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Woman steals deputy’s car;
LCSO detective finds her
Bonnie Gray
Archived Mug Shot By LCSO
By Jeff M. Hardison © Sept. 23, 2020 at 4:10 p.m.
BRONSON – A 31-year-old woman slipped out of handcuffs while she was in the back of a Levy County Sheriff’s Office cruiser, and then she went to the front seat, drove the vehicle until it crashed and then escaped on foot, according to information sent by LCSO Lt. Scott Tummond, public information officer.
Bonnie Jeanne Gray, 31, drove the cruiser and hit a deputy, who suffered injuries, was taken to a hospital, and was treated and released, Tummond said in a Thursday (Sept. 23) press release.
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At about 1:30 p.m. on Thursday afternoon (Sept. 23), LCSO Det. Tim Rogers was the lead investigator to find Gray, Lt. Tummond said. The woman was located
off of a road --Wolf Arbor Road -- in Goethe State Forest, Tummond said in a telephone interview Thursday afternoon.
Gray will face charges as a result of her actions, and she will face Levy County Court Judge J.T. “Tim” Browning on Friday morning to learn about those charges, as well as potentially have bond set.
The incident that wrapped up with Det. Rogers finding Gary on Thursday afternoon began on Tuesday night (Sept. 22), at approximately 11:54 p.m., Tummond said.
That is when LCSO Deputy James Yanok responded to the 6400 Block of Southeast Levy County Road 326, which is in a remote area of the county between Morris Junction and Gulf Hammock, Tummond said.
He was responding to a report of a suspicious person. This is the same general area of the county that deputies recently recorded a report of a stolen vehicle, which was ultimately recovered in Citrus County, Tummond said.
Deputy Yanok saw Gray, who met the description of the suspicious person described by the caller, Tummond said. Gray fled from him but Deputy Yanok apprehended her, Tummond said.
Gray was handcuffed and placed in the back seat of the patrol vehicle, Tummond said, and Deputy Yanok returned to the area from which he had seen her run. Yanock searched for other person(s) there, Tummond said.
Gray slipped loose from her handcuffs and squeezed through the screen partition and she went into the front seat of the car, Tummond said.
Yanok heard the cruser vehicle rev and as Gray sped away, Tummond said, she hit Yanok with the vehicle. Gray crashed the patrol vehicle a short distance and fled on foot into the wooded area of Goethe State Forest.
Deputy Yanok was transported by ambulance to a local emergency room for treatment of minor injuries and has been released, Tummond said.
Many law enforcement agencies were involved in this search including from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, K-9 Units from the Florida Department of Corrections and air support from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit.
Global law enforcement
operation catches
opioid traffickers;
More than 170 arrests worldwide result
By DEA Public Affairs
Published Sept. 22, 2020 at 11:10 a.m.
WASHINGTON – Today (Tuesday, Sept. 22), the United States Department of Justice, through the Joint Criminal Opioid and Darknet Enforcement team, joined Europol to announce the results of Operation DisrupTor, a coordinated international effort to disrupt opioid trafficking on the Darknet.
Darknet is an overlay network within the Internet that can only be accessed with specific software, configurations, or authorization, and often uses a unique customized communication protocol. The term "Darknet" was popularized by major news outlets to associate with Tor Onion services, when the infamous drug bazaar Silk Road used it, despite the terminology being unofficial.
As for Operation DisrupTor, which was conducted across the United States and Europe, it demonstrates the continued partnership between JCODE and Europol against the illegal sale of drugs and other illicit goods and services. Operation DisrupTor builds on the success of last year’s Operation SaboTor and the coordinated law enforcement takedown of the Wall Street Market, one of the largest illegal online markets on the dark web.
Following the Wall Street Market takedown in May 2019, U.S. and international law enforcement agencies obtained intelligence to identify Darknet drug traffickers, resulting in a series of complementary, but separate, law enforcement investigations.
Operation DisrupTor actions have resulted in the arrest of 179 Darknet drug traffickers and fraudulent criminals who engaged in tens of thousands of sales of illicit goods and services across the United States and Europe.
This operation resulted in the seizure of over $6.5 million in both cash and virtual currencies; approximately 500 kilograms (just over 1,100 pounds) of drugs worldwide; 274 kilograms (just over 604 pounds) of drugs, including fentanyl, oxycodone, hydrocodone, methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, ecstasy, MDMA, and medicine containing addictive substances in the United States; and 63 firearms.
Darknet vendor accounts were identified and attributed to humans who were selling illicit goods on Darknet market sites such as AlphaBay, Dream, WallStreet, Nightmare, Empire, White House, DeepSea, Dark Market and others. By leveraging complementary partnerships and surging resources across the U.S. government and Europol, Operation DisrupTor was used to significantly disrupt the online opioid trade and send a strong message that criminals operating on the Darknet are not beyond the reach of law enforcement.
Operation DisrupTor led to 121 arrests in the United States including two in Canada at the request of the United States, 42 in Germany, eight in the Netherlands, four in the United Kingdom, three in Austria, and one in Sweden. A number of investigations are still ongoing to identify the individuals behind dark web accounts.
“Criminals selling fentanyl on the Darknet should pay attention to Operation DisrupTor,” said United States Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen. “The arrest of 179 of them in seven countries—with the seizure of their drug supplies and their money as well—shows that there will be no safe haven for drug dealing in cyberspace.”
The acting administrator for the United States Drug Enforcement Agency weighed in on the operation.
“The 21st century has ushered in a tidal wave of technological advances that have changed the way we live,” said DEA Acting Administrator Timothy J. Shea. “But as technology has evolved, so too have the tactics of drug traffickers. Riding the wave of technological advances, criminals attempt to further hide their activities within the dark web through virtual private networks and tails, presenting new challenges to law enforcement in the enduring battle against illegal drugs. Operation DisrupTor demonstrates the ability of DEA and our partners to outpace these digital criminals in this ever-changing domain, by implementing innovative ways to identify traffickers attempting to operate anonymously and disrupt these criminal enterprises.”
