Deputy Sheriff Honored by Navy Reserve

January 30, 2015

LCSO wishes to recognize Deputy Sheriff Ryan Sullivan for receiving the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal from the U.S. Navy Reserve.  As part of his Reserve duty, Deputy Sullivan is assigned to Naval Air Station Jacksonville and attached to Base Police / Maritime Security.    

Deputy Sullivan was presented the Medal after he and two crew members rescued three swimmers in distress in October of 2014.  Deputy Sullivan was the operator of the patrol boat used in the rescue.  Chief Warrant Officer Frederick Eisler, Deputy Sullivan’s commanding officer, presented the Medal to Deputy Sullivan in December of 2014. 

LCSO congratulates Deputy Sullivan on his award.  We thank him for his service to our country and the citizens of Levy County.   

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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.

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

Drug Arrest in Bronson

January 20, 2015

On January 17, 2015 K-9 Deputy Clint Anderson was on patrol in the Town of Bronson. Dep. Anderson received information that Jermey Jamal Mayes (8-20-90) was operating a vehicle while his license was suspended. Dep. Anderson confirmed through a license check Mayes' license had been suspended in November of 2014 for failure to pay traffic fines. Dep. Anderson located Mayes operating a 1993 Lincoln on Court Street in Bronson and conducted a traffic stop.

During Dep. Anderson’s stop, Mayes confessed to having possession of a firearm in the vehicle. Dep. Anderson went to retrieve the firearm and upon entering the vehicle with the owner’s permission, smelled a strong odor of marijuana. Dep. Anderson located a Beretta .25 caliber firearm in the center console along with 1.1 grams of marijuana. Continuing his search, Dep. Anderson also located 10 pieces of crack cocaine packaged for street level sales and 17.9 grams of powder cocaine and $910.00 in cash.

Mayes was arrested and booked into the Levy County Detention Facility for possession of cocaine with the intent to sell, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, driving while license suspended or revoked and possession of marijuana. His bond has been set at $87,500.00.

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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.

Ohio Sex Offender Captured in Bronson

January 20, 2015

On January 16, 2015 LCSO Corporal Mike Bell of the Patrol Division responded to a verbal disturbance at 11150 NE 110 Terrace in the University Oaks subdivision. While conducting his investigation, Corporal Bell learned John H. Whitfield (4-20-79) was residing at this home.  He also learned that Whitfield had fled the residence on foot when he arrived.

Cpl. Bell requested a wanted persons’ check on Whitfield.  Corporal Bell determined Whitfield was wanted in Ohio for trafficking in marijuana and was listed as having violent tendencies. Whitfield was also convicted of rape in Ohio. Whitfield was released from custody in 2006 from the Ohio Department of Corrections. Cpl. Bell conducted further investigation and determined Whitfield had not registered as a sex offender in the State of Florida. Cpl. Bell learned Whitfield had been residing at this home in Levy County since December 11^th of 2014.

At approximately 1600 hours Cpl. Bell received information Whitfield had returned to the home. Just prior to his arrival, Whitfield fled again.  Deputy Clint Anderson and his K-9 partner Nero responded to the scene.  After receiving a tip from concerned citizen Carrie Brown, Whitfield was apprehended in a nearby wooded lot.

Whitfield is being held in the Levy County Detention Facility after being charged with resisting arrest without violence and failure to register as a sex offender. His bond has been set at $165,000.00. Whitfield will be taken back to face his charges in Ohio when his charges in Florida have been heard by the courts.

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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.

Students Help Ronald McDonald House Charities

 

Williston High School students recently donated more than 100 pounds of aluminum can tabs to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of North Central Florida.  The students collected the tabs over a period of approximately 14 months.  Also adding to the donations were employees of the Levy County Sheriff’s Office and “The Junction” in Williston. 

The project was coordinated by Community Resource Deputy, Grant Sandlin.  Deputy Sandlin collected the tabs and credited the students with community service hours based on the number of tabs they turned in.  Once Deputy Sandlin’s barrel was full of tabs, he delivered it to the Ronald McDonald House in Gainesville. 

Deputy Sandlin is pictured below delivering the barrel of tabs to Executive Director, Sherry Houston.  The Ronald McDonald House in turn sells the tabs to a recycling company.  With the funds from the sale, the Ronald McDonald House helps families care for children with critical health needs.

LCSO thanks the Ronald McDonald House for their good work.  We commend Deputy Sandlin, the WHS students and others who helped with this significant donation. 

This is an ongoing project.  Anyone who would like to help can contact Deputy Sandlin at the Sheriff’s Office.  

Levy County Sheriff's Office
(352) 486-5111

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