Devils Den Burglars Busted

 

 

During the early morning hours of January 27, 2020, Deputies from the Levy County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported burglary at the Devil’s Den property on NE 180^th Avenue outside of Williston.  The investigation revealed that unknown suspects had unlawfully entered two dwellings on the property, damaged part of the property and stolen various items.  The stolen property included cash and surveillance cameras that were in use on the property. 

 The crimes were particularly disturbing to responding Deputies because a person was sleeping inside one of the dwellings at the time of the burglary.  Detectives from the Criminal Investigation Division began working the case almost immediately.  The Detectives were able to obtain surveillance footage from additional cameras that were not stolen during the crime.  They developed two suspects from the footage and were able to identify them with the assistance of several witnesses. 

The Detectives located and questioned Deontre Leron Baker (3-10-99) and Markus Mario Howze (5-14-2005).  Both suspects made admissions that implicated their involvement in the crimes.  Based on the video evidence, witness statements and suspect interviews, the Detectives were able to arrest both suspects. 

In the arrest affidavit filed by Detective Mike McNeil, Baker was charged with two counts of Burglary as well as one count each of Grand Theft, Petit Theft, Criminal Mischief, and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor.  He is being held at the Levy County Detention Center with his bond set at $190,000.00.  Howze was taken into custody for one count of Burglary and one count of Petit Theft.  He was transferred into the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice. 

LCSO thanks the public for their assistance in solving this case.  Citizens are encouraged to make efforts to secure their homes and personal property as the victim did in this case.  Anyone can report suspicious activity to LCSO 24 hours a day at 352-486-5111.  They can also make anonymous reports to Crime Stoppers at 1-877-349-8477. 

 

Levy County Sheriff's Office
(352) 486-5111

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

 

 

The Courage of Children-Part 2

January 21, 2020

Some may recall the press release issued by the Sheriff’s Office on September 4, 2019 titled “The Courage of Children” which detailed a child summoning all her inner strength and telling a teacher about her sexual abuse that was occurring at home. 

Justice was served on January 15, 2020. John E. Biles (2/23/84) was sentenced in the Circuit Courts of Levy County to 25 years imprisonment in the Florida Department of Corrections. Upon his release in 2045, Biles will be designated as a sexual predator and will be ordered to wear an ankle monitor.

Sheriff McCallum said, “This case is an example of the criminal justice system and school system coming together to stop the abuse of an innocent child. Thanks to a very brave victim having a special, trusting relationship with her teacher, this sexual predator will spend the next 25 years in prison. Teachers are faced with everyday challenges that go far beyond the basics of educating our children.”

“I applaud the Detectives of my Office, the Department of Children and Family Services, our educators in Levy County and the State Attorney’s Office for justice being served. However, my highest admiration goes to this brave child victim. Justice has been served in this case, but my hope and prayers are for the healing and peace of this wonderful child and her family.”

Chiefland Attorney Arrested

January 15, 2020

The Levy County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division executed a warrant today for the arrest of Gregory V. Beauchamp (10/17/48), a local Chiefland attorney, for two counts of larceny over 20k but less than 100k. This warrant was the culmination of an investigation that began in June of 2019. 

Clients of Mr. Beauchamps made complaints to the Florida Bar Association and to the Sheriff’s Office alleging Mr. Beauchamp misappropriated funds held in a trust fund escrow account managed by Mr. Beauchamp. This was a lengthy investigation that required extensive examination of financial records. 

He was booked in at the Levy County Detention Facility and since posted bond. No date has been scheduled for upcoming court appearances.

Meth with a Rare Steak and Get Arrested

January 15, 2020

Detectives saw a subject wearing a heavy winter coat yesterday afternoon enter the Save A Lot grocery store in Bronson. Normally speaking in January this wouldn’t have even caught their attention, but we live in Florida and it was over 80 degrees. So they watched. As they watched they called the deputy assigned to patrol the Bronson area and told him about their suspicious observation.

Deputy Tucker Gaffey responded to Save A Lot and saw a Ford Ranger leaving the parking lot that was being driven by the suspicious individual. Deputy Gaffey saw a traffic infraction occur and stopped the truck. The driver, Travis Holmes (11/7/91) of Bronson told Deputy Gaffey the tag attached to the truck was not the right tag. He said he found the tag in his barn and put it on the truck only because he did not have time to get the truck registered. This was a truthful statement as the truck was in-fact not registered with the DHSMV and the tag had expired in 2010. Deputy Gaffey arrested Holmes for attaching at tag not assigned to a vehicle, which is a criminal violation.

