Chiefland Man Arrested for Sex Crimes

 

December 14, 2020

The Levy County Sheriff’s Office received a report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Internet Crimes against Children (ICAC) that images, which appeared to be of young children in sexually explicit poses were uploaded on the internet. The tip provided critical information that led to the identification of the suspect, Christian B. Harrelson (12/20/93) of Chiefland.

Detectives Ryan Sullivan and Justin Douglas learned Harrelson was wanted for an outstanding violation of probation warrant and located Harrelson. Harrelson was taken into custody and his electronic items were seized. Detectives then conducted an extensive search of the seized devices and located multiple images depicting Harrelson with children.

Harrelson has been charged with ten counts of possession of obscene material depicting children, two counts of use of a two way communication device to transmit child pornography and one count of capital sexual battery with a victim under 12. Harrelson is being held in the Levy County Detention Facility and his bond has been set at $6.2 million dollars.

Disabled Vehicle Check Leads to Car Chase

 

December 4, 2020

On December 3, 2020 a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Officer (FWC) stopped to assist what appeared to be a disabled vehicle on US Alt 27 near NW 10^th Avenue southeast of Chiefland. The driver refused to identify himself to the FWC Officer who noticed the white Kia Sorrento appeared to have crashed and had a flat tire. Further investigation by the FWC Officer discovered the tag attached to the Kia was not assigned to that vehicle. This is when the driver drove away and the FWC Officer began to pursue him.

Levy County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to the FWC Officer’s request for assistance and joined in the pursuit on US Alt. 27 as it neared the Town of Bronson. The driver of the fleeing vehicle turned south onto CR 337 and stopped the vehicle in the middle of the road and exited. Both LCSO deputies and the FWC Officer saw what was perceived to be a rifle in the suspect’s hands as he fled on foot. Officers lost sight of the fleeing suspect in the dark.

Within minutes a 911 call was received by LCSO Communications. The caller told dispatchers a man just broke into their home, demanded the keys to their vehicle then fled in their 2008 Pontiac. Deputies quickly located the stolen vehicle and a second pursuit began.

The still unidentified suspect fled south on CR 337 toward Morriston. The suspect made numerous attempts to elude deputies, even driving head on at them on three different occasions. The driver was blocked in by Deputy Williamson on his fourth attempt to turn around and the suspect accelerated into Deputy Williamson’s vehicle, damaging the passenger side of the patrol vehicle. In the suspects’ final attempt to elude deputies, Deputy Williamson was able to pin the suspect in the stolen car by blocking him with his own patrol vehicle.

The suspect continued to refuse commands to surrender and had to be forcefully removed from the car. Deputies identified the suspect as Dante Evan Schmucker (12/26/90) of West Palm Beach, Florida. The investigation revealed the first vehicle he fled in was stolen from Valdosta Georgia. Schmucker has been charged with two counts of grand theft auto, home invasion robbery, two counts of fleeing and attempting to elude law enforcement, aggravated assault, DUI and possession of methamphetamines. He is being held in the Levy County Detention Facility awaiting first appearance.  

Drug Crazed Man Fights Deputy

 

December 3, 2020

On November 27, 2020 Deputy L. Prine responded to a home in Morriston after the homeowner called 911 to report an unidentified man was beating on his door screaming for help. Deputy Prine received additional information from LCSO dispatchers that this person was now trying to break the door and enter the home.

Deputy Prine arrived and was immediately confronted by this unknown person who was wearing only short pants. The unidentified male was begging for Deputy Prine’s help to remove his shorts because they were about to burst into flames. Deputy Prine was able to place hand restraints on the uncooperative person and get him into the back seat of his patrol car so he could begin his investigation.

Deputy Prine spoke to the homeowner. The homeowner told Deputy Prine he believed the subject he detained was Sylvester Carmauche. The homeowner knew Carmauche’s father. Deputy Prine concluded Carmauche would need to be medically evaluated based upon his bizarre behavior and he returned to his car.

Deputy Prine opened his rear door to seatbelt Carmauche. Carmauche attacked Deputy Prine and was able to free himself from the car. Carmauche fled and then dove through a closed window into an adjacent home. Deputy Prine could hear the homeowners screaming inside when he entered the home he observed Carmauche on the couch watching TV. Carmauche looked at Deputy Prine and said, “You need to help me, I’m going to burst into flames at any time.” 

