Suspects Jailed Nov. 18, 2024 through Nov. 24, 2024
Published Nov. 25, 2024 at 5 p.m.

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Suspects Jailed Nov. 17, 2024 through Nov. 24, 2024
Published Nov. 25, 2024 at 5 p.m.

Suspects Jailed Nov. 18, 2024 through Nov. 24, 2024
Published Nov. 25, 2024 at 5 p.m.

Fleeing felonious fugitive jailed

Photos Provided By LCSO
Graphic By HardisonInk.com

By Jeff M. Hardison © Nov. 22, 2024 at 3:30 p.m. 
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     LEVY COUNTY – After cutting a court-ordered ankle monitoring device, according to information in a Nov. 22 Levy County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) press release, a 27-year-old Bronson man was captured and booked into the jail (also known as the Levy County Detention Center) at 6 p.m. on Nov. 21, according to records.
     Julius Wright IV, 27, if being held in the jail with no bond, according to records, charged with 12 counts of failure to appear (FTA) at appointed court hearings, as well as resisting arrest without violence and tampering with an electronic monitoring device, according to records.
     The LCSO along with the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) sought to arrest Wright for multiple felony warrants, the LCSO noted in the press release. Wright had released from custody on July 20 after an arrest for multiple thefts, home burglaries and weapons offenses, the LCSO said.
     He was and court-ordered to remain at his residence in Bronson. The judge further ordered the man to wear a monitoring device attached to his ankle. Wright cut the monitoring device off several weeks ago and went on another crime spree, the LCSO said.
     Wright is a person of interest in multiple open burglary investigations that the LCSO is conducting in the Bronson and Williston areas. In addition, the LCSO had secured six warrants for his arrest for failure to appear in court from his arrest in July, the LCSO said. The ACSO sought to apprehend Wright from a recent burglary investigation where he fled from ACSO deputies and was able to avoid arrest.   
     LCSO detectives received a tip on Nov. 20 at 1:30 p.m. that Wright was seen entering a home in Bronson, the LCSO said. 
     Detectives arrived and secured a perimeter around the home, the LCSO said. Investigators suspected Wright was hiding inside.
     Wright is known to carry firearms, the LCSO said, and evidence was found that showed the suspect was possibly in possession of a gun at the time this house was surrounded, the LCSO said.
     This necessitated a response from the LCSO Tactical Response Unit after he would not surrender. LCSO sought assistance from the ACSO SWAT team.
     An ACSO robot was used to safely search the home at about around 7:30 p.m., the LCSO said. Wright was not found inside, the LCSO said.
     This did not end the search. Wright was found less than an hour later hiding in another home several blocks away, the LCSO said.
 

Suspected criminals
arrested at alleged drug house

Photos Provided By LCSO
Drugs ‘n’ Mugs Graphic By HardisonInk.com

By Jeff M. Hardison © Nov. 21, 2024 at 2:30 p.m. 
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     LEVY COUNTY – A 57-year-old Levy County woman remains in the Levy County Jail (also known as the Levy County Detention Center) as of today (Thursday, Nov. 20) where she has been held with no bond since her arrest on Nov. 4, according to records.
     Helen Suzan Leo, 57, is charged with trafficking in methamphetamine; trafficking in fentanyl/fentanyl analogues; four counts of possession of a controlled substance without a prescription; possession of marijuana with the intent to sell; 
possession of drug paraphernalia; two counts of possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon; and keeping dangerous drugs in a shop or vehicle - subsequent violation, according to Levy County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) records.
     Two men from Williston who were in the house she owns, at 10730 N.E. 114th St. Archer, northwest of the Town of Bronson near the University Oaks Subdivision on the west side of State Road 24, were also arrested Nov. 4, according to records and a press release from the LCSO.
     Joseph Roy Shirey, 26, of Williston was located in a vehicle parked outside of the home, the LCSO said. Shirey was arrested for three counts of possession of drug paraphernalia. He posted a $3,000 bond and has been released, according to records. 
     Gregory Scott Hopkins, 56, of Williston was located inside the home and arrested for resisting arrest without violence, the LCSO said. Hopkins posted a $2,500 bond and has been released, according to records.
     This three people were rounded up as a result of a law enforcement operation on Nov. 4, the LCSO said in a press release.
     On Nov. 4, members of the Levy County Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at Leo’s house -- 10730 N.E. 114th St. Archer, the LCSO noted in a press release.
     The execution of the search warrant concluded a month’s long investigation related to the sale of illegal drugs at this residence, the LCOS said. Detectives detained multiple people who were located inside the home and several individuals found inside various vehicles parked on the property, the LCSO said.
     Leo, Shirey and Hopkins are the three who were booked into the jail.
     Detectives and the Crime Scene Unit personnel seized the following drugs during the search of the property:   
     ● Methamphetamine – 256.59 grams (9 ounces);
     ● Fentanyl -- 63.37 grams (2-plus ounces);
     ● Marijuana -- 134.04 grams (4.741 ounces); and
     ● Prescription pills including Oxycodone, Morphine, Buprenorphine, Tramadol and Lisinopril.
     In addition to the seized narcotics, amphetamines and hallucinogens, a handgun along with ammunition was recovered from the home, the LCSO said. Drug paraphernalia including various plastic bags, scales, pipes, pill containers and Narcan, which is used when a person overdoses, were located and collected during the search of the property, too, the LCSO said.

