Detectives Close Cold Cases with Forensic Evidence

 

June 25, 2021

Levy County Detectives were able to close two cold cases yesterday with the arrest of Phillip D. Quillen (2/21/44) of Chiefland after he was linked to these cases with forensic evidence. In December of 2020, Detectives responded to a report of arson in the unincorporated area of Levy County south of Chiefland. The then unidentified suspect used an accelerant in an attempt to set an occupied home on fire and burned a car in the yard. In February of 2021 the then unknown suspect broke into the same home where the arson occurred and damaged more than $5,000 dollars in property inside the home.  

Detectives linked Quillen to these crimes using biological evidence collected from these scenes. Quillen’s DNA had previously been submitted to the CODIS database for crimes he committed years earlier in Indiana. Confronted with overwhelming evidence, Quillen confessed to these crimes.

Quillen is being held at the Levy County Detention Bureau having been charged with arson of a dwelling while occupied, burglary and felony criminal mischief. His bond is set at $1,375,000.00.

CONSTRUCTION SITE THIEVES ARRESTED

 

On June 14, 2021 LCSO Deputies arrested Tiffany Kinney White (5-31-71) on a traffic stop after it was discovered she was driving with an invalid license.  White also had an outstanding warrant from Citrus County for Violation of her Probation.  After she was taken into custody, Deputies found drug paraphernalia (syringes, cotton balls, smoking pipes and methamphetamine residue) in her purse. 

The vehicle that White was driving was a very distinctive looking Nissan four door.  It was black and white in color and had a large “Punisher” decal on the hood.  This vehicle matched the description of a vehicle that was used in an earlier burglary and theft from a residential construction site in the town of Bronson.  During that crime, construction materials and tools had been stolen by two female suspects. 

Detective Justin Douglas of the LCSO Criminal Investigations Division and several other Detectives began a follow up investigation with White.  Using eyewitness statements, interviews and physical evidence, Detective Douglas was able to develop probable cause for the arrest of White for the reported burglary and theft. 

The Detectives also developed probable cause for the second suspect, Michelle Angelic Dowell (3-19-74).  Conveniently, Dowell was already incarcerated at the Levy County Detention Center on other charges.  Detective Douglas was able to arrest Dowell at the Detention Center for Burglary and Theft.  White is being held on a combined bond of $32,500.00 while Dowell’s bond was set at $30,099.00. 

Due to the current building boom as well as the shortage and high cost of building materials, construction sites have become very attractive targets for thieves.  Citizens are encouraged to secure their tools and materials as much as possible.  Any citizens who may have information regarding similar crimes or these suspects are asked to contact LCSO at 352-486-5111 or 911.  Reports can also be made anonymously through CrimeStoppers at 1-877-349-8477.   

  

Team Work Leads To Violent Felon’s Apprehension

June 15, 2021

On June 9, 2021 deputies responded to an early morning 911 call on NE 107 Court in Bronson. The 911 caller told dispatchers that a person had just kicked their front door down and fired a gun while struggling with her roommate. The caller told dispatchers the gunman and her roommate struggled out into the yard where the gunman was able to enter his vehicle and flee the scene.

Detectives interviewed the homeowner and the roommate who identified the gunman as James Ray Carson (8/10/71) of Morriston. Carson was able to elude immediate capture. Levy County Detectives worked with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force to apprehend Carson. He was located  at a home in Marion County later this same day and arrested for active felony warrants issued in Alachua County.

A search warrant was served at the home in Marion County and a firearm was recovered. Carson is a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing a firearm. Testing of the weapon is being performed and when the weapon is identified as the same one used in the armed burglary in Levy County, Carson will be facing more charges. A warrant has also issued in Levy County and when Carson is transferred to our Detention Bureau he will be held on a $1,775,000.00 bond.

 

LCSO Patrol Division Makes Notable Arrests

Johnny Hemby

Krystle Sunbury-Cramer

 

June 14, 2021

On June 11, 2021 Deputy H. Dean was on patrol in the Bronson area when he spotted a black Honda in the parking lot of a gas station on SR 24 with an expired tag. Deputy Dean waited nearby and saw Johnny Hemby (5/25/93) enter the vehicle and drive away. Deputy Dean believed Hemby had a suspended driver’s license and a quick check on his computer confirmed he was correct.

