Chiefland woman and man
suffer injuries in crash
By Jeff M. Hardison © June 17, 2018 at 9:18 a.m.
     LEVY COUNTY -- A 30-year-old Chiefland woman suffered injuries, and a 34-year-old Chiefland man suffered serious injuries in a crash in the wee hours of Sunday morning (June 17), the FHP said.

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     Jasmine Jordan, 30, of Chiefland was driving a 2003 Chevrolet 1500 pickup truck at 1:20 a.m. in Levy County on June 17, according to information from Florida Highway Patrol Sgt. Tomas R. Dillon, based on information from crash investigator FHP Trooper W.F. Schrader.
     Adam Bolinger, 34, of Chiefland was a passenger in the truck, the FHP said. Both occupants of the vehicle were NOT wearing seatbelts, the FHP said. It is unknown if the driver's ability to drive was affected by alcohol, the FHP said.
     The vehicle was southbound on Northwest 70th Avenue, just south of 165th Street, the FHP said.
     Jordan lost control of that pickup truck and it struck a 2003 Ford F250 pickup truck, which was parked on the west shoulder of Northwest 70th Avenue, the FHP said.
     After contact, The Chevrolet overturned and came to rest on the west shoulder of Northwest 70th Avenue, the FHP said.
     Charges are pending completion of the investigation of the crash, the FHP said.

One dead, two injured
in I-75 crash
By Jeff M. Hardison © June 17, 2018 at 9:08 a.m.
     ALACHUA COUNTY -- One woman died and two people were injured Saturday afternoon (June 16) in a crash on southbound Interstate-75 at the 404 mile-marker in Alachua County, the FHP said.
     Antonia Carvalho De Sousa, 37, of Acworth, Ga., was driving a 1999 Nissan Pathfinder at 12:35 p.m. on June 16 in Alachua County, according to information in a press release from Florida Highway Patrol Sgt. Tomas R. Dillon, based on information from crash investigator FHP Trooper D. Berman.
     Paolo De Tarso-Palma, 56, and Anna L. Sousa De Palma, 8, both of Acworth, Ga., were passengers in the Pathfinder, the FHP said.
     Ronnie Yung, 64, of Lisle, Ill., was driving a 2017 Lexus GX460, the FHP said. Catherine Yung, 57, and Brandon Yung, 32, both of Lisle, Ill., were passengers in the Lexus, the FHP said.
     Both vehicles were southbound on I-75 at the 404 mile-marker in Alachua County, the FHP said.
     The Pathfinder and the Lexus attempted to avoid another vehicle that was traveling southbound, causing the Pathfinder to overturn and the Lexus to collide with the guardrail, the FHP said.
     Antonia Carvalho De Sousa was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, the FHP said. Both occupants of the Pathfinder suffered minor injuries and were taken to Shands, the FHP said.
     None of the three people in the Lexus suffered injuries requiring hospitalization, the FHP said.
     The cause of the crash is under investigation, the FHP said.

Man dies in motorcycle crash
in Levy County SR 345 - CR 347
By Jeff M. Hardison © June 16, 2018 at 7:28 a.m.
(This story was held until after the next-of-kin were notified.)
     LEVY COUNTY -- A 52-year-old motorcyclist from Massachusetts died Friday evening in a two-vehicle crash in Levy County, the FHP said.
     Paul Alan Cuipenski, 52, of Belchertown, Mass., was driving a 2003 Harley-Davidson in Levy County at 5:07 p.m., according to information in a press release from Florida Highway Patrol Sgt. Tomas R. Dillon, based on information from crash investigator FHP Trooper K. Skelly and homicide investigator FHP Cpl. M. McFarland.
     Joseph Pasco Testa Jr., 44, of Palm Beach Gardens, was driving a 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe, the FHP said.
     The motorcycle was eastbound on Northwest 60th Street (Levy County Road 347) approaching the intersection of State Road 345 (at the intersection where Carter's Crossroads Convenience Store is located), the FHP said.
     The Tahoe was southbound (as if it was going to Rocky Hammock) on SR 345, approaching Northwest 60th Street, the FHP said.
     The motorcycle failed to stop at the stop intersection and entered the intersection, the FHP said, and the motorcycle was struck by the Tahoe.
     Cuipenski was pronounced dead on the scene from injuries he suffered in the crash, the FHP said. Testa suffered minor injuries that did not require transport to a hospital, the FHP said.
     The investigation is ongoing, the FHP said.

