida area.  The two robbery suspects are depicted in the press release. 

 

On January 27, 2011 the stolen Chevrolet Cavalier was located by Lantana Police Department in front of a motel.  The second robbery suspect, Raul Pagan Rodriguez was arrested on a Palm Beach County warrant and the subject has a hold on the Levy County robbery charges.  The third suspect is at large and at this time his identity is unknown.

 

Defendant:

 

Norbin Dejuses Medina

Almar Road Apt#B 8717

West Palm Beach, Fl

Honduras Male, 02/05/75

Charges: Two Counts Armed robbery

 

Raul Pagan Rodriguez

No Home Address

Honduras Male, 04/07/67

Charges:  Two Counts Armed Robbery

 

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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

Four Arrested In Cedar Key

MEDIA RELEASE

 

Date:                January 26, 2011

Time:                8:30 AM

 

Three days after Christmas Joyce Hurley & Brenda Monroe entered a residence at 15933 NE Levy Street in Williston and stole a safe, jewelry and prescription pills valued over $ 20,000.  After the heist the duo went to Monroe's house and opened the safe. They gave some of the stolen jewelry to Desmonde Hurley and Nicole Johnson.  Joyce Hurley traded the stolen jewelry for powder cocaine and Brenda Monroe, Desmonde Hurley and Nicole Johnson traded the jewelry at several pawn shops. 

 

The investigation revealed that Joyce Hurley's son, Desmonde Hurley went back to the residence and stole a 2000 Honda Accord which was later recovered in Gilchrist County.  On January 24, 2011 the four above suspects were arrested on numerous felony charges

 

Defendant:

 

Joyce Wendy Hurley

3011 G Street

Cedar Key, Fl

W/F, 08/24/55

Charges:  Burglary, Grand Theft, Dealing in Stolen Property and Possession of Marijuana.

 

Brenda Lee Monroe

9796 NW 59^th Place

Chiefland, Fl

W/F, 02/20/72

Charges:  Burglary, Grand Theft, Dealing in Stolen Property

 

Desmonde J. Hurley

1018 NE 2^nd Ave

Trenton, Fl

W/M, 07/18/90

Charges:  Two (2) Counts Dealing in Stolen Property & Grand Theft Auto

Nicole Marie Johnson

1018 NE 2^nd Ave

Trenton, Fl.

W/F, 10/30/92

Charges:  Two (2) Counts Dealing In Stolen Property

 

 

 

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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

Chiefland Man Arrested For Witness Tampering

            MEDIA RELEASE

 

Date:                January 20, 2011

Time:                9:30 AM

 

On January 19, 2011 the Levy County Sheriff's Office arrested Greg Roland for tampering with a witness.  The Drug Task Force Agents received information that Roland was threatening a confidential source and had placed a $ 5,000 bounty on the source. 

 

During the investigation Roland walked up to the window of the confidential source's car and stated that he had a $ 5,000 bounty on the person.  The source had Agent Burt Miller on the phone and Miller over heard this threat.  Roland was arrested in the South Chiefland area last night for tampering with a witness and the judge issued a $ 500,000 bond.

 

Agents felt this was a credible threat since Roland has a violent criminal past.  Roland was arrested in the Miami area for murder.

 

Defendant:

 

Greg Roland

1123 NW 12Ave

Chiefland, Fl

B/M, 07/21/54

Charge:  Tampering with a Witness

 

 

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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

Five Arrested In Drug Raid

MEDIA RELEASE

Date:                January 20, 2011

Time:                10:00 AM

 

The Levy County Sheriff's Office Drug Task Force executed a drug search warrant last night at 8151 NW 30^th Street Chiefland and arrested five people.  This is the second time Agents have executed a search warrant at this residence.  Undercover Agents purchased prescription pills (Oxycodone) from the two brothers, Robert Huffman & Daniel Huffman. 

 

During the investigation Robert Huffman sold oxycodone on four separate occasions and Daniel Huffman sold oxycodone one time to agents.  Law Enforcement is very familiar with the Huffman brothers; in 2007 they were arrested for committing a bank robbery at Capital City Bank in Chiefland.  The brothers only received three in half years in prison and apparently have not been rehabilitated in their criminal involvement.  Agents arrested Ray Douglas Register & Laura Harper for possession of drug paraphernalia and maintaining a drug dwelling.

 

While executing the search warrant Abijah Seth Key drove up in a vehicle and a drivers license checked revealed that he had numerous suspensions and was arrested for driving while license suspended.

 

Defendants:

 

Robert Hayden Huffman Jr.

8151 NW 30^TH Street

Chiefland, Fl

W/m, 08/08/76

Charges: Four Counts Sale Oxycodone, Four Counts Possession of Oxycodone

 

Daniel Clint Huffman

8151 NW 30^TH Street

Chiefland, Fl

W/M, 03/22/83

Charges: One Count Sale Oxycodone and One Count of Possession of Oxycodone

 

Abijah Seth Key

4850 NW 50^TH Ave

Chiefland, Fl

W/M, 11/21/80

Charge: Driving While License Suspended

 

Ray Douglas Register

8151 NW 30^TH Street

Chiefland, Fl

W/M, 07/29/54

Charges: Possession of drug paraphernalia and maintaining a drug dwelling

 

Laura Harper

8151 NW 30^th Street

Chiefland, Fl.