Deputy Dean stopped Hemby on SR 24 near University Oaks Subdivision. Hemby was not only driving while his license was suspended but was also found to be in possession of methamphetamines and various instruments used to prepare it for street level sales. He was arrested and transported to the Levy County Detention Facility.

On June 12, 2021 Deputy S. Williamson responded to a home on Marjorie Street in Inglis to a report of a stolen vehicle. Deputy Williamson was not able to locate the vehicle during his investigation but issued a Be-On-The-Lookout (BOLO) to all other deputies in our area.

On June 13, 2021 two of the victim’s friend saw an unknown person driving the victim’s stolen car and were able to negotiate the surrender of the vehicle. Deputies were called to the scene but the suspect had already fled. Deputies scoured the area and were able to locate the person the witnesses described. Deputies established the described individual, identified as Krystle Sunbury-Cranmer (8/31/90) who lists no address, broke into the victim’s home while she slept, stole the keys and the victim’s credit cards before making her get away. Ms. Sunbury-Cranmer was booked into the Levy County Detention Facility, charged with grand theft auto, burglary and theft. Her bond has been set at $91,000.00.

Two Men Arrested for Sexual Battery on Minors

William Brown

Kevin Shryock

 

June 14, 2021

On June 7, 2021 Detectives responded to the home of William Alfred Brown (4/17/66) on 91^st Terrace in Bronson. Detectives learned that Brown sexually battered a child who is older than 12 but younger than 16.  Brown was arrested and is being held in the Levy County Detention Bureau in lieu of a $750,000.00 bond.

On June 12, 2021 Detectives responded to the home of Kevin Randall Shryock (5/3/84) on 40^th Street in Morriston. Detectives learned that Shryock sexually battered a child older than 16 but younger than 18. Shryock was arrested and is being held in the Levy County Detention Bureau in lieu of a $525,000.00 bond.

DRUG TRAFFICKING ARREST MADE

 

Florida Statute Section 893.135 (1f)(1) defines the criminal offense of Trafficking in Amphetamine (which includes Methamphetamine) as the possession, sale, manufacture, purchase, or delivery of more than 14 grams of amphetamines.  “Trafficking” any illegal substance in Florida is a more serious offense.  It subjects an offender to “mandatory minimum” prison terms and fines. 

On June 10, 2021 shortly after noon, LCSO Lieutenant Mike Narayan conducted a traffic stop on a white colored Lincoln passenger car.  The vehicle was being driven on NE 139^th Avenue by Tye Hamilton Pierce (8-6-89.)  Pierce was the only occupant in the vehicle. 

Sgt. Kevin Kinik and his K-9 partner “Zombie” responded to the location.  Zombie gave a positive alert for the presence of illegal narcotics in the vehicle.  During a search of the vehicle, LCSO deputies located and seized 35 grams of a crystalline substance that tested positive for amphetamine.   They also seized a loaded revolver from the vehicle. 

Pierce was arrested for Trafficking in Amphetamine and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.  He was transported to the Levy County Detention Center and his bond was set at $100,000.00 per charge on June 11, 2021.  According to Florida Statute Section 893.135(1f)1(b), offenders in possession of more than 28 grams of amphetamine “shall be sentenced to a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 7 years, and the defendant shall be ordered to pay a fine of $100,000.”

The Pierce name might be familiar to Levy County citizens.  Tye Pierce’s father, George Pierce, was the victim of homicide in Levy County in December of 2012.  That case remains unsolved as of this date. 

Any citizens who may have information regarding illegal drug activity or this cold case homicide are asked to contact LCSO at 352-486-5111 or 911.  Reports can also be made anonymously through CrimeStoppers at 1-877-349-8477.   

Escapee – We Need Your Help Locating Her

 

June 10, 2021

The LCSO arrested a male subject for multiple felonies after a traffic stop investigation today at 1:00 p.m. The arrested male had a small brown Chihuahua in his car at the time of his arrest. A  detectives put this small, fragile animal that had the attitude of a Great Dane in the backseat of his patrol vehicle while waiting until mom could come pick her up. Apparently “Phoebe” thought she was going to face the same fate as her dad and made her great escape. She bailed out of the window and is currently on the run.

We need you help finding her so we can reunite this wayward puppy with her mother. Phoebe was last seen in the area of NE 70 Street and NE 138 Terrace, near CR 102 and CR 335 between Bronson and Williston. Anyone who has seen Phoebe is asked to contact the Levy County Sheriff’s Office at 352-486-5111.