The FBI shared insight from its leadership.
“With the spike in opioid-related overdose deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic, we recognize that today’s announcement is important and timely,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “The FBI wants to assure the American public, and the world, that we are committed to identifying Darknet drug dealers and bringing them to justice. But our work does not end with today’s announcement. The FBI, through JCODE and our partnership with Europol, continues to be actively engaged in a combined effort to disrupt the borderless, worldwide trade of illicit drugs. The FBI will continue to use all investigative techniques and tools to identify and prosecute Darknet opioid dealers, wherever they may be located.”
The ICE Homeland Security Investigations' active director commented about this successful effort against international criminals.
“U.S. Immigration and Custom’s Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations has played an integral role in Operation DisrupTor which has effectively removed opioids from our communities,” said ICE Acting Deputy Director Derek Benner. “It has been an honor to work alongside our domestic and international law enforcement partners and pursue bad actors hiding on the Darknet. Our trained cyber analysts and investigators have conducted undercover efforts that target dark website operators, vendors and prolific buyers of these dangerous drugs. HSI special agents employ unique investigative capabilities to trace and identify the proceeds stemming from the distribution and online sales of fentanyl and other illicit opioids. These efforts will continue to thwart a significant amount of criminal drug sale activity and deter criminals believing they can operate with anonymity on the Darknet.”
The chief postal inspector for the United States Postal Inspection Service shared his perspective.
“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service has worked diligently for years to rid the mail of illicit drug trafficking and preserve the integrity of the mail,” said Chief Postal Inspector Gary Barksdale. “Most importantly, these efforts provide a safe environment for postal employees and the American public. Today’s announcement serves as an outstanding example of the worldwide impact Postal Inspectors can make through our ever-growing partnerships with federal and international law enforcement agencies. On behalf of the U.S. Postal Service, we offer our sincere appreciation to all of our partners in this operation who helped protect the nation’s mail, and we pledge to never relent in our pursuit of criminals seeking to exploit the U.S. mail.”
Commentary from European law enforcement showed this is one team with one mission across the globe.
“Law enforcement is most effective when working together, and today’s announcement sends a strong message to criminals selling or buying illicit goods on the dark web: the hidden internet is no longer hidden, and your anonymous activity is not anonymous,” said Edvardas Šileris, the Head of Europol’s European Cybercrime Centre. “Law enforcement is committed to tracking down criminals, no matter where they operate – be it on the streets or behind a computer screen.”
The extensive operation, which lasted nine months, resulted in over dozens of federal prosecutions including:
● The Los Angeles JCODE Task Force, in conjunction with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, successfully dismantled a drug trafficking organization that used online monikers such as “Stealthgod” to sell methamphetamine and MDMA on multiple Darknet marketplaces. Investigators have linked the crew to more than 18,000 illicit drug sales to customers in at least 35 states and numerous countries around the world. During law enforcement actions in Southern California earlier this year, members of JCODE arrested five defendants and seized approximately 120 pounds of methamphetamine, seven kilograms of MDMA and five firearms. Two of the five – Teresa McGrath, 34, of Sunland-Tujunga, and Mark Chavez, 41, of downtown Los Angeles – have since pleaded guilty to narcotics-trafficking and other offenses, and each faces a 15-year mandatory minimum sentence. As the investigation continued, the Los Angeles JCODE Task Force made additional seizures, including $1.6 million in cryptocurrency, 11 pounds of methamphetamine and 14 pounds of pills pressed with methamphetamine. Andres Bermudez, 37, of Palmdale, California, who allegedly was a main supplier of methamphetamine to the “Stealthgod” crew, was charged last week with a narcotics-trafficking offense that carry a 10-year mandatory minimum sentence. He is considered a fugitive.
● Arden McCann, 32, of Quebec, Canada, was charged with conspiring to import drugs into the United States and money laundering conspiracy, in a four-count indictment returned by a grand jury in Atlanta. According to court documents, the defendant is alleged to have imported alprazolam, fentanyl, U-47700, and fentanyl analogues such as carfentanil, furanyl fentanyl, 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl, acryl fentanyl, and methoxyacetyl fentanyl into the United States from Canada and China. The superseding indictment alleges that fentanyl analogues the defendant imported into the United States resulted in a non-fatal overdose in April 2016, and fentanyl the defendant imported into the United States resulted in an overdose death in December 2016.
● Khlari Sirotkin, 36, of Colorado; Kelly Stephens, 32, of Colorado; Sean Deaver, 36, of Nevada; Abby Jones, 37, of Nevada; and Sasha Sirotkin, 32, of California, were charged with drug trafficking and money laundering conspiracy, in a 21-count indictment returned by a grand jury in Cincinnati, Ohio. According to court documents, the defendants are alleged to be members of one of the most prolific online drug trafficking organizations in the United States and allegedly specialized in the manufacturing and distribution of more than one million fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills and laundered approximately $2.8 million over the course of the conspiracy. The pressed fentanyl pills, along with heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine, were shipped to the Southern District of Ohio and throughout the country. DEA, FBI, FDA, HSI and USPIS agents seized 2.5 kilograms of fentanyl; 5,095 pressed xanax; 50 suboxone; 16.5 grams of cocaine; 37 grams of crystal meth; 12 grams of black tar heroin; an industrial pill press; 5,908 pounds of dried marijuana with an estimated street value of $9 million; $80,191 in cash, 10 firearms and one pound of fentanyl.
