Second Suspect Arrested in Home Invasion
The second suspect from the home invasion robbery reported to Levy County Deputies on 5-10-12 has been arrested. Patrick Shawn McLaughlin 9-13-66 was tracked down last night in Columbia County. He was arrested for the outstanding warrant issued by a Levy County Judge from the information submitted by LCSO Deputy Matt King.
McLaughlin thought he could pull stakes and move to avoid capture for his crimes. He was wrong. The long arm of the law and always-vigilant law officers of Florida are watching. Deputies from Columbia County and Levy County located McLaughlin as he was trying to enjoy a quiet dinner at the Barnyard Junction Restaurant located at 7629 Hwy 27 in Fort White. Dinner interrupted and breakfast guaranteed courtesy of Columbia County Detention Facility.
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Suspect Captured
The final suspect has been apprehended in the extensive investigation conducted by the Levy County Drug Task Force. Ted Alja Williams 11/14/81 was arrested by Levy County Deputies on 5/15/12 and booked into the Levy County Jail on the following charges:
Possession of weapon/ammo by a convicted felon
Possession of more than 10 grams of phenethylamines
Possession of cocaine
Possession of marijuana
Maintaining a drug dwelling
Possession of drug paraphernalia
Total bond for the charged crimes is $320,000.00
Williams was the owner of the home located at 3711 NE 212 Court in Williston, Fl where Levy County Deputies executed a search warrant on the evening of May 4, 2012. Narcotics and money were seized that evening and multiple suspects were arrested. This is a prime example of the hard work the Deputies of Levy County are doing in efforts to stem the sale of narcotics on OUR streets. Works like these will continue and the drug dealers need to take warning. Even though Williams ran that evening, he did not evade capture.
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Partnership
The Levy County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) is proud to announce its' new partnership with the Levy County Quilt Museum. Recently the newly formed Board of Directors for the Quilt Museum began conversation with LCSO and has agreed to begin the new partnership in conjunction with LCSO's community outreach program. The Board of Directors of the Quilt Museum has agreed to donate space in the museum to the Deputies of LCSO. The new office space will allow LCSO Deputies faster access to their area's of responsibility without having to drive to Bronson to complete tasks such as; report submissions, copying documents for active investigations, victim interviews or making phone calls for their cases. This location will provide a "base" of operation for the Deputies. In return LCSO Deputies will provide additional security for the Quilt Museum. Major Sullivan says "this will be community policing at its' finest" and "is honored to be partnered with the Levy County Quilt Museum."
The Quilt Museum will be hosting an Open House announcing the new partnership on Saturday May 19, 2012 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Live Bluegrass music will be played to entertain the guests and finger food will be available. They will also be having a yard sale of items donated by supporters, with proceeds benefiting the Museum.
The Quilt Museum was the dream of Miss Winnelle Horne. She began construction of the museum she called her home in 1991. Construction was completed in 1998. Her passion for this art will be on display Saturday. Miss Winnelle passed on to be with our Lord on January 30, 2012.
Please come and join us this Saturday at the Museum located at 11050 NW 10th Ave in Chiefland, Fl 32626. The Museum directors can be reached a 352-493-2801.
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Media Release
The Levy County Road Department has announced that repairs to CR 347 west of CR 345 will be open today at 6:00 p.m. All repairs will be completed at this time and through traffic in both directions will be available to the motorists.
Levy County Road Department Administrative Superintendent Bruce Greenlee reports that no "voids" were found, as this incident was first suspected to have been caused by a sinkhole. Road crews determined that substandard materials were the cause of the damage discovered to the highway.
Greenlee asks that motorist proceed with caution. The recent repairs have caused "soft shoulders" to the road adjacent to where repairs were made. Flashing message boards on CR 345 will notify the public of the road re-opening.
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School Employee arrested with Guns on Campus
On May 3, 2012, Levy County Sheriff's Office School Resource Deputy Grant Sandlin received information that Williston Elementary Custodian, Dennis W. Solowski possibly had guns in his vehicle. Dep. Sandlin verified that Solowski was currently on duty and his vehicle was parked in the school campus parking lot. Dep. Sandlin located Solowski and interviewed him. Solowski verified that he did have guns in his vehicle. A search of the vehicle by Dep. Sandlin discovered an AR-15 style rifle and a 30-30 lever action rifle in the trunk. In addition to the rifles, a semi-automatic handgun was found under the front seat of the vehicle.
