Arrest Made for Sexual Battery on a Child

February 18, 2016

Levy County Sheriff’s Office Investigators arrested Mariano Hernandez-Castro (9-26-71) on February 17, and have charged him with Sexual Battery of a Child under 12 and Lewd or Lascivious Molestation of a child under 12. Hernandez-Castro appeared before Levy County Judge Browning yesterday morning who set his bond at 1.75 million dollars.

LCSO Investigator Corporal Tom Martin received a report late afternoon on February 16^th from the parent of an 8 year old child.  The parent notified Corporal Martin that the child had disclosed on several visits to the Hernandez-Castro home, Mariano Hernandez-Castro had sexually battered the child. This abuse had occurred over a period of months.  The parent reported that Hernandez- Castro was known to the family.

Hernandez-Castro, whose primary language is Spanish; attempted to use this language barrier to avoid responsibility for his actions.  LCSO Investigator Noel Ramirez assisted Cpl. Martin during the interview of Hernandez-Castro. Investigator Ramirez is fluent in Spanish and was able to effectively communicate with Hernandez-Castro and obtained statements which led to his arrest.

Hernandez-Castro will be held at the Levy County Detention Facility until trial.

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Lt. Scott Tummond
Criminal Investigations Division
Levy County Sheriff's Office
(352) 486-5111

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

Sheriff McCallum Accepts the Florida Sheriff’s Risk Management Fund Award

February 16, 2016

Sheriff McCallum Accepts the Florida Sheriff’s Risk Management Fund Award

for Best Overall Performance in Vehicle Operations for 2014-2015

At the Florida Sheriff’s Winter Conference on February 1, 2016, Sheriff McCallum received the Florida Sheriff’s Risk Management Fund (FSRMF) Award for Best Overall Performance in Vehicle Operations in 2015.  The Levy County Sheriff’s Office was the only Sheriff’s Office in Florida to receive this award.  The award was presented by Seminole County Sheriff Don Eslinger, Chairman of the Board of the Florida Sheriff’s Risk Management Fund.  In the background, from left to right, is Alachua County Sheriff Sadie Darnell, President of the Florida Sheriff’s Association (FSA), retired Wakulla County Sheriff David Harvey who is the Executive Director of the Florida Sheriff’s Risk Management Fund, Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings, Vice President of the FSA and Walton County Sheriff Mike Atkinson, Treasurer of the FSA.

The award was presented by Sheriff Harvey who said, “The component used to determine the recipient of this award is liability losses in conjunction with reduction in the total number of accidents, as well as reduction in at-fault accidents.  These types of losses over the most recent coverage year are reviewed and the recipient of this award has the best liability loss ratios of covered members (59) for that period of time.”

Sheriff McCallum credits all of his deputies and personnel that are assigned vehicles for this award.  Sheriff McCallum said, “We emphasize in our training the importance of safety in vehicle operations, and I am very proud of all of my employees for their improvement in this important area.” He also stated, “We put millions and millions of miles on our vehicles every year in one of the largest geographical counties in the state.  To receive this top award is truly an honor that I accept on behalf of the men and women of the Levy County Sheriff’s Office.”

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Lt. Scott Tummond
Criminal Investigations Division
Levy County Sheriff's Office(352) 486-5111

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

South Levy Sex Offender Arrested

 

 

 

 

February 9, 2016

Levy County Sheriff’s Office Investigators, with the assistance of State Probation and Parole Officers, arrested Michael Anthony Rader on an outstanding warrant and a new charge of failure to abide by the statutory regulations regarding his Sex Offender designation.  On February 8, 2016, Corporal Tom Martin made contact with Rader at his residence outside the Town of Inglis for the purpose of executing a Violation of Probation warrant on Rader. 

Prior to executing the warrant, Cpl. Martin’s investigation revealed that Rader was actively using a Facebook account which was not authorized under the Florida Sex Offender Law.  Rader was previously convicted of Lewd and Lascivious Battery on a Victim 12-15 years of age in 2009. 

In Florida, Sex Offenders and Predators are not allowed to use the internet and social media without registering their accounts.  This part of the law seeks to prevent offenders from using the internet to contact potential victims. 

Corporal Martin executed the Violation of Probation warrant and charged Rader with Failure to Register his account.  Rader was booked into the Levy County Detention Center where he is being held without bond on both charges. 

 

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Goethe State Forest Conducting 8,525 Acre Prescribed Burn This Week

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Contact: Ludie Bond
February 8, 2016	(352) 395-4943, cell (352) 258-6084 Twitter: @FFS_Waccasassa
Gainesville, FL – The Florida Forest Service will be conducting an 8,525 acre prescribed burn this week on Goethe State Forest beginning Tuesday, February 9. The prescribed burn operation should take two days to complete.  Roadclosures will be in place at northbound SR 121 at US 19 and at southbound SR 121 at CR 326.  In addition, CR 337 between SR 121 and CR 326 will also be closed due to smoky conditions and heavy equipment working in the area.  Drivers should use caution.   This prescribed burn will be conducted by a Florida Forest Service helicopter and ground crews.  Traffic control on the roads surrounding the affected area will be under the direction of the Florida Highway Patrol and the Levy County Sheriff’s Office. Drivers and residents are reminded of the possibility of smoke on the road during prescribed burns. If the public encounters smoke on the highways, slow down, turn on your low beams and drive appropriately under the conditions   The Florida Forest Service is reminding citizens and landowners that the benefits of prescribed fire in Florida are plentiful, and include: ·         Providing improved forage for wildlife and livestock ·         Returning nutrients to the soil ·         Helping control certain plant diseases ·         Reducing the buildup of dry and flammable plant materials   The Florida Forest Service manages more than one million acres of public forestland while protecting 26 million acres of homes, forestland and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfires.  Learn more about the Florida Forest Service.    ###

