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.

Warrant Arrest Nets 6 People for Drug Violations

 

October 29, 2020

In August of 2020 the Levy Count Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at a home located at 91 NE 131 Terrace in Williston. This search warrant was the culmination of a year-long investigation in which six people were arrested. Two additional suspects were not arrested on scene, but charges were filed.

The investigation did not end with these arrests. One of the two individuals that had not been arrested during the previous investigation had a warrant issued for his arrest. The arrest warrant was executed yesterday by Detectives of the Drug Task Force and Criminal Investigations Division. Michael J. Harvey (12/22/69) was identified in the prior investigation as the owner of this home on NE 131 Terrace and had been charged with possession of narcotics and maintaining a drug dwelling thus creating the warrant for Harvey’s arrest.  

Detectives located and arrested Harvey at his home. Detectives also found five other people in this home when they arrived. Shane Styers (10/14/93) and Sydney Allen (5/21/98) had active warrants for their arrests and were taken into custody. Allen was located hiding inside of a mattress box spring set. She was not found until the box spring was turned up and against the adjacent wall. Detectives said when they turned the box spring over, Allen was hanging upside down and had to be helped free from her position.  

Detectives saw all types of drug paraphernalia and illegal narcotics while inside the home when they arrived to arrest Harvey. Based on these observations, a second search warrant was obtained and served.

In all, six people were arrested. Harvey, Styers and Allen have also been charged with drug violations in addition to the outstanding warrants. Anna Gonzalez (7/14/91), Johnathan Slaughter (3/3/87) and Casey Popp (8/3/89) were also arrested for drug violations.

All subjects were taken to the Levy County Detention Facility and have been booked in for their various charges. The total bond on all six individuals exceeds $188,500.00.   

DRUG DEBT COLLECTION EFFORT ENDS IN GUNFIRE AND ARRESTS

 

On October 22, 2020, Levy County Sheriff’s Office Deputies, Detectives and Crime Scene personnel responded to a residence south of Chiefland to a reported shooting.  After extensive investigation by more than a dozen LCSO personnel, Tommie D. Neal, A/K/A “Yogi” (4-29-85) was arrested on multiple felony charges. 

Those who are familiar with LCSO press releases may remember Neal’s name.  LCSO recently shared information provided by the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office detailing Neal’s arrest in that county on October 1, 2020.  Neal was charged with multiple crimes including Trafficking in Methamphetamine and Possession of a Firearm / Ammunition by a Convicted Felon.  Neal was released from Detention in Citrus County on October 3^rd after posting a $47,000.00 bond.

The evidence gathered by LCSO personnel shows that during the afternoon hours of October 22, 2020, Neal and a co-defendant, Christian Miles Cannon (6-21-88), traveled to the victims’ residence south of the city of Chiefland.  The purpose of the trip was to enable Neal to collect money that he was owed for the sale of illegal drugs.  Upon arrival, Neal forced his way through the door of the victims’ residence and pointed a handgun at the female victim.  A physical struggle ensued between Neal and the male victim and Neal was forced out of the residence.  Neal then fired several rounds into the residence and into the victims’ vehicle before leaving the residence in a vehicle driven by Miles. 

LCSO recovered numerous items of physical evidence including shell casings, live rounds and the firearm that was allegedly used in the incident.  Witness statements positively identified Neal as the perpetrator.  Neal was located at a residence in the Town of Bronson hours after the incident and taken into custody.

Cannon was arrested after a traffic stop and charged with Driving on a Suspended License and Violation of Probation.  He has a $15,000.00 bond for the license charge but no bond for the VOP.

Neal is also being held at the Levy County Detention Center without bond.  He is facing charges of Aggravated Assault with a Firearm, Firing into a Dwelling, two counts of Possession of a Firearm or Ammunition by a Convicted Felon, Criminal Mischief and Burglary of a Dwelling.  LCSO hopes that his hibernation will be longer this time.    

Sheriff McCallum stated that unfortunately this case demonstrates the problems that illegal drugs and repeat offenders continue to cause in our communities.  Any citizens who may have information regarding illegal drug activity are asked to contact LCSO at 352-486-5111 or 911.  Reports can also be made anonymously through CrimeStoppers at 1-877-349-8477.    