Man charged with
witness tampering

Clarence White
Mug Shot By LCSO
~
By Jeff M. Hardison © June 15, 2018 at 2:38 p.m.
     CHIEFLAND -- A 50-year-old Chiefland man was arrested Wednesday (June 13) for witness tampering and his bond is set at $100,000, according to a press release from the Levy County Sheriff's Office.
     Clarence White, 50, of Chiefland was first arrested on Sept. 3, 2017 by the Chiefland Police Department for aggravated battery and simple battery, the LCSO said.
     This arrest stemmed from an investigation that was conducted after the alleged victim called the CPD to report an argument the victim had with White over money.
     The arrest report states that White initially slapped the victim in the face, and then stabbed the victim in the upper thigh. White was out on bond and confronted the victim at the Levy County Court House when he arrived for his scheduled court appearance on June 13, the LCSO said.
     The June 13 arrest report from the LCSO documents White approached the victim in the hall outside of the court room. White and the victim had a brief discussion and White handed the victim a note.
     The victim delivered the note to an Assistant State Attorney with the Eighth Judicial Circuit States Attorney's Office after the victim read the note, the LCSO said.
     The note contained instructions and a written statement the victim was to read before the court which essentially changed the testimony, absolving White of criminal wrongdoing, the LCSO said.
     White gave a statement to the LCSO investigating deputy and admitted to delivering this note to the victim and asking for the testimony to be changed. White was arrested and booked into the Levy County Jail and is charged with tampering with a witness. His bond had been set at $100,000.

Driver cited after crash
By Jeff M. Hardison © June 14, 2018 at 7:38 p.m.
     DIXIE COUNTY -- A 54-year-old woman from Old Town was cited for careless driving on Thursday morning (June 14) after a crash, the FHP said.
     Melinda Decker, 54, of Old Town was driving a 1999 Dodge Dakota at 9:20 a.m. on June 14, according to a press release from Florida Highway Patrol Sgt. W. Ernst, based on information from crash investigator FHP Trooper D. Fulton.
     Robert Cole, 47, of Trenton was driving a 1986 Chevrolet D30 pickup truck, the FHP said.
     The pickup truck was towing a trailer northbound on U.S. Highway 19, south of Old Town, when the vehicle began to slow down to turn into a business, the FHP said.
     Decker Failed to notice the pickup truck slowing down and the front of the Dodge hit the back of the trailer being pulled by the pickup truck, the FHP said.
     There were no injuries, the FHP said. Decker was cited for careless driving, the FHP said.

Gilchrist County resident
dies after being shot
during fight on June 9;
Sheriff keeps shooter's
name secret - 'active case'
By Jeff M. Hardison © June 10, 2018 at 6:48 a.m.
* Updated June 15, 2018 at 10:08 a.m.
     GILCHRIST COUNTY -- A 32-year-old Gilchrist County resident was shot and killed at a Newberry address in Gilchrist County on Saturday night (June 9) , according to a press release from Gilchrist County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Jeff Manning.
     Just after 10:30 p.m., Manning said, the GCSO dispatched deputies to the residence located at, 7799 S.E. 30th St., Newberry, Manning noted in a 5:38 a.m. press release on Sunday (June 10).
     Arriving deputies discovered that the resident living there, whom Manning did not identify in the press release, was involved in an altercation with Joshua Lee Akins, 32, of Bell.
     Gunshots were fired, Manning said.
     Akins was wounded during the altercation, Manning said, and he died at the residence as a result of injuries he suffered from being shot.
     Individuals and witnesses located at the scene, Manning said, were interviewed and the inestigation is continuing.
     Investigators from the office of Gilchrist County Sheriff Robert D. "Bobby' Schultz III are working on this case, Manning noted in the 6 a.m. (Sunday) press release, but no charges have been filed at this time.
     That is the extent of the information released thus far.
     Sheriff Schultz, Manning noted, said this was an isolated incident.
*   Sheriff Shultz is keeping the name of the man who pulled the trigger and killed Akins a secret from the public, Manning said, because this is an active investigation.
     No arrest had been made as of Friday morning (June 15), and there has not been a statement that the shooting death was justified.
 

