C.O.P. Awards

MEDIA RELEASE

 

Date:                April 9, 2011

Time:                8:30 AM

 

On April 4, 2011, the Levy County Sheriffs Office COP Program, (Citizens on Patrol) held its quarterly meeting and cookout.  During this meeting, we recognized COP members for the many hours that they have donated to support the Sheriff's Office. 

 

These volunteers provide countless hours assisting with patrolling neighborhoods and businesses; participating in community functions; funeral escorts and numerous other activities which helps enhance our visibility for our citizens and visitors to Levy County.  The names of the volunteers and the hours they were recognized are as follows:

 

Lt. Mary Cowart   7000 Hours

Capt. Bob McFadden 6000 Hours

Lt. Dan Kelly 3000 Hours

Stella Damann 3000 Hours

Sue Irwin 3000 Hours

Donna McFadden 2500 Hours and 2010 COP Officer of the Year

Bill Merkel 2000 Hours

Terry Merkel 2000 Hours

Glenn Bowers 2000 Hours

Joyce Sankus 2000 Hours

Tom Munsell 1500 Hours

Ron Grant 1500 Hours       

Elihou Ross 500 Hours

Robert Krumm 500 Hours

 

Sheriff Johnny Smith wanted to express his sincere appreciation to all the members of the COP Program and these outstanding volunteers. 

 

 

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Major Evan Sullivan
Levy County Sheriff's Office
FBI-National Academy 183rd Session
Office: 352-486-5446
Cell:    352-577-4218

Death Investigation

MEDIA RELEASE

 

Date:                April 9, 2011

Time:                8:30 AM

 

On April 7, 2011 a Department of Agriculture Law Enforcement Officer stopped a vehicle in Goethe Forest on Old Rock Road.  Upon stopping the Mazda truck he made contact with the driver of the vehicle and obtained his drivers license.  When the Police Officer walked back to his patrol vehicle to check to see if the driver had any warrants the driver sped off and a pursuit ensued.  During the pursuit the driver which was the only person in the vehicle swerved off the road and was observed reaching for what the Officer thought may be a weapon. 

 

The Department of Agriculture Officer called for assistance and several Levy County Deputies responded to the scene which was in the area of CR-336 and Cr-337.  Several commands were given but the driver did not respond.  Deputies approached the vehicle and secured the scene.  The 30 year old Dunnellon man had what appeared to be one gunshot wound that is believed to be self inflicted.

 

The Levy County Sheriff's Office Investigation Unit responded and assumed command in the investigation.  It is unknown why the Dunnellon man sped off but the investigation revealed that he a suspended license and had a child support warrant out of Marion County.

 

 

 

 

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Major Evan Sullivan
Levy County Sheriff's Office
FBI-National Academy 183rd Session
Office: 352-486-5446
Cell:    352-577-4218

Chiefland Man Arrested For Guns & Selling Pills

MEDIA RELEASE

 

Date:                April 7, 2011

Time:                9:30 AM

 

On April 7, 2011 the Levy County Sheriff's Office Drug Task Force arrested Larry Andy Meeks Jr. for two counts of sale with the intent to distribute and two counts of possession with intent to sale prescription pills (Oxycodone).

 

Drug Task Force Agents received information that for the past 10 years Meeks has sold narcotics from his Chiefland residence.  Meeks is suspected of being the largest drug dealer in the area for selling prescription pills in Levy County.  Agents purchased prescription pills from Meeks on several occasions.  Through the investigation Agents had knowledge that Meeks has three small children that live at his residence and he has multiple guns inside the residence.  During the investigation Meeks is suspected of also using excessive amount of prescription pills and at times he becomes extremely paranoid.  Agents obtained a search warrant but for the safety of the children and the Agents it was decided to allow Meeks to drop his children off at school and then conduct traffic stop.  Major Sullivan and Agent Burt Miller did a surveillance and upon Meeks dropping off his children at school a traffic stop was conducted at NW 120^th Street at Highway 19.  Meeks was arrested on the two Levy County warrants and additional charges for carrying a concealed firearm will be added. 

 

Upon Meeks being arrested Agents executed the search warrant at 9750 NW 60^th Ave.  Agents confiscated numerous firearms, prescription pills, large amount ammunition and a large amount US Currency.  Meeks has a $ 300,000 bond on the warrants and he will have no bond on the additional charges.

 

 

 

Defendant:

 

Larry "Andy" Meeks Jr.

