Man Arrested at Fanning Springs for Lewdness

October 10, 2016

LCSO Deputies arrested Edward William Hopwood (8-6-52) of Gainesville at the Fanning Springs State Park yesterday for Lewd and Lascivious Exhibition. Four children, between the ages of 7 to 11, told their grandparent they saw Hopwood exposing his genitals to them underwater. The grandparent, who was on the dock watching his grandchildren play reported observing Hopwood following children who were swimming nearby. The children’s grandparent also saw Hopwood exposing his genitals underwater when the children told him what they had seen.

Hopwood was arrested and booked into the Levy County Detention Facility. Hopwood appeared at first appearance this morning and has been assigned a bond of $850,000.00.

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Lt. Scott Tummond
Public Information
Levy County Sheriff's Office
(352) 486-5111

"Know Something We Don't" Call Crime Stoppers 1-877-349-8477 remain anonymous.

Hurricane Matthew – Levy County Update Thursday at 11 A.M.

The Levy County Emergency Operations Center combined with the Levy County Board of County Commissioners and the LCSO are issuing this combined message. Hurricane Matthew is a very large and destructive storm. Citizens should remain vigilant and continuously monitor the storm. These are our current conditions:

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•            Schools are closed on Friday, October 7, 2016
• ·        The Levy County Court House will be closed October 7, 2016
• ·        No tidal surge is expected to affect Levy County based on the current storm track
• ·        No fuel shortages have been reported in Levy County
• ·        No storm evacuation shelters have been opened
• ·        No evacuation orders have been issued

Based upon the current track of this storm our EOC reports Levy County will begin to experience tropical storm force winds (25-35 MPH) midafternoon on Friday. Gusts between 40-50 MPH could be experienced as rain bands move through our area.

This storm continues to evolve and the track could change. Should the storm track move westward, it will radically change the effects Levy County will experience. Citizens should closely monitor this storm and continue their storm preparedness efforts.

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Levy County School Closure Announcement

October 6, 2016

Levy County School Board Assistant Superintendent John Lott has announced the closure of Levy County Schools on Friday October 7, 2016. Current storm forecasts which will affect Levy County will make conditions unsafe for transporting students.

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Fugitive Flees from Law Enforcement and Incurs Additional Charges

September 30, 2016

The United States Marshal’s Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force and the Criminal Investigations Division of the Levy County Sheriff’s Office executed an arrest warrant on Theophilus Lee earlier today in Williston. Theophilus Lee, most recently released from the Florida Department of Corrections in 2014, was identified by the Gainesville Police Department as a suspect in a recent Armed Home Invasion Robbery in Alachua County.

Lee was also identified as a suspect in a recent investigation conducted by the LCSO. This investigation was related to a report of shots being fired into a home located in the east Williston area of Levy County. Lee refused to answer investigator’s questions and was escorted to the Levy County Detention Facility. Lee, still handcuffed, decided to run and fled from law enforcement.

Lee’s escape attempt was short lived. He made it approximately 300 yards before he was captured and returned to custody. Lee is currently being held on a $1,000,000 bond. He faces an additional charge of escape and will appear before an 8^th Judicial Circuit Judge tomorrow morning at first appearance.

 

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Lt. Scott Tummond
Public Information
Levy County Sheriff's Office
(352) 486-5111

"Know Something We Don't" Call Crime Stoppers 1-877-349-8477 remain anonymous.

Six Juveniles Arrested for Burglary and Theft

September 28, 2016

Six Fanning Springs juveniles were arrested on September 27, 2016 by LCSO Patrol Deputies after responding to a burglary scene at 7991 NW 168 Lane in Fanning Springs. LCSO Deputies C. Gregory and A. Hiers met with the victim who reported approximately $2,200 of electronics, silver coins and other valuables stolen from her home between 9-23-16 and 9-26-16. The victim immediately cast her suspicions on local “problematic” neighborhood juveniles and provided deputies with some proof supporting her suspicion.

Deputies Gregory and Hiers discovered entry was made into the home through a broken window on the south end of the home. Based upon additional discoveries made at the crime scene combined with the victim’s information, a search began for the juveniles believed to be responsible.

Six juveniles, all living in the Fanning Springs Annex area of Levy County were located, detained and interviewed. These six admitted to entering the victim’s home several times over the course of three days taking items each time they went.

In addition to solving this case and recovering most of the stolen property, deputies discovered some of the same group was responsible for the theft of a $2,000 riding lawn mower. The owner of the mower reported it stolen from his shed on September 23, 2016. He also lives in the same area. The group of juveniles told deputies they had “stashed” the mower in a wooded area nearby after they spray painted it to disguise its appearance.

All juveniles, ranging in age between 12 to 17 years old, were booked into the Levy County Detention Facility and charged with burglary, grand theft and criminal mischief. They were later released by the Department of Juvenile Justice to their parents.

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Lt. Scott Tummond
Public Information
Levy County Sheriff's Office
(352) 486-5111

"Know Something We Don't" Call Crime Stoppers 1-877-349-8477 remain anonymous.

Sexual Predator Public Address Notification

September 12, 2016

On July 28, 2016 Carlos Lanard Anthony registered as a Sexual Predator with the Levy County Sheriff’s Office. By Florida law Anthony is required to notify law enforcement whenever he changes addresses.

Carlos Lanard Anthony was convicted in 2005 in Pineallas County, Fl for Lewd and Lascivious Molestation on a child under 12; F.S. 800.04 (5) (b). Anthony has registered his temporary change in address as: 11571 NE 65 Lane Williston, Levy County, Florida.

For a complete listing of all registered sexual predators and offenders residing in Levy County, or to search by zip code, please visit www.fdle.state.fl.us and go to the sexual offender data base.

Sexual Predator:

Carlos Lanard Anthony

11571 NE 65 Lane     

Williston, Levy County, Florida

Black/Male

DOB: 9-6-81

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