● The FBI Washington Field Office’s Hi-Tech Opioid Task Force, in conjunction with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, successfully thwarted a firebomb attack plot involving explosives, firearms, the Darknet, prescription opioid trafficking, cryptocurrency, and sophisticated money laundering. William Anderson Burgamy, 33, of Hanover, Maryland, and Hyrum T. Wilson, 41, of Auburn, Nebraska, pleaded guilty in the Eastern District of Virginia to charges related to a conspiracy to use explosives to firebomb and destroy a competitor pharmacy in Nebraska. Burgamy, who is not a pharmacist, operated as the Darknet vendor NeverPressedRX since at least August 2019. Wilson, who was a licensed pharmacist, illegally mailed to Burgamy over 19,000 dosage units of prescription medications, including opioids, from his pharmacy in Nebraska. Burgamy illegally sold prescription drugs through his Darknet vendor account to customers nationwide, and claimed at one point that he made nearly $1 million total. Burgamy and Wilson agreed that Burgamy and another individual would carry multiple firearms during the attack operation and use explosives, specifically Molotov cocktails enhanced with Styrofoam as a thickening agent, to burn the victim pharmacy down in furtherance of their drug trafficking scheme. Law enforcement agents seized thousands of opioid pills, eight unsecured firearms, including two loaded AR-15 assault rifles with high capacity magazines, and over $19,000 cash. Prior to Burgamy’s arrest in April 2020, which uncovered and thwarted the firebombing plot, Burgamy and Wilson fully intended on the attack occurring after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted.
● Aaron Brewer, 39, of Corsicana, Texas, was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance and distribution of a controlled substance in a two-count indictment returned by a grand jury in the Northern District of Texas. According to court documents, the defendant allegedly sold cocaine, heroin, and other drugs via the dark web. He allegedly accepted payment in cryptocurrency, primarily bitcoin, and then shipped the drugs to customers’ addresses through the U.S. mail and other shipping services. Following Brewer’s arrest on July 2, agents with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and FBI Dallas Field Office seized roughly 650 grams of black tar heroin, cocaine, and OxyContin, two computers, and more than $870 in postage stamps, as well as a ledger outlining 757 drug shipments sent to 609 unique addresses between December 2019 and March 2020.
An indictment and criminal complaint merely alleges that crimes have been committed. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Operation DisrupTor was a collaborative initiative across JCODE members, including the Department of Justice; Federal Bureau of Investigation; U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Financial Crimes Enforcement Network; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms; Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and Department of Defense. Local, state and other federal agencies also contributed to Operation DisrupTor investigations. The investigations leading to Operation DisrupTor were significantly aided by essential support and coordination by the Department of Justice’s multi-agency Special Operations Division, the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section, and Organized Crime and Gang Section, the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, the National Cyber Joint Investigative Task Force, Europol and its Dark Web team and international partners Eurojust, Austrian Federal Investigation Bureau, Cyprus Police, German Federal Criminal Police Office, Canada’s Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Portuguese Judicial Police, Dutch Police, Swedish Police, the British National Crime Agency, Australia's Western Australia Police Force, and Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission.
Federal prosecutions are being conducted in more than 20 Federal districts, including: the Central District of California, the Eastern District of California, the Northern District of California, the Southern District of California, the District of Colorado, the District of Columbia, the District of Connecticut, the Middle District of Florida, the Southern District of Florida, the Northern District of Georgia, the District of Hawaii, the Western District of Missouri, the District of New Jersey, the Western District of North Carolina, the Northern District of Ohio, the Southern District of Ohio, District of Oregon, the Western District of Pennsylvania, the Northern District of Texas, the Eastern District of Virginia, the District of the Virgin Islands and the Western District of Washington.
JCODE is an FBI-led Department of Justice initiative, which works closely with the DEA-led, multi-agency, Special Operations Division to support, coordinate and de-conflict investigations targeting for disruption and dismantlement of the online sale of illegal drugs, especially fentanyl and other opioids. Additionally, JCODE targets the trafficking of weapons and other illicit goods and services on the internet. Operation DisrupTor illustrates the investigative power of federal and international partnerships to combat the borderless nature of online criminal activity.
Final call for FBI Jacksonville
Internship applications
Art Provided By FBI
By Amanda Warford Videll
Public Affairs Officer
FBI Jacksonville
Published September 21, 2020 at 11:10 p.m.
JACKSONVILLE – The deadline is quickly approaching for college students to apply for the 2021 summer session of the FBI Jacksonville Honors Internship Program.
Applications and all required documentation must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM, on Wednesday, Sept. 30.
Interested applicants are first encouraged to participate in a live Twitter chat hosted by FBI Jacksonville recruiters who will address questions and provide guidance. Participants will then have one week to complete the formal application.
What: FBI Jacksonville Honors Internship Live Twitter Chat
When: Wednesday, Sept. 23, from 3 to 5 p.m. EST
Where: www.twitter.com/FBIJacksonville
How: Submit questions to @FBIJacksonville using #AskFBIJax
The FBI Honors Internship Program is a 10-week, full-time, paid internship for college undergraduate (sophomore, junior or senior), graduate or post-doctoral students. Through this highly competitive
program, interns work side-by-side with FBI employees on a variety of projects including analyzing crime data and supporting investigative operations across the country.
The FBI seeks applicants from a wide range of academic backgrounds including, but not limited to, accounting, foreign languages, information technology, criminal justice, journalism, law, and all STEM programs. Competitive applicants are strong analytical thinkers, are flexible, take initiative, demonstrate good judgment, and have excellent written and oral communication skills. Applicants must be United States citizens, attend college full-time, maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA, pass all FBI background investigation requirements, and meet additional requirements as outlined.
For additional information on the FBI Honors Internship and other student programs visit https://www.fbijobs.gov/students.
Traffic stops leads
to drug trafficking arrest
Melissa A. Hall
Mug Shot By LCSO
By LCSO Lt. Scott Tummond
Published Sept. 21, 2020 at 11:10 p.m.