The Levy County School Board requires all employees to review and sign policy prior to employment. Levy County School Board has a "ZERO" tolerance for weapons on their school campuses. Solowski admitted to Dep. Sandlin he knew he was not allowed to have weapons on school campus. Dep. Sandlin arrested Solowski and he was transported to the Levy County Jail.
The Levy County Sheriff's Office and the Levy County School Board will continue to work hand-in-hand to ensure the safety of "OUR" children while at our schools.
MEDIA RELEASE
Date: May 3, 2012
Time: 10:30 PM
For two-and-a-half years, Chief Steven Dixon and his small-town Inglis Police Department have been plagued by the blatant criminal activity they knew was happening in an isolated mobile home on Cypress Lane by a canal in the Levy County riverside town.
Month after month, Dixon's police officers and Levy County Sheriff's Office Drug Task Force agents conducted surveillance, gathered intelligence, spoke with confidential sources, sought out physical evidence and steadily built their case against these thugs.
They suspected that an unknown quantity of stolen property was being traded at the trailer for pills and methamphetamine. As the Inglis Police Department got closer to shutting down what they knew to be a hub of meth cooking, dealing in stolen property and illegal sale of prescription pills and other drugs, they realized they needed more resources to make it all work.
Partnering with the Levy County and Citrus County Sheriff's Offices, a search warrant was served at noon today at 21 Cypress Lane where nine suspects were located. Detectives, deputies and police carefully examined the scene, while crime scene technicians systematically processed the packed premises.
The Levy and Citrus Sheriff's Offices also share a keen stake in the Cypress Lane address. Citrus detectives have identified and arrested many of the more than 90 individuals from their own county known to have ties to the clandestine Inglis location.
During the daytime drug raid, authorities arrested 12 people, plus confiscated methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia to include scales, filters, spoons, needles, etc.
As a result of the investigation into the Levy County drug house, Citrus County deputies developed leads that a residence in Crystal River also may have stolen property. They responded to the residence on N. Pennsylvania Avenue and recovered a stolen Honda generator, boat motor and surround-sound system.
The Levy County operation was deemed a success, with a total of 12 people arrested at kingpin Marian Walker's residence. Major Evan Sullivan, Sheriff Jeff Dawsy and Chief Steve Dixon all agreed they are very proud of the men and women involved in this major investigation and that the operation was executed flawlessly. The citizens of Inglis, Levy and Citrus counties should certainly feel safer knowing that true bad guys are off the streets.
The following persons were arrested today at 21 Cypress Lane in Inglis, Florida:
Marian Cockerham Walker, W/F, 06/12/1956
21 Cypress Lane
Inglis, FL
Charges: Possession of methamphetamine
Possession of drug paraphernalia
Conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine
Maintaining a drug dwelling
Terry Lee Arnold, W/M, 06/13/1973
50 Palm Drive
Inglis, FL
Charges: Possession of methamphetamine
Trafficking in methamphetamine
Manufacturing methamphetamine
Possession of drug paraphernalia
Conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine
Maintaining a drug dwelling
Unlawful possession of chemicals
Five (5) charges of Resisting arrest with violence
Vickie Ann Walker, W/F, 08/21/1970
50 Palm Drive
Inglis, FL
Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine
Possession of drug paraphernalia
Brandy Safawna Smith, W/F, 06/10/1975
588 Hwy. 40 West
Inglis, FL
Charges: Possession of methamphetamine
Possession of drug paraphernalia
Possession of a controlled substance
Sandra Kay Hall, W/F, 04/19/1963
2458 South Pine Ridge Avenue
Homosassa, FL
Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine
Possession of drug paraphernalia
Melissa M. Ford, W/F, 10/10/1977
588 Hwy. 40 West
Inglis, FL
Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine
Vincent L. Baker, W/M, 05/22/1971
10021 West Dublin Street
Crystal River, FL
Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine
Trafficking in methamphetamine
Tampering with evidence
Possession of drug paraphernalia
Kirk W. Cooper, Jr., W/M, 02/11/1977
29 Lewis Street
Inglis, Fl
Charges: Possession of methamphetamine
Conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine
James R. Whigham, W/M, 11/27/1972
12131 S.E. 124th Avenue
Inglis, FL
Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine
Karen R. Whigham, W/F, 09/05/1972
11691 S.E. 35th Street
Morriston, FL
Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine
Bradford J. McEnteggart, W/M, 10/28/1958
8460 55th North
Pinellas Park, FL
Erica Sue Allen, W/F, 01/21/1978
100 North Hawthorne Drive
Inglis, Fl.
