Michael Douglas Arrested For Theft

MEDIA RELEASE

 

Date:     December 24, 2011

Time:    12:15 AM

 

The victim, Rex Vance reported that unknown person(s) stole his Franklin logging skidder valued at $7,500.  The victim had the skidder parked at the Wolf Springs Hill area in Bronson.   During the investigation Investigators developed a suspect, Michael Douglas.  Douglas stated that he purchased the skidder from Andrew Brown on December 11, 2011.  Investigators were able to track down Andrew Brown and he advised that he didn't sell a skidder to Douglas and he has not seen him in several years. 

 

Douglas was re-interviewed and he advised on December 18, 2011 he used his Ford F-350 truck, flatbed trailer and his loader to remove the skidder.  Douglas transported the stolen skidder to his residence and cut the skidder up for scrap metal.  Douglas contacted Glenn Perry to assist him in cutting the skidder and told him that he would give him 1/3 of the profit if he took the steel to Ocala scrap yard.  After speaking to Perry he did not know the skidder was stolen and he took the cut up skidder to Williston Recycling.  Employees at Williston Recycling advised Perry that the police were looking for a lime green skidder and Perry got scared and called Douglas to pick up the stolen skidder.

 

The victim positively identified his skidder.  Douglas was arrested for grand theft and dealing in stolen property and he was transported to the Levy County Jail.  Investigators seized Douglas' truck, flatbed trailer and loader since his equipment was used in a felony crime.

 

Defendant:

 

Michael Dwayne Douglas

10290 NE 67^th Ave.

Bronson, Fl.

W/M, 08/19/1960

 

 

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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

Williston Man Barricaded With A Gun

MEDIA RELEASE           

 

Date:               December 24, 2011

Time:               1:45 PM

 

 

Deputies responded to a Williston residence in reference to a man with a gun.  Upon arrival the adult male was armed with a pump .22 rifle and barricaded inside his home.  Deputies spoke to the distraught man and he explained that he was depressed because he did not have a job, no money and tired of having no food. 

 

After a two-hour stand off deputies were able to negotiate him out of the residence.  The Williston man was baker acted and was transported to Gainesville to Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU), which helps patients with mental health issues.

 

 

 

 

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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 Threatens to Burn House & Shoots Family Dog

                                                                MEDIA RELEASE

 

Date:               December 24, 2011

Time:               1:30 PM

 

 

On December 22, 2011 the Levy County Sheriff's Office responded to 7290 NW 95^TH Street Chiefland  in reference to a domestic altercation.  The complainant stated that her husband, Arthur Pipes Jr. left prior to deputies' arrival armed with several weapons including an AK-47 assault rifle.  The complainant stated that Pipes made threats that he would shoot law enforcement or wanted the police to shoot him.  A statewide BOLO (Be On The Lookout) for Pipes was issued for Officer safety.

 

The complainant stated that the altercation began Thursday night at a Chiefland Pool Hall and continued when they got home.  The victim advised she was scared of her husband and stayed at her mother's residence.  Pipes is a veteran serving in the Army & completed two combat tours in Iraq.  The victim advised that Pipes has been diagnosed by the V.A. Hospital with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and had been out of his medication for over 6 days. 

 

On December 23, 2011 the victim called 9-1-1 and reported that her husband was at the residence.  Upon deputies arrival Pipes had left the house and a bolo was issued.  The investigation revealed that Pipes became extremely angry when the victim told him she wanted a divorce and emptied the bank account.  Pipes went outside and armed with a 5-gallon gas can  started dousing gas throughout the house.  Pipes had a cigarette lighter and attempted to light the house on fire when the victim and her mother wrestled the lighter from his hands.  Pipes walked outside and shot the pet dog (Mix Labrador) several times with an AK-47 killing the dog and then he fled the scene in a black Ford truck. 

 

During the investigation at the residence Pipes returned and deputies ordered him out of the truck.  There was a short stand off, but Pipes complied with their orders and he was arrested for two counts of aggravated assault, one count of animal cruelty and one count of attempted arson.  Inside of Pipes truck deputies found a loaded AK-47 rifle, loaded 380 semi-automatic pistol, .22-caliber rifle in the toolbox and two flashlights.

 

Pipes gave Sgt. Mike Narayan a statement and admitted to pouring gasoline with intention to burning the house.  Pipes said he risked his life fighting in Iraq and earned money to pay for the house and now his wife has emptied the bank account and wanted a divorce.  Pipes stated that he shot the victim's dog three times with his AK-47 because the dog would not stop barking. 