 

Civil Court Order Enforcement Results in Drug Arrests

 

 

 

February 3, 2016

Levy County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested two individuals after deputies were called to 4453 NE 77^th Avenue in Bronson on February 2, 2016.  Deputy Chase Gregory went to the location in response to a citizen’s request to enforce a Writ of Possession.  Deputy Gregory notified Travis James Holmes (11-7-91) that he had to leave the mobile home because of the writ.  After the notification, both Holmes and Leah Hill Wilkerson (3-23-70) returned to the mobile home and removed items that included controlled substances and drug paraphernalia.  Holmes was wearing a knife on his belt when he entered the mobile home and indicated to a witness that he would use the knife to obtain the items.  

Deputy Gregory was able to apprehend Wilkerson on scene.  Holmes evaded Gregory but was later detained by Lt. Duane Dykstra.  Deputies found a significant amount of drug paraphernalia in the area including a large number of used syringes and spoons that had been used to prepare narcotics for injection. 

Wilkerson was charged with Possession of Cocaine and Drug Paraphernalia.  She is being held on a $31,000.00 bond.  Holmes was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance without a Prescription and Armed Trespassing.  Holmes is being held on a $40,000.00 bond.  Both subjects are being held at the Levy County Detention Center. 

 

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CHILD MOLESTATION ARREST MADE

Mark Kristian Stringer

 

 

 

 

On January 17, 2016 Levy County Sheriff’s Office investigators arrested Mark Kristian Stringer (10-10-56) of Williston on multiple charges including video voyeurism and 2 counts of lewd or lascivious battery of a minor child.  Investigators responded to the home and ultimately arrested Stringer based on a report initially made to the Florida Department of Children and Families Abuse Hotline.

LCSO investigators determined Stringer used covertly placed video equipment inside his own home to record young girls as they exited the shower. Stringer confessed to placing the cameras. Investigators took statements from several minor children who had been inside Stringer’s home.  According to the victims, Stringer had been molesting children over a period of years.  Investigators believe Stringer used opportunities he created himself to perpetrate these crimes. 

LCSO personnel believe there could be additional victims or others who have information which could assist in this investigation.  Investigators are requesting anyone who may have information about Mark Stinger to call LCSO at 352-486-5111 and request to speak to Sgt. Mike Narayan. Should callers wish to remain anonymous, please call Crime Stoppers at 1-877-349-8477.

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Lt. Scott Tummond
Criminal Investigations Division
Levy County Sheriff's Office(352) 486-5111

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

Arrest Made for Felony Battery

Eric L. Adams

January 5, 2016

Levy County Deputies responded to 344 Linda Street in Inglis on January 1, 2016 at approximately 7:20 p.m. to a reported physical altercation. The complainant, Barbara A. Brewster (9-21-63) told LCSO 911 operators she and Eric L. Adams (1-13-75) had been in a fight, and she indicated she had been punched several times in the face.

The deputies’ investigation revealed Brewster and Adams were fighting over monies owed to Adams. Brewster refused medical treatment when offered and departed the scene. Adams had fled prior to the deputies’ arrival and was not located after they searched the area.

At 4 a.m. on January 2, 2016 deputies received a call from LCSO 911 operators advising them Brewster was being transported to a local hospital. 911 operators told Deputy A. Breeding Brewster was unresponsive. Deputy Breeding responded to the hospital where he learned Brewster was suffering from a brain bleed and was on a ventilator.

LCSO Investigators M. Wilkinson and Sgt. M. Narayan responded to the hospital and learned Brewster was in critical condition. They began to investigate this incident further and learned Adams and Brewster had been in a dispute over drugs and money. Their investigation revealed the altercation between the two actually occurred at 347 Debra Street in Inglis. On the above date, witnesses report Adams struck Brewster multiple times in the face with his closed fist. After witnesses separated the two, Adams fled. Friends and Brewster’s boyfriend reported Brewster’s condition continued to worsen throughout the evening of the 2nd. Witnesses reported Brewster lost consciousness and was having difficulty breathing. They contacted EMS who transported her to the hospital.

Based on witness statements and Brewster’s medical condition, Investigator Wilkinson filed for and obtained a warrant for Felony Battery. Attempts to locate Adams were still on-going.

On January 4, 2016 at approximately 1:45 p.m. Investigator Wilkinson received information from hospital staff that all efforts to save Brewster’s life had failed. Brewster had succumbed to her injuries.

On the same day at approximately 10:15 p.m., Eric L. Adams (aka “Strawberry”) was located in Levy County and taken into custody. He is being held at the Levy County Detention Facility on the charge of Felony Battery. His bond has been set at $500,000.00.

As of this morning, LCSO Investigators are meeting with the 8^th Circuit Medical Examiner’s Office and the 8^th Judicial Assistant State Attorney’s Office. This investigation is still on-going. Updates will be made when they become available.

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Lt. Scott Tummond
Criminal Investigations Division
Levy County Sheriff's Office
(352) 486-5111

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