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.