Domestic Violence Call Leads to Arrest

 

June 10, 2022

LCSO Deputies responded to a 911 call in the Chiefland area early this afternoon. The caller, a female, told the 911 operator she was attacked by a person who lived at her home on a part time basis. She told the operator she used a knife to defend herself.

Deputies arrived on scene and found the man and the woman who called 911. The investigation determined the female, identified as Sararae M. Webb (8/4/2000) of Chiefland, was the primary aggressor during this incident. Webb used a knife to cut the victim multiple times across the chest and hands and slashed the tire on his truck when he attempted to leave. The victim was treated at the scene by EMS and released.

Webb was arrested and has been charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and criminal mischief. She will be held in the Levy County Detention Center pending her first appearance tomorrow morning.  

Intruder Held by Homeowner at Gun Point

 

June 10, 2022

On May 6, 2022 the Levy County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from a homeowner in the Chiefland area who reported a man forced his way into their home. The homeowner told the 911 operator the owner responded to a person who was franticly pounding on their door. When the door was opened the intruder pushed the homeowner aside and ran into their home. The caller said the intruder was being held at gunpoint by them until deputies arrive.

Deputy Kristen Gerace was first to arrive on scene. The homeowner and the next door neighbor had guns trained on an unidentified person inside the laundry room. Deputy Gerace handcuffed the male whom she was able to identify as Andre Troy McCalla (12/26/93) of Gulfport, Florida. Sheriff McCallum and a Chiefland Police Officer arrived to assist and their investigation determined that McCalla arrived in the Chiefland area to meet a local drug dealer. McCalla told Deputy Gerace he consumed meth, crack cocaine and marijuana with this person who then began chasing him through the woods and was trying to kill him. He ran to this home trying to get help.

McCalla said he had been shot in the foot by the people chasing him and was bleeding profusely. Deputy Gerace and responding EMS units did not find any gunshot wounds but McCalla did have large cuts on his feet. McCalla was treated for his injuries then arrested by Deputy Gerace. McCalla was taken to the Levy County Detention Center where he was charged with burglary of an occupied dwelling and battery. He is being held in lieu of a $30,000 bond.

Sheriff McCallum said, “I remind each homeowner to be prepared to protect their home and family. Residents need to take every precaution by keeping their doors and vehicle locked and their valuables secured. In this instance, the homeowner was prepared and exercised great restraint. Because of this restraint and our quick response to the scene, no one was injured and the suspect was taken to jail. Justice was swiftly served and a person who came to our quiet community to commit crimes will spend time behind bars at our Detention Center.”  

Driver Flees Deputy-Arrested for Drugs and Guns

June 8, 2022

On June 7, 2022 Deputy Justin Arters attempted to stop a SUV driving without headlights on US Hwy 27 at approximately 1:00 a.m. The driver made an abrupt U-turn and accelerated to speeds in excess of 100 mph in an attempt to elude Deputy Arters. The driver ultimately stopped on Margaret Street in Bronson when confronted by additional deputies who arrived to assist. The driver, identified as Rebia Brown (4/19/97) of Bronson, was immediately arrested.

Deputy Arters observed the front seat passenger in the fleeing vehicle throw unidentified items out of the window during the pursuit. Some of these items were recovered by deputies and identified as crack cocaine. The passenger, Leneiall Sapp (9/3/93) of Bronson, was arrested.

Deputies found a five year old and a two year old unrestrained in the back seat of the SUV. Brown told deputies these were her biological children. Quantasia Delaine (12/5/2000) of Gainesville was also a passenger in the vehicle. Deputies found Delaine in possession of cocaine and she too was arrested. Deputies located more crack cocaine, marijuana and two firearms inside the vehicle.

Brown was charged with two counts of child endangerment, fleeing law enforcement and possession of cocaine. She is being held on a $175,000 bond. Sapp was charged with possession of cocaine and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. He is being held on a $75,000 bond. Delaine was charged with possession of cocaine and is being held on a $30,000 bond.   

 

Sexual Predator Public Address Notification

 

June 7, 2022

On June 1, 2022 Tyler David Medeiros registered as a Sexual Predator with the Levy County Sheriff’s Office. By Florida law Medeiros is required to notify law enforcement whenever he changes addresses.