Deputy Gaffey then searched the truck where the driver had been seated and located drug paraphernalia and a family pack of freshly cut ribeye steaks. The steak package was cold to the touch and interestingly enough they were not in a bag nor was a receipt for the purchase located. Holmes was questioned about the steaks and admitted he had shop lifted them from the Save A Lot (suspicions confirmed). 

Deputy Gaffey continued his investigation and with the aid of Sergeant K. Kinik and his K-9 partner Zombie. Methamphetamines were found in the truck adding additional charges to both Holmes and his passenger Kimberly Downing (10/2/89) of Old Town, Fl.  Deputy Gaffey did return to Save A Lot and confirmed by viewing the store’s surveillance video that Holmes used his heavy jacket to hide the steaks and exit the store without paying.

Both Holmes and Downing were taken to the Levy County Detention Facility. Holmes was charged with attaching a tag not assigned, retail theft, possession of methamphetamines and possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond was set at $32,000.00. 

Downing was charged with possession of methamphetamines, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription. Apparently Ms. Downing had hidden a drug on her person, a substance known as Buprenorphine, that had to be retrieved upon her arrival at the jail by medical staff. Her bond has been set at $31,000.00.  

Trespasser Arrested After Fighting with Deputies

January 10, 2020

Levy County Deputies were dispatched to the home located at 4451 NE 110^th Street in Chiefland yesterday at 3:30 PM to a reported trespassing incident. The homeowner returned home to find a person trespassing on the property. The homeowner confronted this individual and told him to leave. The trespasser began to argue with the homeowner while aggressively approaching him when the homeowner saw this person was holding a knife. The homeowner reached back into his vehicle and retrieved a firearm, ready to defend himself. The trespasser thought better of this confrontation and fled toward the back yard.

Deputy Blake Murphy was the first to arrive and while speaking to the homeowner located the trespassing person still on the property. Deputy Murphy ordered the person to the ground and after a brief struggle was able to get handcuffs on him. Other deputies arrived to assist and in their attempts to place the subject into Deputy Murphy’s patrol car the subject began to fight deputies again. Deputy Murphy was again grabbed by the subject before the subject was brought under control and put in the car. The subject refused to identify himself and claimed to be the Messiah.  

The trespassing investigation discovered that this unknown person had stolen the homeowners mail, entered a car and taken a knife and ate the homeowners oranges before he was apprehended. The subject was identified by his fingerprints at the Levy County Detention Facility as Michael Leon Hilton (12/12/83) of Green Cove Springs. He has no known ties to Levy County and at the time of his apprehension appeared to be under the influence of an unknown narcotic. He has been charged with multiple crimes including burglary, resisting arrest and theft. He has not been seen by the Judge as of this press release and no bond has been assigned.   

Search Warrant Execution Results in Six Drug Arrests





 



 

 

 

After receiving numerous reports of suspicious activity, Levy County Drug Task Force detectives began an investigation into the individuals residing at 14250 NW 72^nd Terrace between Chiefland and Fanning Springs.  DTF detectives were able to obtain a search warrant for the property and the warrant was executed early on Thursday January 2^nd. 

Deputies from the LCSO Tactical Response Unit made entry onto the property and secured six people that were ultimately arrested on Methamphetamine related charges.  Detectives found numerous items of drug paraphernalia and small amounts of Methamphetamine during the search.  The paraphernalia included plastic baggies and digital scales that indicate drugs were being distributed from the property.  The following individuals were arrested: 

  

Sherry Colson - 08/05/1972

Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute
Maintaining a Drug Dwelling
Possession of Paraphernalia
Bond Amount: $76,000
 

Thomas Huber - 05/30/1978

Possession of Methamphetamine
Possession of Paraphernalia
Bond Amount: $31,000
 

Katherine Thornton - 06/14/1968

Possession of Methamphetamine
Smuggling Contraband Into Detention Facility
Possession of Paraphernalia
Bond Amount: $61,000
 

Valerie Thornton - 09/17/1963

Possession of Methamphetamine
Violation of Drug Offender Probation
Possession of Paraphernalia
Bond Amount: $31,000 // VOP No Bond
 

Samantha Gath - 06/16/1986

Possession of Methamphetamine
Possession of Paraphernalia
Bond Amount: $31,000

Christopher Cole - 04/27/1986

Violation of Drug Offender Probation
No Bond

 

LCSO greatly appreciates the cooperation received from the community in building this case.  The Drug Task Force encourages all citizens who may have information about any criminal activities to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 352-486-5111.  The information can also be given anonymously to CrimeStoppers of Levy County at 1-800-349-8477 and you may be entitled to a cash reward. 

 

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