FHP captures fugitive
suspected of vehicular homicide
Alleged cohort arrested
for harboring a fugitive

Bartley Joseph Jude Gorman
Mug Shot Provided By FHP

By Jeff M. Hardison © June 14, 2018 at 3:08 p.m.
     POLK COUNTY -- A 27-year-old man who has been a fugitive from justice for seven years was captured and arrested late Thursday morning (June 14) in Polk County, according to information in a press release from Florida Highway Patrol Sgt. Steve Gaskins.
     A 27-year-old woman was arrested at the same time for harboring a fugitive, Gaskins said.
     On March 23, 2011, Bartley Joseph Jude Gorman, 27, was traveling in a Red Dodge Ram pickup truck westbound on Interstate 75 (Alligator Alley) near the 31 mile-post in Broward County, Gaskins said, when he struck the rear of a silver Toyota 4-Runner causing the driver to lose control and veer off the roadway into a canal.
     The driver and passenger of the Toyota survived the crash, Gaskins said. The passenger Yvon Pierre was unable to swim and drowned.
     Gorman fled the scene and was found lying in the grass by a Broward County Sheriff’s Office helicopter, Gaskins said.
     The investigation concluded that Gorman had a blood alcohol level of 0.18 and a warrant was issued for DUI manslaughter, leaving the scene of a crash, vehicular homicide and DUI property damage, Gaskins said.
     Troopers continued to search for Gorman, Gaskins said, after he fled the South Florida area since 2011.
     Gorman was known to have used fraudulent driver licenses in an effort to mask his identity, Gaskins said.
     On June 14, at 11 a.m., following extensive surveillance throughout the Polk County area, FHP Troopers located and arrested Bartley Gorman at the Hammock Lake RV Park in Fort Meade, Gaskins said.
     Gorman was delivered to the Polk County Jail, where he was charged with DUI manslaughter, vehicular homicide, DUI property damage, leaving the scene of a crash involving death, and possession of fraudulent identification.
     Also arrested by FHP troopers, Gaskins said, was a female acquaintance named Catherine Ann Gallagher, 27, for harboring a fugitive.

FHP seeks possible racer
in fatal car crash of April 21
By Jeff M. Hardison © June 14, 2018 at 8:08 a.m.
     MARION COUNTY – The Florida Highway Patrol suspects that there was another vehicle involved in a fatal car crash on the afternoon of April 21, according to a June 13 press release from FHP Lt. Patrick Riordan.
     FHP Investigators believe this was a racing contest between the late Rufus Jim Donely, 44, of Ocala. The FHP thinks the other vehicle was possibly a Chevrolet Blazer.
     The FHP requests anyone with information and or photos of this incident before, during or after the fatal crash, to contact FHP Cpl. Mark Baker at 1-352-512-6645 or contact Crime Stoppers
of Marion County.
     Donely was driving a 1968 Chevrolet Camaro in Marion County at 12:25 p.m. on that Saturday in April, according to a press release by Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Kevin M. Pace, based on information from crash and homicide investigator Cpl. Baker.
     The Chevrolet Camaro, was traveling eastbound on Marion County Road 316 at a high rate of speed, the FHP said, in the posted 55 mile-per-hour zone.
     As the vehicle was going eastbound, Donely lost control of it due to the speed, the FHP said.
     This action caused the Camaro to veer left, traveling northeast off the roadway, the FHP said, while rotating counterclockwise.
     The car continued on this path across the westbound lane of CR 316 and onto the north shoulder, the FHP said, where the right side of the Chevrolet collided with a large tree.
     Due to the collision with the tree, the car separated into two different sections, the FHP said, causing the vehicle's front end to come to final rest on the north side of the tree.
     The Camaro's middle and rear end rotated counterclockwise before coming to final rest facing south on the north shoulder of CR 316.
     Alcohol was not a factor, the FHP said. Donely was wearing a seatbelt, the FHP said.
     As noted, the FHP think this fatal crash resulted from a race. The FHP requests anyone with information and or photos of this incident before, during or after the fatal crash, to contact FHP Cpl. Mark Baker at 1-352-512-6645 or contact Crime Stoppers of Marion County.

