Club 212 – Hard Work Pays Off

The Levy County Sheriff’s Office partnered with 8^th Judicial State Attorney’s Office Lead Prosecutor Bill Ezzell, and won a major case in the eyes of the East Williston community. Eugene Donald was convicted by a jury of his peers on August 27, 2014 in Levy County for keeping or maintaining a public nuisance where drugs are sold (a felony) and maintaining a dwelling where alcohol is sold without a license (a misdemeanor). 

Club 212, as it was named by some East Williston residents, was a thorn in the side of local law enforcement, and the neighborhood it was located in. LCSO and Sheriff McCallum himself began receiving complaints from the East Williston community members and surrounding areas in April of 2013. These complaints varied from loud music, excessive crowds, and traffic problems to gunfire heard in the area. Because of the club, LCSO was forced to dedicate significant resources to the area each weekend.

The LCSO began to monitor and document these complaints. LCSO enlisted the assistance of the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (ABT) and the Gainesville Police Department. As the investigation gained traction, it was obvious to law enforcement many violations were occurring. Open sales of alcoholic beverages without proper licensing and drug violations were being seen. LCSO also conducted an investigation during which one person was shot in the parking lot patrons were using across the street from the club.

Undercover operations began in August 2013 in efforts to strengthen the now building criminal case. Investigators were able to gain access to the interior of the building through undercover operations and discovered the double wide mobile home had been gutted to accommodate the large crowds gathering there.  

On November 15, 2013 LCSO, ABT and the Levy County Code Enforcement executed a search warrant at Club 212 located at 3711 NE 212 Court and arrested Eugene and Chrissi Donald, husband and wife.

LCSO wishes to thank all of the support we received from the Williston community and the agencies who assisted in the investigation. Charges are still pending in case against Chrissi Donald and she is awaiting her day in court.

Sheriff McCallum added, “I hope the efforts made by my office and our deputies have assisted the community and the residents feel more secure in their homes. Now that we have returned it to the peaceful neighborhood they had before Club 212.”

 

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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.

 



UPDATE : Missing/Endangered Adult – James Bailey

***SUBJECT LOCATED***

Mr. James Bailey has been located in another jurisdiction by law enforcement. He is healthy and in good care. He did not wish to disclose his location to the public. Based on the assessment conducted by Law Enforcement in the jurisdiction he was found, we will honor his wishes.

The Levy County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank all of the volunteers from the Yankeetown Fire Department, the U. S. Coast Guard Station Yankeetown, the Levy County SERT Team, Citrus County Sheriff’s Office and all the citizens in the Yankeetown/Inglis area who helped with this search. 

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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.

Missing/Endangered Person – Public Help Needed

 

The Levy County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance in locating James Bailey. Mr. Bailey is described as a white male, 63 years old, 5’-8”, 155 pounds. He is currently clean shaven. Mr. Bailey was last seen at his son’s home where he was living. The home is located at 32 Knotts Way in Yankee Town, Fl. at 0800 this morning. This is in the area of Cattail Creek RV Park.

Mr. Bailey has only been living in the Florida area for a few months and had very few contacts here. He left the home accompanied by his dog, described as a gray and white shih-tzu. He does not have the animal on a leash and the animal could have wandered away from him. Family reports he left the home on foot and does not have access to any vehicles.

Mr. Bailey has a history of violent seizures and was due for his medication at 1800 hours this evening. He walks with a noticeable limp and has to frequently rest. Family also reports he is exhibiting early signs of dementia and has recently questioned them why he was in Florida, and where his wife is. Family reports she passed away approximately 4 months ago in Indiana.

If anyone has any information about Mr. Bailey's whereabouts, or locates a lost dog as described above, please contact LCSO at 1-800-538-9767 or 352-486-5111.

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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.

 

***Update - Fatal Fire Investigation***

August 20, 2014 - 0930 Hours

The Levy County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed two people perished in the fire reported early this morning in the University Oaks Subdivision. Elizabeth Fredrick, 78 and Rhiannon Rickmyer, 10 have been located inside the home that was totally consumed by the fire. There is no evidence of any foul play. The family of the victims has been notified. The local school where Rhiannon attended is arranging grief counseling for the students and facility that may be affected by this tragic incident.