LEVY COUNTY -- A traffic stop made by Levy County Sheriff’s Office Detective Tucker Gaffey late Friday evening (Sept. 18) resulted in the driver’s arrest for trafficking in MDMA (commonly known as the drug ecstasy).
Melissa A. Hall, who turns 36 on Sept. 22, of Ocala passed Det. Gaffey in a no passing zone on Northeast 212nd Court, south of Levy County Road 318 -- east of Williston.
Det. Gaffey immediately smelled the odor of both burned and unburned marijuana when he asked Hall for her driver’s license. Hall told Det. Gaffey she did not have her license with her, but immediately gave him a rolled marijuana cigar when he asked if there was marijuana in the car.
Det. Gaffey searched the vehicle and discovered 89 MDMA pills inside Hall’s purse next to her driver’s license. Hall was arrested and booked into the Levy County Detention Facility (Jail) and charged with trafficking in MDMA, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Hall has since posted a $30,000 bond and she was released.
Two men charged with
armed burglary and more
Curtis R. Snellgrove (left) and Robert C. Haynes
Mug Shots By DCSO
By DCSO Maj. Scott Harden
Published Sept. 21, 2020 at 11:10 p.m.
DIXIE COUNTY -- On the afternoon of Sept. 14, a Dixie County Sheriff’s Office deputy was dispatched to a home off Southeast 317 Highway in Old Town in regard to a burglar alarm.
The alarm company notified DCSO Dispatch and said that they already had contacted the homeowner who stated that no one should be in the residence.
When the deputy arrived, he found the home elevated on stilts and as he walked underneath the residence, he heard noises above and noticed an open window on the porch area. After giving several commands for those inside to come out and failing to get a response, he radioed for additional units.
While positioned under the elevated home and awaiting the additional units, someone inside closed the open window -- thereby confirming the fact that someone was indeed inside.
When the additional units arrived on scene, one of them made contact directly with the homeowner and confirmed that there indeed should not be anyone inside.
Once this was confirmed, the homeowner authorized the deputies to use force to enter his home in search of the intruders. Deputies kicked in the front door and saw a man standing in the kitchen.
They ordered him to get down, which he failed to do until deputies approached him. A second man was found hiding behind a couch in the home. Both men were secured in patrol vehicles and the home was searched for additional subjects.
The two men were identified as Curtis R. Snellgrove, 46, of Cross City and Robert C. Haynes, 50, of Old Town. Both Snellgrove and Haynes were arrested and charged with burglary of a dwelling while armed, possession of a firearm by convicted felon, two counts of grand theft of a firearm, three counts of possession of burglary tools, criminal mischief less than $200 and resisting an officer without violence.
Two men charged with
trafficking & violating gun laws
Johnny L. Lee (left) and Thomas T. Cunningham
Mug Shots By DCSO
By DCSO Maj. Scott Harden
Published Sept. 21, 2020 at 11:10 p.m.
DIXIE COUNTY -- Early Tuesday morning (Sept. 15), a Dixie County Sheriff’s Office deputy conducted a traffic stop on Northeast 351 in the area of Northeast 353.
After completing the traffic stop the vehicle was free to leave and the driver and passenger drove away.
The deputy remained in the area with another deputy when they saw the vehicle return to the area approximately 18 minutes later.
This time the two men stopped just a short distance from where their vehicle stopped originally. Two deputies approached the men and found them outside of the vehicle with flashlights looking in the ditch and near the roadway.
When the deputies approached them, they were unable to explain what they were looking for. The deputies began searching the road ditch.
During their search, the deputies found a Taurus 9 mm handgun and a baggie containing 28 grams of methamphetamine.
Johnny L. Lee, 37, of Lake City and Thomas T. Cunningham, 33, of Valdosta, Georgia, were arrested and charged with trafficking in a controlled substance, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and two counts of tampering with evidence.
Chiefland man
allegedly caught with meth
Mark A. Vogel
Mug Shot By DCSO
By DCSO Maj. Scott Harden
Published Sept. 21, 2020 at 11:10 p.m.
DIXIE COUNTY -- Shortly before 2 p.m. on Sept. 16, a Dixie County Sheriff’s Office deputy performed a traffic stop on a vehicle on Northeast 765th Street for an equipment violation.
The deputy requested a second deputy to standby while he ran warrants checks on the occupants of the vehicle.
While speaking with the driver, Mark A. Vogel, 31, of Chiefland, Vogel told the second deputy that there were some syringes under his seat, but they were “clean.”
The deputy then retrieved the three syringes, which did not appear to be “clean” but instead had residue in each of them.
After performing a presumptive test and getting positive results for methamphetamine, Vogel was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug equipment.
Allegedly erratic driving ends with drug trafficking charge
Virgle Eggleton
Mug Shot By DCSO
By Jeff M. Hardison
© Sept. 21, 2020 at 10:10 p.m.
DIXIE COUNTY – A very early morning driving experience in Dixie County ended with the driver being charged with trafficking in methamphetamine and possession of drug equipment, according to information in a press release from Dixie County Sheriff’s Office Maj. Scott Harden.
Virgle Eggleton, 43, of Brooksville was driving a vehicle at approximately 2:30 a.m. Friday morning (Sept. 18) in Dixie County, Maj. Harden said.
A DCSO deputy was parked stationary on U.S. highway 19 when he saw the vehicle exit a driveway and enter U.S. 19, Harden said.
When the vehicle entered the highway, it made a wide turn into the inside lane before drifting back into the outside lane of travel, Harden said. The deputy followed the vehicle, Harden said, during which time he observed the vehicle fail to stay within its lane of travel and cross the line on three separate occasions.
The deputy then made a traffic stop on the vehicle to see if the driver might be impaired, Harden said.
While the deputy was speaking with Eggleton, he saw Eggleton push something under the center console, Harden said.
A second deputy arrived on the scene, Maj. Harden said, and while Eggleton’s information was being reiewed for warrants and driver’s license, a K-9 conducted an air sniff of the vehicle.
