Chiefland Man Arrested for Sexual Contact with Minor

 

February 27, 2019

 

On February 26, 2019, LCSO deputies responded to a reported sex abuse incident in the Chiefland area.  Detectives Mike Wilkinson and Justin Douglas responded to the call.  The investigation revealed that Randall William Bingaman (5-10-1994) had engaged in multiple sex acts with a victim under the age of 13.  The detectives developed probable cause for arrest after multiple interviews and examination of physical evidence.  The investigation is continuing and additional charges are possible.  The victim and family are receiving services through the LCSO Victim Advocate Office. 

Detective Douglas charged Bingaman with two counts each of Lewd and Lascivious Battery and two counts of Lewd and Lascivious Molestation.  He was booked in at the Levy County Detention Center.  Bingaman received his first court appearance on February 27, 2019.  His combined bond was set at 1.2 million dollars by Levy County Judge Tim Browning. 

Bingaman was a probationary employee with the School Board of Levy County and worked in the Food Service Division.  According to School Superintendent Jeff Edison, the process to terminate Bingaman’s employment has begun.  The evidence uncovered so far indicates that NONE of the alleged incidents occurred at any Levy County School. 

Both Sheriff McCallum and Superintendent Edison expressed their sympathies for the victim and families involved.  These cases are extremely regrettable but must be addressed.  The Sheriff and Superintendent encourage everyone to pay attention to potential signs of child victimization and to report any suspicious circumstances to law enforcement or school administrators. 

Arrest Warrant Captures Burglar

February 25, 2019

The Levy County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division responded to two homes in Inglis on February 21, 2019. These homeowners awoke to discovered someone entered their property and stole tools along with other items. One of the homeowner’s had video surveillance in the carport area of their home which captured images of the burglar and his vehicle. LCSO Patrol Deputies and Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division reviewed the video and were able to positively identify Jacob Benfield (12-28-91) of Inglis, as the suspect.

On February 22, 2019 Detectives located Benfield at 18351 SE Butler Road in Inglis. Detectives identified the vehicle used in the burglaries was parked at this home. Inside the vehicle, a white Ford F-150, were items matching the description of the property stolen from both homes in Inglis the day before. Detectives also learned the F-150 had been reported stolen to the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office from the parking lot of Wal-Mart in Inverness on February 16, 2019.

Benfield was wanted for grand theft from a previously reported case and was taken into custody. Benfield spoke to Detectives and ultimately confessed to the burglaries reported the previous day and to the theft of the truck from Inverness. Benfield was book in at the Levy County Detention Facility and charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle, two counts of burglary of a dwelling, one count of burglary of a conveyance, one count of grand theft and one count of petit theft. He is being held in lieu of $180,000.00 bond.  

Citizen Tips Help Identify and Capture Robbery Suspect

February 22, 2019

On February 7, 2019 the Levy County Sheriff’s Office issued a press release and posted the press release to the Levy County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page asking for our public’s assistance in identifying an armed robbery suspect. The robbery occurred at the Circle K convenience store located on US 19 at the intersection of CR 40 in Inglis, Florida on February 2, 2019. Traditional investigative techniques did not immediately identify the suspect and the community’s help was needed.

Citizen tips were received by LCSO Detectives based on this request. These tips allowed Detectives to secure an arrest warrant for the suspect identified as William F. Druback (6-29-95) from the City of Orlando. This suspect may not have been identified had it not been for the alert citizens willing to call and report what they had seen.

Additional leads directed detectives to a location on West River Road in Citrus County where Durback was suspected to be living. LCSO Detective met with Citrus County Sheriff’s Office Detectives and through their investigation detectives were able to recover evidence of the crime.

Detectives learned Durback had returned to his home in Orlando during this phase of the investigation. Detectives sent this information to the U.S. Marshal’s Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force (RFTF).  RFTF Agents located Durback in Orlando and while executing the LCSO robbery arrest warrant, Durback fled on foot. Durback was arrested after a brief foot pursuit.

LCSO Detectives traveled to Orlando and met with members of the Orlando Police Department Robbery Unit. Detectives secured search warrants for Durback’s home and the vehicle used in the robbery and recovered more evidence, further confirming Durback committed the armed robbery at the Circle K in Inglis.

Durback was booked in at the Orange County Department of the Jail on the Levy County robbery warrant where he is being held on a $250,000.00 bond. Durback will be transferred to the Levy County Detention Facility at a later date where he will be held until trial.

Sheriff McCallum said the media and our Levy County Citizens were instrumental in the successful outcome of this investigation. Sheriff McCallum wishes to thank all of his personnel, the citizens, the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office, Orlando Police Department and the Fugitive Task Force for their assistance.

AT&T Wireless Subscribers – 911 Interruption

February 15, 2019

The Levy County Sheriff’s Office has been contacted by AT&T and told only AT&T wireless service to 911 emergency calls has been interrupted. This interruption has affected all of Levy County. AT&T wireless subscribers who call 911 from their mobile device will be automatically re-routed to the Levy County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line.

What this means is the operator answering your call will not know your call is an emergency. All emergency calls will be immediately transferred into our emergency communications center. The emergency operator will not have access to your phone number or location when you call. Be prepared to provide this information to the 911 operator.

Please be patient with our Communication Center operators as this is not a problem we have control over. AT&T has assured the Levy County Sheriff’s Office this issue is being worked on and a resolution to this issue is expected soon.  

We thank you for your understanding.

Armed Robbery in Inglis

February 7, 2019

On February 2, 2019 Deputies responded to the Circle K convenience store located at the intersection of Hwy 40 and US 19 in Inglis to a report of an armed robbery. The clerk reported a white male entered the store armed with a handgun and carrying a black backpack. He demanded money and cigarettes. This person was described by the clerk as a white male in his late 20’s to early 30’s. He fled in an orange vehicle south on US 19.

Deputies reviewed video surveillance from the store and determined this individual appeared to be left handed. A tattoo is visible on the back of his right hand. Video additionally captured images in the parking area of the vehicle; which has been identified as a Dodge Caliber, burnt orange in color.

We are seeking the community’s help to identify this person. He is believed to live south of Levy County in possibly the Citrus, Hernando or Pasco County area. Anyone who can identify this person or the vehicle described is asked to contact the Levy County Sheriff’s Office at 352-486-5111 and request Detective Justin Douglas is the assigned case agent at extension 291.  

A video of this robbery can be viewed at the following YouTube link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7eGG6YOmC0&feature=youtu.be

Traffic Interdiction in Rosewood/Cedar Key Nets Arrests

February 6, 2019    

      

On February 5, 2019 Detectives from the Levy County Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force conducted targeted traffic interdiction in the Rosewood/Cedar Key area of Levy County. This operation was planned based on multiple citizen complaints of drug activities in these communities. Detectives conducted multiple traffic stops throughout the late afternoon and evening hours which resulted in four arrests. 

Dylan Quinn and Anthony Quinn (relationship unknown) were stopped in two separate traffic related infractions. Both were found in possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia and cited. Travis Findlay was observed recklessly operating an ATV. Deputies attempted to stop him and he fled. He was eventually boxed in on Shiloh Road and taken into custody. His ATV was towed, and he was arrested for fleeing and attempting to elude law enforcement.

Johnathan Miller was stopped for a traffic infraction. A K-9 alerted to the presence of narcotics in his vehicle. A search of the vehicle located 4.25 grams of methamphetamine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, unidentified pills and a loaded .45 caliber magazine. The gun was not located. Miller was arrested and has been charged with possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting arrest without violence. Miller is currently being held in the Levy County Detention Facility in lieu of a $177,000.00 bond.