Suspected fish poachers
caught near Cedar Key
By Jeff M. Hardison © Nov. 21, 2024 at 9 a.m.
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     LEVY COUNTY – State law enforcement officers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Division of Law Enforcement recently caught people unlawfully demonstrating bad sportsmanship in Levy County, according to records.
     During the week of Nov. 8 through Nov. 14, the FWC’s Division of Law Enforcement, noted in a weekly report provided to the press, various people who may colloquially be called “fish poachers” were caught -- just like the fish they are alleged to have unlawfully taken from the waters of Florida.
     This report represents some events the FWC handled over specified week; however, it does not include all actions taken by the FWC Division of Law Enforcement during that time span.
     A poached egg is an egg dropped from its shell and cooked in simmering water for about five minutes. People who poach fish or game, however, are those individuals who illegally hunt or catch animals (game) or fish, often by trespassing on private property or by violating hunting and fishing regulations.
     The Florida Legislature creates laws to protect natural resources, including the wildlife and fish in and around Florida. One of the FWC’s jobs is to protect natural resources by enforcing state laws.
     In Levy County during the week of Nov. 8-14, FWC Officer Jones conducted an inspection on an individual fishing near Cedar Key, the FWC said. The individual stated he had caught some fish and kept them in a cooler. Officer Jones found four undersized spotted seatrout in the cooler. The subject was issued a citation for taking undersized spotted seatrout.  
     In another incident, Officer Jones conducted an inspection on an individual fishing near Cedar Key. The officer discovered the person had kept three bonnethead sharks. The daily bag limit for bonnethead sharks is one per person. The suspected lawbreaker was issued a citation for taking more than the bag limit of bonnethead sharks, the FWC said.  
     In another case, Officer Jones conducted an inspection on an individual fishing near Cedar Key. The man said he had kept mullet in a nearby bucket. Officer Jones’ inspection revealed two undersized sheepshead. The subject was issued a citation for taking undersized sheepshead.  
     In another of the cases shared, FWC Officer Fox conducted an inspection on an individual fishing near Cedar Key. Three red drum, two of which were undersized, were on the ground next to the subject. The subject had harvested more than the daily bag limit of this type of fish, which is one red drum per person, and had harvested two undersized red drum. The subject was issued a citation for taking undersized and taking more than the bag limit of red drum.
 

Levy County accepts
$11 million grant for EOC
Search continues for
new emergency management director

LEOC- Levy County Emergency Management Assistant Director Rick Rogers speaks to the County Commission on Tuesday Nov. 20).

Story and Photo By Jeff M. Hardison © Nov. 20, 2024 at 3 p.m.
Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     BRONSON – Levy County Emergency Management Assistant Director Rick Rogers received a 5-0 vote of approval from the Levy County Commission on Tuesday (Nov. 20) in regard to actions taken by County Manager Mary-Ellen Harper, pursuant to authority granted in the declaration of emergency issued in response to Hurricane Helene.     Also on that Tuesday, the County Commission unanimously voted to approve a request from Procurement Coordinator Alicia Tretheway to approve a state-funded grant agreement between the Florida Division of Emergency Management and Levy County for the $10,972,471 dedicated to remodel the Levy County Emergency Operations Center and to improve the Levy County 9-1-1 Dispatch Center.
     To see the Sept. 17 story, photos and video “Levy County accepts almost $11 million for future EOC and LCSO 9-1-1 dispatch center, click HERE.
     Meanwhile, while Levy County Emergency Management Director John MacDonald was among the key speakers at that grant acceptance event, he is no longer the manager of emergency management in Levy County. The County Commission is seeking a replacement.
     Former Levy County Emergency Management Director MacDonald was put on paid administrative leave on Oct. 5, while the county investigated alleged potential conflict of interest with procurement procedures, Levy County Manager Mary-Ellen Harper said on Oct. 10.
     Since then, the county started advertising the opening on social media and the new website for the Levy County Commission. There is significant advertising space available on the daily news website named HardisonInk.com.