CPD Gets New Dog

Chiefland Police Department obtained a new dog for CPD K-9 Officer Pete Barnes. Seen here with Officer Barnes and CPD Chief Scott Anderson is Riddle. Officer Barnes' previous dog Taz developed health issues that precluded him from working as a police dog. Baden K9 out of Ontario, Canada, donated the 2-year-old Belgian Malinois named Riddle. Riddle has been trained for patrol. She is now the dog to help Officer Barnes protect and serve the residents and visitors of Chiefland. The Chiefland City Commission on Monday night (June 11) accepted the donation of the dog from Baden K9.
Photo by Jeff M. Hardison © June 13, 2018 at 8:28 p.m.

Bronson man dies in crash
By Jeff M. Hardison © June 13, 2018 at 3:08 p.m.
     ALACHUA COUNTY -- A 61-year-old Bronson man died Tuesday afternoon (June 12) in a single-vehicle crash in Alachua County, the FHP said.
     Beethoven Lenar Perry, 61, of Bronson was driving a 2004 Ford F-250 pickup truck at 1:20 p.m. on June 12, according to information in a press release by Florida Highway Patrol Lt. P.V. Riordan, based on information from crash and homicide investigator FHP Cpl. S. Downing,
     The pickup truck was westbound on State Road 24, near Southwest 173 Court, when, for reasons unknown at this time, the pickup truck went off of the south side of the roadway and impacted a tree on the shoulder, the FHP said.
     The driver was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, the FHP said.

DCES helps people
By Jeff M. Hardison © June 13, 2018 at 2:28 p.m.
     DIXIE COUNTY -- The men and women of Dixie County Emergency Services, which includes volunteers and career firefighters, helped people as the firefighters and medical personnel responded to various calls during the past week of reporting.
     Dixie County Emergency Services Operations Chief Roy Bass shared on Tuesday (June 12) information from the previous week.
     In addition to the fire reports, the Med Units also had 91 calls for service from June 4 through June 10, Chief Bass said.
     Dixie County Emergency Services fire responses were to two vehicles fires, one camper fire, seven motor vehicle crashes and one smoke alarm.

Camper Fire
     Station 21 dispatched on June 9 at 4:48 p.m. and arrived at 164 N.E. 185th Ave. at 4:55 p.m. in reference to a camper on fire - fully involved.
    Engine 21, Squad 1 and Tanker 25 responded. Upon arrival of E-21, a camper was seen with heavy brown smoke coming from its front door within feet of a single-story wood frame home.
     The owner of the camper advised responders that the fire was contained to a bed inside the camper, and that he has a water hose running at this time on the bed helping to control the fire. E-21 crew went into offensive mode. E-21 crew deployed front 1 3/4" pre-connect and stretched hose line to front door.
     Firefighter-Paramedic David James donned in full personal protection equipment and air-pack took a hose line to the front door where he was met with heavy brown smoke and some heat. Fire was found to be under the bed, and it was extinguished. Firefighter-EMT J. Denmark joined Firefighter James in extinguishing the fire and removing from the camper, a mattress that was still smoldering from camper.
     Squad 1 with Lt. M. Lemmermen arrived on scene and established command. Lt. Lemmermen joined firefighter James and Denmark with overhaul operations.
    Tanker 25 arrived on scene and stood by for water support. Once the fire was extinguished and overhaul was complete, one more sweep of the camper was made with no further fire extension noted to camper.
     The owner told responding personnel that he opened the camper front door after his mother had just woke from a nap when he discovered the bed on fire.  Scene deemed secure by lt. M. Lemmermen and command terminated. All fire units became available.

RV Fire
     Cross City Fire was on June 7 at 3:03 p.m. and was on scene within eight minutes to the scene approximately five miles north of Cross City on U.S. Highway 19, where an RV was on fire.
     Squad 1, Engine 21, Engine 41, Tanker 45, EMS 1 and EMS 6 were on the way. Squad 1 and EMS 1 arrived to find an approximately 30-foot long 1987 Holiday Rambler RV fully involved with the roof completely already burned out.
     EMS 1 assumed U.S. 19 command and performed a 360-degree review of the scene. An aggressive defensive attack was initiated by Lt. M Lemmermen. Other incoming units arrived and assisted in knockdown and T-45 supplied water for the operation. After all of the fire was out and mop-up was completed, Tri-County Towing and the Dixie County Sheriff’s Office released all fire units.
     The driver of the RV stated he was traveling northbound on U.S. 19 when he noticed some light smoke coming from the air vents. He then pulled over onto the shoulder of the road. He opened the front engine compartment door located in the front of the cab and noticed heavy fire. He was joined by bystanders who attempted to use multiple fire extinguishers, but he advised the fuel load was too heavy.

