Largest Methamphetamine Seizure in Levy County

 

August 19, 2022

Levy County Drug Task Force Detectives received information nearly one year ago that James (Jim) Thomas Norris, DOB 11/28/1962, was selling drugs from his residence south of Chiefland. Detectives began gathering information on Norris’ activities and discovered he was supplying other dealers in the tri-county area. As the investigation spider webbed outward, Detectives received assistance from the Dixie County Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force, the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office, the Chiefland Police Department, the North Star Multijurisdictional Drug Task Force, the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force, FDLE, ATF and the DEA in the form of valuable source information and resources which was key in building the case.

Throughout the course of the investigation Detectives began obtaining information through numerous sources that Norris was also in possession of multiple firearms and ammunition. Covert operations were conducted and Detectives confirmed their suspicions that Norris was a major drug dealer. Detectives discovered evidence that he was in fact in possession of firearms and substantial amounts of methamphetamine he was distributing from his residence.

On August 15, 2022 Detectives had sufficient probable cause to arrest Norris for trafficking in methamphetamines and weapons charges. Levy County Detectives, with the assistance of the North Star Task Force, established surveillance and located Norris driving then attempted to conduct a traffic stop. Norris has a lengthy criminal history which includes felony convictions prohibiting him from possessing a firearm. Norris made statements to anonymous sources that he was not going back to prison and would harm law enforcement if any attempt to apprehend him was made.      

Norris accelerated away from the Detectives who were trying to stop him and ran head on toward a law enforcement vehicle. This action forced that Detective off the road to avoid a collision. Norris continued to flee law enforcement, swerving at pursuing law enforcement vehicles and was ultimately stopped when he intentionally cut off a pursuing vehicle which caused a collision. Norris sustained non-life threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. No law enforcement officer was injured.

A search warrant was executed on Norris’ home later this same day. Detectives located and seized firearms, ammunition, and over a half pound of methamphetamine along with a variety of prescription controlled substances and Marijuana. At the conclusion of this investigation a total of 346.5 grams of methamphetamine (12.3 ounces), two AR-15 style rifles, a Springfield XD-40 handgun, and ammunition were seized.

Norris is now facing three counts of Trafficking in Methamphetamine, two counts of Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, two counts of Sale of Methamphetamine, three counts of Aggravated Assault on law enforcement, multiple weapons charges and maintaining a drug dwelling. Upon Norris’ release from the hospital he was booked into the Levy County Sheriff’s Detention Facility where he is being held on a bond amount of $1,676,000.00 for the above charges.

Deputies and Paramedics Injured on Overdose Call

 

August 18, 2022

Two Levy County Deputies, a Corporal and a Patrol Deputy along with two Levy County Department of Public Safety members, a Firefighter Paramedic and a Firefighter EMT were injured last night around 8 p.m. The were exposed to Fentanyl while responding to an overdose call in Bronson. All four first responders required advanced medical treatment at a local hospital and are expected to make a full recovery.

Law enforcement and EMS personnel responded to 9790 NE 92 Place east of Bronson to a report of female suffering from an overdose. This is the 28^th response to this same address for various law enforcement matters since 2014. Deputies and EMS personnel were treating the patient when one deputy was overcome by a Fentanyl exposure and passed out. EMS personnel immediately went to his aid and administered Narcan to the deputy to resuscitate him. Shortly thereafter the second deputy and both EMS personnel began suffering from a Fentanyl exposure. All four affected first responders required transport for treatment and observation at a local hospital. One EMS first responder was exposed while simply removing his protective equipment after the affected individuals had been transported. A total of four EMS vehicles and multiple law enforcement personnel responded to this extremely chaotic scene.  

Two Levy County first responder vehicles now require expert decontamination before they can be put back into service which is a great cost to Levy County tax payers. Fentanyl, a deadly synthetic sedative 50-100 times stronger than morphine and heroin is toxic to humans and even in minute doses is known to cause death. A person does not need to inject, smoke or inhale the drug to be affected. A minuscule amount, light enough to become airborne that comes into contact with a person’s skin can cause an overdose. Fentanyl has grown in popularity amongst drug addicts because of its potency and how readily available it has become. Each time EMS or Law Enforcement is called to overdose cases they are at great risk of a deadly exposure.