Charges: Trafficking in Methamphetamine
Manufacturing Methamphetamine
Unlawful possession of listed chemicals
The following people also have been arrested previously and have ties to the drug house at 21 Cypress Lane in Inglis:
Marian Walker - 06/12/1956 – Arrested by Inglis PD and Citrus County Sheriff's Office for possession of drug paraphernalia and methamphetamine.
Lee "Snake" Arnold - 06/13/1973 - Arrested for trafficking in methamphetamine, manufacturing methamphetamine and habitual driving while license suspended.
Vince Baker - 05/22/1971 - Arrested for possession of methamphetamine and manufacturing of methamphetamine.
Samuel Garrett - 03/17/1984 - Arrested for trafficking in methamphetamine and manufacturing methamphetamine.
Donald Knowlton, Jr. - 07/12/1977 - Arrested for trafficking in stolen property.
Eric Elson - 05/27/1972 - Arrested for possession of a controlled substance, grand theft and driving while license suspended.
Kirk Cooper, Jr. - 02/11/1977 - Arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia
Jerry McKay - 01/11/1982 - Arrested for possession and manufacturing of methamphetamine.
Michelle McKay - 09/23/1986 – Arrested on a warrant.
Derick Short - 06/02/1969 - Arrested for possession of a controlled substance, possession of methamphetamine, fleeing & attempting to elude a police officer, resisting arrest without violence and driving while license suspended or revoked.
Helen Mae "Mae-Mae" Hall - 08/15/1987 - Arrested for controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Linsey Cowles - 07/16/1981 - Arrested on a warrant for violation of probation grand theft.
Tammy Spears - 06/17/1986 – Arrested on a warrant for violation of probation grand theft and possession of unlawful chemicals.
Wayne Drake - 06/22/1966 – Arrested for aggravated battery and grand theft.
Jenna Foster - 11/04/1988 – Arrested for possession and manufacturing of methamphetamine and unlawful use of chemicals.
Hollie Montague - 08/04/1983 – Arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia.
Jannette Aleksandrovic-12/14/1975- Arrested for trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of unlawful chemicals and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Troy Michael Gervais - 07/01/1971- Arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia, DUI and felony violation of probation.
Barbara Brewster- 09/21/1963 – Arrested for petit theft.
Jamie Jacobson - 04/02/1982 – Arrested for grand theft and trafficking in stolen property.
Gary Stine-11/19/1976- Arrested for sell/manufacture/deliver a controlled substance, resisting without violence and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Jennifer Douglas-08/24/1985 – Arrested for possession/trafficking with intent to distribute methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
Stephanie Wilder - 06/16/1975 – Arrested for driving while license suspended or revoked (habitual).
Michele Adams - 04/18/1973 – Arrested for petit theft.
Christopher Martinez - 05/18/1992 – Arrested for petit theft and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Heather Waybright - 12/28/1983 – Arrested for driving while license suspended or revoked.
William Roddenberry - 02/13/1967 – Arrested for driving while license suspended or revoked (habitual) and aggravated fleeing & attempting to elude a police officer.
Christopher Wood - 05/28/1981- Arrested for possession/trafficking with intent to distribute methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
Rex Townsend - 05/06/1956 – Arrested on environmental charges/untreated human waste.
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