Levy SO Arrests Suspect Preying on Juvenile Females

 

 

 

July 22, 2016

On July 20, 2016, Investigators from the Levy County Sheriff’s Office arrested Dillon Arnold Bird (2-2-1992) for multiple sex offenses.  Bird resided in the Williston area of the county. 

Several days earlier, Sgt. Mike Narayan and Investigator Mike Wilkinson met with a concerned parent of a 17 year old female high school student.  The parent discovered evidence that the daughter had been involved in a sexual relationship with Bird.  LCSO immediately began investigating the report and were quickly able to develop probable cause that Bird had committed at least three sex crimes against the victim in Levy County. 

Unfortunately, LCSO’s investigation also uncovered evidence indicating that Bird had committed multiple sex crimes against another Levy County teenage victim.  Those incidents remain under investigation.      

The LCSO investigation revealed that Bird used the social media application “Snap Chat” to make initial contact with his prospective victims.  Bird convinced the juvenile victims to meet him and then ultimately convinced them to engage in sex acts with him.  LCSO investigators believe there are other potential victims who have not reported the crimes.  Sheriff McCallum stated “this case is particularly disturbing due to the apparent sophistication of the offender and his ability to victimize teenagers who would not normally be considered at risk.  We want to encourage any other potential victims to come forward and report any incidents involving this suspect.” 

Bird has been booked into the Levy County Detention Center on three counts of Unlawful Sexual Activity with a Minor.  His total bond has been set at $750,000.00. 

 

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Sexual Predator Public Address Notification

July 8, 2016

On July 8, 2016 Billy Joe Patterson registered as a Sexual Predator with the Levy County Sheriff’s Office. By Florida law Patterson is required to notify law enforcement whenever he changes addresses.

Billy Joe Patterson was convicted in 2003 in Levy County, Fl for Sexual Battery by an Adult on a child under 12; F.S. 794.011. Patterson has registered his temporary change in address as: 10621 NE 68 Lane, Bronson, Florida 32621.

For a complete listing of all registered sexual predators and offenders residing in Levy County, or to search by zip code, please visit www.fdle.state.fl.us and go to the sexual offender data base.

Sexual Predator:

Billy Joe Patterson

10621 NE 68 Lane

Bronson, Florida 32621

White/Male

DOB: 8-11-1962

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Lt. Scott Tummond
Public Information
Levy County Sheriff's Office
(352) 486-5111

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

Mother Arrested for Child Neglect

July 8, 2016

On July 8, 2016 at approximately 3:40 pm the LCSO received a 911 call from motorist Mitzi Lacoste. Ms. Lacoste was passing through the Gulf Hammock area of Levy County approximately 3/4 of a mile north of the Gulf Hammock caution light when she observed a young child approximately six feet off of the roadway. Ms. Lacoste stopped and found the male child, approximately 2 ½ years old, was not accompanied by any adult. Ms. Lacoste protected and calmed the child until first responders arrived. The child was dressed in only a shirt.

LCSO Deputies, Investigators and the Levy County Department of Public Safety (LCDPS) responded to the scene. Members of LCDPS calmed and treated the distraught child in their ambulance as investigators worked to identify the child’s parent(s). Investigators report LCDPS personnel went above and beyond, displaying their care and compassion for the child.

Law Enforcement identified the mother of the child as Tana Francis Plank (7-7-90) who lived approximately ¼ of a mile away through a wooded swampy area of Gulf Hammock. In Ms. Plank’s initial statement to law enforcement officers, she said she had just awakened from a nap to discover her child missing. She later amended her story and told investigators she had recently used methamphetamines and methadone and fallen asleep. Investigators also discovered during their investigation that approximately three weeks prior the child wandered away from the home and was found by a neighbor near a pond.

Investigators contacted the Florida Department of Children and Family Services (DCF) who have opened their own investigation. DCF has placed the child in protective custody with a family member. Ms. Plank was arrested for Child Neglect and is being held at the Levy County Detention Facility on a $45,000 bond. 

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Lt. Scott Tummond
Public Information
Levy County Sheriff's Office
(352) 486-5111

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

Levy County Courts Impose Sentences

Jeorgan Rodriguez

Michael Rader

Mark Stringer

Larry Young

July 8, 2016

This week the 8^th Judicial Circuit Court of Levy County concluded several cases presented to the State Attorney’s Office by the LCSO. The following guilty adjudications were accepted and sentences imposed.

Jeorgan Rodriguez (1-4-60) was sentenced on two cases presented by the LCSO Criminal Investigations Division. Rodriguez was charged with two law violations in 2015. The first charge, a second degree felony, was Lewd or Lascivious Molestation on a Person under 12 by an Offender Over 18. Rodriguez was sentenced to 15 years in the Florida Department of Corrections on this case. His second case was for Failure to Comply with Registration requirements as a Sexual Offender. He was sentenced to 5 years in the Florida Department of Corrections to run concurrent with his first charge. 

Michael Rader (12-16-80) was sentenced on a case presented by the LCSO Criminal Investigations Division. Rader was charged in 2016 for a Sex Offender violation of Failure to Register. Rader was sentenced to 5 years in the Florida Department of Corrections.

Mark Stringer (10-10-56) was sentenced on a case presented by the LCSO Criminal Investigations Division. Stringer was charged in 2016 for Lewd or Lascivious Molestation of a Person 12 YOA or Older but under 16 YOA, Offender 18 or Older. Stringer was sentenced to 12 years in the Florida Department of Corrections.

Larry Young (12-19-74) was sentenced on two cases presented by LCSO. Young was charged in 2015 for Possession and Sale of Cocaine by the LCSO Drug Task Force and was sentenced to 80 months in the Florida Department of Corrections. Young was also charged by the LCSO Criminal Investigations Division in 2015 for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. He will serve a 77 month sentence concurrently in the Florida Department of Corrections on this charge.

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Lt. Scott Tummond
Public Information
Levy County Sheriff's Office
(352) 486-5111

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

Sexual Predator Public Address Notification

July 5, 2016

On June 27, 2016 William R Hickman registered as a Sexual Predator with the Levy County Sheriff’s Office. By Florida law Hickman is required to notify law enforcement whenever he changes addresses.

William R Hickman was convicted in 2013 in Gilchrist County, Fl for Lewd and Lascivious Molestation on a child 12-15 yrs of age; F.S. 800.04 (5) (c). Hickman has registered his change in address as: 7617 NW 168 Lane Trenton, Levy County, Florida.

For a complete listing of all registered sexual predators and offenders residing in Levy County, or to search by zip code, please visit www.fdle.state.fl.us and go to the sexual offender data base.

Sexual Predator:

William R. Hickman

7617 NW 168 Lane   

Trenton, Levy County, Florida

White/Male

DOB: 10-8-50

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Lt. Scott Tummond
Public Information
Levy County Sheriff's Office
(352) 486-5111

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