 

Pipes is currently in the Levy County Jail with a $ 600,000 bond.

 

Defendant:

Arthur Lee Pipes Jr.

7290 NW 95^th Street

Chiefland, Fl.

W/M, 11/11/1986

 

 

                                                                            ###

                                                                       

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

Drug Dealer Arrested by Task Force

MEDIA RELEASE

 

Date:                December 16, 2011

Time:                4:30 PM

 

On December 16, 2011 the North Florida Violent Fugitive Task Force comprised of the US Marshals Service, Levy County Sheriff's Office, Alachua County Sheriff's Office and the Gainesville Police Department arrested Kenyatta Daron Howard. 

 

The Levy County Sheriff's Office Drug Task Force made undercover drug buys from Howard and obtained an arrest warrant for sale and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.  Howard was considered as a mid level drug dealer in Levy County supplying drugs to the Cedar Key and Chiefland areas.  The man hunt ended today when the Fugitive Task Force through hard work and good old fashion police work located Howard at the American Best Value Inn motel in Gainesville.  Upon Deputies approaching the motel, Howard ran on foot and he was tackled and placed under arrest.  Howard was transported to the Alachua County Jail and has a $ 325,000 bond.

 

Howard is also a registered sexual offender in Levy County.  Howard was convicted in 1999 for lewd & lascivious behavior with a child.

 

 

Defendant:

 

Kenyatta Daron Howard

1414 Baden Powell Road

Hawthorne, Fl

B/M, 10/11/1975

 

 

###

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

Chiefland Man Arrested on Drug Charges

 

 

 

On December 12, 2011 the Levy County Sheriff's Office Drug Task Force comprised of Agents with the Chiefland Police Department and the Sheriff's Office arrested Torry F. White.  Agents utilized a confidential source to conduct a control purchase of narcotics. The confidential source was issued $ 120.00 of US Currency to buy pills from Torry White also known as "Big White".  Big White sold 25 pink pills that were later identified through the 2012 Narcotic Identification Bible as Lortab.  Lortab is subscribed by physicians for pain management.

 

Upon the illegal drug transaction "Big White" drove away in his 2001 Chevrolet with Florida tag 232-LNV westbound on County Road 345 and was stopped by Agents at NW 55 Ave.  Agents immediately arrested "Big White" and recovered the Sheriff's buy money.  "Big White" was arrested for trafficking in Lortab and the total weight was 21.5 grams.  Per Florida State Statues anything over 4.0 grams is considered to be a trafficking amount of pills.  "Big White was additionally charged on two Levy County warrants for trafficking in oxycodone during two separate undercover drug buys that occurred prior to this drug deal.

 

"Big White" is known by the Levy County Sheriff's Office.  In 1999 "Big White" was arrested for five separate cocaine charges and in 2000 he was arrested on five counts of cocaine charges. Those charges were dropped.

 

Defendant:

 

Torry F. White

317 SW 8th Street

Chiefland, Fl.

B/M, 07/19/1976

 

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

Sexual Predator Robert Perry

MEDIA RELEASE

 

Date:                December 5, 2011

Time:                10:00 AM

 

Sexual Predator Address Change:

 

In accordance with Florida Statue 775.21, this is a mandatory notification of the changing of address of a registered sexual predator in Levy County.

 

Robert J. Perry was convicted in Alachua County in 2007 for lewd and lascivious molestation on a child.

Perry was released from Department of Correction and now residing at the below address in Levy County.  For a complete listing of all registered sexual predators and offenders residing in Levy County, or to search by zip code, please visit www.flde.state.fl.us and go to the sexual data base.

 

 

 

Robert J. Perry

Aliases: Squerl Perry, Robert James Perry

21161 NE 35^th Street

Williston, Fl.

White Male, 06/19/1986

 

 

 

 

###

 

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

Chiefland Drug Raid

                        MEDIA RELEASE

 

Date:               December 2, 2011

Time:               8:00 AM

 

The Levy County Sheriff's Office and Chiefland Police Department executed a search warrant at 10091 NW 40^th Ave in Chiefland, Fl.  Undercover Agents received numerous complaints from the community that there was an unusual amount of vehicle traffic driving to the residence.  The drug house is located directly across the street from the ST. John Evangelist Catholic Church. 

