15 Year Old Stabs a Man To Death

MEDIA RELEASE

 

Date:                May 29, 2011

Time:                12:45 PM

 

On May 28, 2011 deputies were working a detail at the Horse Hole Mud Boggs at 13210 SE Hwy 19 Inglis. Citizens notified the deputies and advised that a stabbing occurred in the mud pit.  Within minutes deputies arrived on the scene and they identified the stabbing victim as 24 year old, Roderic L. Sparks.  Emergency personnel were working on the victim and an eye witnesses advised that the person that stabbed him was in a blue Jeep.  Citizens blocked the suspects with their vehicle preventing the suspect from leaving the scene. 

 

Witnesses identified 15 year old, Christopher Sutherlin as the suspect.  The investigation revealed that Christopher J Sutherlin's father was involved in verbal altercation with the victim about revving his engine.  Sutherlin Sr. threw a beer can at the victim, which resulted in a physical confrontation.  The victim was getting the best of the Sutherlin Sr. and his son, Sutherlin Jr., with the use of a knife stabbed the victim in the upper torso.  The victim was transported to Seven Rivers hospital where he was pronounced dead.

 

Efforts to locate the murder weapon were unsuccessful last night. It is believed that the murder weapon was thrown in the mud pit and the Horse Hole Mud Boggs has been shut down. 

 

On May 29, 2011 Investigators resumed the search for the murder weapon and located the knife in the mud pit.

 

Sutherlin Jr. was been charged with manslaughter.

     

 

Defendant:

Christopher J Sutherlin

7848 Fashion Loop

New Port Richey, Fl

W/M 02/14/1996

 

 

###

 

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

Williston Man Arrested for Animal Cruelty

MEDIA RELEASE

Date: May 28, 2011

Time: 7:00 AM

On May 27, 2011 Deputy Clint Anderson (K-9 Deputy) responded to 550 N.E. 154^th Ave. Williston, in reference to an animal cruelty case. Upon arrival Anderson made contact with the victim, Heather Balger. Balger advised that she looked out the window and did not see her dog on his chain and the dog were missing from the back yard. The victim stated that she heard dogs barking down the street and also heard gun shots.

Balger drove to the area of the gun shots and eye witnessed Wayne Smith dragging her Pit bull across the road. Balger questioned Smith why he shot and killed her dog and he replied that the dog jumped his five foot fence and attempted to kill his animals.

During the investigation Anderson interviewed Smith and he advised that he heard a dog bark and observed a pit bull dog jump his fence and was attempting to breed his dog. Smith stated that he grabbed his 22 caliber rifle and shot the dog. During the interview Smith changed his story and stated that the dog jumped his fence and attempted to kill his goats and then attempted to breed his dog and he shot the dog. Smith gave a third conflicting statement that the dog attempted to attack him and he shot the dog and the dog ran across the road and he shot the dog between the eyes, which resulted in the dog's death.

The physical evidence at the scene did corroborate Smith's statement. Anderson arrested Smith for felony animal cruelty and he was transported to the Levy County Jail.

Defendant:

Wayne E. Smith.

491 NE 154 AVE

W/M, 11-10-1947

###

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

Fiery Crash

MEDIA RELEASE

 

Date:               May 27, 2011

Time:               1:50 PM

 

On May 26, 2011 Corporal Brian Marra was responding to an emergency call in the Bronson area.  Upon entering the City of Bronson a vehicle traveling in the same direction changed lanes and the two vehicles collided.  The crash sent Corporal Marra's patrol car spinning out of control striking a concrete telephone pole. 

 

It is unknown why the patrol car burst into flames with Marra still in the vehicle.  Two citizens removed Marra from the fiery crash and the vehicle was completely destroyed.  Marra was transported to a local hospital and sustained a broken femur and tibia.  Marra is expected to have surgery today for the fracture.

 

Last year the Levy County Sheriff's Office purchased Rhino grill guards for every patrol car.  The investigation revealed that the bumper guards saved Marra's life.  The Rhino bumper guard absorbed a lot of the energy and impact eliminating the engine from being pushed through the firewall and into Marra's lap.  The bumper guards were installed on every Patrol car in the fleet.  The bumper guards cost less than $400 dollars and this was a small cost to save one of our own.  The driver of the second vehicle was not injured. No citations have been issued at this time.  

 

 

 

###

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

Theft of Utilities Leads to Discovery of Grow House

MEDIA RELEASE

 

Date:   May 26, 2011

Time:   2:00 PM

 

 

On May 25, 2011 the Drug Task Force along with members from the Drug Enforcement Administration and Central Florida Electric Revenue Protection conducted an investigation at 5191 NW 127th Place in Chiefland. It was discovered that electricity had been rerouted underground in two ditches with one leading to a concrete building. The odor of marijuana was evident.

 

A search warrant was issued which led to the confiscation of 73 marijuana plants with a street value of $73,000 and seizure of 6 high power firearms.

 

Arrested at the scene were Rafael Russinyol and Katia Calleiro-Russinyol. Both subjects were charged with Cultivation of Marijuana, Possession of Cannabis, Theft of  Utilities and Possession of Firearms During the Commission of a Felony. In addition Rafael Russinyol was charged with Tampering with Physical Evidence. Central Florida Electric estimated approximately $12,000.00 in electricity was stolen.

 

Defendants:

 

Rafael Russinyol

W/M 12/04/1963

Bond $115,000

 

Katia Calleiro-Russinyol

W/F 04/12/1950

Bond $90,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Smash & Grab

MEDIA RELEASE

 

Date:                May 25, 2011

Time:                8:15 PM

 

On May 25, 2011, Deputy Ricky Turner responded to the Raleigh General Store in reference to an alarm call.  Upon arrival two subjects forcibly entered the front door shortly after midnight.  Upon entry the subjects stole lottery tickets, cigars and beer.  During the smash and grab the suspects were wearing mask.

 

Earlier this year the store clerk was robbed at gun point, but Investigators do not believe the suspects are connected.

 

We are asking anyone with information to contact Sgt Mike Narayan at 352-486-5111.

 

 

 

 

###

 

 

 

 

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

National Missing Children's Day

MEDIA RELEASE

 

Date:                May 25, 2011

Time:                1:00 PM

 

NATIONAL MISSING CHILDREN'S DAY

 

The Levy County Sheriff's Office recognizes that May 25, 2011 is National Missing Children's Day.  According to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children Center (NCMEC) every year in America an estimated 800,000 children are reported missing.

 

It is very unfortunate that our precious kids are abused by predators each year.  The safety of our kids is a top priority of the Levy County Sheriff's Office.  The National Center of Missing & Exploited Children has 25 ways to make our kids safe.  Please refer to www.missingkids.com for the safety tips.

 

 

 

 

###

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

Yankeetown Man Arrested For Felony Battery

MEDIA RELEASE

 

Date:                May 25, 2011

Time:                1:00 PM

 

Deputy Allen Breeding was dispatched to 4703 Riverside Drive Yankeetown in reference to a disturbance. Upon arrival the victim reported that Lawrence Jennings had assaulted him.  The investigation revealed that Lawrence Jennings was drinking and got mad at him about putting his dog in a crate.

 

The altercation led to a physical fight where Jennings punched the victim in the face two times and kicked him on the leg. A criminal history check revealed that Jennings had been convicted in 2008 for battery and is currently on probation.  Jennings did admit to Breeding that he got mad at the victim about the dog.

 

Jennings was arrested for felony battery and was transported to the Levy County Jail.

 

Defendant:

 

Lawrence Jennings Jr.

4703 Riverside Drive

Yankeetown, Fl

W/M, 01/161954

 

 

###

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