Pull Over

This video shows a Levy County Sheriff’s Office deputy pulling a driver over on Monday (Nov. 18) at about 11:20 a.m. The action happened as the driver was turning left off of State Road 345 Southeast Fourth Avenue in Chiefland and was going onto Levy County Road 341 (which at that point is known as Northwest 14th Street or Northwest 60th Avenue). Click on the PHOTO to see the video.
Video By Jeff M. Hardison © Nov. 19, 2024 at 6:30 a.m.
All Rights Reserved

Four sentenced for murder
and torture of a man in Levy County
By Jeff M. Hardison © Nov. 8, 2024 at 7 p.m.
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Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     Publisher's Note: This story was first published 10 days ago. The LCSO sent out a press release today with essentially the same information. So, for anyone who missed it before, this has been moved up on the Police Page.
     BRONSON – Five years after a man was tortured and killed in Levy County, the four people involved in those heinous acts were sentenced Nov. 5 to prison for terms ranging from 15 years to life, according to records.
      The Nov. 5, conclusion of the horror was the final phase for the four defendants, two of whom entered plea-negotiated agreements with the Eighth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office.
     Eighth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office Public Information Officer Darry D. Lloyd provided a press release on Nov. 8 which showed a trial which concluded on Oct. 7 included an outcome resulting in the Honorable Eighth Judicial Circuit Court Judge William E. Davis sentencing the defendants, Omar Alexis Rodriguez-Ortiz and Christian Cardona Cirilo as follows:
     Omar Alexis Rodriguez Ortiz, 43, was sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison for first-degree premeditated murder and a consecutive 30-year prison for conspiracy to commit first degree murder. 
     Christian Cirilo Cardona, 32, was sentenced to 30 years prison for second-degree murder, which is followed by 10 years of probation.
     Jesse Torres, 36, and Kesia Moraima Mundo Munoz, 41, entered pleas of guilty to conspiracy to commit first degree murder several months ago and were sentenced to 20 years in prison and 15 years in prison, respectively.
     All four convicted felons will spend their sentences in prisons within the Florida Department of Corrections.
     It was Oct. 7, 2024, Lloyd noted in his press release, when Eighth Judicial Circuit Assistant State Attorney Daniel Owen and Assistant State Attorney Glenn Bryan completed their work as the prosecution team in the State of Florida versus Omar Alexis Rodriguez-Ortiz, Christian Cardona Cirilo, Jesse Torres, and Kesia Moraima Mundo-Munoz.
     This trial began after arrests were made.
     On Aug. 11, 2019, The Levy County Sheriff’s Office responded to a rural farming area in Morriston, in regard to a body discovered on the roadside, the press release noted.
     Levy County Sheriff’s Office detectives immediately attempted to identify the dead man, Lloyd said. The detectives previously had received a “BOLO” or Be On the Look Out from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office after the MCSO located a man’s vehicle fully engulfed in flames, Lloyd said.
     LCSO Cpl. Michael McNeil and the Eighth Circuit Medical Examiner’s Office staff identified the victim as Jafet Padin Rodriquez, Lloyd said.
     Cpl. McNeil led the investigation with Florida Department of Law Enforcement Special Agent Yolandra Carbia and FDLE Special Agent Barry Kays. Together they conducted an extremely long and thorough investigation, Lloyd said.
     This led to the arrests of the four suspects.
     Investigators found that the defendants had lured Jafet Padin Rodriquez to the Marion County home of Kesia Mundo where he was beaten before being placed inside his own vehicle and driven to Morriston, where he was shot to death, Lloyd said. Defendants then torched and abandoned Rodiguez's vehicle near a secluded apartment complex in Marion County, Lloyd said.
 

Sheriff provides media
with tour of new $10.6 million jail


Story and Photos By Jeff M. Hardison © Nov. 15, 2024 at 5:15 p.m.
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     TRENTON – The lights are on, but no one is home yet.
     The ribbon was cut at the new Gilchrist County Jail in a ceremony reserved for elected officials and company officials connected with the construction of the facility.


(from left) Capt. Todd Holley, Sheriff Bobby Schultz and Lt. Keagon Weatherford are seen in the sallyport, which is where prisoners arrive in vehicles. From there, they are fingerprinted, photographed and go through the process of being booked.


This is a view of the room where an attorney would communicate with an inmate located on the other side of a transparent partition and speaking through a microphone.


The mirrored area above the door is the central command area on the second floor. No inmate goes up the stairs to reach that area. Certain parts of the command center were not able to be photographed Friday afternoon for security reasons.


