Domestic Argument Leads to Arrest



On June 29, 2020, Deputies from the Levy County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call from a residence on State Road 24 in the Town of Otter Creek.  The caller advised that the suspect, James D. Rone (4-13-82) had threatened an adult female inside the residence with a firearm.  The caller stated the female and two juveniles were hiding inside the residence.  It was reported that Rone was also inside the residence and in possession of several firearms, including a rifle.  Rone reportedly had fired the weapons several times inside the residence. 

 A large contingent of LCSO deputies responded quickly to the scene and set up a perimeter.  Traffic on State Road 24 was closed for a short time.  After brief negotiations, Rone surrendered peacefully to the deputies. 

The investigation revealed that the incident was domestic in nature.  Minor injuries were reported but no one required transport to a medical facility.  Crime Scene detectives recovered firearms, shell casings and a broken cell phone at the scene.  Additional interviews are planned as the investigation continues. 

Rone was arrested and transported to the Levy County Detention Center.  He faces charges for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Battery and Tampering with Evidence.  Rone is awaiting his first court appearance. 

 

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

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

Drug Task Force Arrests For Fentanyl Trafficking

June 18, 2020

Levy County Drug Task Force Detectives conducted a traffic stop on June 16, 2020 on a known drug distributor who has been arrested 8 times since 2013. Her arrests include crimes such as driving with a suspended license up to and including a 2019 arrest for a spectrum of drug related charges. 

Detectives contacted K-9 Sergeant Kinik and his partner Zombie to assist in the traffic stop investigation. Zombie alerted his handler that he smelled the odor of narcotics in the vehicle. The following search of the vehicle located over 10 grams of the deadly drug Fentanyl, approximately 3 grams of cocaine and over 15 grams of methamphetamines (ICE) hidden inside. 

Detectives also located a single dose of Narcan in the suspects purse. Narcan is used to stop the effects of the drug Fentanyl and heroin and is used to prevent death by overdose. All Levy County deputies are issued Narcan and carry it with them while on duty. Deputies have used their issued Narcan multiple times this year alone on citizens who had overdosed. 

Detectives arrested the driver, Katrina A. Veith (1/9/93) of Bronson, for trafficking in Fentanyl (possession of more than 4 grams), trafficking in methamphetamines (possession of more than 14 grams), possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Detectives seized her vehicle and over $700 in cash. Veith was booked in to the Levy County Detention Facility and her bond has been set at $115,000.00.

Two Juveniles Arrested for Burglary

June 17, 2020

On June 16, 2020 Levy County Deputies responded to Fanning Springs Auto to a reported burglary. Deputies and crime scene detectives discovered the burglars entered the business by breaking a window with a crow bar. The burglars took three knives and a set of keys. They then used the keys to take a truck which was parked on the lot. The burglars were not aware they were being videotaped and this evidence was ultimately used to identify one of the suspects.

Deputy Mike Wilkinson contacted School Resource Deputy John Gulledge and both reviewed the video footage. One suspect appeared to be a young teenager. Deputy Gulledge told Deputy Wilkinson he thought this individual was a student and provided his name. 

Deputy Wilkinson was driving to the address listed on the students’ school contact card when he saw a teenager riding a bike wearing the same style of clothing as the person in the surveillance video. He stopped the teenager and asked him for his name. The 15 year old spontaneously began crying and confessing to the crime.

Deputy Wilkinson contacted this 15 year old’s parents and completed an in-depth interview. The teenager gave Deputy Wilkinson the keys to the stolen truck he had in his pocket and one of the stolen knives he had hidden in his room. He also told Deputy Wilkinson where he and his 16 year old burglary partner stashed the truck in a nearby wooded lot.

Deputy Wilkinson located and interviewed the 16 year old who also confessed to this crime.

The truck was located in the woods where the teenagers said they hid it. The truck had been damaged during their joy ride however was returned to Fanning Springs Auto.

  

Both teenagers were arrested and charged with burglary, grand theft auto, possession of burglary tools and criminal mischief. They were booked in at the Levy County Detention Facility and later transferred to the Juvenile Detention Facility.  

Two Arrested for Otter Creek Burglary

Caleb Coffman

Buck Owens

June 16, 2020

Levy County Detectives arrested two Otter Creek residents who were responsible for a recently reported burglary in this community. Deputies and Detectives responded to a home located on Commissary Road on June 6, 2020 when the homeowner returned to discover his house and shed had both been burglarized. The victim reported rare bottles of liquor, firearms, various other valuables and a Polaris Ranger UTV were taken. 

Detectives identified Caleb S. Coffman (7/31/2001) as a person of interest and interviewed him at his home in Otter Creek. Coffman initially denied participating in the burglary but identified Buck A. Owens (12/27/96) as a potential suspect. Coffman surrendered several bottles of liquor and other valuables he said were given to him by Owens.

Detectives spoke to Owens who initially denied any involvement in the theft and burglary. Owens told Detectives Coffman was responsible for the burglary and provided information that led to the recovery of several items. Detectives did recover two of the reported stolen guns and the UTV in a neighboring jurisdiction. During the subsequent investigation, Owens admitted he had lied to detectives, and it was determined that he did have an active role in the burglary.

On June 8, 2020 Caleb Coffman was arrested and a warrant for the arrest of Owens was issued. Coffman was booked into the Levy County Detention Facility having been charged with multiple felonies and his bond was set at $425,000.00. Detectives located and arrested Owens on June 15, 2020. Owens is charged with multiple felonies and his bond was set at $520,000.00.

Detectives believe Coffman and Owens are responsible for several more burglaries that have been reported in the Otter Creek community and are still working to resolve these cases. Detective Mike McNeil is requesting assistance from the community to solve these crimes. Anyone who has information about these burglaries is asked to call Detective McNeil at 352-486-5111. If you wish to remain anonymous you can call Crime Stoppers at 1-877-349-8477 and offer a tip. You could be eligible for a cash reward.     

Comments Misinterpreted

June 11, 2020

Recently the Dixie County Advocate reported on comments made during a County Commissioners meeting held in Dixie County. The comments indicated a violent protest may be planned that would affect Williston, Chiefland and Cross City. These comments appear to have been repeated without validating what was actually being planned.

Peaceful assemblies did occur in Williston and Chiefland in Levy County on Saturday, June 6, 2020. No violence or property damage was reported. Organizers of these events have not contacted the LCSO notifying us of any future events being planned.

Burglary Investigation Turns Tragic

June 11, 2020

On June 10, 2020 shortly after 4:00 pm a Levy County deputy was dispatched to a call of a reported burglary. Victims told the deputy they discovered valuables had been taken from their home. The victims said they had a potential suspect and gave his name.

Our deputy contacted the suspect identified as Alan Nyhart (6/26/95) of Cedar Key. He was cooperative during the initial stages of this investigation. Nyhart told the deputy he was responsible for pawning some of the valuables the victims reported stolen and offered to retrieve paperwork from his vehicle. Nyhart walked to his car and instead of getting the paperwork, he retrieved a gun. Nyhart then turned the gun on himself and fired a single round. The deputy saw this occur but was standing too far away to prevent it from happening. 

Our deputy immediately performed lifesaving first aid. He was able to stabilize Nyhart until he was air lifted to a local hospital. Nyhart remains in critical condition and his long term prognosis is unknown.