Injunction for Williston Hip-Hop Event Signed

The Levy County Sheriff’s Office has become aware that a small group of organizers in Williston have scheduled a “Labor Day HIP- HOP Extravaganza” to take place at the So-So Clean Car Wash on Saturday August 31. The Levy County Board of County Commissioners had an emergency meeting earlier today to address this unsanctioned event. An Emergency Injunction has been granted to halt this event that is expected to draw crowds from around the state. The LCSO is in the process of serving this injunction on the organizers and the artists who were expected to perform at this event. Sheriff’s Deputies will be out to enforce this injunction and any person found in violation is subject to arrest.

 

The LCSO is especially concerned for PUBLIC SAFETY and the safety of travelers on this HOLIDAY WEEKEND. An event of this expected size will create additional traffic safety hazards to an already congested weekend. In addition the LCSO wants to avoid a situation similar to that encountered at the Crab Festival in 2013.

 

The LCSO recognizes that this event has been scheduled for people to come and have a good time. It appears that the organizers have disregarded Levy County Ordinance Chapter 10 that relates to “music or entertainment festivals”. Without proper planning on the organizers part we cannot allow this event to take place and place our citizens in harms way.

 

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Lt. Scott Tummond
Criminal Investigations Division
Levy County Sheriff's Office
(352) 486-5111

"Know Something We Don't" Call Crime Stoppers 1-877-349-8477 remain anonymous.



LCSO Recognizes Volunteers

On August 27, 2013, Sheriff McCallum and his staff met to honor members of the Citizens On Patrol (COPS) for the service they provide to the citizens.  Among many other things, these volunteers work traffic details for parades, funerals school zones and sporting events.  The COPS also assist the LCSO Civil Division with various duties at the courthouse. 

 

The assistance provided by these volunteers allows deputies to concentrate on law enforcement duties.  In the process, the COPS save the Levy County taxpayers thousands of dollars each year. 

 

The highlight of the ceremony was the recognition of Mrs. Mary Cowart for providing over 10,000 hours of service.  Mrs. Cowart attended the very first LCSO volunteer academy class in the 1990’s.  At that time the program was called “VOICE”.  Sheriff McCallum presented to Mrs. Cowart an engraved clock symbolizing her time and effort given to the citizens.  Sheriff McCallum also presented a blanket to Mrs. Cowart which was embroidered with the LCSO logo. 

 

Other COPS recognized at the meeting and their respective hours of service were: 

 

1. Bob McFadden                                      9,000 hours;
2. Dan Kelly                                              4,500 hours
3. Stella Damann                                      3,500 hours;
4. Donna McFadden                                  3,000 hours;
5. Lonnie Hayes, Sr.                                  3,000 hours;
6. Bill and Terry Merkel                              2,000 hours;
7. Tom Munsell                                         2,000 hours;
8. Glenn Bowers                                       2,000 hours;
9. Ron Grant                                             1,500 hours;
10. Lonnie Hayes, Jr.                                  1,500 hours;
11. Robert Krumm                                      1,000 hours;
12. Elihu Ross                                            1,000 hours;
13. Linda. Hayes                                         1,000 hours;
14. Dave Lewis                                              500 hours;
15. Donna Munsell                                         500 hours;
16. Jonathan Roark                                        500 hours;
17. Bo Hayes                                                 500 hours

 

            

A big LCSO “Thank You” to all our volunteers, and especially Mrs. Mary Cowart!

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Lt. Scott Tummond
Criminal Investigations Division
Levy County Sheriff's Office
(352) 486-5111

"Know Something We Don't" Call Crime Stoppers 1-877-349-8477 remain anonymous.

Sexual Predator

Sexual Predator

Public Address Notification

 

August 29, 2013

 

On August 27, 2013 Terry Edwards registered as a Sexual Predator with the Levy County Sheriff’s Office. By Florida law Edwards is required to notify law enforcement whenever he changes addresses.