Fourteen metal cots are seen here with most of them being bunkbeds. This is one of three open-bay areas where inmates live. There are two toilets in this area. Notice the metal picnic tables and benches.

     Hopefully by the second week in December the new Gilchrist County Jail will be occupied by inmates and fully functional.
     This was the word from Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Todd Holley, who is in charge of the jail, and from Lt. Keagon Weatherford, GCSO public information officer.
     Meanwhile, Gilchrist County Sheriff Bobby Schultz, Capt. Holley and Lt. Weatherford provided tours to members of The Fourth Estate on Friday afternoon (Nov. 15). One of the Gainesville TV stations sent a crew of broadcast journalists.
     Lt. Weatherford could not explain why the press was excluded from the relatively recent first ribbon-cutting other than the main contractor for this job needed to be elsewhere on another job. Apparently, the contractor did not know how to contact any members of the press.
     Opening a new jail is not an everyday occurrence. 
     During the grand opening of the jail in the near future, there will be another celebration. Public tours of the jail are not on the agenda due to security needs.
     While the sheriff’s team operates the jail, it is owned by the Gilchrist County Board of County Commissioners. The sheriff himself is responsible for the care, custody and control of the inmates. Sheriff Shultz is known for abiding by all laws while enforcing laws, and that includes the federal laws formed as a result of the United States Constitution, state laws that find their four corners in the Florida Constitution, such as the Florida Administrative Codes and Florida Statutes.
     Inmates cannot watch television or use the Internet, Capt. Holley said. They eat meals prepared at Lancaster Correctional Institution and then brought to the Gilchrist County Jail.
     Just as Levy County Sheriff Johnny Smith said many years ago, the jail is not a hotel. Yes, inmates are fed, have a place to sleep and have a degree of medical care if needed. There are no comfortable seats. Jail is not a destination for tourists, at least not on purpose.
     Not all of the residents in county jails are guilty. There is a presumption of innocence that goes with each person incarcerated there until the government prosecutors prove to the exclusion of reasonable doubt that the accused is guilty.
     Nevertheless, professional law enforcement officers take care to put suspects in jail only when they find enough reasonable cause to make an arrest. 
     As noted in previous stories, this $11 million jail was mostly funded by legislators in the Florida Senate and Florida House of Representatives who agreed with the state leaders representing Gilchrist County regarding the desperate need for a new jail in Trenton.
     Capt. Holley explained, as has Sheriff Schultz before, that by Gilchrist County reducing its need to send this county’s inmates to jails in Dixie County and Levy County, which puts between $250,000 to $400,000 back into the Gilchrist County coffers annually.
     There are currently 60 inmates housed in the Gilchrist County Jail. The new jail is built for 84 inmates, Holley said.
     The captain said there is hope to add number of staff members in the corrections part of the GCSO after the jail opens. 
     This jail Capt. Holley said is anticipated to last 10 years before expansion is needed. When it comes time to make it bigger, Holley said there is that potential. The captain said escape from this jail is extremely difficult.
     Hurricanes are among the problems that delayed construction to be completed at the jail. On Friday, among the finer points before it is open for housing was electronic and software issues.

This set of secure housing cells is for inmates who cannot be confined with the bigger group settings. There are two sets of secure housing cells with one set having eight cells and one having six. Each cell has one bunkbed, a shower, a sink, a toilet, and a small table built into the wall with seats on either side of it.


This secure cell is for an inmate who must use a wheelchair. Every part of the jail where inmates are kept is compliant with requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. In the booking area, there are various types of temporary cells.


This huge area is where inmates are allowed for physical recreation. State law requires it to have natural light and natural air in the recreation area. This is like 'The Yard' of a prison, only it is more enclosed.


This second-floor hallway leads to the control room for the jail.

These two photos show the difference between trying to use a flash and not using one. This is a view of the area where inmates meet for church, for AA meetings and other groups. The current furniture will be replaced when the jail is occupied. This is a view from the second floor, where no on other than approved staff members will be after the jail becomes operational.


This view from the second floor main control room is looking at the window that appears black. That is another control room.


This is a view of part of the male infirmary area. There is no medical equipment in there yet. There is another infirmary to meet the medical needs of female inmates.
   
To read the Aug. 30, 2022 story and see the photos published at the groundbreaking for the jail, click HERE.

