Helicopter Crash

December 31, 2021

On December 30, 2021 at approximately 8:30 p.m. the Levy County Sheriff’s Office 911 Center received a call from a witness reporting a possible aircraft crash. Several minutes later a second   call from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was received who reported a distress beacon in the same general location. Deputies responded to a wooded area off of NE 60^th Lane near Wekiva Road west of the Town of Bronson and discovered the scene of a helicopter crash.

Investigators learned a family of four; father, mother and two children departed a private residence south west of the Town of Bronson in a privately owned Robinson helicopter. The family was returning to their home in Gilchrist County. The aircraft experienced an undetermined failure causing the crash. All four passengers perished. Levy County Sheriff’s Office Detectives are working with investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the FAA as this investigation continues.

Sheriff McCallum spoke to members of the family and friends of the victims and expressed his deepest condolences. This is a tragedy that has deeply affected families in Gilchrist County, Levy County and the LCSO family, as one of our own Detectives is related to the victims.

Sheriff McCallum contacted Sheriff Schultz (Gilchrist County Sheriff) to notify him about the crash. Sheriff Schultz and local Pastors of the victims contacted family in Gilchrist County to deliver this terrible news. We all grieve this loss and are praying for these families in this time of tragedy. The family has requested privacy as they grieve their loss.

 

Sex Offender Arrested for Violations

 

December 14, 2021

Detectives were notified that registered sex offender, Alexander R. Clary (4/27/58) of Williston was a wanted person from another county. Detectives responded to Clary’s registered address in order to arrest him for the outstanding warrant. Clary was located and during his arrest Detectives found him in possession of methamphetamines and drug paraphernalia. Additional sex offender registration requirement violations were discovered.

Clary was booked into the Levy County Detention Facility and has been charged with violation of sex offender registration requirements, possession of methamphetamines and possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond has been set at $186,000.00.

Murder Trial Ends with Convictions

Andrew Robinson

Jalen Days

 

December 3, 2021

On August 4, 2017 the Levy County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene of a home invasion robbery where in the commission of this crime James C. Patterson (32) of Williston was shot and killed and Ramon Patterson (28) was shot and injured. Detectives arrested Jalen K. Days (10/8/99) of Williston and Andrew Robinson (6/29/2000) of Williston within days of this crime and charged both with first degree murder and home invasion robbery.

On Monday, November 29, 2021 Days and Robinson were taken to trial. The trial spanned the entire week and the jury returned from deliberations on Friday, December 3, 2021. The Jury returned a verdict at approximately 1:00 p.m. today and the following is the decision of the Jury:

Jalen K. Days –

·       Guilty as charged of Murder in the 1^st Degree – did actually possess and discharge a firearm resulting in the death of James C. Patterson and did personally wear a mask.

·       Guilty as charged of Attempted Felony Murder - did actually possess and discharge a firearm resulting in the death or great bodily death of Ramon Patterson and did personally wear a mask.

·       Guilty as charged of Criminal Conspiracy to commit Home Invasion Robbery.

·       Guilty as charged of Kidnapping – did actually possess and discharge a firearm resulting in death or great bodily harm and did personally wear a mask.

·       Guilty as charged of Home Invasion Robbery – did actually possess and discharge a firearm resulting in death or great bodily harm and did personally wear a mask.

·       Guilty as charged of Burglary while armed – did actually possess and discharge a firearm resulting in death or great bodily harm and did personally wear a mask.

·       Guilty as charged of Tampering with evidence.

 

Andrew Robinson –

·       Guilty of the lesser of Manslaughter, did personally wear a mask.

·       Not guilty of Attempted Felony murder.

·       Guilty as charged of Criminal Conspiracy to commit Home Invasion Robbery.

·       Guilty as charged of Kidnapping – did actually possess a firearm, did personally wear a mask.

·       Guilty as charged of Home invasion – did actually possess a firearm, did personally wear a mask.

·       Guilty as charged of Burglary while Armed – did actually possess a firearm, did personally wear a mask.

·       Guilty as charged - Tampering with physical evidence.

 

Justice has been achieved for the victims of this crime. The combined team effort of the Patrol Deputies, Detectives and Prosecutors who dedicated countless hours preparing this case for the Jury made the outcome possible. The Court has scheduled sentencing of the now convicted felons for January 19, 2022.