Sapp Pleas to 20 Years in Prison

 

November 30, 2022

James Sapp (3/19/99) of Fanning Springs was arrested by Levy County Detectives on July 4, 2022 and charged with lewd and lascivious molestation of a person under 12 by an offender over 18. He was held in custody at the Levy County Detention Center from this date. On November 23, 2022 Sapp accepted a plea offer of 20 years in the Florida Department of Corrections. He is also designated a sexual predator. Upon his release from DOC in 2042 he will be required to register as a child predator every four months for the remainder of his life.

Sheriff McCallum said Sapps plea acceptance is another example of the dedication and quality of case preparation by the Detectives of this office. Crimes against children are some of the most difficult to work, especially crimes where young children are victimized. Strong supportive parents, who work with law enforcement through the most difficult trauma they have ever suffered, greatly aid in case resolutions like this. Our prayers continue for the family and the victim as they recover and move forward with their lives.   

Guilt Plea Accepted on Thomas Teehan

 

November 22, 2022

Some may recall the arrest of Thomas P. Teehan (7/4/74) posted on October 4, 2022. Levy County Detectives arrested Teehan, a previously convicted sex offender, for lewd and lascivious battery of a disabled person. The investigation established he sexually abused the victim over several years at his home located on the outskirts of Williston. Teehan entered his plea of guilty only 38 days after his arrest accepting a 15 year prison sentence.

“This plea is a testament to the hard work and dedication these Detectives expended and the undeniable strength of the case they were able to make on Teehan,” said Sheriff McCallum. An individual, previously convicted of a sexually based crime who re-offends, knows prison sentences will be more severe. I am proud of how well this case was prepared and that Teehan saw no defense. This led to how quickly he accepted the prison sentence thus saving the victim from the long and difficult process of testifying in court.     

Missing Endangered Adult Cheryl Knop

Cheryl Knop photo 1 week old

 

November 21, 2022

Levy County Sheriff’s Office is requesting assistance in locating missing and endangered adult Cheryl Knop; white female 9/24/60. Mrs. Knop walked away from her residence located at 6051 NE 133 Avenue, Williston last night sometime shortly before 1:00 a.m. She left behind all of her personal belongings, cell phone and required medication.

Mrs. Knop was last known wearing black pants, black shoes, a dark blue shirt and dark blue jacket. She has extremely long dark brown hair which could be in a ponytail. She is approximately 5’-2” tall and approximately 165 lbs and has blue eyes.

Anyone who has information on Mrs. Knop’s current whereabouts is asked to contact the Levy County Sheriff’s Office at 352-486-5111 select option 1.

Barricaded Man Taken Into Custody

 

November 21, 2022

On Friday, November 18 Levy County Deputies responded to the home located at 3650 SE 197 Court in Morriston to a report of gunfire. Deputies arrived to find Ross Marple (9/2/92) used a handgun to threaten a family member inside the home. Marple then fired the gun at the television while issuing additional threats to the family member. He also broke most of the windows out of the home. Deputies attempted to speak to Marple as he threatened them and barricaded himself inside the home.

Levy County Deputies and Detectives surrounded the home and blocked access roads for several hours while calling to Marple over their vehicle public address system to surrender. Marple did not respond to any of these requests. The Levy County Tactical Response Unit (TRU) was summoned to the scene to assist. TRU members were able to make entry into the home and take Marple into custody. No one was injured during this incident.

Marple was arrested for aggravated assault with a firearm. He posed a real and dangerous threat to the individuals inside the home, any person outside the home and law enforcement as he fired the gun indiscriminately from inside his home. He was also charged with assault on a law enforcement officer. He was booked into the Levy County Detention Center and is being held on a $105,000.00 bond.

Hurricane Nicole Preparation

 

November 9, 2022

Levy County Emergency Management announces the following protective measures affecting Levy County prior to the impact of Hurricane Nicole.

All Levy County Government offices will be closed Thursday, November 10. This includes the Levy County Land Fill.

 ·       All Levy County Schools will be closed Thursday, November 10.

·       Any citizens affected by storm damage are asked to photograph and report the damage by emailing the photo’s and damage location information to stormdamage@levydisaster.com