Levy Man Sentenced for Child Sex Offense

 

 

 

December 31, 2015

Donald Keith McLaughlin (4-8-67) was sentenced in Levy County Circuit Court on November 4, 2015.  McLaughlin entered a plea to one count of Engaging in Sexual Activity with a Child aged 12 to 18.  Circuit Judge William Davis thereafter sentenced McLaughlin to 18 years of prison to be followed by 15 years of Sex Offender Probation. 

Levy County Sheriff’s Office Investigators became aware of the crimes in 2014 when McLaughlin was arrested on unrelated charges in Putnam County, Florida.  Putnam SO Investigators notified Levy Investigators of documentary evidence of sex crimes they had located in their county.  The evidence was substantial and included videotapes and journals kept by McLaughlin. 

After painstakingly reviewing the evidence, LCSO Investigators identified several child victims and determined that some of the crimes occurred in Levy County.  The offenses occurred as far back as the year 2000.  The Investigators then began interviewing victims. 

In May of 2014, Sgt. Mike Narayan and Cpl. Tom Martin interviewed McLaughlin in Putnam County.  They obtained admissions from McLaughlin that he had engaged in sex crimes with a child in Levy County.  After compiling the evidence, LCSO Investigators obtained an arrest warrant for McLaughlin on May 21, 2014.  The warrant was executed on September 8, 2014. 

LCSO Investigators are pleased to be able to assist in the long-term incarceration of McLaughlin and to help bring closure to some of his victims.  Unfortunately, LCSO Investigators believe there are additional victims who have not come forward and the Sheriff’s Office would like to see McLaughlin punished for all of the crimes he has committed.  Victims or anyone who believes they may have information about crimes committed by McLaughlin are encouraged to call Sgt. Narayan or Cpl. Martin at the Sheriff’s Office.  Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers of Levy County at 1-877-349-8477

 

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WILLISTON AREA HOME INVASION ROBBERY REPORTED



December 28, 2015

The Levy County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance in solving a home invasion robbery that occurred on December 23, 2015.  The incident occurred during the early afternoon hours at a residence on State Road 121 south of the city of Williston.    

The victim reported being alone at his residence when he heard banging on the door.  Before the victim could answer the door, two unknown black male subjects broke into the residence and detained the victim.  The perpetrators tied the victim and covered his head with something to prevent him from seeing.  The suspects demanded money from the victim and ransacked the residence.  They also threatened to kill the victim. 

After a short period of time, the unknown suspects fled on foot to a waiting vehicle.  The vehicle was described as a dark colored Chevrolet car with chrome rims and door handles.

Deputies on scene described the victim as extremely shaken by the events. The victim was not physically injured.  LCSO deputies were able to locate multiple witnesses who provided statements that corroborated the victim’s account of the incident.  Additional evidence led investigators to believe that the perpetrators were searching for specific items that belonged to a person other than the victim.   

The investigation is continuing.  Crime Stoppers of Levy County has authorized a cash award of up to $1,000.00 for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the person or persons involved in this home invasion robbery.  That information can be provided anonymously at 1-877-349-8477 or 24 hours a day at 352-486-5111. 

 

 

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

 

 

Suwannee River Fairgrounds Burglar Arrested

December 9, 2015

On December 5, 2015 LCSO deputies responded to the Suwannee River Livestock Fairgrounds located in Fanning Springs to a reported burglary.  Fair Director Loran Brookins advised that recently an unknown person had broken into one of the Fair offices and had stolen some handheld radios and chargers.  Mr. Brookins also advised that it appeared someone had been living in one of the offices on the fairgrounds. 

On December 7, 2015 Deputy Sam Quincey and other deputies went to the fairgrounds to conduct a security check.  Deputy Quincey located David Alec Summers (12-3-80) sleeping inside one of the offices.  Summers was detained by the deputies.  Their subsequent investigation revealed that the office door had been damaged to gain access. Deputies found three syringes and a methadone tablet among Summers’ belongings.  Summers was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Criminal Mischief. 