The K-9 gave a positive alert to indicate drugs were in the vehicle, Harden said. Eggleton was removed from the vehicle and a search was conducted.
Inside the vehicle were digital scales, a cut straw and a smoking pipe that tested positive for methamphetamine, Harden said.
Deputies found on Eggleton’s person a large baggie containing seven individual baggies that contained 3.8 grams of methamphetamine.
The total weight of methamphetamine was 25.59 grams (about an ounce), Harden said. Eggleton was arrested and charged with trafficking in methamphetamine and possession of drug equipment.
Man and woman
arrested for armed carjacking
Walter Briggs and Dakota Murphy
Mug Shots by MCSO
By Zachary Moore
Public Information Officer
Marion County Sheriff’s Office
Published Sept. 16, 2020 at 4:10 p.m.
MARION COUNTY -- On Tuesday (Sept. 15), Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Detective B. Castellano arrested Walter Kaltz Briggs, 29, of McIntosh and Dakota Christine Murphy, 19, of Ocala for carjacking with a firearm.
On Monday (Sept. 14), at approximately 2 a.m., Deputy Austin responded to the Super 8 Motel on W Silver Springs Boulevard, in reference to a carjacking that occurred an hour prior. Deputy N. Austin contacted the two victims.
The victims stated they had received a text message from Briggs requesting to be picked up at the Holiday Travel RV Park.
When the victims responded to Briggs’ location, he and Murphy entered their blue Volkswagen Jetta. A short while later, Briggs brandished a firearm, demanded that the victims exit their vehicle, moved into the driver seat and sped off with Murphy as a passenger.
Briggs and Murphy were located during a traffic stop conducted by Deputy C. Pope at around 8 a.m. the following morning. They were still driving the Volkswagen Jetta and Det. Castellano found a firearm under the driver’s seat. Briggs and Murphy were transported to MCSO Central Operations for questioning.
Detective Castellano conducted an interview with Briggs, who claimed he had rented the vehicle, but later stated, “just take me to booking.”
When Murphy was interviewed, she initially denied accompanying Briggs at the time of the carjacking, but ultimately admitted to being with him on that night.
Briggs and Murphy were both transported to the Marion County Jail. Briggs was arrested for carjacking with a firearm and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; he is being held on a $55,000 bond. Murphy was arrested for carjacking with a firearm and has a bond of $50,000.
Man and boy charged
after allegedly committing
a violent crime
Dylan Butler
Mug Shot By DCSO
By Jeff M. Hardison
© Sept. 16, 2020 at 11:10 a.m.
DIXIE COUNTY – A 21-year-old man from Horseshoe Beach was placed in the Dixie County Jail after evidence showed reason to believe he committed battery on a person as well as to commit burglary of a conveyance (vehicle), according to information in a press release sent Monday (Sept. 14) by Dixie County Sheriff’s office Maj. Scott Harden.
A juvenile was arrested on the same charges, Harden said.
On Saturday night (Sept. 12), a group of young people were at a local convenience store when one person in the crowd began to argue with another person.
According to the report, a video that the deputy reviewed showed the suspect, Dylan Butler, walk past a group of girls and say “watch this,” Harden said.
Butler then continued toward the victim, Harden said, adding that a group of people got between the two people to keep Butler from fighting.
The video showed Butler jumping and striking the victim while he reached over the others, Harden said. Butler and the victim began to fight, Harden said, and according to the report, when the victim began having the upper hand, another subject that was with Butler began to strike the victim.
When the victim broke free, he and his friends got into his vehicle as the victim attempted to leave, Harden said. This is when Butler and another juvenile male jumped onto the side of the victim’s truck and reached into the vehicle striking the victim through the window, Harden said.
The DCSO deputy located Butler’s vehicle later that night and stopped the vehicle, Harden said. Once stopped, the deputy identified Butler and the juvenile as the two in the fight.
Butler and the juvenile were both arrested and charged with burglary of a conveyance with battery and battery.
Bullets fly again
in East Williston -- 3rd Time;
Home occupants’ lives endangered
By LCSO Lt. Scott Tummond
Published Sept. 15, 2020 at 2:10 p.m.
WILLISTON -- On Monday (Sept. 14), the Levy County Sheriff’s Office responded to a home on Northeast 40th Street in a neighborhood east of the City of Williston, in the unincorporated part of Levy County.
The victim reported hearing gunfire around 5 a.m. on Sept. 14, but did not discover her home or car was damaged until after daylight.
This is the same neighborhood where two shootings occurred this past weekend. Detective and Crime Scene Units discovered the homeowner’s car was hit twice by bullets and a third bullet went through the master bedroom window.
Detectives traced the trajectory of the bullet that passed through a bedroom window and it could have easily hit the occupants inside. Detectives learned there was a toddler inside the home when the shooting began.
The Levy County Sheriff’s Office is working diligently to stem violence in this community east of Williston.
However, cooperation from our community members and leaders is imperative.
The LCSO is seeking any person who has knowledge of these shooting incidents. As always, LCSO encourages everyone to report all suspicious persons, vehicles or activity at 352-486-5111 or 9-1-1. Reports can also be made anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-877-349-8477.
Bullets flying
in eastern Levy County;
LCSO seeks public’s help
in finding shooters
Published Sept. 14, 2020 at 4:10 p.m.
By LCSO Lt. Scott Tummond
LEVY COUNTY – On Saturday (Sept. 12), the Levy County Sheriff’s Office’s 9-1-1 Communications Center received multiple reports of gunfire in the area of 21431 N.E. 35th St., the Mack Apartments, just east of the city of Williston.
Deputies dispatched to the scene met with a 28-year-old male near this address. This victim told deputies he went to the Mack Apartments to visit with a family member when several unknown and unidentifiable individuals came out of a nearby wooded area and began shooting at him.