 

Terry Edwards was convicted in 2001 in Levy County, Fl for Sexual Battery/Physically Helpless Victim FS 7940.11(4)(a) . Edwards was just released from the Florida Department of Corrections and has registered his address as: 21161 NE 35 Street Williston, Fl.

 

For a complete listing of all registered sexual predators and offenders residing in Levy County, or to search by zip code, please visit www.fdle.state.fl.us and go to the sexual offender data base.

 

Sexual Predator:

Terry Edwards

21161 NE 35 Street

Williston, Fl

White/Male

DOB: 11/10/1971

 

Levy County Sheriff's Office Business Watch Program

The Levy County Sheriff's Office operates the Business Watch Program as an opportunity for local business owners to actively participate in creating a safe business environment in Levy County. Each participating business provides emergency contact information to the Sheriff's Office and in turn they are issued a Business Watch Identification Number and a Business Watch Sticker that will be displayed on their business. This cooperation between the Sheriff's Office and the business owner allows for timely contact with business owners in the event of an emergency situation.

 

If you would like to enroll in this program, or update your contact information if already enrolled, please contact the Levy County Sheriff’s Office at 352-486-5111 ext 290.

 

Lt. Scott Tummond
Criminal Investigations Division
Levy County Sheriff's Office

(352) 486-5111

"Know Something We Don't" Call Crime Stoppers 1-877-349-8477 remain anonymous.

 

Domestic Dispute Ends in a Man’s Death

At 3:08 a.m. on August 25, 2013 the Levy County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from a female reporting that someone had been shot at her home. As 911 operators obtained information from the caller it was discovered that an exchange of gunfire had occurred between an occupant of the home and the defendant John Paul Robinson.

 

Last Wednesday Robinson was served with an Injunction for Protection (Restraining Order) by Levy County Sheriff’s Office Deputies. The Court order instructed Robinson to vacate the home. This order was to protect the petitioner, who is also the 911 caller from further violence.

 

Shortly before the 911 call was made, Robinson secretly and forcibly entered the home through a locked back door. Robinson was armed with a sawed off shotgun and encountered a male occupant sleeping on the couch in the living room area of the home. The two men exchanged gunfire. Robinson was struck once in the upper left shoulder from a shotgun blast fired by the occupant of the home. This shot was fatal. The occupant suffered two gunshot wounds to his lower extremities and was transported to a local Emergency Room for treatment. He is listed in stable condition. This investigation is continuing.

 

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Lt. Scott Tummond
Criminal Investigations Division
Levy County Sheriff's Office

(352) 486-5111

 

"Know Something We Don't" Call Crime Stoppers 1-877-349-8477 remain anonymous.

Problem with Email Notifications

We have identified a problem with our email notifications that send each of our subscriber’s press releases from this page. We are in the process of correcting this issue. However, it will require EACH SUBSCRIBER to register for these notifications again. We expect to have this issue resolved within the next 24 hours. If you have received this email notification please log onto our page tomorrow evening at www.levysostar.com and re-register your email address in the subscriber registration area located on the right side of the web page window and confirm your subscription. We are truly sorry for this inconvenience and if you have any issues or concerns please contact Lt. Scott Tummond at 352-486-5111 extension 285.

Retired School Crossing Guard Honored

On August 20, 2013 personnel from the Levy County Sheriff's Office, along with friends and family, gathered at the Jones Temple Church of God in Christ in Williston to honor Mr. Johnny Cudjo.  Mr. Cudjo retired as school crossing guard at the end of the 2012-2013 school year.  Mr. Cudjo was recognized by Sheriff Bobby McCallum for 17 years of service as the School Crossing Guard for Williston Middle School. 

 

Speakers at the ceremony included Pastor Reggie Williams, Sheriff McCallum, Community Relations Division Lieutenant Sean Mullins and Deputy Grant Sandlin.  The speakers noted Mr. Cudjo’s dedication to the safety of the school children and his willingness to carry out his daily duties in all kinds of weather. Sheriff McCallum presented Mr. Cudjo with a plaque as a token of appreciation for Mr. Cudjo’s service.  Sheriff McCallum also applauded Mr. Cudjo for continuing to work, even at 85 years young. 

