Bomb Threat at Levy County Court House

April 26, 2016

The LCSO 911 Center received a call this morning at 0816 hours. The caller made a vague threat that a bomb was at the Levy County Court House and could explode. Deputies responded and immediately evacuated court house administrative services and judicial services staff. LCSO deputies have conducted an exterior sweep of the court house complex.  

Sheriff McCallum has requested mutual aid from the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad who are responding to complete an interior search of the building.

Further details will be updated when they become available.

***UPDATE***

LCSO has been given the all clear. K-9 Units from Alachua County Sheriff’s Office and the University of Florida Police Department searched the interior and exterior of the Levy County Court House, and no explosive devices were found.

Court house employees and citizens who arrived for scheduled appointments have been allowed re-entry into the complex and all services are now back in operation.

LCSO investigators are currently following leads and expect to have a suspect in custody soon.

 

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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.

Crab Festival 2016

 

April 25, 2016

The time for Williston’s annual Crab Festival Event is upon us.  LCSO has learned that this event is scheduled to begin on Saturday, April 30 and will continue into the evening.

Sheriff McCallum anticipates the usual large crowd and wanted to issue a few words of caution for all participants:

·         Traffic is expected to become congested near the event area of County Road 318, U.S. Alternate 27, and the Marion County line from approximately 3 PM until the event ends.  Please drive defensively and reduce speeds.  Citizens who do not plan to attend the Festival should avoid the area if possible. 

·        Temperatures are expected to be near 90 degrees and participants are cautioned to stay  well hydrated.

·        Establish a recognizable meeting location and time with family members if you become separated inside the event.

·       Parents bringing children to the Festival should use extra care to avoid being separated from them.

Participants are encouraged to report any suspicious or criminal behavior that they observe at the Festival.  Concerned citizens can report anonymously to Crime Stoppers at:  1-877-349-8477 or to the Sheriff’s Office directly at 352-486-5111. 

LCSO Deputies will be stationed inside the event area to assist participants in the event of an emergency.  As always, the deputies’ response time and ability to assist will depend on the size and actions of the crowd.  Festival participants are urged to be courteous, patient and obey all laws.   LCSO thanks the public for their cooperation. 

 

 

County Ag Extension Employee Arrested for Fraud

April 22, 2016

In February of 2016 Fred Moody, Levy County Administrator and Danny Shipp, Levy County Clerk of Courts, discovered employee Lacy Shae Harris (1-16-90) was responsible for numerous credit card charges on the Levy County Ag Extension Office credit card. Investigators determined Harris made over $7,700 in charges to companies such as Wal-Mart, Amazon, Vivid Seats LTD and ticketsatwork.com. None of these charges had been authorized by supervisors and were deemed fraudulent.

LCSO investigators determined the charges made to the credit card were for Harris’ own personal use. Investigators filed for and were granted a warrant for Harris’ arrest. Harris was arrested on this warrant at her home in Marion County on April 14, 2016 and booked into the Marion County Jail. Harris has since posted a $20,000 bond and been released.

Additional investigation has determined Harris could be responsible for additional thefts as they relate to the Ag Extension Office and additional charges could be filed.

 

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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.

Bronson Middle/High Student Charged with BB-Gun at School

April 19, 2016

On April 18, 2016 Bronson Middle/High School officials became aware a 14 year old student was in possession of some type of gun on school property. This student had bragged and shown another student, what was believed to be an air soft pistol hidden in his back pack. The item was never removed from the back pack or displayed to others.

School officials and the Sheriff’s School Resource Deputy immediately located and removed the student from the school clinic. The student had not entered any classrooms. Officials searched the student’s back pack and located a CO2 powered BB gun and a small amount of marijuana. These items were seized by the LCSO Resource Deputy and the child was immediately suspended. This child’s father was contacted to take custody of him and remove him from school property.

The LCSO has filed charges of possession of a weapon on school property, possession of approximately 2 grams of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia by sworn affidavit to the State Attorney’s Office.

Sheriff McCallum said, “I am very proud of student who immediately reported seeing this. I know how much courage this took. He set a true example for all of his classmates to follow.” And, I would also like to emphasize the phrase “if you see something, say something”.

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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.

Bronson Man Arrested for Child Neglect

April 5, 2016

On April 4, 2016 at approximately 4 pm Deputy Shelby Kilian was flagged down by a citizen at the Bronson Laundromat. The citizen told Deputy Kilian she found a screaming infant locked inside a vehicle with the windows rolled up, parked in a parking space in front of the Laundromat. The citizen was unable to immediately locate a parent nearby.

Deputy Kilian located the owner of the vehicle, identified as Nelson Santo Perez (12-13-84) who was inside the Laundromat with three other small children. Deputy Kilian ordered Perez to open the locked vehicle and to remove the infant. Deputy Kilian reported Perez appeared to be unconcerned and was prompted numerous times to react faster to unlock and remove the baby from the hot vehicle parked in direct sunlight. Deputy Kilian found the infant was drenched in sweat and her breathing was labored. Perez stood by as Deputy Kilian undressed the child in efforts to cool her. Perez’s main concern was he would be fined by Deputy Kilian. EMS responded and recommended transporting the baby to the hospital for further treatment. Perez initially refused to allow the baby to be transported. 

Ultimately Perez agreed to allow EMS to transport the baby to Shands at UF to be evaluated. Doctors recommended the child be kept overnight for observation. The Department of Children and Family Services responded and have opened their own investigation. 

LCSO Investigators were able to retrieve the video surveillance footage from the Laundromat and determined Perez entered the Laundromat with three small children and was inside for approximately 20 minutes before Deputy Kilian arrived. 

Perez was located at his home later this same evening and Deputies arrested him for felony neglect of a child. Perez is being held at the Levy County Detention Facility. His bond has been set at $100,000.00. 

The infant is expected to make a full recovery.

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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.

Multi-County Burglaries

April 4, 2016

Levy County and surrounding counties have been experiencing a trend in daytime burglaries. Homes in our rural areas are being forced into and ransacked by unknown suspect(s). The burglars are taking guns, jewelry and cash as well as other valuables.

These burglaries began in mid-January and are continuing. Levy County has experienced eight of these incidents in several different areas of the county. Burglaries with similarities are also being reported in surrounding counties including Citrus. In addition, Citrus County is investigating a homicide that was discovered on Friday at 6662 W. Candier Ct., Dunnellon. The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office found this homicide scene has similarities to the burglaries that have occurred in Levy County.

The Sheriff’s Criminal Investigation Division (CID) considers these burglaries top priority and is asking for our citizens to remain vigilant. The Sheriff’s CID is working closely with these other agencies as they develop and follow up on all leads. 

Sheriff McCallum urges our public to lock their doors, turn on alarms and report suspicious activities immediately to 9-1-1. Sheriff McCallum says, “Any suspicious activity observed by the citizens we protect, if reported immediately, could help solve these cases. If you see something that just doesn’t seem right, call 9-1-1.” Try to gather as much information as possible such as the make, model, tag number and color of any vehicles seen and descriptions of any people to include what they are wearing.  In order to maintain their safety, LCSO recommends that citizens avoid any potential confrontation with suspicious persons. 

 

If you have any information regarding these incidents, you can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-877-349-8477.

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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.