W/F, 12/29/87

Charges: Possession of drug paraphernalia and maintaining a drug dwelling

 

 

 

 

 

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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

Al Carnegie Jr Arrested On Trafficking In Cocaine & Racketeering

MEDIA RELEASE

 

Date:                January 17, 2011

Time:               10:15AM

 

On January 15, 2011 Al Joseph Carnegie Jr. was arrested on an outstanding Alachua County warrants for two counts of trafficking in cocaine, trafficking in a controlled substance and public order crimes of racketeering. Carnegie was traveling in the Chiefland area and was stopped for having a head light out.  During the traffic stop a check revealed that Carnegie had the above Alachua County warrants.

 

Agent Rick Rogers with the Levy County Sheriff's Office assigned to the Gainesville Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) conducted a two year investigation in Carnegie's criminal activity.  Carnegie sold trafficking amount of cocaine on two different occasions in the Eight Judicial Circuit.  Carnegie is currently on felony probation for carrying a concealed firearm and he is in the Levy County Jail on a $ 400,000 bond.

 

The investigation continues and more arrest is expected.

 

Defendant:

 

Al Joseph Carnegie Jr.

8332 NE 166th Ave

Williston, Fl

B/M, 10/08/81

 

 

 

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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

Burglary In Progress Captures Two Chiefland Men

MEDIA RELEASE

 

Date:                January 11, 2011

Time:                11:30 AM

 

On January 10, 2011 the victim drove up to his property only to find two men stealing a deer feeder and tree stand from his shed.  The victim stated that he noticed that his deer feeder was in the suspects' truck and the younger suspect was carrying a tree stand from his shed.  The suspect immediately dropped the tree stand a ran on foot. The victim fired a high power rifle into the ground and told the suspect to stop.  The suspects complied and the victim notified the Sheriff's Office.

 

Captain Scott Anderson arrived at 15591 NW 46^th Lane Chiefland and detained Michael Whidden II and Wesley McCook.  The investigation revealed that Whidden admitted to stealing the deer feeder and he was charged with burglary and petit theft.  McCook which was the driver was charged with burglary, petit theft, and possession cocaine and drug paraphernalia.

 

Defendants:

 

Michael Eugene Whidden II

Chiefland, Fl.

7191 NW 105^th Street

White Male, 03/22/82

 

Wesley Warren McCook

3550 NW 120^th Street

Chiefland, Fl.

White Male, 06/06/58

 

 

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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

Youths Go On A Crime Spree In Bronson

MEDIA RELEASE

 

Date:                January 10, 2011

Time:                5:30 PM

 

Two youths went on a crime spree in the City of Bronson On Friday, January 7, 2011.  Colton Wayne Smith and Kenneth Corey Benson unlawfully entered a residence at 770 Pennsylvania Ave in Bronson and stole two high power rifles and a shotgun.  Upon entry inside the residence they both discharged a .22 caliber rifle inside the residence and caused over $ 1000.00 dollars in damage.

 

The youths continued their path of crime and stole a 2008 Chevrolet Trail Blazer and crashed the vehicle in the woods.  Sheriff's deputies and investigators searched this weekend and when they were located a foot chase ensued in which they were later apprehended.  There will be additional charges. Both suspects burglarized a vehicle and attempted to steal another vehicle.

 

 

Defendant:

 

Colton Wayne Smith

13190 SE 28^th Street

Morriston, Fl

White Male, 10/25/95

Charges:  Armed burglary, Grand theft

 

Kenneth Corey Benson

13771 NE 5^th Street

Williston, Fl

White Male, 04/29/97

Charges:  Armed burglary, Grand theft

 

 

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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

Golf Course Green Destroyed

Media Release

 

Date:                January 5, 2011

Time:                9:45 AM

 

On January 2, 2011 Randy Jones the owner of Williston Highlands Golf & Country Club reported that unknown person(s) intentionally destroyed the green to the #7 hole.  The suspect(s) willfully and maliciously drove on the green and did doughnuts.  Jones stated that the green was a total loss and would have to be rebuilt costing over $ 25,000 in damages.

 

Through the investigation, Inv. Jay Crooms learned that there was a party at a house adjacent to the #7 green. That night neighbors heard a vehicle doing doughnuts on the golf course.  Investigator Crooms spoke to several kids that attended the party and developed Dixon as a suspect.  Upon speaking to Dixon he advised that he drove on the green and did the damage with his vehicle.  Dixon stated that alcohol was at the party and he was impaired when he committed the felony criminal mischief.

 

 

Defendant:

 

Timothy Lee Dixon

6490 SE 186 Terrace

Morriston, Fl.

White Male, 12 /22/86

 

 

 

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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