 

Agents initiated an investigation and confirmed the vehicle traffic and made undercover drug buys from Christopher Eugene McQuay.  The below listed subjects also lived at the residence and had knowledge of the drugs deals.  During the investigation Agents received information that there were guns inside the residence and there were threats to shoot law enforcement.

 

Drug Task Force Agents executed the drug search warrant on Friday, December 2, 2011 in the early morning hours.  Upon entry in the residence there were five (5) adults and three children.  The four adults were arrested and a relative was called to pick up the children where they could attend school.  Agents have notified Department of Children & Families due to the fact there was a 10, 12 and 15-year-old living at the residence.  During the raid Agents seized crack cocaine, marijuana, firearms, bullets and over $8,500 in cash.

 

The following are the names and charges that were made:

 

Christopher Eugene McQuay Alias: Gopher

B/M, 08/10/83

Possession marijuana with intent to distribute within 1000 feet from a church

Sale of marijuana within 1000 feet of a church

Possession of firearm by a convicted felon

Possession of bullets by a convicted felon

Maintaining a drug dwelling

Possession of marijuana less than 20 grams

 

Joseph Lee Wilcox II

B/M, 3-8-85

Possession of crack cocaine within 1000 feet of a church

Maintaining a drug dwelling

 

 

Thomas Barr

B/M, 6-5-71

Maintaining a drug dwelling

 

Jonathan Allen

B/M, 1-13-88

Maintaining a drug dwelling

 

           

 

 

                                                                                    ###


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

Levy County Sheriff's Office Auction

Media Release

 

Date:                November 30, 2011

Time:                8:15 AM

 

The Levy County Sheriff's Office and the Levy County School Board will have an auction Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 9:00 AM.  Surplus property will consist of cars, vans, trucks, buses and a Gravely mower.

 

The auction will begin at the Levy County Sheriff's Office and will conclude at the School Board Facility 2 miles east of Bronson on Alt 27.

 

 

 

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Sexual Predator Change Of Address

 MEDIA RELEASE

 

Date:                November 18, 2011

Time:                8:00 AM

 

Sexual Predator Address Change:

 

In accordance with Florida Statue 775.21, this is a mandatory notification of the changing of address of a registered sexual predator in Levy County.

 

Jeremy Lee Astrologo was convicted in Alachua County in 2001 for lewd & lascivious on a child less than 16 years of age.  Astrologo was living at 16951 NW US Highway 19 Fanning Springs, Fl. and now residing at the below address in Levy County.  For a complete listing of all registered sexual predators and offenders residing in Levy County, or to search by zip code, please visit www.flde.state.fl.us and go to the sexual data base.

 

Sexual predator:

 

Jeremy Lee Astrologo

21161 NE 35^th Street

Williston, Fl

W/M, 05/29/1978

 

 

###

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

Sexual Predator Change Of Address

MEDIA RELEASE

 

Date:                November 16, 2011

Time:                2:30 PM

 

Sexual Predator Address Change:

 

In accordance with Florida Statue 775.21, this is a mandatory notification of the changing of address of a registered sexual predator in Levy County.

 

Robert Lewis Jr. was convicted in Alachua County in 2005 for sexual battery.  Lewis was living at 4041 SW 13^th Street Gainesville, Fl. and now residing at the below address in Levy County.  For a complete listing of all registered sexual predators and offenders residing in Levy County, or to search by zip code, please visit www.flde.state.fl.us and go to the sexual data base.

 

Sexual predator:

 

Robert Lewis Jr.

21161 NE 35th Street

Williston, Fl.

B/M, 03/08/1974

 

 

 

###

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

Armed Sexual Battery Arrest

MEDIA RELEASE

 

Date:                November 12, 2011

 

On November 11, 2011 the Levy County Sheriff's Office received a complaint in reference to a sexual assault.  The allegation involved Zachary Knight a Lieutenant with the Levy County Sheriff's Office.  Upon being advised of the complaint the Florida Department of Law Enforcement was immediately contacted.

 

FDLE assumed command of the investigation and interviewed the victim and witnesses.  Late this evening a search warrant was executed at a Levy County residence by FDLE & the Levy County Sheriff's Office.

 

FDLE obtained an arrest warrant for Knight and he was arrested at a Chiefland residence.  Knight has been charged with armed sexual battery, false imprisonment, and aggravated assault and tampering with a victim.  Knight has a $ 2,050,000 bond. 

 

Knight has been suspended without pay.