After being transported to the Levy County Detention Center, Summers was interviewed by Investigator Scott Stancil.  During the interview Summers admitted that he had stolen the radios from the fairgrounds.  Based on information provided by Summers, LCSO investigators were able to recover the radios and chargers.  Summers was also charged with Burglary and Petit Theft. 

Summers remains in the Levy County Detention Center where he is being held on $135,000.00 total bond.  

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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.

Dogs Attack 1 Year Old Child and Couple

December 9, 2015

On December 8 at 2:45 in the afternoon the Levy County Sheriff’s Office received several 911 calls. Citizens were reporting a man, a woman and a child were being attacked by a pack of dogs. Deputies responded to the area of NE 75 Street and NE 105 Avenue outside of Bronson and found several large breed dogs running free. They also found three dog bite victims.

Kayula Most (26) reported to deputies she and Arthur Tyson (20) were sitting near the edge of the road waiting on a child to get off the school bus. She was also holding a 1 year old child at the time.

Tyson stated three large dogs approached them in an aggressive manner. Tyson told deputies he stood up and one of the dogs began attacking. Tyson said he began fighting the dog when the other two joined in the attack. He saw Most being bitten several times then one of the dogs grabbed the child she was holding by the upper thigh and snatched her from her grip. Tyson said he saw the dog shaking the child like a rag doll.

Most reported she began screaming and fighting the dogs. She was ultimately able to grab the child from the dog and used her body to shield her from further attack. Most sustained the more extensive injuries.  All three victims were transported to a local hospital for treatment of their injuries.

LCSO deputies contacted Levy County Animal Control Services who responded and impounded 11 dogs total from the home located at 7530 NE 105 Avenue. The owner, Laura Trauchber, was cited by Animal Services and had has a pending appearance in court.

   

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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.

Yankeetown General Store Burglary Suspects Arrested

Noah Bevins

Robyn Johnson

December 7, 2015

LCSO deputies responded to the Yankeetown General Store located at 6611 HWY 40 West on November 29, 2015. The store clerk discovered someone had entered the store through the roof sometime after closing and took miscellaneous food items and gasoline valued at approximately $190.00.

The clerk reviewed video footage and identified the suspects as Robyn Johnson (9-22-89) and Noah Bevins (2-4-81). Johnson and Bevins were both personally known by the clerk. She also identified Johnson as the daughter of the store owner.

On December 2, 2015, Deputy C. J. Perryman witnessed a disturbance at the Kangaroo gas station in Inglis and responded to intervene. Dep. Perryman quelled the argument and as a normal course of his duties discovered one of the participants in the argument was Robyn Johnson.  Johnson had an active outstanding warrant for her arrest issued by the State of Indiana for failure to appear on a larceny charge.  As Johnson was being taken into custody for the warrant she resisted arrest.

During a search of her purse, Dep. Perryman discovered she was in possession of Methamphetamines and Oxycodone. She was booked into the Levy County Detention Facility and charged with possession of narcotics and resisting arrest. She is being held on an $115,000 bond.

On December 3, 2015, Investigator M. Wilkinson located and arrested Bevins. Bevins was booked into the Levy County Detention Facility and charged with burglary and theft. He also had outstanding warrants for failure to appear. His total bond has been assigned at $37,000.00

On December 7, 2015 Investigator M. Wilkinson filed burglary and theft charges at the Detention Facility on Johnson. She has not been arraigned on these new charges at the time of this release.  

 

This case is yet another example of how illegal drugs impact the families of the addicted and our community. Robyn Johnson exploited an opportunity to steal from her family which ultimately impacts all the residents of the Yankeetown community.

We at LCSO urge our citizens to stop being victims and report crimes or suspicious activity. Crimes can also be reported anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers at 1-877-349-8477.

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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.