On November 25, 2015 at approximately 4 PM, a concerned
citizen contacted the Levy County Sheriff’s Office to report a reckless
driver. The caller stated they observed
a blue Ford pickup truck traveling north on US 19 from the Inglis area. The truck was being driven in an erratic
manner and had nearly collided with several vehicles.
More concerning was that the caller observed a child
(reported to be approximately 4 years of age) inside the vehicle. The child was not restrained in a car seat
and was being shaken about in the vehicle.
Deputy Ryan Sullivan responded to the call and observed the
vehicle traveling northbound near Gulf Hammock.
Deputy Sullivan observed the vehicle being operated in an erratic manner
and saw it nearly collide with another vehicle.
He also observed the small child standing in the rear seat of the
vehicle.
Deputy Sullivan initiated a traffic stop and made contact
with the driver, Joshua Robert Vogel from Palm Harbor, Florida. Vogel smelled of an alcoholic beverage, and
admitted that he had consumed two beers earlier. Deputy Sullivan found a 4 year old female
child in the backseat of the vehicle. The child was not restrained but was
found to be uninjured. Sgt. Carl Rogers
responded to the traffic stop scene and stood by with the child until a
relative arrived to take custody of her.
Vogel agreed to submit to field sobriety exercises. He was unable to satisfactorily complete the
exercises and was arrested for DUI by Deputy Sullivan. During the search incident to arrest, Deputy
Sullivan found a glass smoking pipe that contained burnt marijuana inside
it. The pipe was found on the console of
the pickup truck.
After being arrested, Vogel became belligerent. He resisted
Deputy Sullivan’s attempts to handcuff him.
Vogel cursed and threatened
Deputy Sullivan. He was transported to the Levy County Detention Center where
he refused to provide a breath sample and again cursed and threatened Deputy
Sullivan and Detention Staff.
Vogel was charged with DUI, Child Neglect, Corruption by Threat
Against a Public Servant, Possession of Cannabis, Possession of Drug
Paraphernalia and Resisting Officer Without Violence. Vogel’s bond was set at $10,000.00, and he
was released after posting the bond on November 26, 2015.
As always, LCSO greatly appreciates the assistance of the
public to make our county safer.
Citizens who wish to report suspicious activity can always contact the
Sheriff’s Office at 352-486-5111 or anonymously contact CrimeStoppers of Levy County
at 1-877-349-TIPS or 1-877-349-8477)