Car Fire
     District 31 and Rescue 1 were dispatched to a vehicle fire at the Trading Post parking lot, 5606 N.E. 349 Highway, in Old Town June 8, at 8:29 p.m., arriving there at 8:31 p.m.
     The vehicle fire was reported to be by the fuel pumps. Engine 21, Rescue 3, Squad 1, and 3101 responded to the scene. 3101 arrived on scene first and advised the fire was out.
     Squad 1 and rescue 3 canceled their response. Engine 21 arrived on scene. The fire was out, with no additional fire hazards present. The vehicle owner who was there at the time refused to be treated or evaluated for medical help. Information was obtained and the vehicle turned back over to owner who drove vehicle away at that time. Case number was provided for the gas station manager. No fire hazards remain. All fire units back available.

Two hurt in
Tuesday morning crash
By Jeff M. Hardison © June 12, 2018 at 8:08 p.m.
     ALACHUA COUNTY -- Two people suffered serious injuries Tuesday morning (June 12) when they were in a car that crashed, the FHP said.
     Dustin Emery Barnes, 34, of Newberry was driving a 2008 Toyota Yaris at 11:15 a.m. on June 12 in Alachua County, according to information in a press release from Florida Highway Patrol Lt. P.V. Riordan.
     Rachel Hunter Barnes, 77, of Newberry was a passenger in the vehicle, the FHP said.
     The Yaris was northbound on Southwest 122nd Street, one-half mile south of Southwest 31st Avenue, the FHP said.
     Dustin Barnes failed to maintain control of the vehicle, the FHP said, causing it to travel to the southbound lane of travel and then onto the grass shoulder where it struck a culvert.
     The vehicle then became airborne and came to final rest approximately 80 feet from where it collided with the concrete culvert, the FHP said.
     Both vehicle occupants were taken to UF Shands with serious injuries, the FHP said.
     Dustin Barnes was cited for driving while license suspended or revoked, and careless driving, the FHP said.

Allegedly scooting scooter
suspect gets Tased and jailed

Roy McDaniel
Mug Shot By DCSO

By Jeff M. Hardison © June 12, 2018 at 4:48 p.m.
     DIXIE COUNTY – A 55-year-old man who was wanted on a warrant for Violation Of Probation is said to have attempted to scoot away from capture, even hiding under a tarp; however he did not escape.
     On the afternoon of June 6, Dixie County Sheriff's Office Maj. Scott Harden noted in a Monday (June 11) press release, a DCSO deputy was patrolling in the area of Northeast 538 Street in Old Town.
     That Wednesday afternoon, the deputy noticed a man operating a scooter without a license plate, Harden said.
     When the deputy turned around to conduct a traffic stop, Harden said, the scooter sped up and the deputy activated his blue light. The scooter failed to stop, Harden said.
     The driver, who was identified by this time as Roy McDaniel, continued to flee and turned off of Northeast 538th Street, Harden said, at which time the deputy activated his siren.
     The 55-year-old McDaniel continued on and failed to stop, Harden said.
     McDaniel turned into an empty wooded lot, Harden said, where the deputy was unable to navigate his patrol car through the growth -- but the deputy could hear the scooter as it traveled through the lot.
    The deputy then located McDaniel and the scooter as they exited the wooded area and onto Northeast 440th Avenue, Harden said.
     Before the deputy could reach McDaniel, the fleeing suspect made another turn, Harden said, and when the deputy made that turn onto Northeast 470th Avenue, he found the scooter abandoned.
     The deputy began searching the area and adjacent properties, Harden said, and this is where he found McDaniel hiding under a tarp near a privacy fence on the property.
     By this time, Harden said, a second deputy had arrived. They ordered McDaniel to show his hands, Harden said.
     After several commands, Harden said, and with McDaniel failing to follow those commands to show his hands, the deputy deployed his Taser. This is when McDaniel complied and showed them his hands, Harden said.
     As the second deputy began to handcuff McDaniel, Harden said, McDaniel began to physically resist. The deputy again activated his Taser to bring McDaniel into compliance, Harden said.
     A review of warrants reflected that the man had an active warrant for Violation of Probation, Harden said. Records showed, too, that McDaniel did not have a current driver’s license.
     McDaniel was found to be in possession of methamphetamine, Harden soon, and less than 20 grams of marijuana.
     McDaniel was arrested for driving on a suspended license, fleeing and eluding, VOP, possession of methamphetamine and possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana, Harden said.
     McDaniel is currently being held on no bond on the VOP and $25,000.00 bond on the remaining charges.

