Frogs BBQ Pad Burglar Arrested

July 12, 2017

On Monday July 3, 2017 the owner of Frogs BBQ Pad located on US Hwy Alt 27 just outside of Williston discovered someone had broken into his business. The owner reported the thief took a laptop computer and cash.

The LCSO Criminal Investigations Division (CID) capitalized on citizen tips to identify Mitchell F. Cooper (8-4-77) as the only suspect in this reported crime. Investigators located and arrested Cooper yesterday and additionally were able to recover the owner’s stolen laptop. Investigators verified the computer belonged to the victim by history located on the computer’s web browser and have returned it.

Cooper was booked into the Levy County Detention Facility and was charged with burglary and grand theft. His bond has been set at $15,000.00.

Neighborly Team Work Results in Two Arrests

July 10, 2017

On Sunday July 9th the Levy County Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force (DTF) received a tip that a subject wanted by the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) for robbery was in a vehicle and going to a gas station in Fanning Springs. The LCSO DTF as well as LCSO patrol deputies and GCSO investigators began surveillance near the gas station and identified James Waylon Cruce (9-12-84) when he arrived. Cruce was found seated in the passenger side of a silver four door Toyota driven by Kellie Ponce (11-20-90) of Cross City. Cruce was immediately taken into custody by LCSO deputies.

Deputies searched the vehicle where Cruce had been seated and found a cache of drugs and a gun. Deputies tested the illegal drugs and identified cocaine, methamphetamines, marijuana and an unidentified white powdery substance. Cruce, a convicted felon, is prohibited from being in possession of any firearm. The gun, a loaded .38 caliber pistol, had recently been reported stolen from a Gilchrist County citizen. Additionally, Cruce had credit cards belonging to a Gilchrist County resident who had also reported a theft.

Cruce was booked into the Levy County Detention Facility and has been charged with multiple felony drug possession charges, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of marijuana (a misdemeanor). His bond has been set at $ 510,000.00

Ms. Ponce was also arrested. She is a habitual traffic offender and was driving without a valid license. She was booked into the Levy County Detention Facility and released on her own recognizance at first appearance.

Charges of robbery have been filed by the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office. Cruce will later appear in the courts in Gilchrist County on these charges.

Early Morning Search Warrant – Two Arrested

July 7, 2017

The Levy County Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force (DTF) and Tactical Response Unit (TRU) executed a search warrant early at 2591 NW 73^rd Avenue in the Whitted Estates Subdivision south of Chiefland yesterday morning. This neighborhood is known as a quiet subdivision mostly populated by retirees. DTF Investigators developed information that James Allen Funk (8-19-78) was selling narcotics from his home.

DTF Investigators and TRU members located Funk and his female associate Jennifer Ann Hemingway (4-10-84) inside the home. Investigators seized 3.4 grams of methamphetamines, 7 grams of marijuana and drug paraphernalia for packaging and use of these drugs during the search. Both Funk and Hemingway were arrested and transported to the Levy County Detention Facility.

Funk has been charged with possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana. His bond has been set at $52,000.00.

Hemingway has been charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Her bond has been set at $51,000.00.

18 Year Old Arrested for Arson

July 7, 2017

Investigators responded to Inglis Villas at 33 Tronu Drive in Inglis on July 6^th after the maintenance worker found evidence someone intentionally set a fire in the laundry room. The laundry room is connected to the administrative offices and could have been occupied at the time. A law enforcement officer who is employed by the LCSO and lives in the Villas directed investigators to a potential suspect, Seth Lee Myers (7-17-98).

Myers was located and interviewed by LCSO investigators. Myers, who also lives in the Villas, told investigators he was mad at his mother and went out for a walk around 8 pm the evening before. He found a lighter in the grass while he was walking and went into the laundry room which is open to residents 24 hours a day. While in there, and for no real clear explanation, he lit the curtains on fire and left.  

Maintenance workers estimated the damage to the curtains, blinds and adjacent wall would exceed $200.00 to repair. Myers was arrested and has been charged with arson. He was booked into the Levy County Detention Facility and his bond has been set at $150,000.00.

Sexual Battery Arrest

July 7, 2017

On July 6, 2017 Levy County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Divisions (CID) investigators arrested Timothy John Nelson (8-9-82) of Williston for sexual battery, victim over 18 years old. 

Investigators responded to a call for assistance from an adult female victim. The victim told investigators she is familiar with Nelson and had invited him to her home for an evening get together. She said they spoke and had a few drinks while watching TV. She said she has no recollection of going to bed and believed Nelson could have put something in her drink. When she awoke the following morning, she “knew” she had been raped. 

Investigators located Nelson and conducted an interview. Nelson confirmed he had sexual relations with the victim while she was incapacitated. 

Nelson has been booked in to the Levy County Detention Facility and charged with sexual battery of a person over 18. His bond has been set at $100,000.00. 

Additional Arrest in Manatee Farms Subdivision

June 28, 2017

On-going investigations into complaints from residents in the Manatee Farms Subdivision located on County Road 320 west of Chiefland have resulted in another arrest. Jason Anthony Morris (2-7-82) who resides at 11751 NW 83^rd Court was arrested for an outstanding warrant. During his arrest, investigators located drugs and drug paraphernalia in his room. Investigators identified the drugs as methamphetamines, oxycodone and marijuana. Morris also had a pipe for smoking these drugs and a container in which to hide them. 

Morris has been booked into the Levy County Detention Facility and his bond was set at $34,000.00. 

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