Deputy Prine ordered Carmauche to surrender but every command he gave was ignored. Carmauche then charged at Deputy Prine in a second attempt to flee and Deputy Prine was able to use his Taser to stop him. Carmauche went to the ground and as Deputy Prine attempted to gain control of him a struggle ensued.

Carmauche broke free from the Taser and grappled with Deputy Prine inside the home. During the struggle Carmauche was able to rip Deputy Prine’s radio from his side, grabbed his holstered firearm several times and attempted to gain control of the Taser Deputy Prine used. Deputy Prine was then struck twice in the head by Carmauche who grabbed a bicycle pump that was lying nearby. Deputy Prine was struck with such force that the pump frame was bent. Carmauche then attempted to choke Deputy Prine but the homeowner was able to shove Carmauche hard enough to knock him off of Deputy Prine’s back. Carmauche broke free from Deputy Prine’s grasp and fled the home.

Deputy Prine pursued Carmauche out of the home but lost sight of him in the darkness. A neighbor yelled to Deputy Prine that the suspect was across the street and was beating on another person’s door demanding to be let inside. Deputy Prine could hear back up units coming to his aid and when they arrived Carmauche was taken back into custody after a short struggle.

Carmauche continued to fight with deputies even when EMS arrived to evaluate and render aid to him. Carmauche was ultimately transported to a local hospital for treatment and evaluation. Deputy Prine sustained minor injuries during the struggle and was treated and released from a local hospital.

On December 1, 2020 a warrant was issued for the arrest of Sylvester Carmauche (1/24/83) for aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer, depriving a law enforcement officer of a communication device, resisting arrest with violence, three counts of battery on a law enforcement officer, burglary and criminal mischief. Carmauche has a lengthy violent criminal history spanning several states.

Carmauche was arrested in Marion County by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office; the Levy County Sheriff’s Office and was assisted by the U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force on December 2, 2020. He is being held in the Marion County Jail awaiting transport to the Levy County Detention Facility. His bond has been set at $215,000.00.

Levy County Landfill Theft - Arrest

 

November 4, 2020

The Levy County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division arrested Wanda Sue Sheffield (4/20/63) of Bell, Florida today after a lengthy investigation. In September of 2019 the Levy County Finance Director was asked by the Levy County Landfill Director to take a detailed look at monies being collected at the landfill. The Finance Director alerted the Sheriff’s Office when he discovered a discrepancy. This was after analysis of years of data issued to his office from the landfill.

Multiple Detectives worked with county officials and discovered that over a period of approximately ten years Sheffield had been voiding scale transactions and using the money collected for personal gains. This detailed and exhaustive summary of transactions was able to prove over this period of time Sheffield stole nearly $40,000.

Detectives interviewed Sheffield prior to her arrest. She admitted to Detectives that she had intentionally voided scale transactions for the purpose of taking the money for her own personal gains. Sheffield had resigned her position at the landfill when supervisory staff first questioned her about voided transactions. She was arrested at her home in Bell and has been transported and booked in at the Gilchrist County Jail. She has been charged with Grand Theft over $20,000 dollars (a second degree felony) and her bond was set at $25,000.00. She is awaiting transfer to the Levy County Detention Facility after her first appearance before a Judge.

Window Tint Violation Discovers Drugs and a Gun

 

October 29, 2020

On October 24, 2020 Deputy Mark Juen stopped a Ford Focus for a window tint violation in Inglis. Deputy Juen discovered the driver, Dustin Aloysius Brooke (1/15/84), was driving while his license was suspended for habitual traffic offenses. Brooke was arrested.

Deputy Juen then searched the vehicle and discovered a loaded firearm and drugs. There was also a locked safe in the car that was not able to be opened. Deputy Juen discovered that Brooke is a 12 time convicted felon and prohibited from possessing a firearm. Brooke was charged with possession of the firearm by a felon, driving while license suspended and possession of narcotics.

The safe was placed in a secure location and Sergeant Kevin Kinik used his K-9 partner Zombie to sniff the safe. Zombie alerted to the presence of drugs inside the safe. Detective Tim Rogers obtained a search warrant and opened the safe. He discovered LSD, methamphetamines, marijuana, prescription pills packaged for street level sales and drug paraphernalia. This discovery led to additional charges being filed on Brooke.

In total Brooke amassed 11 new felony charges and was transported to the Levy Count Detention Facility. His bond has been set at $425,000.00.