Despite COVID-19 Sex Offender Violators Identified

Durham

Mapes

Short

April 30, 2020

The Levy County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division is tasked with maintaining current records for registered sex offenders that live in the county. CID Detectives frequently conduct inspections on these registered offenders in order to guarantee they are following all the rules and are in compliance. 

During the month of April Detectives made visits to the homes of registered sex offenders even though COVID-19 was a constant threat to public safety. Detectives identified and arrested three sex offenders for various compliance violations. All of these sex offenders live in the southern area of Levy County.

Donald Durham (1/5/70), Jaramie Mapes (9/15/87) and Derick Short (6/2/69) all of whom reside in Inglis were arrested by Detectives for various violations of sex offender registration requirements. These three men were booked into the Levy County Detention Bureau. Each received a $50,000 bond during first appearance. 

COVID-19 has changed the operations of the Levy County Sheriff’s Office, but we never lost sight of the importance to protect our community. Sex offender compliance has always been at the forefront of public concern, therefore we check on them frequently, said Sheriff McCallum.

Catch 1 Get 2 Free

Michelle McNeal

Rebecca Carter

Kim Hyde II

Levy County Detectives received information that Michelle McNeal (12/18/87), a wanted person from Levy County, was hiding out at a home in Bronson. McNeal was wanted for two counts of credit card fraud and possession of a stolen credit card from a 2019 complaint and was proving to be difficult to catch. Detectives acted on this new information as soon as they received it.

Detectives arrived at a home located at 11252 NE 62 Place and located McNeal. McNeal was residing with two friends to whom Detectives also spoke. Rebecca Carter (1/27/94) was found to have an active violation of probation warrant for her arrest issued from Marion County. Unfortunately for her, she also had crystal meth and heroin in her purse when she was taken into custody. Those charges were added along with the outstanding warrant. 

Kim Lance Hyde II (5/14/74) was also interviewed by Detectives. Mr. Hyde did his best impersonation of Dr. Jekyll by providing detectives a false name. This did not work nor did his attempt to “hide” his meth work well either, so Detectives arrested him. Hyde was charged with possession of meth and drug paraphernalia.

Bonds have been assigned for Hyde ($12,500) and Carter ($51,000) while McNeal is being held with no bond.  

COVID-19 Cancellations Continue

April 20, 2020 

Levy County Sheriff Bobby McCallum, along with Chairman Matt Brooks of the Levy County Board of County Commissioners, reminds everyone that events including festivals and outdoor gatherings have been postponed or cancelled under the Governor’s Safer at Home order and Levy County’s Emergency Order 2020-026 that prohibits gatherings of 10 or more people. We appreciate the cooperation with local community leaders in working with county officials to keep our public safe. 

 Large community events such as the Cedar Key Arts Festival, 2020 Crab Festival, and the Wild Hog Canoe Race, typically draw thousands of participants to our area. After several constructive meetings with community leaders and event organizers, it was mutually determined that the postponing of these events are in the best interest for the health and safety of our residents and visitors.  

We thank the members of the public for their understanding and cooperation during the difficult times caused by this pandemic. Working together, we will get through these difficult times and become stronger as a community.

Levy County COVID – 19 Violation Complaint Website

COVID – 19 Violation Complaint Website is now active.

Please use the following link to enter potential violations of
the Governor’s Executive Order 20-91 “Safer at Home” or Levy County’s Emergency Order 2020-026.

http://levydisaster.com/report-violations.php

The COVID-19 public information line has also been opened. Citizens with questions can contact us at 352-486-5155. These lines will be open Mon-Friday 8am to 5pm.