9750 NW 60^th Ave

Chiefland, Fl.

White Male, 05/11/82

 

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Major Evan Sullivan
Levy County Sheriff's Office
FBI-National Academy 183rd Session
Office: 352-486-5446
Cell:    352-577-4218

Driveway Scams

Locally, we have seen a rise in driveway paving scams in and around the Levy County area. These scams have been focusing on the elderly and people on a limited or fixed income. The con artists come in and informs the victim(s) that “we have a deal for you”. They inform the homeowner that they have “just enough asphalt left over from another job”. These con artists are normally very polite and persuasive. There have been occasions when they even use pressure tactics and threats of intimidation. However, after the work is done and the driveway is paved the con artists demand a lot more money than was originally quoted. The asphalt used during the project is often low quality and their finished work product is questionable.

TIPS:

Never be pressured into something. If it does not feel right, trust your gut feelings and say no.

You pick the contractor; do not let them pick you.

Pay by check, NEVER give cash.

Only give 10-15 percent of job cost upfront.

Remember, if it sounds to good to be true it probably is.

Pistol class to support Hait mission trip

This Fund raiser is for First Baptist Church of Bronsons Youth mission trip to Haiti in summer 2011. This class hosted by Levy County Sheriffs Office will qualify for Florida concealed weapons permit and the date is Mar 12, 2011 8am till 1pm at the Levy County Sheriffs Office Classroom 9150 NE 80th Ave Bronson Fl 32621. Cost will be $55 dollars in advance or 60 dollars day of class you can register at www.Levypistolclass.info Lunch will be provided and additional donations will be appreciated and accepted. please email any questions to sfinnen@levyso.com or contact the sheriffs office at 3524865111.

Prostitution Sting Bronson Area

MEDIA RELEASE

 

Date:                February 18, 2011

Time:                3:15 PM

 

The Levy County Sheriff's Office Drug TASK Force has received complaints that a white female has been in the Bronson area prostituting.  On February 18, 2011 Agent Burt Miller made contact with the white female that was later identified as, Ashley Avis Wilcox at the Bronson Post Office.  During the conversation Wilcox stated that she wanted to party and received $ 50.00 from Miller for exchange of sex.

 

Wilcox was arrested and had the money in her pocket but stated that she was going to give the money back.  Fortunately, we do not see this type of activity in our County but we want to send a strong message that this behavior will not be tolerated.    Wilcox was arrested for prostitution and transported to the Levy County Jail.

 

 

 

Defendant:

 

Ashley Avis Wilcox

657 Stephens Street

Bronson, Fl.

White Female, 09/26/87

 

 

 

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Major Evan Sullivan
Levy County Sheriff's Office
FBI-National Academy 183rd Session
Office: 352-486-5446
Cell:    352-577-4218

Old Town Couple Flee By Jumping In The River

MEDIA RELEASE

 

Date:                February 15, 2011

Time:                1:00 PM

 

On February 14, 2011, Levy Deputies and Investigators assisted Gilchrist County Sheriff's Office in reference to a residential burglary that just occurred in Gilchrist County.  A family member to the victim come home and found Gregory Bennett II and Heather Bartholomew on the property.  The two were able to evade capture by running out the back sliding door and fleeing in a black SUV.  The witness followed the suspects to Levy County and called law enforcement.  The suspects' vehicle was located behind the Fanning Springs City Hall and when they saw deputies they immediately ran on foot.

 

Deputy Clint Anderson & his K-9 partner, Robiek, responded to the scene and tracked the suspects.  During the tracking, Robiek located the suspect's shoes and a stolen .22 caliber rifle in the woods.  Deputies cordon the area off and Investigator Roger Bell located the suspects running on foot towards the Suwannee River.  When Bell gave them an order to stop, the suspects jumped into the river to escape arrest but realized that the water was too cold and surrendered without incident.   Investigator Bell arrested the two for resisting arrest without violence and the Gilchrist County Sheriff's Office will file appropriate charges for crimes they committed in Gilchrist County.

 

Defendant:

 

Gregory Alan Bennett II

178 SE 905^th Street

Old Town, Fl.

White Male, 01/10/89

 

Heather Leigh Bartholomew

178 SE 905^th Street

Old Town, Fl.

White Female, 11/13/90

 

 

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Major Evan Sullivan
Levy County Sheriff's Office
FBI-National Academy 183rd Session
Office: 352-486-5446
Cell:    352-577-4218