Fire personnel, Deputies, the State Fire Marshal’s Office and the 8^th District Medical Examiner’s Office are still actively working on scene. A portion of NE 105 Avenue in the 12200 block is still closed to traffic as emergency personnel work. 

 

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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.

Fatal Fire Investigation

 

August 20, 2014

 

On August 20, 2014 at approximately 2:15 AM, Deputies from the Levy County Sheriff’s Office responded to the University Oaks area of Levy County to the report of a fire.  Deputies and Bronson Fire Department units found a mobile home fully engulfed in flames.  The home was located at 12331 NE 105 Avenue, Archer, Florida.   

 

The scene is being actively investigated at this time.  Units from Williston Fire Department, Chiefland Fire Department, Archer Fire Department and the Levy County Department of Public Safety also responded.  LCSO Deputies and the Victim Advocate are assisting investigators from the State Fire Marshal’s Office with the investigation. 

 

LCSO can confirm that two deceased persons have been discovered at the scene.  No identifications have been made. 

 

A small portion of NE 105 Avenue is currently blocked to facilitate the investigation.  LCSO asks that all citizens avoid using that portion of the roadway if possible.  Additional details will be released as soon as possible. 

 

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New Technology Training for LCSO Deputies

August 12, 2014

The Levy County Sheriff’s Office Deputies and Detention Officers are utilizing the technology of the LION Virtual Weapons Training version 7 from Palatka, Fl this week. Deputies and Detention Officers alike are experiencing the Fire Arms Training Simulator (FATS), a scenario based shoot/don’t shoot situation during this interactive training exercise. The simulator uses real to life specialized training firearms, tazers and pepper spray, all of which communicate with the interactive video being displayed in front of them. Deputies are graded on their overall performance, not just the shoot/don’t shoot aspect. Each officer must give clear and concise verbal commands as well as make the split second decision on how they will react should they face a similar real life situation.

LCSO Detention Corporal Hazellief pictured below, puts his skills and prior training to the test. He passed with flying colors.

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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.

 

UPDATE on Potential Attempted Abduction Incident

August 8, 2014

On July 31, 2014 Deputies responded at 12:44 pm to the area of 130 Maple Street in Inglis, Florida to a reported suspicious incident. Approximately 20 minutes earlier a 10 year old girl was walking alongMaple Streetgoing to a friend’s home. While walking along the road, a white Chevy S-10 with rust spots driven by a white male passed the girl. The driver was described as bald with a goatee and rotting teeth pulled along side of her. He opened the passenger door and motioned to her while saying “Come in”. The child immediately ran away and observed the vehicle depart the area in the area of CR 40A.

Additional deputies responded to the area searching for the vehicle described by the child. The vehicle was not located. Other residents in the area were interviewed and their information confirms this vehicle and the driver have been seen before. The search continues for this person.

On August 8, 2014 LCSO received a composite sketch of the suspect. Anyone who may know this individual should contact LCSO at 352-486-5111 or Crime Stoppers with the information.

 

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UPDATED Child Death Investigation

 

August 8, 2014

 

On August 7, 2014 at approximately 8:30 AM, Deputies from the Levy County Sheriff’s Office responded to 7297 NW 162^nd Street, Trenton, Levy County, Florida, to the report of a child being injured by multiple dogs.  When Deputies and Levy County Department of Public Safety personnel arrived they discovered a 6 year old male child, Joel Chirieleison, deceased. 

 

The child had injuries consistent with being attacked by a dog or dogs.  The subsequent investigation revealed that the child had been left in the care of his paternal aunt, Heather Claar.  Claar resides at the incident location.  Claar had allowed the Victim to go outside the home to play at the same time she allowed two of her pit bulldogs outside.  For unknown reasons, the dogs attacked and killed the child outside the residence.  There were no eyewitnesses to the attack.  The Victim was not a stranger to the dogs and had been around them on a regular basis.  Animal Control personnel removed multiple dogs from the property for quarantine purposes. 