 

THANK YOU Mr. Cudjo for your service!

 

 

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Lt. Scott Tummond
Criminal Investigations Division

Levy County Sheriff's Office

(352) 486-5111

"Know Something We Don't" Call Crime Stoppers 1-877-349-8477 remain anonymous.

 

 

Neighborhood Disturbance Leads to Arrest

 

The LCSO responded to a 911 call for assistance in the Ocala Highlands West area of Morriston, Florida on August 19 at approximately half past midnight. The male caller told 911 operators that he and his wife had been in an argument with the neighbor across the street and that he had been injured.

 

When Deputies arrived on scene and contacted the victims, they were told that during the argument the neighbor struck the male victim twice with the butt of a shotgun.  The victim had been struck once in the face and once on the back of his head. He escaped and fled to his home. The suspect then grabbed the female victim, professed his love for her and told her that he wanted her to come to Mexico with him. She was able to talk him into releasing her unharmed. As she was running to safety she heard two gunshots fired from the direction of Suspect’s home.

 

Deputies were told the suspect, whom they identified as Hector Soto, returned to his home located across the street. Deputies cautiously approached the home and utilized their PA system to call to Soto. The deputies got no response from anyone inside the home.

 

Deputies from the Patrol, Criminal Investigations and Drug Task Force Units established a perimeter at the home.  The Deputies maintained the perimeter throughout the night time hours.  Shortly after daybreak the Deputies entered the property in an attempt to locate the suspect. The home was found to be empty. Investigators later received a tip that Soto had made his way to Marion County. With the assistance of the Ocala Police Department, LCSO Investigators located Soto in the Ocala area of Marion County and took him into custody.

 

LCSO Investigators subsequently obtained a search warrant for the residence in Ocala Highlands West.  The search of the property revealed that Soto was also cultivating marijuana.   Evidence indicating the Suspect had been using multiple aliases was also found inside the home.  A search of State arrest records indicated the suspect had previously been arrested under the name of Jose Angel Gomez.

 

Soto, AKA Gomez, was booked into the Levy County Detention Bureau.  He was charged with Aggravated Battery, Attempted Kidnapping, Aggravated Assault and Cultivation of Cannabis. His bond has been set at $1.125 million dollars.

 

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LCSO BACK TO SCHOOL PREPARATIONS

Recently LCSO Deputies attended additional specialized training at Bronson High School in preparation for the 2013-2014 school year.  The training was designed to simulate responding to threats in a school campus setting and is part of ongoing scenario based training for all Levy County Schools.  This training was done with the cooperation of School Superintendent, Bob Hastings and incorporates instructional sessions between LCSO and our teachers.  The instructors were Lt. Scott Finnen and School Resource Deputy, Grant Sandlin.  Deputies from the Patrol, Detention, Criminal Investigations and Community Resource Divisions all participated in the training. 

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Lt. Scott Tummond
Criminal Investigations Division
Levy County Sheriff's Office
(352) 486-5111

"Know Something We Don't" Call Crime Stoppers 1-877-349-8477 remain anonymous.

Burglary Suspect Arrested

Matthew Albert McDonald W/M 12-23-94 of Inglis, Fl has been arrested on multiple felony charges resulting from a combined investigation between LCSO and Inglis Police Department. McDonald became the focus of investigators in early July after numerous burglaries and thefts had been reported both in the Town of Inglis and the outlying county area over the past several months. Levy County's Cpl. Jay Crooms teamed up Inglis PD Officers who worked together in their investigations. The culmination of which led to McDonald's ultimate arrest on 8 felony charges including Burglary, Grand Theft, Theft of a Firearm and Dealing in Stolen Property. Numerous stolen items were recovered by investigators, including one firearm.

 

McDonald is being held at the Levy County Detention Facility and has been given a bond of $370,000.

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Lt. Scott Tummond
Criminal Investigations Division
Levy County Sheriff's Office
(352) 486-5111

"Know Something We Don't" Call Crime Stoppers 1-877-349-8477 remain anonymous.