Joseph Moscato Accepts 6 Year Plea for Sex Crime

September 25, 2015

Joseph Moscato Jr. (6-21-47), who was arrested by LCSO investigators on February 7, 2015 for sexual battery on a child between the ages of 12-18 years old, accepted a plea today. The victim reported the attack occurred while attending church located at 16750 NW 60 Avenue in Fanning Springs on November 17, 2014. Moscato was sentenced to six (6) years in the Florida Department of Corrections to be followed by nine (9) years of sex offender probation upon his release. Moscato will also be required to register as a sex offender.

Moscato, as a condition of this plea, had to make an allocution to the crime. Basically, he admitted he attacked the child against her will. This plea spared the child victim the trauma of having to testify to the attack Moscato perpetrated.

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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 Investigation Leads to Five Arrests and Meth Lab

Mack Anthony Miller

Danny Lee Kincaid

Lester Hamilton Piersall

September 25, 2015

On September 11, 2015 a Chiefland resident reported his shed located on his property had been broken into within the last 18 hours. LCSO deputies and investigators responded to the complainant’s home and discovered guns, ammunition and tools had been taken. The burglars cut locks and forced the door off the tracks to gain entry. The initial investigation did not produce any leads or potential suspects.

A second burglary was reported from the same location on September 18th. Tools, ammunition and other miscellaneous items were stolen. Investigators developed leads with the assistance of observant community members which aided in the identification of the suspects.

Investigators were able to catch up to the primary suspect; Mack Anthony Miller W/M (8-20-74) on September 21^st at a home located 8291 NW 130^th Street in Chiefland. Investigators subsequently identified and arrested the second suspect of these burglaries, Danny Lee Kincaid W/M (8-24-86).  Both men were charged with armed burglary and grand theft. As this investigation continued at this address, property was found and identified as belonging to the victim of both the burglaries.

But, investigators didn’t stop there. Evidence was found near this home indicating methamphetamines were being manufactured at the location.  LCSO Drug Task Force investigators identified Lester Hamilton Piersall W/M (5-19-61), a registered sex offender and also resident of this home as the methamphetamine “cook.”  He was taken into custody for manufacture of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and transported to the LCSO Detention Facility.

And, investigators still weren’t done. Keith Martin Davis W/M (8-21-80) then drove to the home and became verbally combative with investigators who were still actively working this crime scene.  Davis’ actions drew more attention to him than he probably wanted.  Investigators discovered Davis drove there after his driver’s license had been permanently revoked for failure to pay traffic fines.  He too was arrested and taken to the Levy County Detention Facility.  Kerry Bush W/F (9-16-80), a passenger in the vehicle, was found to have a warrant for her arrest.  She was taken into custody and booked into the Levy County Detention Facility.

The Levy County Sheriff’s Office encourages all citizens who may have information about burglaries, drug activities or other crimes to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 352-486-5111.  The information can also be given anonymously to CrimeStoppers of Levy County at 1-800-349-8477 and you may be entitled to a cash reward.

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Keith Martin Davis

  Kerry Bush

 

 

 

 

Levy Man Arrested for Multiple Child Sex Offenses

 

 

September 23, 2015

Corporal Jay Crooms, of the Levy County Sheriff’s Office, arrested James Lambert (10/14/1949) on September 21, 2015 for multiple sex offenses.  Lambert resided in the Fanning Springs area of the county.  In August of 2015, LCSO was contacted by a concerned parent of two victims who reside outside the county. 

Corporal Crooms of the Criminal Investigations Division was assigned the case.  His investigation revealed that the victims’ family was acquainted with Lambert and had regularly visited him.  The victims, who were both under the age of 12 when the crimes occurred, stated that they were sexually molested on multiple occasions during these visits.  During their interviews, the victims were able to give specific details of the abusive incidents which were beyond the normal knowledge of victims this age.  Lambert allegedly would force himself upon the children when no other adults were present at the residence. 

Lambert agreed to be interviewed by Corporal Crooms.  He denied committing any illegal acts against the victims.  Lambert did admit to being alone with them on multiple occasions. 

After the interview, Corporal Crooms arrested Lambert for 2 counts of Lewd and Lascivious Molestation and 2 counts of Sexual Battery upon a child.  Lambert is being held at the Levy County Detention Center where he is awaiting trial.  His bond was set at 4 million dollars.  

 

 

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Alcohol Sales Compliance Checks Results in Arrests

 Kartik Kisho Bose

Parimalkumar Rambhai Patel

September 23, 2015

A concerned citizen contacted a LCSO deputy and filed a complaint stating local businesses were selling alcoholic beverages to under aged kids. To support their claim, the citizen told our deputy they recently discovered their child was purchasing beer. The child told them they had purchased it from a local convenience store.

LCSO contacted the State Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (ABT) and explained the complaint. ABT licenses and governs the local sales of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products. ABT, familiar with these types of complaints offered to partner with LCSO and the Williston Police Department to address the problem.