 

This incident was emotionally stressful on family members as well as the law enforcement, EMS and Animal Control personnel who responded.  LCSO thanks all who provided assistance including Levy County Animal Control, the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office, the Medical Examiner’s Office and Another Way, Inc. 

 

The Victim’s family asked that LCSO issue the following statement: 

 

On behalf of the Joel Chirieleison family, we would like to thank everyone for their prayers and concerns, but at this time we would ask that you respect our time to be alone as a family. Please direct any questions or concerns to the Levy County Sheriff's Office. Thank you.

 

  

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Teen Death Investigation

 

August 7, 2014

 

On August 7, 2014 at approximately 3:40 PM, Deputies from the Levy County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence located South of the City of Williston to the report of a possible deceased teen.  Deputies and Levy County Department of Public Safety personnel discovered a 13 year old male child deceased inside the residence. 

 

Deputies are currently on scene and the investigation is continuing.  At this time, the death does not appear to be a homicide.  Additional information will be forthcoming.   

 

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Child Death Investigation

 

August 7, 2014

 

On August 7, 2014 at approximately 8:30 AM, Deputies from the Levy County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Fanning Springs area of Levy County to the report of a child being injured by multiple dogs.  When Deputies and Levy County Department of Public Safety personnel arrived they discovered a 6 year old male child deceased.  The child had injuries consistent with being attacked by a dog or dogs. 

 

Deputies immediately set up a scene perimeter and began their investigation.  They were assisted by Levy County Animal Control, the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office, the Medical Examiner’s Office and victim services were provide by Another Way, Inc.  Animal Control personnel removed multiple dogs from the property for quarantine purposes. 

 

The investigation is continuing at this time.  Additional information will be forthcoming after notification has been made of the immediate family members.    

 

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CITRUS / LEVY DRUG TASK FORCE MAKES SEIZURES IN SOUTH LEVY

 

August 6, 2014

 

 

On July 31, 2014, Deputies from both Citrus and Levy Counties, working as part of the Citrus / Levy Drug Task Force, made several seizures of drugs and other evidence in the Inglis, Florida area.  The Deputies traveled to the area in force.  After several hours they were able to open 6 new cases based on evidence they had recovered. 

 

Deputies located and dismantled two clandestine methamphetamine labs that had been previously in operation (Cases 1425195 and 1425290).  They also seized 14 cannabis plants that were being cultivated in the area (Cases 1425173, 1425175 and 1425177) in three different locations.  Charges for the Manufacture of Cannabis are pending against one individual at this time. 

 

Deputies were also able to locate and recover a Dodge van that had been reported stolen in Citrus County.  The van had been concealed in a wooded area near one of the methamphetamine labs on Linda Street in the town limits of Inglis.  The van was processed by the LCSO Crime Scene Unit and then recovered for return to the owner (Case 1425194). 

 

The search for additional suspects and evidence continues in these cases.  Additional Task Force Operations are planned for the near future as the inter-agency cooperation continues to expand. 

 

 

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FAMILY TRADITION

 

August 4, 2014

 

Alachua County Deputy Mikell McKoy was hired by ASO on March 26, 2014.  Deputy McKoy is in the final stages of his field training.  He is a product of the Sheriff’s Explorer program and has already distinguished himself in the Law Enforcement Academy and the short time he has been working on the street.   Deputy Mikell McKoy is the nephew of longtime Levy County Deputy Frank McKoy. 

 

LCSO Deputy McKoy has been faithfully serving the citizens for more than 27 years.  During his full time employment Deputy Frank McKoy served primarily in the School Resource Division.  LCSO Deputy McKoy continues to work as a part time deputy today.  He assists with the Sex Offender monitoring program and special details on an as needed basis. 

 

LCSO congratulates ASO Deputy McKoy for carrying on the “Family Tradition” and we thank LCSO Deputy McKoy for being a fine role model. 

 

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