Student Arrested for Felony Battery

 

August 11, 2022

Levy County students opened the 2022-2023 school year yesterday by returning to campus. All staff, administrators, parents and students hoped all would go well. Unfortunately, a fight erupted at the Williston Middle High School involving multiple students. The cause of the fight has not yet been determined. However, when school faculty intervened to break up the fight, one student punched a faculty member. The faculty member sustained minor injuries and is expected to make a full recovery.  A second faculty member was also injured in attempting to the stop the fight.

The Williston Middle High School Resource Deputy immediately responded to the location of the fight and took a 14 year old high school student into custody for striking the faculty member. She has been charged with one felony count of battery on a school official and was booked into the Levy County Detention Center. She was later transferred into the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice.

Sheriff McCallum and Superintendent Cowart strongly caution all students to be respectful toward each other, teachers and staff.  Sheriff McCallum said, “Actions like what happened on the first day of school at Williston Middle High School will not be tolerated.” School Resource Deputies are assigned to school campuses to ensure the safety of the students and all school personnel.  Any student who strikes a teacher or any school official and probable cause is established to support a criminal charge, that student will be arrested.  “Students involved in these types of incidents will be charged according to the letter of the law and may potentially lead to school and school district sanctions,” said Sheriff McCallum.

Additional Charges Filed on McCall

 

August 10, 2022

Levy County Detectives have secured a warrant for the arrest of Billy McCall, the former basketball coach at Bronson Middle High School. McCall became the subject of a criminal investigation last month after a report was filed with Levy County Sheriff’s Office of alleged sexual misconduct with a student. Levy County Detectives learned the sexual misconduct occurred in Alachua County and worked with detectives there. McCall was arrested by Alachua County Sheriff’s Detectives and is currently in custody at the Alachua County Jail for sexually based crimes.

Levy County Detectives continued the investigation. Additional victims came forward and based on testimony, Detectives obtained a warrant for McCall for Lewd and Lascivious Molestation for crimes that occurred in Levy County. This warrant has not yet been served on McCall and will be held until his case in Alachua County is resolved.

McCall has been a part of youth sports, specifically basketball in both Alachua and Levy County for over a decade. Detectives believe there could be more victims who have yet come forward. Anyone who has information or is a victim of McCall is asked to contact Detective Shelby Kilian at 352-468-5111 ext. 276. 

CONVENIENCE STORE RAGE

 

On July 21, 2022, the LCSO Communications Division received via 911 a report of a shooting at the Marathon Store located at 5250 NE 140 Court, Williston, Florida.  The Telecommunicator taking the call was able to hear gunshots in the background over the 911 line. 

When deputies arrived on scene, the shooters had already fled.  No one was injured during the shooting.  Fortunately for the victims, and unfortunately for the shooters, the shooters’ luck was on par with their marksmanship.  Deputies were able to obtain a significant amount of video, eyewitness and photographic (see above) evidence. 

The investigation revealed that two victims got into a verbal dispute with the two Hispanic male suspects in the store parking lot.  The argument involved who had the right of way around the gas pumps. 

After the initial verbal dispute, the (eventual) shooters left the area in a silver colored Lexus passenger car.  They returned a short time later and both were armed with handguns.  They confronted the victims and fired several rounds at the two victims but neither was injured.  One of the victims was able to take a picture of the two shooters during the second altercation. 

LCSO Deputies and Detectives were able to obtain surveillance video from the scene.  They also obtained statements from witnesses who were inside the store during the shooting and others in the neighborhood.  LCSO Criminal Analyst, Amanda Bruce, was able to use video footage of the suspect vehicle to identify the two shooters as Luis Antonio Perez Carraquillo (9-26-1979) and Luis Antonio Perez Franco (7-23-2001) who are father and son.  Detective Joe Barrera obtained arrest warrants for both suspects on July 22, 2022. 

Detectives learned the suspects had fled to Orange County, Florida.  Detectives enlisted the assistance of the U.S. Marshal Service Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force.  Task Force officers located and arrested both of the suspects in Orange County on July 29^th, 2022.  One handgun was recovered during the arrest. 

The shooters remain in custody awaiting transport back to Levy County to face two counts of Attempted Murder each.  Sheriff McCallum expressed his appreciation to the U.S. Marshal Service and the members of the public who cooperated with LCSO to get these dangerous suspects off the streets.  He encourages citizens to pay attention to their surroundings as a simple trip to the convenience store on that day could have been deadly. 

Any citizens who may have information regarding any illegal 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.