 

Defendant:

 

Zachary Jameson Knight

W/M, 38 Years of Age

Williston, Fl.

 

 

 

 

###

 

 

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

Veterans Day

MEDIA RELEASE

 

 

Veterans Day

 

Date:                November 11, 2011  

 

As you know today is Veterans Day and it is certainly appropriate for us to reflect on the immeasurable sacrifices our men and women who are currently serving and who have served in our military have made to protect our freedoms and our way of life.  As we pay tribute to these dedicated patriots today, I want to thank you for sharing a special place in our society along with them.        

 

I hope you will take the time to honor all of our Veterans today for their service to our country, and take a special moment to recognize the many Veterans that are today serving in our agency.  Your service to our country has not gone unnoticed and we are very grateful

 

God Bless you & our Country!!!

 

 

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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

Plane Crash at Wing Field Airstrip Follow Up

MEDIA RELEASE

 

Date:                November 6, 2011

 

The Levy County Sheriff's Office on November 5, 2011 responded to a fixed wing single engine airplane crash in the Morriston area that resulted in two fatalities.  A witness with over 50 years as a pilot advised that the aircraft taxied down the Wing Field private air strip shortly after 4:30 pm. The witness stated as soon as the airplane took off he heard the airplane spit & sputter and then watched it crash into a heavily wooded area just north of the air strip. 

 

The investigation revealed the aircraft was a 1956 Beech Craft T-34.  The aircraft was registered to Ralph Ken Terry from Daytona Beach, Florida. The deceased were identified as passenger Ralph Terry and pilot Mike Fuller from Port Orange, Florida.  Mr. Terry was retired from Northwest Airlines with approximately 30 years of service and over 60 thousand hours of flight time.  Mr. Fuller was a manager at Yelvington Aviation. 

 

On November 6, 2001 the Levy County Sheriff's Office transferred the investigation to the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.

 

Victims:

 

Ralph Ken Terry

74 Years of age

Daytona Beach, Fl

 

Mike Fuller

47 Years of age

Port Orange, Fl

 

 

 

 

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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

Plane Crash in Morriston

MEDIA RELEASE

Date:                November 5, 2011

 

The Levy County Sheriff's Office is investigating a fixed wing single engine airplane crash in the Morriston area that resulted in two fatalities.  A witness with over 50 years as a pilot advised that the aircraft left the private air strip called "Wing Field" shortly after 4:30 pm. The witness stated that the aircraft spit & sputtered and crashed in a heavily wooded area.  It is unknown at this time the cause of the crash, but weather is not believed to be the cause.

 

At this time the victims have not been positively identified.  The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board will respond first thing tomorrow morning and the investigation will resume in the day light hours.

 

More details will be forthcoming as soon as possible.

 

 

 

###

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

Sheriff’s Drug Task Force Arrested 5 in Drug Raid

MEDIA RELEASE

 

Sheriff's Drug Task Force Arrested 5 in Drug Raid

 

The Levy County Sheriff's Office and the Chiefland Police Department executed three drug search warrants simultaneously in the Chiefland area.  The operation began shortly after dark last night and five people were arrested on various charges.  The charges range from obstruction of justice to a variety of drug charges.

 

Arrested was James Tarnellius Clemons at 725 S.E. 1 Street, Chiefland.  Upon arrival, Agents located Clemons outside in the front yard cooking oysters.  Clemons obstructed officers and resisted arrest without violence.  Upon the search warrant being executed at his residence agents seized 81.7 grams of marijuana, 6.9 grams of crack cocaine, 5.2 grams of powder cocaine, cutting agents to manufacture his drug operation, straws, baggies, scales and a large amount of US Currency.

 

In the second search warrant, agents arrested Craig Joshua, 28 years of age, from Chiefland.  The search warrant at 8871 NW 55^th Ave. stemmed from a series of investigations that involved the purchase of drugs from Joshua.  During the raid, the agents seized 57 pieces of rock crack cocaine, 3.5 grams of marijuana and US currency.  Joshua also had outstanding Levy County warrants for the undercover buys.  While agents were at Joshua's residence, Rollie Tillery pulled up in the driveway.  Lt, Ray Tremblay, with Chiefland Police Department, observed Tillery fumbling and attempting to hide something in the car.  A search revealed that Tillery hid crack cocaine in the back seat and he was arrested for possession of crack cocaine and resisting arrest without violence.

