Suspicious Death Investigation

November 11, 2016

The Levy County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at 9830 NE 105^th Avenue in Bronson, Fl late yesterday afternoon based upon a tip there were buried human remains on the property. Investigators from the LCSO, the District Eight Medical Examiner’s Office, specially trained K-9 Cadaver dogs and a team from the C. A. Pound Human Identification Laboratory at the University of Florida began searching in an unimproved area of this lot. The search continues today as these teams continue to dig in efforts to unearth the remains. 

                                                                              ###

Anonymous Tip Leads to Burglary Arrests

 

                                                                   Hunter Gaston

                                                                 Annie Harknett

                                                                   Wesley Rizer

November 9, 2016

On November 3^rd Levy County Investigators received an anonymous tip of a burglary that occurred at a vacant home in Morriston, Fl. The tipster told investigators at least four people broke into the home and took valuables and firearms. The following investigation verified that three adults and one juvenile entered a home located at 21530 SE 67^th Place in Morriston several times and took tools, jewelry, a TV and guns.

Investigators located and arrested Hunter Gaston (3-3-94), Wesley Rizer (9-19-89) and Annie Harknett (10-6-97) on November 4^th for burglary of a structure and grand theft of a firearm. Charges are still pending on the juvenile involved in this incident and the investigation is continuing. Investigators recovered two guns, a .22 caliber rifle and a .38 special handgun, as well as tools, the TV and jewelry at an estimated value of approximately $1,000.00.

The arrestees are being held at the Levy County Detention Facility. Hunter Gaston’s bond has been set at $225,000.00. Wesley Rizer’s bond has been set at $50,000.00 and Annie Harknett’s bond has been set at $20,000.00.

The LCSO and the home owner with our deepest gratitude say “Thank You” to the tipster in this case. Had it not been for your watchful eye and the civic duty you performed for your neighbors, this crime may have gone undetected for some time.

                                                                                  ###

House Party Turns Violent with Multiple Stabbings and Exchanges of Gun Fire

November 7, 2016

Multiple LCSO Deputies responded to a home located on NE 212 Court near the intersection of CR 318 in East Williston to reports of a large party around midnight on Saturday. As deputies were being dispatched, reports of a shooting were reported to 911 operators. Arriving deputies, reinforced by Williston Police Department Officers, found approximately 800 to 1000 people in attendance. The party, hosted by a home owner near this intersection, had spilled into the road and was blocking traffic. Deputies were able to disperse the unruly crowd but were unable to identify who shot or from where the shooting came. A majority of the party goers relocated to a local hang out known as Melvin and Alice’s at the intersection of CR 318 and CR 331A.

Deputies, along with Williston Police Officers and additional LCSO back up units were called to respond to Melvin and Alice’s at approximately 2 a.m. The large crowd had reorganized and Deputies found traffic was being blocked and loud music was disturbing local residents.

Deputies were attempting to disperse the crowd once again when shots rang out. Deputies were unable to determine the exact location of where the shots were coming from and took cover. The deputies reported the crowd panicked and began to run in all directions.

When the crowd cleared, deputies located approximately 35 spent shell casings in two different locations. This scene appeared to be a gun battle between multiple individuals. One vehicle parked nearby was struck multiple times. A home owner whose home is within the City Limits of Williston reported a stray bullet entered her bedroom window where her teenaged child was sleeping.  No report of any person being shot has been received by the LCSO or the Williston Police Department. Deputies spent the remainder of the night processing this scene, gathering evidence and attempting to identify the gunmen. The Williston Police Department investigators are working closely with the LCSO investigators as this investigation continues.

The LCSO received a call from the University of Florida Police Department (UPD) shortly after the crowd from the house party had been dispersed. UPD officer had been called to Shands at UF when two people arrived who were suffering from stab wounds. UPD was able to determine from victim’s statements that they had been stabbed at a party in East Williston. LCSO investigators responded to Shands and interviewed one of the victims. The other victim, admitted for treatment, was in critical condition and was being prepped for surgery. Investigators learned the identity of the stabbing suspect who lived in a group home near where the house party had been hosted.

Investigators and LCSO patrol units responded to the group home located at 21161 NE 35 Street at approximately 5 a.m. and located Martin W. Ward (3-3-92), the stabbing suspect. Ward was taken into custody and the knife used in the attack was recovered. Ward was booked into the Levy County Detention Facility and charged with two counts of Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon. He is being held on a $200,000.00 bond.

The LCSO is requesting any person in attendance at either party location that may have information to please contact us. Sergeant Mike Narayan is the investigator in charge of both these investigations and can be reached at 352-486-5111 extension 267. A reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of person(s) involved in these potentially deadly incidents. Or, if a person wishes to remain anonymous he/she can call Crime Stoppers at 1-877-349-8477.

