Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Subject Arrested in North South Estates




January 9, 2018

The Levy County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division and Drug Task Force members received information that Robert Wayne Cornwell (12-2-77) had an active warrant from Taylor County for violation of probation. Cornwell was reported to be at a residence located at 13330 NE 76 Lane in the North South Estates Subdivision. 

Cornwell had violated his probation on the original charge which stemmed from an investigation in Taylor County for possession of an electronic device by a convicted felon and attempt to escape. Cornwell also has a prior felony conviction for solicitation for murder.

Investigators arrived and when they confronted Cornwell he barricaded himself inside the home with an adult female companion. Cornwell, who armed himself with a knife, refused to allow the female companion to leave the home. The female was able to escape shortly after deputies announced their presence and their intent to arrest Cornwell. The female reported observing Cornwell ingest an unknown substance before she was able to escape the home. 

Deputies surrounded the home and began negotiations with Cornwell for his surrender. The stand-off lasted approximately one hour before he submitted and exited the home. 

In the interim, deputies had to re-route a Levy County School bus from its normal route of dropping off students. No students were ever in danger. School Board officials were contacted and were in the process of arranging an alternate pick up location when Cornwell surrendered. The bus resumed its route, but the students arrived later than expected at their normal drop off locations.

Cornwell was transported to a local hospital for treatment related to his ingestion of the unknown substance. He will be arrested for False Imprisonment and additional charges.