The partnered agencies conducted compliance operations at 10 stores in the Williston area of Levy County and inside the City of Williston. Of these checks, six (6) stores were found to be in compliance by verifying the purchasers age with proper identification prior to the sale.  Two store clerks, who were found not to be in compliance by selling alcoholic beverages to an underage buyer, were issued a Notice to Appear in court for the violation.

In addition to these violations, two arrests were made. Kartik Kisho Bose (1-9-57), clerk at the Lil Food Ranch on SR 121 and Parimalkumar Rambhai Patel (8-27-79), clerk at the Kwik King in Morriston, were arrested for sale of alcohol to a person under 21. Neither of these men had identification to confirm their identity and appearance notices could not be issued. Both men were transported to the Levy County Detention Facility where the Rapid ID fingerprint system is located and were properly identified. Bose posted a $2,000 bond the following morning and was released. Patel was released on his own recognizance.

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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.

TRAFFIC WARNING

 

The traffic light in Bronson (intersection of State Road 24 and U.S. Alternate 27) is disabled due to a traffic crash.  Please use caution when traveling through the area.  FDOT is enroute to repair the signal but it is unknown at this time how long the repairs will take to be completed. 

Thanks for your cooperation. 

 

 

 

 

 

Task Force Arrests Suspected Meth Dealer  

 

September 17, 2015

On September 17, 2015 at approximately 2:30 AM, Deputies from the Levy County Drug Task Force observed a male subject walking along Southeast 144^th Place near Inglis, Florida.  The subject was identified as Patrick A. Lookingbill (28 yoa).  Lookingbill appeared to be intoxicated and deputies stopped to check on his welfare.  They conducted a pat-down search of Lookingbill for weapons and recovered a folding knife. 

Lookingbill then voluntarily emptied his pants pockets and produced a small plastic tube.  The tube contained three small plastic baggies with a white powdered substance inside.  The powder tested positive for methamphetamine.  Deputies found additional drug paraphernalia in a backpack that Lookingbill was carrying.  The paraphernalia included syringes, additional plastic baggies, cotton swabs and a metal spoon with burn marks on it. 

Lookingbill was arrested by Investigator Joe Barrera for Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  Lookingbill was booked into the Levy County Detention Facility, and his bond has been set at $60,000.00. 

The Drug Task Force encourages all citizens who may have information about drug activities or other crimes to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 352-486-5111.  The information can also be given anonymously to CrimeStoppers of Levy County at 1-800-349-8477 and you may be entitled to a cash reward.  

 

 

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South Levy Traffic Stop Results in Drug Arrest

 

September 17, 2015

On September 17, 2015, Deputies from the Levy County Drug Task Force conducted a traffic stop on a 2005 model Ford “dually” truck for erratic driving.  The vehicle was driven by Reinhard Bailey (60 yoa) of Dunnellon.  The truck had been seen earlier at an inactive clandestine methamphetamine lab site.  The deputies, who are also Certified Clandestine Lab Investigators, observed both Lye and 2 containers of Coleman camp fuel in plain view in the vehicle.   Both substances are used in the process of illegally manufacturing methamphetamine. 

During the subsequent search of the vehicle, the deputies located 7 individual baggies of a substance that tested positive for methamphetamine.  The methamphetamine had been concealed in the driver’s side door.  Bailey was arrested by Deputy Tim Rogers for Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  Bailey was booked into the Levy County Detention Facility and his bond has been set at $90,000.00. 

The illegal manufacture, distribution and use of methamphetamine continue to be a problem in Levy County.  The Drug Task Force encourages all citizens who may have information about these activities to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 352-486-5111.  The information can also be given anonymously to CrimeStoppers of Levy County at 1-800-349-8477 and you may be entitled to a cash reward. 

 

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National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day

 

 

The Levy County Sheriff's Office in partnership with the Levy County Prevention Coalition and the Williston Police Department, will be participating in the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency's National Prescription Drug Take Back Initiative.

 This year's event will be sponsored by the Levy County Sheriff’s Office on Saturday September 26th, 2015, from 10:00AM until 2:00 PM. Sheriff’s Deputies will be present to accept all medications. There will be 4 collection sites available in Levy county.  These will be: 

 1.  The South Entrance to the Levy County Sheriff’s Office complex located at 9150 NE 80 Ave., Bronson, FL 32621;

 2.  First Baptist Church, 511 North Young Boulevard, Chiefland, FL  32626;

 

3.  Inglis Town Hall, 135 Highway 40 West, Inglis, FL, 34449;

 4.  Ornan Lodge, 250 NE 6^th Boulevard, Williston, FL  32696.  This location will be manned by Williston Police, Department. 

 Participants are encouraged to bring in prescription medications that are no longer used, out of date, or medications from loved ones who have passed away. Medications can be loose or in containers.  Participants will be able to drive in and drop medications off into boxes provided without having to exit their vehicles.

 Please join us in participating in this important initiative to keep unwanted or unneeded medications off our streets.

 

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