Tyler David Medeiros was convicted in 2014 for Lewd and Lascivious Battery victim 12-15 years old. Medeiros has registered his address as: 1150 SE Hwy 41, Williston, Florida 32696.

For a complete listing of all registered sexual predators and offenders residing in Levy County, or to search by zip code, please visit www.fdle.state.fl.us and go to the sexual offender data base.

 

Sexual Predator:

Tyler David Medeiros

1150 SE Hwy 41

Williston, Florida 32696

White/Male

DOB: 4/3/93

Mexican National Arrested for Sexual Battery on Minors

 

June 2, 2022

On May 8, 2022 the Levy County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division opened a sexual battery investigation after two teenaged girls reported to the University of Florida Child Protection Team they had been involved in a two day drug and alcohol fueled sexually abusive situation at a motel in Fanning Springs. Detectives learned through victim testimony the two juvenile girls met Mexican National Antonio Ramirez (7/6/91) in Newberry, Florida on May 6, 2022. Ramirez took the two girls to a local motel in Fanning Springs where he supplied them with drugs and alcohol and forced them to have sex with him.

LCSO Detectives conducted a full investigation and located evidence confirming the victim’s statements. Armed with the evidence, Detectives requested a warrant for the arrest of Ramirez. The warrant was issued and bond of $450,000 was assigned.

On June 2, 2022 LCSO Detectives along with the United States Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force located and arrested Ramirez at an apartment complex in Gainesville, Florida. Ramirez was transported to the Alachua County Department of the Jail where he will remain until transported to the Levy County Detention Center. He will be held in custody in Levy County pending trial.  

Sumner Shooting Investigation

 

On May 28, 2022, LCSO Deputies responded to a verbal disturbance at the Anglers RV Park in the Sumner area of the county.  The call only ended after four deputies discharged their firearms and one subject was arrested on multiple charges.  Neither the deputies nor the suspect were injured in the shooting.   

The call for service seemed routine enough, a man and woman were in a verbal dispute over personal property.  The male subject, later identified as Timothy Pekari (11-14-62) remained inside his RV travel trailer. While deputies attempted to resolve the civil dispute,  Pekari called into LCSO 911 Telecommunicators and stated he was armed and made threats of violence towards on-scene deputies. Deputies began negotiations with Pekari resulting in Pekari eventually pointing his firearm at the deputies. Negotiations broke down resulting in Pekari again pointing his firearm at Deputies resulting in a lethal response from deputies. After a short standoff Pekari abandoned his firearm and exited the RV and was taken into custody.   

Pekari was charged with three counts of Aggravated Assault on Law Enforcement and one count each of Resisting with Violence and Displaying a Firearm while in the Commission of a Felony.  His total bond was set at $1,050,000.00.   

The incident is being investigated by the LCSO Criminal Investigation Division.  There is a significant amount of evidence to be analyzed including audio and video recordings, witness statements and physical evidence left at the scene.  Additional details about the investigation will be provided at its conclusion.   

 

Deputy Makes Large Methamphetamine Seizure

 

On 05/18/2022 Deputy Dakota Dowling conducted a traffic stop on a passenger car with an Ohio tag for an equipment violation. The vehicle was driven by, Joshua Imel.  There were three additional passengers in the vehicle.  After Deputy Cody Weaver responded as backup, Deputy Dowling developed probable cause to search the vehicle.  During the search Deputy Dowling recovered drug paraphernalia, 18 grams of marijuana, 14 grams of MDMA and a large amount of Methamphetamine.  Through his investigation, Deputy Dowling was able to determine that the illegal narcotics belonged to Imel and took him into custody.    

Under Florida law, possession of 14 grams (one-half ounce) of methamphetamine constitutes "Trafficking Methamphetamine."  In Florida, convictions for Trafficking crimes carry with them mandatory prison sentences and fines.  In this case, Deputy Dowling seized 200 grams (more than seven ounces) of methamphetamine.  A Florida conviction for this amount carries a mandatory 15 year prison sentence and a $250,000.00 fine.  The makeup of the methamphetamine indicates that it was manufactured in Mexico and then smuggled into the country.    

Imel (1-25-98) was charged with Trafficking in Methamphetamine, Possession of MDMA, Possession of Drug Equipment, and Possession of Marijuana, less than 20 grams.  His bond was set at $137,000 and he continues to be held at the Levy County Detention Center.