 

The third search warrant was executed at 13559 NW 65^th Terrace in Chiefland.  Drug Task Force arrested Jessie Bryan Balogh for trafficking in cocaine, possession oxycodone with intent to distribute and numerous other felony drug charges.  Agents seized 35.4 grams of cocaine, oxycodone pills and 52.2 grams of marijuana.  While agents were executing the warrant, Kelvin Thompson pulled up to the residence and he was arrested for felony driving while license suspended and possession of marijuana (29.2 grams).  When Thompson saw the agents, he immediately threw a bag of marijuana which was later located and seized.

 

The raids were executed simultaneously due to the understanding the drug dealers were believed to be associated and the operation could have put the Deputies in harms way.  The street value of the narcotics seized was approximately $10,000 and agents recovered over $4,000 in cash.  The Chiefland drug operation resulted in 15 felony arrest and 13 misdemeanor arrests.  We are very proud of our Drug Task Force in their efforts to fight the war on drugs.

 

Defendant:

 

James Tarnellius Clemons

725 SE 1 Street

Chiefland, Fl

B/M, 05/04/1974

Possession of Cocaine with intent to distribute

Possession of Marijuana

Obstruction of Justice

Resisting arrest without violence

 

Craig Lashard Joshua

8871 NW 55^th Ave.

Chiefland, Fl.

B/M, 08/21/1983

Possession of a controlled substance

Sale of a controlled substance

Two Counts Maintaining a Drug Dwelling

 

Rollie Tillery

314 SW 8^th Court

Chiefland, Fl

B/M, 01/06/1955

Possession of Crack Cocaine

Resisting arrest without violence

 

Jessie Bryan Balogh

13559 NW 65^th Terrace

Chiefland, Fl.

W/M, 07/25/1987

Trafficking in Cocaine

Possession Oxycodone with intent to Distribute

Possession Marijuana with intent to Distribute

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Maintaining a Drug Dwelling

Sale of Cocaine

Possession of Cocaine

 

Kelvin Lamont Thompson

21220 NE 41 Street

Williston, Fl.

B/M, 12/31/1979

Felony Driving While License Suspended

Felony Possession of Marijuana

 

 

 

 

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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

DUI Checkpoint in Chiefland

On Oct 28, 2011, the Levy County Sheriffs Office and Chiefland Police Department will be hosting a Multi agency DUI, driver’s license vehicle safety checkpoint on NW 14st in the area of NW 22nd Ave from 10pm to 2am. This will be a part of a statewide effort to crack down on impaired driving over the Halloween Holiday. Drivers are asked to have their insurance, registration and drivers license ready when entering the checkpoint.The Levy County Sheriff's Office and the Chiefland Police Departmetn would like to wish everyone a safe HalloweenWeekend and please do not drink and drive.

HALLOWEEN WEEK LONG CRACKDOWN ON DRUNK DRIVING BEGINS TOMORROW.

Drunk Drivers Can’t Hide in Halloween Costumes

Drivers Beware: Local Law Enforcement County Wide Cracking Down on Drinking and Driving

[Bronson, Florida]— As party-going ghosts and goblins celebrate Halloween this year, everyone should heed Levy County Sheriffs office and local Police’s warnings to keep the party off the road. Drivers beware: local law enforcement across the region will be cracking down on drunk drivers with an aggressive Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement blitz. “There isn’t a Halloween costume clever enough to hide a drunk driver who’s made the dangerous decision to get behind the wheel,” Sheriff Smith “Law enforcement officers are committed to keeping the roads safe for everyone to enjoy the holiday.” Nighttime is always a dangerous time on the road. But Halloween is one of the deadliest nights of the year for impaired drivers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 48 percent of all highway fatalities throughout the nation on Halloween night (6 p.m. Oct. 31 to 5:59 a.m. Nov. 1) in 2009 involved a driver or a motorcycle rider with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 grams per deciliter or higher, which is illegal in every state. “The scariest parts of Halloween aren’t the spooky costumes and scary pranks,” said Sheriff Smith. “It’s the fact that too often impaired drivers don’t plan ahead and end up making the roads scarier than a horror show.”

The Levy County Sheriffs Office and your Chiefs of Police recommends these simple tips:

Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin.

Before drinking, please designate a sober driver.

If you’re impaired, take a taxi, call a sober friend or family member,

Bottom line make sure you get home safely.

If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact your local law enforcement. For more information, please visit http://www.nhtsa.gov/drivesober/