18-year old man
arrested for two rapes;
Detectives looking for more victims

Cor’yon She’monte Gillum
Mug Shot By MCSO

By Lauren Lettelier of the
MCSO Public Information Office
Released June 11, 2018
Published June 12, 2018 at 8:18 a.m.
     MARION COUNTY -- Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Major Crimes detectives have arrested and charged 18-year old Cor’yon She’monte Gillum (aka “Trapboi”) with two counts of sexual battery stemming from two separate and recently-reported rape cases involving young girls.
     After analyzing both cases, detectives believe Gillum may have more victims in the community that have not yet come forward.
     In the two rape cases that Gillum currently has been charged with, both victims are white females, 14 and 15 years old, who ran away from home.
     In the first case, the victim ran away from home to hang out with Gillum. During this time, Gillum told her to get in the back seat of his car and proceeded to rape her. In the second case, the victim ran away from home and met Gillum at a house party. Gillum then took the girl into a room and forcefully raped her. Both victims gave thorough descriptions of Gillum and positively identified him as the suspect.
     Detectives developed intelligence during both investigations that give them reason to believe that Gillum may have raped other young girls. Any person who is a victim of Gillum (“Trapboi”), or if any person knows of someone who is among his victims, they are asked to please contact MCSO Major Crimes Detective Daniel Pinder at 352-368-3508.

Woman busted
for burglary and more

Celinda Foshee
Mug Shot By DCSO
By Jeff M. Hardison © June 12, 2018 at 8:08 a.m.
     DIXIE COUNTY -- The best laid plans of mice and men often go astray, as a Scottish poet noted long ago.
     The actual phrase is, “The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men / Gang aft a-gley.” from Scottish poet Robert Burns’ poem titled “To a Mouse.” The led to the phrase from which John Steinbeck’s novella “Of Mice and Men” (published in 137) was coined.
     As can be the case, the best laid alleged plans of suspected thieves can result in loss of freedom.
     In any event, as Dixie County Sheriff 's Office Maj. Scott Harden noted in a Monday morning (June 11) press release , according to a report by the alleged victim, a female, Celinda Foshee, of Old Town, came to his house and requested a ride to her mother’s residence also in Old Town.
     The man said that he accompanied her inside the residence and that once inside, Foshee told him that she needed to run an errand, Harden said.
     He waited inside for some time and when Foshee failed to return, Harden said, he returned to his home.
     Once he arrived back at his home, Harden said, the man realized that someone had been there, and had stolen his wallet with cash and credit cards. Upon canceling his credit cards, Harden said, the victim of these thefts learned that one of the cards had been used for a purchase in excess of $800 at a business in Chiefland, and that stolen credit card was used again in at a business in Marion County.
     Investigators viewed video of the transactions, Harden said, and they found that Foshee and a male subject were involved in the transactions.
     Foshee, 23, was located on the afternoon of June 8, Harden said, and she was arrested in connection with the complaint.
     Foshee was charged with burglary of a dwelling, grand theft and fraudulent use of a credit card, Harden said. She is currently residing in the Dixie County Jail in lieu of a $65,000 worth of bail bonds.