Deputies photographed multiple bullet holes in the exterior and interior of the victim’s vehicle. Deputies located and recovered three different calibers of shell casings, which appeared to have been recently fired from handguns in the area where the driver said he was parked.
No witnesses could identify the gunmen but multiple residents reported hearing the gunfire. This was the second call over this weekend of gunfire in this general area of eastern Levy County.
Deputies responded to multiple calls of gunfire on Friday night (Sept. 11) within a mile of this location. Deputies did not locate or identify any victims or eyewitnesses in this case; however multiple residents heard this volley of gunfire.
The LCSO is seeking any person who has knowledge of either of these shooting incidents. As always, LCSO encourages everyone to report all suspicious persons, vehicles or activity at 352-486-5111 or 911. Reports can also be made anonymously through CrimeStoppers at 1-877-349-8477.
Suspected serial vehicle thief arrested via cooperative effort
by county and state
law enforcement agencies
Travis Joseph Slone
Mug Shot By LCSO
By Levy County Undersheriff Brett Beauchamp
Sent Sept. 11, 2020 afternoon
Published Sept. 13, 2020
at 8:10 a.m.
BRONSON -- The Levy County Sheriff’s Office, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission combined forces to stop a man who is suspected of being a serial thief, who had been operating in the southern part of Levy County and the Dunellon area of Marion County.
On Sept. 1, LCSO Det. Scott Stancil arrested Travis Joseph Slone, 31, of Dunnellon for the theft of four vehicles in Levy County. Slone is being held in lieu of posting combined bonds of $210,000 at the Levy County Detention Center, which is also known as the Levy County Jail.
Slone initially was taken into custody by the FWC after using a stolen ATV to flee from an FWC state law enforcement officer. Once in custody, LCSO and MCSO detectives linked Slone to nine vehicle thefts in both counties using physical evidence, video evidence, eyewitness testimony and Slone’s own statements.
The evidence shows that Slone would repeatedly drive one stolen vehicle to another victim’s house to steal his next vehicle.
Members of the public are encouraged to take steps to secure their vehicles, including ATVs and UTVs.
Anyone can report suspicious activity to the LCSO 24-hours-a-day at 352-486-5111. Any individual also can make anonymous reports to Crime Stoppers at 1-877-349-8477.
Public warned of man
suspected of indecent exposure
Aaron W. Nagle
Story and Photos Provided
By LCSO Undersheriff Brett Beauchamp
Published Sept. 12, 2020 at 9:10 p.m.
BRONSON -- The residents and visitors of Levy County (and surrounding counties) need to be aware of an indecent exposure suspect.
This is a picture of the vehicle Nagle allegedly drove during the reported incident.
Aaron W. Nagle, 39, was arrested in Alachua County on Sept. 10, after he was found in the back room of a retail establishment -- naked.
LCSO deputies had already developed Nagle as a suspect in an incident which took place in Levy County on Sept. 9. During that incident, Nagle followed a female victim and her children a considerable distance in his white colored Toyota pickup. The victim was very uncomfortable and attempted to get away from Nagle’s vehicle.
Eventually, Nagle forced the victim’s vehicle off of the road on Northwest 60th Street. Nagle then exited his vehicle, naked.
Nagle made simulated sexual gestures toward the victim and in the view of her minor children. The victim drove away from the scene and Nagle continued to follow. The victim contacted her husband by phone, and he began traveling to her location to assist her.
Some distance away from the initial incident, all three vehicles stopped on the roadway. Nagle again exited his pickup while naked in view of the victim. Nagle was confronted by the husband and he fled the scene in his pickup truck.
The LCSO will file a sworn complaint with the Eighth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office charging Nagle with indecent exposure and aggravated assault with a motor vehicle. It is anticipated that Nagle will be released soon from custody in Alachua County.
LCSO advises all individuals to avoid contact with Nagle. The Levy County incident was reported on social media and some of the pictures have been included here to assist the public in identifying Nagle and his vehicle.
As always, LCSO encourages everyone to report all suspicious persons, vehicles or activity at 352-486-5111 or 911. Reports can also be made anonymously through CrimeStoppers at 1-877-349-8477.
Undersheriff explains difference
between two sets of crimes
involving people who were shot;
LCSO shows no racial bias
By Jeff M. Hardison © Sept. 11, 2020 at 5:10 p.m.
BRONSON – Levy County Undersheriff W.O. “Brett” Beauchamp III on Friday (Sept. 11) sent an email with information to help people better understand the actions of the Levy County Sheriff’s Office regarding the timing of releasing information about two recent shooting incidents in Levy County.
“Many of our citizens are angered and confused by the two recent shooting incidents that occurred in the Williston area,” Beauchamp wrote. “We share some of the citizens’ frustration. The facts of every case are different and not all statutes apply in all cases. Criminal investigations take time in order to protect the rights of the victims and the accused.”
The undersheriff shared his thoughts on some factors that cause issues with communication between law enforcement agencies and the general public.
“The 24-hour news cycle and the ability to make instantaneous statements on social media help create unrealistic expectations among some members of the public,” he noted.
Although Sheriff Robert B. “Bobby” McCallum Jr. shared some of this insight with the Levy County Board of County Commissioners late Tuesday night (Sept. 8), Undersheriff Beauchamp noted the following to help people understand relevant facts.
The first incident occurred after a juvenile published an invitation on social media on Friday, Aug. 28. The invite went out during the afternoon and it promoted a party at his home that night. Approximately 60 juveniles came to this party held at a private residence out of view of the public.
No complaints regarding this party were received by the LCSO until after a shooting occurred. Responding deputies observed that alcohol was being consumed on the property by juveniles while under the supervision of the homeowner.