FWC cites suspected offenders
Information Provided By FWC
Published Nov. 13, 2024 at 9:14 p.m.
     DIXIE COUNTY – The weekly report of actions by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for the period of Nov. 1 through Nov. 7, as published in an email sent at 11:03 a.m. on Nov. 13 shows there was some action in Dixie County.
     This report by the FWC represents some work completed by state law enforcement officers in the FWC Division of Law Enforcement over the specified days; however, it does not include all actions taken by the FWC Division of Law Enforcement.
     During these days, Lieutenant Ward and Officer Hilliard were on patrol in Log Landing Wildlife Management Area (WMA) when they encountered several subjects with a harvested wild hog.
     During this time, the WMA was open only to archery equipment. Two subjects were in possession of modern rifles and had taken the wild hog with a rifle. Appropriate citations were issued for the violation.
 

Two jailed for suspicion
of aggravated child abuse

Mug Shots By LCSO – Graphic By HardisonInk.com

By Jeff M. Hardison © Nov. 12, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.
     LEVY COUNTY – A 23-year-old Chiefland man who turns 24 on Nov. 24 was booked into the Levy County Jail (aka Levy County Detention Center) on Nov. 7 after medical professionals contacted law enforcement professionals on Nov. 5, according to records.
     Dakota Wyatt Lee, 23, of Chiefland is in jail now where he is being held without bond on one count of cruelty toward child - aggravated child abuse. Lee is believed to have intentionally inflicted physical injury upon a child, according to records.
     On Tuesday Nov. 12, a 26-year-old Chiefland woman was arrested on one count of cruelty toward child - aggravated child abuse, according to records.
     Marilyn Wolff, 26, of Chiefland was arrested on Nov. 12, according to records. She was transported to the Levy County Detention Center -- charged with aggravated child abuse, according to records. She is scheduled for her first appearance before the court tomorrow morning, where a judge will determine if the arrest is supported by facts and evidence found so far, and then if the judge sees the arrest proper, a bond amount will be set for the charge, or the defendant will be held without bond.
     On Nov. 5, according to information in a Nov. 12 press release from the Levy County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO), a child was brought to a local medical facility for an examination due to complaints of arm pain. 
     Medical staff observed bruising over much of the child’s body in various stages of healing, the LCSO said.
     The child was diagnosed with two fractures, one in each wrist, the LCSO said, adding that all of these injuries were indicative of child abuse. Medical staff contacted the Child Abuse Hotline as required to report the findings.
     Detectives with the LCOS and Victim Advocates with the Eighth Judicial Circuit responded to the medical facility where the child was being treated to assist the Florida Department of Children and Family Services, the LCSO said.
     The investigation determined that child was targeted for abuse by Lee, who denied guilt initially, the LCSO said.
     Additional medical examinations were completed by the Child Protection Team at the University of Florida, and more evidence of long-term extreme physical abuse was collected, the LCSO said. 
     Lee was confronted with the new evidence and after making some admissions, he was taken into custody on Nov. 7, 2024. 
     As a part of this same investigation, Wolff was arrested Nov. 12, as noted earlier.

11 suspects caught allegedly
damaging public lands
by the use of motor vehicles

In this photo that is part of the many pictures taken to document the crime scene, one of the Jeeps used in the unlawful damaging of public lands by use of a motor vehicle is shown. Six vehicles and one ATV were found to be part of this crime, according to records.
Photo Provided
By the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

By Jeff M. Hardison © Nov. 10, 2024 at 8 a.m.
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Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     LEVY COUNTY – Eleven people were caught in one fell swoop by two state law enforcement officers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), with assistance provided by one deputy with the Levy County Sheriff’s Office, and with information provided by Levy County Parks and Recreation Director Matt Weldon.
     Just as a murderer may be captured at the scene with blood on his or her hands, and hence are caught “red-handed,” these suspects were caught with “mud motorized,” according to facts and evidence presented by the law enforcers.
     The suspects were caught on Oct. 13 just after 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time in the area of State Road 24 and U.S. Highway 19 in the City of Otter Creek, according to information in the incident report by FWC Wildlife Officer Daniel Jones.
     Officer Jones noted the defendants committed the second degree misdemeanor level of violation that is known as “damaging public lands by the use of motor vehicles,” according to records. They are accused of “violation of wildlife management area (WMA) regulations” and entering an area posted as “closed to public access” in a WMA, according to records provided by the FWC after a public records request from HardisonInk.com was completed. It took a couple of weeks to obtain the records, but the FWC has many requests for public records and the press is given no special consideration. All requests are handled in the chronological order in which the FWC records them.
     Records show that the following nine individuals were identified by their Florida driver licenses. They are:
     ● Luis Arturo Diez Venegas, 22
     ● Paola Alejandra Briceno Valdes, 29
     ● Evert Jose Brito Artigas, 34
     ● Edward Alejandro Garcia Herrera, 33
     ● Maximo Alejandro Encarnacion, 43
     ● Emmanuel L. Quintero Escalante, 24
     ● Ambar Tailin Venegas Rosales, 23
     ● Alexis Jose Aguilar, 42
     ● Eduardo Jose Contreras Pacheco, 46
     Two of the individuals were identified by their passport identifications. They are:
     ● Diego Andres, 23 (Bolivia)
     ● Jose Gregorio Hernandez Leanez, 31 (Venezuela)
     The six vehicles allegedly used are: 2002 Jeep JP; 2018 Toyota 4-Runner; 2017 Toyota Tundra; 2021 Jeep Wrangler; 2003 Toyota 4-Runner; 2000 Jeep Wrangler; and there was one ATV.
     FWC Officer Jones noted that on Oct. 10 (a Thursday evening), along with FWC Officer Seth Dean, they were conducting land patrol in Levy County near Devil’s Hammock WMA. They were in a marked FWC patrol vehicle and wearing their state-issued duty uniforms.