Four dead, two injured
in Gilchrist County crash
By Jeff M. Hardison © June 10, 2018 at 6:48 a.m.
     GILCHRIST COUNTY -- Four people are dead and two are critically and seriously injured after a two-vehicle crash in Gilchrist County Saturday evening (June 9), the FHP said.
     An unknown person was driving a 2006 Chevrolet Impala at 5:45 p.m. Saturday on U.S. Highway 129 and Gilchrist County Road 340, according to information in a June 10 press release from Florida Highway Patrol Sgt. Anthony Palese, based on information from crash investigator FHP Trooper Glen Ganus and homicide investigator FHP Cpl. Gabriel Keyes.
     Blake A. Delapaz, 20, Isabelle C. Garcia, 19, Cameron R. Bell, 18, and Hayden C. Raulerson, 21, Alysia M. Littlejohn, 20, all of Jacksonville were passengers in the Impala, the FHP said.
     Aimee C. Williams, 28, of Trenton was driving a 2014 Ford Explorer, the FHP said.
     The FHP is investigating the fatal crash where the two vehicles hit each other in the middle of the intersection and both left the roadway onto the northeast side of the intersection.
     Delapaz was taken to Shands in critical condition, the FHP said. Williams was taken to Shands in serious condition, the FHP said.
     Garcia, Bell, Raulerson and Littlejohn were pronounced dead at the scene, the FHP said.
 

Shot suspect gets booked;
Girl and deputy hit by shrapnel

Carlton James Mathis
Mug Shot By LCSO

By Jeff M. Hardison © June 8, 2018 at 2:38 p.m.
     BRONSON -- A suspect who was shot Monday (June 4) was released frrom a Gainesville hospital to start his new place of residence at the Levy County Jail, Levy County Sheriff's Office Lt. Scott Tummond said in a Friday afternoon press relesae (June 8).
The LCSO booked Carlton James "C.J." Mathis, 28, of Georgia into the jail yesterday (June 6), Tummond said.
     Mathis is suspected in the death of an infant in Alabama and he was wanted for violating his probation on a prior burglary case in Georgia, Tummond said.
    Mathis was stopped by LCSO deputies and Alachua County Sheriff’s Office SWAT members Monday at the Bronson Villas in a vehicle he was riding in with Otis Johnson, Amanda Oakes and a 14-year-old girl, Tummond said.
    Mathis brandished a firearm when confronted by law enforcement officers, and this resulted in him being shot, Tummond said. The child and a deputy suffered minor injuries from shrapnel during the shooting, Tummond said. 
     (The story and photos from Monday are on the Home Page.)
     Mathis has been charged with aggravated assault with a firearm with the intent to commit a felony, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, child neglect, possession of methamphetamine and possession of marijuana. Both of these drugs were found on his person at the time he was shot and taken to the hospital. Mathis had his first appearance in Levy County this morning and his bond has been set at $650,000.
     Additional charges were filed against Mathis earlier today (June 7) for trafficking in methamphetamines, Tummond said. This charge stems from a large stash of methamphetamine found in the vehicle on the evening he opposed law enforcement. Bond has not been set on this charge, Tummond said.
     Mathis will be held at the Levy County Jail until these charges have been answered for in a Levy County Court. He is scheduled then to be extradited to Alabama to face the homicide charges awaiting him there.

Chiefland suspected
drug dealers nabbed

Photos by LCSO

By Jeff M. Hardison © June 7, 2018 at 4:08 p.m.
     CHIEFLAND -- The combined efforts of federal, county and municpal law enforcement agencies resulted in the arrest of two people on Wednesday morning (June 6) as suspects in crimes related to guns, drugs and children, according to information in a Thursday afternoon (June 7) press release from Levy County Sheriff's Office Lt. Scott Tummond.
     On June 6, just after midnight, the LCSO Tactical Response Unit (TRU) executed a search warrant at 329 S. Main St. (U.S. Highway 19) in Chiefland, Tummond said.
     Members of the LCSO Drug Task Force working in cooperation with the Chiefland Police Department and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) developed information during surveillance that Kevin “Chilly K” J. Edwards, 41, was in possession of a substantial amount of illegal drugs, Tummond said.
     TRU members experienced minor difficulties during the execution of the search warrant, Tummond said, because during their attempts to breach the front door, Edwards was seated on the floor bracing the door with his feet while his back was against the wall.
     This was to hinder them from gaining entry into the home, Tummond said. Entry was made and investigators located more than expected, Tummond added.
     Edwards, his live-in girlfriend Tafanesha Ruth Markham, 36, along with three children, who were determined to be nieces and nephews to Edwards, were immediately detained, Tummond said.
     Searchers found 77.8 grams of crack cocaine (almost three ounces), 27.4 grams (almost one ounce) of powder cocaine, 7.2 grams of MDMA (molly), 25 grams of marijuana, 12 Oxycodone pills without a prescription, a .22 caliber handgun, a .38 caliber handgun, ammunition for both weapons and a bulletproof vest. Some of these items were found lying in plain view and within easy reach of the children, Tummond said.
    Kevin Edwards has a lengthy history of violent felony and narcotic arrests, Tummond said. Edwards has been convicted of eight felonies and incarcerated in the Florida Department of Corrections three times, Tummond said.
     Edwards and Markham were arrested and transported to the Levy County Jail. The children were released to their parents at the scene, Tummond said.