The homeowner and juvenile son that organized the party were charged with a violation of Florida Statute 856.015 (856.015 Open house parties.) Paragraph 5 (If a violation of subsection (2) causes or contributes to causing serious bodily injury, as defined in s. 316.1933, or death to the minor, or if the minor causes or contributes to causing serious bodily injury or death to another as a result of the minor’s consumption of alcohol or drugs at the open house party, the violation is a misdemeanor of the first degree,).
Florida statutes here are also commonly known as “contributing to the delinquency of a minor by hosting an open house party where serious injury resulted.” This statute only applies when the party is held at a residence. Attendance at this house party was clearly culturally diverse.
LCSO detectives investigating the house party identified the shooting suspect with the assistance of witnesses at the scene. Later the detectives obtained positive identification of the suspect by the victim who had been shot.
No press release was done at that time in order to protect the security of the investigation. On Sept. 1, during the late night hours, the black male juvenile suspect allegedly responsible for the shooting was arrested in Marion County.
At that time, he was found to be armed with a stolen firearm. It is currently unknown if that firearm was also the one used during the Levy County shooting. After the suspect was taken into custody, the LCSO then issued a press release on the morning of Sept. 1.
Regarding the second party and shootings, on Saturday Sept. 4, a gathering of approximately 500 to 750 people occurred in the area of Levy County east of the City of Williston.
The gathering began after 10 p.m. and was set up on commercial property located at 4011 N.E. 205th Avenue. The organizer advertised the gathering as a “protest,” but there was no indication during the event that it was anything other than a block party.
Prior to the gathering, the organizer challenged law enforcement on social media to try to disrupt it. Once the party started, the county roads coming into the area were heavily congested until the shooting began. Numerous 9-1-1 calls were received by LCSO reporting the shooting.
Deputies responded to the scene and began their investigation. They determined that six people were shot and injured. All of the shooting victims required hospitalization. None of the victims were residents of Levy County. The shooter or shooters have not been identified yet. The investigation remains active and the LCSO continues to seek the assistance of the public in identifying the suspects.
Throughout these two investigations, the Williston protest organizer made numerous statements saying the events were handled differently.
“We agree, the cases were handled differently,” Beauchamp noted as he continued in presenting a written explanation to help people better understand. “He erroneously attributes the differences in the way the cases were handled to the racial makeup of those involved. In reality, the investigations were not the same because the specific facts in each case were very different.”
The undersheriff further noted that Sheriff McCallum reported to the Levy County Board of County Commissioners this week that the LCSO has and will continue to protect and serve all the residents and visitors in Levy County.
Sheriff McCallum further stated that all Americans are guaranteed equal protection under the law – according to the United States Constitution.
The LCSO has an established process for investigating complaints against any members, including those who may be accused of discrimination. Significant civil and criminal remedies are available to anyone that can prove that they were the victim of discrimination by any criminal justice agency.
Allegations of racial discrimination by the LCSO noted on social media are baseless, Beauchamp noted.
WPD adds veteran police officer
With Jaron Rolls (at left) looking on, his father Mike Rolls takes the oath of office while Mike’s fiancé Susana Pascuma holds the Bible. Flanking officer Rolls are WPD K-9 Officer Rich Peterson and WPD Officer Owen Confessore. Mayor Jerry Robinson is administering the oath (out of sight behind Pascuma) and in the distance Williston City Council President Charles Goodman looks on. Read on to see more about this event, including others who were at the front of the Williston City Council Meeting Room for this event.
Story, Photos and Video
All Rights Reserved
By Jeff M. Hardison © Sept. 9, 2020 at 12:10 a.m.
WILLISTON – A well-decorated veteran police officer took the oath of office to be a member of the Williston Police Department as some of the first action Tuesday night (Sept. 8).
This video shows somewhat of a false start with some humor to the oath of office procedure, but the swearing-in process succeeds, and this video culminates with the new officer and his fiancé kissing each other.
WPD Officer Mike Rolls is pinned with his new WPD badge by his oldest son Jaron Rolls.
Pausing for a photo opportunity just outside the meeting room on Tuesday evening are (from left) WPD Sgt. Dave Johnson, WPD K-9 Officer Rich Peterson (the dog named Shadow is not in this picture), WPD Officer Owen Confessore, WPD Officer Mike Rolls and Acting WPD Police Chief Terry Boivard.
The swearing-in procedure was performed by Williston Mayor Jerry Robinson.
The newest law enforcement officer to become a member of the WPD team is Mike Rolls.
Formerly Marion County Sheriff’s Office Maj. Rolls retired last month, some time after earning the rank of major during his 31-year career with the MCSO.
During those three decades (plus) of public service to help the residents and visitors of Marion County as he worked with other MCSO members to protect life and property, Rolls experienced a long and distinguished career. While in Marion County and serving under a number of high sheriffs, Rolls held almost every position imaginable while at the MCSO.
The 49-year-old WPD officer hails from Ocala.
In addition to his service as a law enforcement officer, he is a leader in a fraternal, charitable service organization – The Elks.
Rolls is the Worshipful Master of Lodge # 286 of the Benevolent Protective Order of the Elks of Ocala.
This newest member of the WPD started his law enforcement career in 1990 with the MCSO as a corrections assistant.
During his career, Rolls earned 43 certificates-plaques of appreciation, including the 1997 Medal of Distinction.
The Marion County Sheriff s Office presents various exceptional services awards to those who earn them. These honors include the Medal of Valor, the Purple Heart, the Medal of Commendation, the Eagle Eye Award and the Medal of Distinction.
In 2002, Rolls almost made the ultimate sacrifice, when he was shot three times while taking part in serving a drug search warrant as a member of the MCSO Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team.
In recognition of his injuries, Rolls was awarded the Medal of Valor award and the Purple Heart medal.
He was the 2003 Florida Retail Federation Officer of the Year, the 2003 Florida Sheriff’s Association Deputy Sheriff of the Year, the 2003 Florida Attorney General Law Enforcement Officer of the Year (the first-time recipient) and the 2003 National Deputy Sheriff of the Year Award.