In this photo that is part of the many pictures taken to document the crime scene, one of areas damaged by the unlawful use of motorized vehicles on public lands is shown. To understand some of the extent of damage to public lands, the small dot in the picture, seen on the road in the upper right area is one of the two FWC state law enforcement officers involved in this investigation.
Photo Provided
By the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

     At approximately 7:20 p.m. (EDT) on that Thursday evening, they were informed by an FWC dispatcher that a caller had reported hearing loud music and possibly vehicles “mudding” in Devil’s Hammock WMA, Jones noted.
     “Mudding” refers to people using motorized vehicles to spin tires to throw mud, rip up vegetation, and create deep mudholes in fields or along roadways. This is a prohibited activity in Devil’s Hammock WMA.
     After entering the southern entrance of the WMA using a key, FWC Officer Dean and FWC Officer Jones drove to the approximate location the caller sent (N29 21.216, W82 45.194). It was at this time when they saw approximately 500 yards of damaged roadway, Jones reported.
     There were large tracts of deep, muddy tire gouges along the southbound side of the roadway and an excessive amount of
fresh, wet mud across what was left of the drivable roadway, he noted.
     They drove north along Andrew’s Grade road where they saw other roadway damage similar to the first section. In total, there was approximately 2,120 yards, or roughly 1.2 miles worth of damage along the public road, the incident report showed.
     The report included photographs of the damage and of the six vehicles suspected as being used by the defendants.
     At approximately 8:24 p.m. EDT, the officers located the individuals and six vehicles and one all-terrain vehicle (ATV) at the northern end of the WMA in an open grassy area.
     The ATV and six other vehicles all were “completely covered in mud, consistent with the tire tracks and damage we located along Andrew’s Grade road. The vehicles still had wet mud and grass that was all over the sides and the roof of some, and mud was observed dripping off several vehicles and the ATV,” the officer noted.
     Officers Jones and Dean identified all 11 individuals and six vehicles as shown in the report.
     Public access was restricted in that WMA due to Hurricane Milton and the gates were shut to all traffic, according to records.
     After speaking with Levy County Parks and Recreation Director Weldon, the FWC learned one of the gates was only “dummy locked” because it adjoined a private landowner who needed access to the WMA. “Dummy locked” means it was not clicked in a locked position but was only placed to appear from a distance as if it were locked.
     A deputy from Levy County Sheriff’s Office arrived on scene to assist us on the call. The deputy had to undo the lock, which was dummy locked, and open the north gate. This is the gate the individuals stated was open when they arrived, according to records.
     The deputy later stated that while standing alone with the group, several of them admitted to knowing what they were doing with their vehicles in the WMA, according to records.
     As noted, each individual was cited by Officer Jones or Officer Dean for violation of Florida Statute 375.314(1) – Damage to Public Lands by a Motor Vehicle.
     Officer Dean also cited Luis Arturo Diez Venegas for operating an ATV in Devil’s Hammock WMA because it is a prohibited form of transportation there, according to records.