     Edwards has been charged with:
     ● Cruelty toward a child
     ● Possession of a weapon-ammunition by a convicted felon
     ● Possession of a bulletproof vest during the commission of a felony
     ● Possession of cocaine with the intent to sell
     ● Possession of marijuana with the intent to sell
     ● Possession of a controlled substance without a prescription
     ● Maintaining a drug dwelling
     ● Trafficking in cocaine
     ● Resisting law enforcement without violence
     ● Possession of a synthetic narcotic with the intent to sell
     ● Possession of drug paraphernalia
     Edwards' bond is $4.4 million, according to records.

     Markham has been charged with:
     ● Cruelty toward a child
     ● Possession of cocaine with the intent to sell
     ● Possession of marijuana with the intent to sell
     ● Possession of a controlled substance without a prescription
     ● Maintaining a drug dwelling
     ● Trafficking in cocaine
     ● Possession of drug paraphernalia
     ● Possession of a synthetic narcotic with the intent to sell
     Markham’s bond is $1.115 million, according to records.

     Investigators are contacting the Florida Department of Children and Families to follow-up on the children found in the home during the search warrant to ensure their safety, Tummond said.

Another drug suspect
is arrested after infant homicide
investigation from Alabama
unfolds more in Bronson

Otis Randolph Johnson
Mug Shot By LCSO

By Jeff M. Hardison © June 6, 2018 at 9:08 p.m.
     BRONSON -- a 40-yearold Bronson man was arrested for possession of a weapon and ammunition by a convicted felon, trafficking in methamphetamines, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and possession of drug paraphernalia.
     His bond has been set at $100,000.
 

Drugs and other material collected during the search.
Photo by LCSO

     Otis Randolph Johnson, 40, of 745 Town Court in Bronson was arrested Monday (June 4), according to information in a press release on June 6 by Levy County Sheriff's Office Lt. Scott Tummond.
     The Levy County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) Criminal Investigations Division, in cooperation with the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) and the Dothan Alabama Police Department, secured a warrant for the home of Johnson located at 745 Town Court in Bronson on Monday (June 4), Tummond said.
     Investigators uncovered information during the shooting investigation where an ACSO SWAT (Strategic Weapons And Tactics) operator discharged his weapon at Carlton Mathis, that Mathis and his girlfriend Amanda Oakes had left property inside of Johnson’s home. (The Mathis story is on the Home Page.)
     Officers with the Dothan Police Department, Tummond said, hoped that Mathis and Oakes had left evidence in Johnson’s home, which would assist them in solving a pending murder investigation of an infant in Alabama.
     During the search of the Johnson home, Tummond said, deputies discovered more than just the property left by Mathis and Oakes.
     Investigators found 29.1 grams of methamphetamine in a locked box in the bedroom of Johnson, Tummond said. Possession of more than 14 grams of methamphetamine is considered to be a trafficking amount and is an enhanced crime, Tummond added.
    Investigators additionally found a loaded .38 caliber Derringer pistol, .32 caliber and .40 caliber ammunition along with drug pipes used for smoking methamphetamines and other drug paraphernalia, Tummond said
     Investigators also found Alprazolam (Xanax), a schedule four controlled prescription narcotic, which Johnson did not have a prescription to possess. Johnson was convicted of felony charges in 2011 and is prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition in Florida, Tummond said.
     Officers with the Dothan Police Department interviewed Oakes, who was arrested for a pending Alabama warrant for abuse of a corpse, Tummond said.
     Investigators with DPD are awaiting Mathis’ release from the hospital so they may interview him, Tummond said.