Joining WPD Officer Rolls at the front of the Williston City Council Meeting Room as he was sworn in were his fiancé Susana Pascuma, who held the Bible, his oldest son Jaron Rolls, who pinned his father with the WPD badge, and children Danny Pascuma and Bianca Pascuma.
As noted, Susana Pascuma held the Bible as her betrothed placed his right hand on it, held up his left hand and recited the oath of office to become a WPD officer.
Also, at the front of the room joining Mayor Robinson, Officer Rolls and others for this swearing-in ceremony were WPD Chief Dennis Strow (currently serving as interim city manager and not police chief), Acting WPD Police Chief Terry Boivard (who is normally WPD deputy police chief), WPD Sgt. Dave Johnson, WPD K-9 Officer Rich Peterson (the dog named Shadow was not in the Council Chambers) and WPD Officer Owen Confessore.
After completing his swearing-in recital, WPD Officer Rolls kissed his fiancé Susana Pascuma, and the crowd expressed a unified verbal “aww.” Mike Rolls’ oldest son Jaron Rolls pinned his father with the WPD badge.
“I look forward to serving the great citizens of Williston,” Officer Rolls told the audience.
He told the City Council that he will take every opportunity, and do all in his power to help the municipal leaders keep the city “as great as it already is.”
Six people shot
in eastern Levy County;
Victims hospitalized;
LCSO seeks help from public
By LCSO Lt. Scott Tummond
Published Sept. 5, 2020 at 8:10 a.m.
LEVY COUNTY -- Very early this morning (Saturday, Sept. 5), the Levy County Sheriff’s Office responded to the location of the staged protest turned block party in East Williston to reports of individuals shot.
At the time of this press release (5:43 a.m. on Sept. 5), six people arrived at various trauma centers in Gainesville and Ocala suffering from gunshot wounds.
As of 5:30 a.m. the crime scene is still active and evidence is being collected. Levy County Road 318 at the intersection of U.S. Alt. 27 is closed and will remain closed for an undetermined time.
Detectives are asking for the public’s assistance in gathering additional information. Detectives believe multiple cell phone videos may exist of the shooting.
Witnesses reported a fight occurred just prior to the shooting and videos could contain images of the person(s) responsible for the shooting.
Anyone who witnessed the shooting or has video of the fight or shooting is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Mike Narayan at 352-486-5111. You may also remain anonymous by contacting Crime Stoppers at 1-877-349-8477.
Teen shot at party;
Suspected shooter arrested;
Party house parent charged
Sunny E. Wallace
Suspected Shooter
Mug Shot Provided By LCSO
By LCSO Lt. Scott Tummond
Published Sept. 1, 2020 at 12:10 p.m.
LEVY COUNTY -- A teenager’s party being held on private property south of Williston turned violent on Friday (Aug. 28).
The Levy County Sheriff’s Office received multiple 9-1-1 calls that a teenager had been shot and was being driven by friends to Williston to meet with a Levy County Department of Public Safety EMS ambulance. Deputies and EMS met with the juvenile victim in the Winn Dixie parking lot.
He was suffering from a single gunshot wound to the abdomen. The victim was taken to a hospital outside of Levy County, where he is listed in stable condition.
Deputies responded to the party location to secure the scene and begin their investigation. Detectives and Crime Scene units arrived and discovered a group of approximately 60 teenagers gathered.
The went to the party house after seeing social media posts promoting the party. Juveniles shared these social media posts and the party quickly grew as kids arrived from other schools in the area.
Many of the juveniles left the scene of the shooting prior to law enforcement’s arrival.
Detectives learned that a juvenile from a school in Marion County attended the party. Shortly after his arrival, a fight started.
This juvenile had a firearm in his pocket witnesses reported. The fight quickly grew as multiple kids joined in the fray. Multiple partygoers have posted video of the fight and the shooting on social media sites.
Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for the juvenile responsible for the shooting. The juvenile was identified as Sunny E. Wallace, 17, (18 on Oct. 8) of Dunnellon. He was located in Marion County shortly after midnight today (Tuesday, Sept. 1).
Deputies with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office attempted to make contact and Wallace fled on foot. He was apprehended quickly. Deputies found the teen to be in possession of a firearm, again. This gun had previously been reported stolen from Marion County. He faces charges in Marion County and is being held at the Marion County Juvenile Detention Facility.
As this investigation evolves, additional charges and-or arrests could follow.
The Levy County parent and child responsible for organizing this party have been charged and are scheduled to appear in court for having an open house party where serious injury occurred.
This investigation is ongoing and detectives are asking for any additional video footage that may not be posted on social media already. Any person that has information about this case or video is asked to contact Detective Mike McNeil at 352-486-5111 ext. 266.
Individuals may remain anonymous and provide information by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-877-349-8477.
Following are some common abbreviations:
DUI - Driving While Under the Influence of Alcohol or Some Other Drug
DWLSR - Driving While License Suspended or Revoked
RWOV - Resisting Arrest Without Violence
Poss. - Possession
VOP - Violation of Probation
FTA - Failure to Appear
ROR - Released on their Own Recognizance
LEO - Law Enforcement Officer
YOA - Years Of Age
Suspects Arrested
Sept. 14 Through Sept. 20
Published Sept. 22, 2020 at 2:10 p.m.
Following are some common abbreviations:
DUI - Driving While Under the Influence of Alcohol or Some Other Drug
DWLSR - Driving While License Suspended or Revoked
RWOV - Resisting Arrest Without Violence
Poss. - Possession
VOP - Violation of Probation
FTA - Failure to Appear
ROR - Release on their Own Recognizance
LEO - Law Enforcement Officer
YOA - Years Of Age
Suspects Arrested
Sept. 14 Through Sept. 20
Published Sept. 21, 2020 at 8:10 p.m.