Two men suspected
of violating hunting laws

This is the shotgun that was photographed as it was suspected of having a plug removed to allow more shells than are allowed for people hunting migratory game birds in Florida.
Photo Provided
By the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

By Jeff M. Hardison © Nov. 10, 2024 at 8:45 a.m.
All Copyrights Protected By Federal Civil Law
Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     LEVY COUNTY – One man was cited for a second degree misdemeanor by his alleged violation of Florida Administrative Code pertaining to general methods of taking game and crows, according to records provided by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
     Another man was given a written warning for hunting doves without a hunting license, according to FWC records.
     In his report supporting the charges, FWC Lt. Aubrey Ransom noted that one man violated the law that states “Shotguns used for taking migratory game birds shall be not larger than 10 gauge and incapable of holding more than three shells in magazine and chamber combined.”
     On Oct. 20 (a Sunday) at approximately 3:30 p.m., Lt. Ransom was on patrol in the Gothe State Forest Wildlife Management Area, according to his incident report. He arrived at a dove-hunt area and saw two individuals appearing to have been dove hunting while using orange vests and carrying shotguns, the state law enforcement officer noted.
     The men entered a silver-colored Dodge pickup truck and were driving through the area when the lieutenant conducted a stop for resource inspection, according to records.
     The driver Drayke Allen Burns, 20, and passenger Steven Michael Junker, 20, both of Inverness, agreed that they were dove hunting but did not take any doves, according to records. During the resource inspection, FWC Lt. Ransom found that Burns’ shotgun was unplugged and was capable of holding a total of six shotgun shells in the magazine and chamber combined, according to records.
     A shotgun plug is a one-piece filler incapable of removal without disassembling the shotgun. Therefore, its capacity does not exceed three shells in the magazine and chamber combined.
     The Lieutenant found Junker did not have a hunting license. Junker was issued a written warning for the hunting license violation and was released on his own recognizance, the lieutenant noted. Drake was charged with the misdemeanor offense of hunting migratory birds with a shotgun not plugged to have a three-shot shells capacity in the magazine and chamber combined.
     Burns was given a citation and was released from the scene on his own recognizance, according to records.

Michigan man dies in Trenton crash
By Jeff M. Hardison © Nov. 9, 2024 at 7 a.m.
     GILCHRIST COUNTY – A 68-year-old man from Union City, Michigan, died Friday night (Nov. 8) when the pickup truck he was driving hit a semi-trailer in Gilchrist County, according to information in a press release from the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP).
     The press release sent on Saturday morning (Nov. 9) at 5:11 a.m. noted that the victim’s next of kin had not been notified when the press release was sent.
     The press release, based on information provided by crash investigator FHP Trooper Joshua Allen and homicide investigator FHP Cpl. Kari Hilliard, showed that at 7:15 p.m. on Nov. 8, an eastbound semi-tractor trailer truck pulling an enclosed box trailer departed from a stop sign at Southwest 100th Street, which is a southern border for the City of Trenton.
     That semi was driven by a 59-year-old Trenton man, the FHP said.
     As the eastbound semi and trailer were pulling out from the stop sign of Southwest 100th Street, the FHP said, it was turning left to begin its southbound route. 
     At the same time, the Ford F350 pickup truck driven by the man from Michigan was southbound on U.S. Highway 129, the FHP said. 
     The F350 hit the semi-trailer, the FHP said.
     The man from Michigan, who was wearing a seatbelt, died, the FHP said. The F350 came to final rest in the southbound lane of U.S. 129, the FHP said.
     The man from Trenton, who also was wearing a seatbelt, was uninjured the FHP said. The semi came to final rest in the northbound lane of U.S. 129.
     As of May of 2020, the Florida Highway Patrol stopped providing names of people and some other information from crashes as part of its press releases.
     Prior to May of 2020, the FHP formerly provided that information via those public records in its press releases.
     The FHP and some other law enforcement agencies in Florida are abiding by a version of something known as “Marcy’s Law” of California, which is allegedly used to protect victims of crimes. The Florida version of “Marcy’s Law” was adopted after Florida voters chose to change the Florida Constitution to exempt more public records from view.
     Although not every vehicle crash involves crime victims, which may have been the legislative intent of the Florida version of “Marcy’s Law” approved by voters, the FHP adopted its current blanket exclusion of some information as part of its process in sending press releases.
     Although the FHP adopted this new practice, not every law enforcement agency has done so.
     For instance, the Chiefland Police Department, the St. Petersburg Police Department and the Ocala Police Department all have provided crash information in press releases or traffic crash reports, except when there is an actual victim of a crime, as demonstrated in the reports provided to the press since the onset of the FHP’s revision in its press release practices in May of 2020.
Crash Report Purchasing
https://services.flhsmv.gov/CrashReportPurchasing/
Florida Crash Data
https://www.flhsmv.gov/traffic-crash-reports/crash-dashboard/
Victims’ Rights Information
https://www.flhsmv.gov/victimsrights/  

