Speed Plus Warrant Plus Guns Leads to Arrest

March 13, 2019

Deputy Mike Sinclair was on patrol in the area of NE 40^th Street (CR 318) in Williston when he spotted a green SUV traveling at what appeared to be above the posted 35 MPH speed limit. Deputy Sinclair confirmed that the SUV was in-fact traveling at 55 MPH by using his in-car mounted radar equipment and stopped the driver.

The driver, identified by his Florida driver’s license as Luther Hawkins (5-4-87) from Citra, Florida had an active warrant issued in Marion County. His warrant, child abuse without great bodily harm, had NO Bond. Mr. Hawkins was also previously served an injunction for protection and was prohibited from possessing firearms. Mr. Hawkins was arrested and the vehicle he was driving was to be towed.

All Deputies are required to conduct an inventory of any vehicle requested to be towed. Deputy Sinclair’s inventory found multiple firearms to include: a short barreled 12 gauge shotgun, a Mac-10 .45 caliber pistol, a fully loaded .38 caliber revolver, all the ammunition to support these weapons and a pair of brass knuckles.

Mr. Hawkins was arrested for the outstanding warrant from Marion County and additionally charged with possession of a short barreled shotgun and possession of weapons in violation of the injunction for protection.

Sheriff McCallum said proactive patrols often lead to discoveries of people wanted for crimes in other jurisdictions. This cache of weapons was removed from a person with violent tendencies which further protects the victims of these crimes and others. LCSO deputies will continue efforts to apprehend those who choose to disobey even the basic laws, such as speeding.

Drug Task Force – 2 Days 2 Search Warrants

March 6, 2019

The Levy County Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force is comprised of deputies who work diligently in the background, often unseen. The cases they work are usually long and extended investigations involving complex situations. Timing then becomes a critical element when their cases come to fruition. 

On March 4, 2019 at 1 p.m. DTF Detectives and the members of the Tactical Response Unit executed a search warrant at 330 Hardee Street in Bronson. The target of this investigation, Juanita Milligan (3-24-81), had been under investigation for over four months. Detectives located and seized powder cocaine, methamphetamines and drug paraphernalia. Additionally, Milligan had a 16 year old child living in this same home where she was selling these illegal narcotics to any buyer. Milligan was arrested and has been charged with the following crimes:

·       Possession of Cocaine with the intent to sell within 1000 feet of school.

·       Possession of Methamphetamine with the intent to sell within 1000 feet of school.

·       Maintaining a drug dwelling.

·       Cruelty towards Child.

·       Possession of drug paraphernalia.

Her total bond has been set at $206,000.00.

Moving forward to March 5, 2019 at 11 a.m. DTF Detectives, members of the Tactical Response Unit and members of the Criminal Investigation Division executed a search warrant at 10830 NE 110 Lane. Detectives had this home under active surveillance prior to the warrant being served and observed the home owner and target of this investigation, Eugene Bricketto (6-11-61), sell narcotics to an unidentified person.

Detectives arrived on scene and immediately took Bricketto into custody in the yard of his home. Bricketto had over 1 ½ ounces of methamphetamines and heroin in the pocket of his sweat shirt when he was apprehended. All of these drugs were pre-packaged for street level sales. The following search of the property located Michelle Keene (2-23-69), Bircketto’s girlfriend and co-habitant. Detectives found methamphetamines in her pocket too.

Bricketto was arrested and has been charged with the following crimes:

·       Traffic in methamphetamine 14 grams or over.

·       Public order crime - Keep nuisance structure for drug activity.

·       Possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell.

·       Possession of heroin with intent to sell.

·       Possession of drug paraphernalia.

His bond has not been set.

Keene was also arrested and has been charged with the following crimes:

·       Possession of Methamphetamine.

·       Possession of drug paraphernalia.

·       Public order crime - Keep nuisance structure for drug activity.

Her bond had not been set.

Sheriff McCallum said these two cases took months to investigate and he is extremely proud of the dedication shown by the members of the LCSO especially the DTF. Their determination to rid our communities of these dangerous drugs is evidenced by the sheer amount of illegal narcotics they seized in these two operations. Our neighborhoods are much safer because these men and women of the LCSO never stop working to make our county safer.  

Foot Pursuit Ends with Arrest

March 1, 2019

Gerald Coleman (1-10-99) of Williston has been a wanted man since warrants were issued for his arrest in November of 2018. Coleman’s efforts to elude capture ended today after a foot pursuit. Sergeant Kevin Kinik spotted Coleman near a parked vehicle off of NE 35 Street in Williston just after noon today. Sergeant Kinik approached Coleman who fled on foot from the area.

LCSO Deputies surrounded the area and began searching with K-9’s. Marion County Sheriff’s Office AIR 1 offered support from the air as well as two blood hound tracking teams from the Florida Department of Corrections. 

At approximately 2:50 p.m. Coleman was located hiding beneath a house off of NE 35 Street and taken into custody. Coleman was transported to the Levy County Detention Facility and warrants for robbery, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and violation of probation were served. He will be held with NO BOND until trial.

Inglis Man Convicted of Second Degree Murder

Booking Photo upon arrest in 2016

Booking photo 2-5-19

March 1, 2019

Eric Leonard “Strawberry” Adams (1-13-75) of Inglis was arrested for felony battery on January 5, 2016. Adams was accused of striking Barbara Brewster (52 years old) of Inglis during an argument over an unpaid debt of $40.00 on January 1, 2016. Brewster sustained injuries during the altercation which ultimately caused her death four days later. The charge of felony battery was then upgraded to second degree murder. Adams has been held in custody since this date pending his trial which concluded February 28, 2019. 

The 8^th Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office Levy County Division Chief Glenn Bryan presented the case to the jury comprised of Levy County citizens during the two day trial. Members of Ms. Brewster’s family; including her mother, sisters and daughter attended every hearing prior to this trial in support of Ms. Brewster and the State in this case. The jury deliberated for approximately 22 minutes before returning with a verdict of guilty of second degree murder. Circuit Judge William E. Davis immediately sentenced Adams to life in prison.  

Sheriff McCallum stated that this verdict is a testament to the expertise, professionalism and teamwork of our personnel working together with the State Attorney’s Office to bring a successful resolution to this case. As a result of this teamwork and the sentence of the court, it is my prayer that the family of Ms. Brewster will be given a sense of comfort and peace.