LCSO MAKES ARREST FOR SEX CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN

 

On October 21, 2020, Detectives from the Levy County Sheriff’s Office arrested William Luther Hodson (8-7-91) on five counts of sex crimes committed against minors in Levy County.  Hodson is being held at the Levy County Detention Center on a combined bond of two million dollars. 

The evidence in the case showed that Hodson engaged in unlawful sexual acts with multiple victims under the age of 18.  The offenses occurred in the Bronson area of the county during 2020.  The evidence also showed that Hodson had been in a custodial relationship with at least one victim.  Hodson was charged with three counts of Lewd and Lascivious Molestation, one count of Sexual Battery by a person in familial or custodial authority, and one count of Child Abuse. 

LCSO and other involved agencies have taken the necessary steps to provide for the safety and follow up care for the victims.  Any citizens who may have information regarding other potential victims are asked to contact LCSO at 352-486-5111 or 911.  Reports can also be made anonymously through CrimeStoppers at 1-877-349-8477.    LCSO acknowledges and appreciates the assistance of personnel from the School Board of Levy County and the Florida Department of Children and Families during this investigation. 

Career Criminal Apprehended

 

October 13, 2020

Deputy Ryan Sullivan is assigned temporarily to the Criminal Investigations Division and showcased his investigative skills quickly by solving two open burglary cases where no suspect had been previously identified. Deputy Sullivan was assigned to investigate a September burglary where the victim reported over four thousand dollars of property had been stolen.

Deputy Sullivan spoke to the burglary victim and was told an unknown person made an unauthorized Amazon purchase on his account. The purchase was tracked to the home of Everette Warren Muth (9/28/64) on NW 113 Place in Chiefland. Deputy Sullivan was able to further identify Muth was the only suspect by locating a pawned item in Ocala that was positively identified by the victim as being stolen from his home during the burglary.

Deputy Sullivan secured a search warrant for Muth’s home. Additional stolen property from this burglary was found during the search and Muth was arrested. The search also located stolen property from a second unsolved burglary. Charges on this case are being drafted.

Muth has a multi-state felony career and is currently on parole in the State of Tennessee. Muth was booked in at the Levy County Detention Facility and his bond has been set at $30,000.00. 

The Levy County Sheriff’s Office responded to two 911 calls on October 9, 2020 at appropriately 2039 hours to 35 63rd Street in Yankeetown. The 911 callers reported a person at this address had been murdered. Deputies arrived and located Walter Alexander Dyals 10/18/94 who immediately confessed to killing his father, whom he lives with at this address. Dyals was immediately taken into custody. Detectives learned the father and son had been involved in a heated argument earlier in the evening and Walter Dyals stabbed his father in the chest. Dyals has been arrested and booked in at the Levy County Detention Facility where he will he held pending his first appearance.

Celebration of Life for Lieutenant Duane Dykstra – EOW September 26, 2020

 

The service celebrating Lieutenant Duane Dykstra will begin Monday at 11:00 a.m. October 5, 2020 at the Rafter Cross Cowboy Church located at 4631 NE 162 Court, Williston, Florida 32696.

Lieutenant Dykstra served the citizens of Levy County with honor and distinction for over 25 years. He led the Criminal Investigations Division and Drug Task Force until passing away unexpectedly while pursuing one of his passions, hunting.

At the conclusion of his celebration, the Levy County Sheriff’s Office and family will escort Lieutenant Dykstra to Knauff’s Funeral Home in Chiefland. The procession route will begin on US – Alt. 27 turning west and traveling through the Town of Bronson. We will continue on US- Alt. 27 to the intersection of CR 345 in Chiefland. The procession will turn left onto CR 345, travel west crossing over US 19 to the intersection of CR 341 and turn right. The following right turn will be onto West Park Avenue and ending at his final destination, Knauff’s Funeral Home.

Those who wish to honor Duane and his service to the citizens of Levy County may pay their respects anywhere along this route. It is customary for motorist to pull onto the shoulder of the road out of the flow of traffic when a funeral procession passes.  Duane and his law enforcement family would be indebted for those stopping to safely exit their vehicle and place their hand over their heart as we pass.