###

Home Invasion Robbery Turned Deadly

November 3, 2016

On May 1, 2016 at 2:22 a.m. Levy County Deputies responded to 19690 SE 75^th Place in Morriston, Fl upon receiving a 911 call of a shooting. When deputies arrived they found a Hispanic female with two small children and a Hispanic male at the home. The male had been shot and the female suffered blunt force injuries to the head. Initial investigations conducted by Patrol Units revealed unknown masked men burst into the home and made demands for valuables.

LCSO Investigators, Crime Scene Investigators and the Levy County Department of Public Safety were dispatched to the scene. The Hispanic male, identified as Francisco DeJesus (31 years old), was suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local trauma unit and succumbed to these injuries days later. The female, identified as DeJesus’ fiancé, was also transported too. Her injuries were treated and she was released.

LCSO Investigators quickly learned the suspects had intentionally targeted this home. DeJesus had prior contacts with at least one of the suspects and his fiancé was able to provide investigators with a description and a nick-name. DeJesus’ fiancé cooperated with LCSO investigators providing information which progressed into the identification of the primary suspect.  The LCSO Crime Scene Investigations Unit also recovered biological evidence from the scene. Analysis of the evidence further aided in the positive identification of the shooter. Investigators had determined the suspects were not from this area, fled and had no other known ties to Levy County. Investigators focused their investigation toward neighboring Polk County where the suspects were believed to have fled.

Investigators questioned the fiancé the night of the incident. She told investigators the suspects got agitated when they could not find what they were looking for and became more violent. She stated she was struck over the head with a gun and the suspects pointed guns at their children. She told investigators Francisco attacked one of the masked men when he threated to shoot her and the children. This is when he was shot. She and investigators firmly believe Francisco’s death was the result of protecting her and their children, ages 1 and 3.

The LCSO has intentionally held the release of this information until now. Investigators were able to obtain a warrant for Murder and Home Invasion Robbery on May 24, 2016 and began actively seeking the shooter. The shooter, identified as Johnny Turner (4-17-94) was known to frequent the Lakeland area. Turner had no permanent address and was known to stay with multiple friends. Turner’s family is from Haiti and it is known he pledged allegiance to a Haitian gang. Investigators also learned Turner had other familial ties in New Jersey.

LCSO investigators were told Turner was monitoring local news stations for reports of this incident and feared he would flee the country if he became aware Law Enforcement was looking for him. Investigators worked closely with the United States Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force and developed information that Turner was with family in Newark, New Jersey. LCSO Investigators went to Newark and met with USMS Task Force members on October 27, 2016 and were able to apprehend Turner without incident.

Turner will be extradited from New Jersey and transported to the Levy County Detention Facility. He will be held without bond until his first appearance in a Levy County court.   

###

LCSO and Gilchrist SO Investigators Combine to Arrest 2 for Firearms Theft

 

November 1, 2016

LCSO Investigators and some of their counterparts from the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office worked together during the month of October to arrest two suspected thieves.  The agencies’ shared information regarding two firearms, a chain saw and a portable generator.  These items were reported stolen from a residence in the Chiefland area during September of this year.  The deputies learned that the items had been pawned in Alachua County.  Through the joint investigation, probable cause to arrest Theresa Louise Sapp (5-23-68) and her son-in-law, Joshua Ryan Hughes (6-21-87) was developed. 

Sapp and Hughes had gained the victim’s confidence by performing work around his house.  After developing his trust, they stole the items when the victim was unaware. 

GCSO Deputies and LCSO Investigator Mike McNeil helped locate both subjects in Gilchrist County where they were taken into custody.  Both suspects will be facing charges for Grand Theft, Burglary, and Possession of a Firearm by Convicted Felon.  They are being housed at the Gilchrist County Detention Center awaiting transfer back to Levy County. 

LCSO wishes to thank Sheriff Bobby Schultz and all the entire staff at GCSO for their continuing assistance in multiple investigations.  Anyone with information regarding the location of any stolen property or persons involved is urged to contact the Levy County Sheriff’s Office at 352-486-5111 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers. 

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

 

 

 

LCSO Deputies Are Investigating Weekend Shooting at “Bubba’s Place”

 

 

 

November 2, 2016

LCSO Investigators are currently investigating a shooting that occurred outside the “Bubba’s Place” in Fanning Springs this past weekend.  At approximately 2:10 AM on Sunday, October 29, 2016, Sergeant Carl Rogers and Deputy Chase Gregory of the LCSO Patrol Division responded to the sound of what they believed to be a gunshot outside Bubba’s Place.  Upon arrival, the Deputies found two white male subjects suffering from a gunshot wound.  Deputy Gregory recovered a Glock .40 caliber handgun from one of the subjects.  After securing the scene, the Levy County Department of Public Safety responded and transported both subjects to a local hospital for treatment of the gunshot wounds. 

No arrests have been made at this time and the investigation is continuing.  The crime scene was processed by members of the LCSO Criminal Investigations Division.  The investigation was complicated by the fact that several eyewitnesses were intoxicated at the time of the incident. 

Investigators are confident that they have identified all of the persons involved in the incident and arrests will be made in the near future.  Additional details about the investigation will be provided at its conclusion. 

 

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