FANNING AREA DRUG DEALER ARRESTED ON FELONY CHARGES



October 29, 2015

Levy County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested Jermaine Carl Curtis (5-16-83) on multiple charges on October 20^th, 2015.  The arrest stemmed from an incident which occurred in the Fanning Springs area on October 4, 2015. 

The Victim reported traveling to Curtis’ residence in order to purchase illegal narcotics from Curtis.  During the attempted purchase, Curtis forcibly grabbed the victim and moved her into another room of the residence.  Curtis stole more than $1,000.00 in cash from the victim.  Curtis beat the victim and threatened the victim with a firearm.  The victim was able to escape from the residence and report the incident to law enforcement.  Prior to the deputies’ arrival, Curtis fled the area. 

Based on the statements by the victim and witnesses as well as physical evidence that was recovered, Deputies obtained an arrest warrant for False Imprisonment, Robbery and Aggravated Assault with a Firearm (3 counts).   Deputies located Curtis on October 20^th in the city of Chiefland where he was taken into custody based on the warrant.  A wallet that Curtis admitted having in his possession at the time of his arrest was found to contain multiple pieces of crack cocaine. 

Curtis is being housed at the Levy County Detention Center under a 1 million dollar bond. 

 

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

 

 

Arrest Made In Cold Case Murder

 

 

 

 

 

ARREST MADE IN COLD CASE MURDER

 

October 27, 2015

On September 15^th, 2015 the Levy County Grand Jury handed down an indictment for Merle Mackey (4-8-43) for first degree murder.  The indictment was based on an incident reported to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office in 1982.  At that time, Evelyn “Laverne” Mackey was reported as a missing person.  Evelyn Mackey was the wife of Merle Mackey.

Throughout the following years, the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office interviewed several witnesses and developed information indicating that the murder actually took place in Levy County.  The victim’s body was not recovered. 

An arrest warrant was issued based on the Grand Jury indictment.  Mackey was arrested in New Mexico by the U.S. Marshal’s Service and transported to Levy County.  Mackey is being housed at the Levy County Detention Center without bond where he awaits trial.

 

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

 

 

Fundraiser to support Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches

 

Basic Pistol Class

Hosted By the Levy County Sheriff's Office

Will qualify for Florida Concealed Weapons License

Nov 14, 2015 8am Levy County Sheriff's Office Classroom

9150 NE 80th Ave., Bronson, Fl 32621

Cost $65 dollars on line price
Cost $75 dollars day of event

Fundraiser for
Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranch

.
Sign up and pay on line at

http://www.active.com/bronson-fl/classes/florida-sheriffs-youth-ranch-pistol-class-2015

Register offline by calling 3524865111 or email sfinnen@levyso.com

Lunch will be provided and additional donations will be accepted

**Update – Inglis Shooting Incident**

October 3, 2015

 

The Levy County Sheriff’s Office received notification from medical personnel at Shands at UF and the family of Otis Ray Bean that he did succumb to his injuries late last night. His passing increases the death toll perpetrated by Walter Tyson to four.

 

LCSO and EMS responded numerous 911 calls to a home located across the street from Inglis Town Hall on Thursday evening. 911 callers reported gunfire at this home. EMS arrived first on scene and discovered two people shot in the front yard. EMS personnel were able to rescue Otis Bean. Good Samaritan Walter “Buzz” Terhune, whom was also shot, had died immediately from his injuries.

 

LCSO along with members of the US Marshal’s Regional Fugitive Task Force surrounded the home. The investigation ultimately led to the discovery of the body of Patricia Tyson on the ground floor and the body of Walter Tyson in a second story bedroom. Patricia Tyson had been shot several times. Walter Tyson died from a self inflicted gunshot wound.

 

LCSO is still actively working on this investigation and continues to ask for public assistance. LCSO investigators are attempting to gather information of Walter Tyson’s activities on the days prior to this violent and deadly act. Anyone who has information is asked to call (352) 486-5111 and ask for Investigations.

                                                                                                              

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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.

Domestic Dispute Ends in Multiple Deaths

Walter A. Tyson

October 2, 2015

The Levy County Sheriff’s Office received numerous 911 calls at approximately 6:10 pm Thursday evening. Callers were reporting hearing shots fired across the street from Inglis Town Hall on Hwy 40 West. Callers also reported there may be injuries related to these shots.

LCSO Telecommunicators immediately dispatched law enforcement and rescue units to the described location. A Levy County Department of Public Safety EMS unit happened to be in very close proximity to this location and immediately responded. The EMS and Inglis Fire Department personnel arrived prior to law enforcement and were not aware the incident location was not safe. EMS, putting themselves in harms way, immediately identified two male victims in the front yard and exited their emergency response vehicle to render aid. EMS quickly recognized the extreme volatile nature of the situation, continued their mission by putting their own lives in peril and heroically rescued Otis Ray Bean Jr. (11-17-61). Mr. Bean was successfully transferred and transported by air ambulance to an area hospital where he remains in critical condition.

A large law enforcement response occurred immediately thereafter. The US Marshal’s Regional Fugitive Task Force was operating in the Inglis area on an unrelated investigation. These team members comprised of US Marshal’s, LCSO Deputies, FDLE Agents, Chiefland Police Officers, Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputies and Gainesville Police Officers surrounded the home. Eye witness testimony was quickly given to these officers confirming the shooter had entered the home. Officers acted quickly and mounted a rescue operation to aid the other male victim found in the yard. Walter Scott “Buzz” Terhune (6-4-47), a local Inglis resident, was removed from the yard, but had unfortunately succumbed to gunshot related injuries.

A secure perimeter had been established by other officers and orders for surrender were immediately given to all occupants of the home. Officers reported seeing a man on the second story of this single family home walk to the window. This person later identified as Walter A. Tyson (1-6-58) disappeared from their sight. Officers heard a single gunshot, followed by a loud thud from inside the home. Task Force officers deployed a robot into the interior of the home and verified one male subject on the upper level of the home who appeared to be dead.

Levy County Sheriff Bobby McCallum requested mutual aid assistance from Citrus County Sheriff Dawsy who sent several members of his SWAT team to assist with this situation. Upon their arrival SWAT members deployed “distraction devices” into the home and made entry. They discovered the remains of a white female in the kitchen area of the home, who was later identified as Patricia Tyson (8-9-61). It was confirmed that Walter Tyson, now apparent suspect, was in fact deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Investigators discovered “Buzz” Terhune, reported by friends as a retired US Vietnam veteran and good Samaritan, upon hearing the gunshots and recognizing local children in the area were in danger went to confront Mr. Tyson. Investigators believe Mr. Terhune was unaware he was walking into this deadly situation as he was going to confront a person he believed was just recklessly discharging a weapon.

Sheriff McCallum and his members at LCSO want to express their condolences to the families and our community who have been affected by this violent act. Sheriff McCallum wants to convey his assurance to the Inglis community that we are committed to ensure their safety. He also wishes to express his deepest gratitude to the members of the Marshal’s Task Force, Sheriff Dawsy for his immediate response for assistance with both his SWAT team members and forensics unit, the Inglis Fire Department, the Levy County Department of Public Safety and the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office. Without their cooperative efforts this tragic event would have taxed his agencies resources and potentially lengthened this investigation. Their assistance aided in the quickest possible resolution for the families and the community.

LCSO continues to actively work this investigation and requests the community’s assistance. If anyone has information to aid the investigation we are asking them to contact LCSO at 352-486-5111 and ask for an investigator in the Criminal Investigations Unit.

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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.