Detectives Recover $50K Tractor

 

December 21, 2022

On 12/14/22 Levy County Detectives were alerted that a John Deere front end loader had been stolen from a job site in City of Dunnellon. Detectives learned that the tractor may have been hidden in the Morriston area of Levy County. LCSO Detective Scott Stancil began working on this lead and discovered the suspect, Anthony Ralph, was in possession of a John Deere tractor. The investigation continued and came to conclusion yesterday when Detective Stancil received a tip telling him exactly where the tractor could be located.

Detective Stancil with assistance from Officers with the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission responded to the reported location. When officers arrived they found Anthony Ralph (1/3/80) of Crystal River, operating the tractor and took him into custody. The investigation determined the John Deere 544 front end loader, valued at over $50,000, was was being used by Ralph to clear properties in the area south of SR 121 and CR 337.  Ralph had active warrants for his arrest from Citrus and Alachua Counties and has a lengthy criminal history from multiple counties in Florida. Detective Stancil contacted the victim in Dunnellon and returned the tractor. Detectives also seized methamphetamines and drug paraphernalia from Ralph’s vehicle.

Detectives know Ralph used the tractor to perform work on private properties in Levy County. Detective Scott Stancil is requesting anyone who hired Ralph to contact him at 352-486-5111 ext.364. 

Bronson Woman Arrested After Fleeing from Deputy

 

December 8, 2022

On December 5, 2022 Deputy Gerard Williams was working traffic enforcement near the Town of Bronson when he saw a Nissan SUV run a stop sign. Deputy Williams attempted to stop the vehicle but when he activated his overhead lights, the driver refused to stop. A vehicle pursuit began and additional deputies responded to the area to assist.

Deputies chased the vehicle before it ultimately came to a stop in front of 10670 NE 97 Place, where the driver jumped out of the Nissan and fled into the woods. Deputy Williams exited his patrol vehicle and chased the driver, a woman, on foot. He was quickly able to catch up to her and utilized his Taser to stop her efforts to escape. While attempting to handcuff her she actively fought against his efforts. During this struggle Deputy Williams could tell she was attempting to hide something underneath her. Deputy Arters arrived and assisted Deputy Williams and when she was stood to her feet to take her to a nearby waiting patrol vehicle, Deputy Williams saw something in the dirt she was trying to bury. The suspicious item was collected and identified as a baggie of methamphetamines.

The following investigation identified the driver as Michelle McNeal (12/18/87) of Bronson. McNeal has been convicted five (5) previous times for driving on a suspended license. She also has been convicted of ten (10) felonies. She was arrested and charged with felony driving on a suspended license, possession of methamphetamines, evidence tampering, fleeing and attempting to elude LEO and resisting arrest without violence. She is being held in the Levy County Detention Center on a $100,000.00 bond.

Joshua Moretz Sentenced

 

December 7, 2022

Levy County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Cody Weaver arrested Moretz (5/19/90), an Inglis resident, over a year ago. Moretz has been in custody at the Levy County Detention Center since his arrest. Deputy Weaver found Moretz driving on 10/13/2021 in Inglis with a suspended license and attempted to stop him. Moretz ignored the deputy’s signal to stop and continued driving, ultimately coming to a stop near Palm Point. The following investigation discovered Moretz was in possession of 27.5 grams of heroin laced marijuana and 10 grams of cocaine laced with fentanyl and other drugs.  One deputy assisting in this investigation suffered a near deadly fentanyl exposure which resulted in an emergency hospital visit.

Moretz accepted a three year plea sentence to the Florida Department of Corrections on December 1, 2022 for the Levy County charges. Moretz currently has charges pending in Citrus County and will be transferred to their jail in the upcoming days to appear in court for their cases.

“This is a case where we came close to losing a deputy from the exposure to Fentanyl. Not only do our deputies face this danger almost daily but likewise do our children and citizens. We will continue to do everything possible to bring to justice those who prey on our citizens through their drug trafficking efforts. Thankfully our deputy recovered over a period of time, but there are many that are exposed willingly or unwillingly that are not as fortunate,” Sheriff McCallum said.

While You Were Sleeping, Bravo Night Shift Kept You Protected

December 2, 2022

Levy County Deputies are assigned to twelve hour shifts and to a particular patrol area in the county. Shift begins at 6:00 a.m. or p.m. Often, when the lights go out, the criminals come out. Not unlike the game of hide and seek, the “tag you’re it” person may earn a ride to jail. Bravo night shift deputies were on their toes last night and made four very notable arrests.  

 

At 11:00 p.m. Deputy J. Arters was dispatched to a fight in progress where one of the subjects was armed. Two individuals were fighting over ownership of a battery. Yes, a battery. During the fight, Richette Law (9/28/77) of Williston armed himself with a knife and cut the victim twice. Deputy Arters conducted his investigation, recovered the knife used in the fight and arrested Law for aggravated battery. Law is being held in the Levy County Detention Center in lieu of a $75,000 bond.

 

 At 12:00 a.m. Deputy H. Dean was conducting traffic enforcement in a neighborhood outside of Bronson. He observed a person operating a moped without a tag. As he was stopping this person he saw them throw a small baggie. Deputy Dean identified the driver as Ashley Parkhouse (11/9/85). Parkhouse was operating the moped while her license was suspended. Deputy Dean also collected the baggie she threw and determined it contained methamphetamines. Parkhouse was arrested for possession of methamphetamines and driving with a suspended license. She is being held in the Levy County Detention Center on a $56,000 bond.

 

At 3:00 a.m. Deputy Arters was conducting traffic enforcement in a neighborhood outside of Bronson. He observed a subject on a motorized bicycle run a stop sign and stopped the individual. The subject “abandoned the bicycle and attempted to flee on foot into the wood line.” Deputy Arters quickly apprehended the individual and identified him as Jephthah Burton (8/21/90) of Bronson. Burton was also found to be in possession of methamphetamines and heroin. He is being held in the Levy County Detention Center on a $90,000 bond. This is Deputy Arters second arrest for the shift.

At 3:10 a.m. Deputy G. Williams was conducting traffic enforcement in a neighborhood outside of Bronson. Deputy Williams used his radar to clock a vehicle traveling at 62 mph in a posted 35 zone. Deputy Dean, who was working with Deputy Williams, gave initial chase. Deputy Dean radioed Deputy Williams and told him the driver was fleeing. A short pursuit ensued with the driver ultimately pulling over. Deputies Williams and Dean took the driver, Richard Edsall (10/18/81) of Center Hill, Florida and passenger into custody. The subsequent investigation led to the discovery of a gun, methamphetamines, drug paraphernalia and Edsall operating a vehicle with a suspended driver’s license. The passenger was released as this investigation determined he had not committed a crime and Edsall was arrested. Edsall a previously convicted felon was charged with possession of the firearm by a felon and the drugs located inside his vehicle. He is being held in the Levy County Detention Center on a $171,000 bond.

“This is one example of what happens many nights “on patrol” while the law abiding citizens of Levy County slept peacefully in their homes. I am proud of the professionalism, drive and dedication of each and every one of our deputies as they protect the innocent from those who choose to violate the laws of this State,” said Sheriff McCallum.