Four sentenced for murder
and torture of a man in Levy County
By Jeff M. Hardison © Nov. 8, 2024 at 7 p.m.
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     BRONSON – Five years after a man was tortured and killed in Levy County, the four people involved in those heinous acts were sentenced Nov. 5 to prison for terms ranging from 15 years to life, according to records.     The Nov. 5, conclusion of the horror was the final phase for the four defendants, two of whom entered plea-negotiated agreements with the Eighth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office.
     Eighth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office Public Information Officer Darry D. Lloyd provided a press release on Nov. 8 which showed a trial which concluded on Oct. 7 included an outcome resulting in the Honorable Eighth Judicial Circuit Court Judge William E. Davis to sentence the defendants, Omar Alexis Rodriguez-Ortiz and Christian Cardona Cirilo as follows:
     Omar Alexis Rodriguez Ortiz, 43, was sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison for first-degree premeditated murder and a consecutive 30-year prison for conspiracy to commit first degree murder. 
     Christian Cirilo Cardona, 32, was sentenced to 30 years prison for second-degree murder, which is followed by 10 years of probation.
     Jesse Torres, 36, and Kesia Moraima Mundo Munoz, 41, entered pleas of guilty to conspiracy to commit first degree murder several months ago and were sentenced to 20 years in prison and 15 years in prison, respectively.
     All four convicted felons will spend their sentences in prisons within the Florida Department of Corrections.
     It was Oct. 7, Lloyd noted in his press release, when Eighth Judicial Circuit Assistant State Attorney Daniel Owen and Assistant State Attorney Glenn Bryan completed their work as the prosecution team in the State of Florida versus Omar Alexis Rodriguez-Ortiz, Christian Cardona Cirilo, Jesse Torres, and Kesia Moraima Mundo-Munoz.
     This trial began after arrests were made.
     On Aug. 11, 2019, The Levy County Sheriff’s Office responded to a rural farming area in Morriston, in regard to a body discovered on the roadside, the press release noted.
     Levy County Sheriff’s Office detectives immediately attempted to identify the dead man, Lloyd said. The detectives previously had received a “BOLO” or Be On the Look Out from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office after the MCSO located a man’s vehicle fully engulfed in flames, Lloyd said.
     LCSO Cpl. Michael McNeil and the Eighth Circuit Medical Examiner’s Office staff identified the victim as Jafet Padin Rodriquez, Lloyd said.
     Cpl. McNeil led the investigation with Florida Department of Law Enforcement Special Agent Yolandra Carbia and FDLE Special Agent Barry Kays. Together they conducted an extremely long and thorough investigation, Lloyd said.
     This led to the arrests of the four suspects.
     Investigators found that the defendants had lured Jafet Padin Rodriquez to the Marion County home of Kesia Mundo where he was beaten before being placed inside his own vehicle and driven to Morriston, where he was shot to death, Lloyd said. Defendants then torched and abandoned Rodiguez's vehicle near a secluded apartment complex in Marion County, Lloyd said.
 

Dixie County sheriff wants
more money for animal control

Dixie County Sheriff Darby Butler speaks with commissioners before the start of the Nov. 7 meeting. Also at the dais before that meeting is a man with ‘Constitution Matters’ on a tee-shirt. Later in the meeting this out-of-county visitor shared his opinion about freedom during a public hearing related to special exceptions and variances from building and zoning regulations.

Story and Photos By Jeff M. Hardison © Nov. 8, 2024 at 7:30 a.m.
Updated Nov. 10, 2024 at 10 a.m.
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     CROSS CITY – Dixie County Sheriff Darby Butler on Thursday morning (Nov. 7) told the five-man Dixie County Commission that he needs to hire an added worker for animal control.
     First, though, he is replacing former worker Ronald "Tank" Johnson, who recently resigned.
     After about 30 minutes of discussion between Sheriff Butler, County Clerk Barbie Higginbotham, County Commission Chairman Jamie Storey, Commission Vice Chairman Jody Stephenson, and commissioners Mark Hatch and Daniel Wood III, County Attorney Chana Watson, and Finance Director Jacki Johnson, it became clear that there is no money in the budget to meet the request – unless something currently budgeted is removed.


Dixie County Sheriff Darby Butler asks the County Commission for a budget increase amendment for animal control at the Nov. 7 meeting. The fiscal year is Oct. 1, 2024 through Sept. 30, 2025. The sheriff explained animal complaints have increased, and he is being forced to pull deputies away from other duties to respond, while having to ‘train’ deputies in the finer points of dealing with complaints and calls for help related to animals.

     As Vice Chairman Stephenson mentioned, the county lost a significant amount of its tax base for the General Fund part of the budget, which pays for this service, when hurricanes destroyed property that formerly existed. For instance, he said, the $7,000 he paid in property tax on a house he owns in the Horseshoe Beach area is no longer there – and the tax revenue, therefore, will not be there unless a structure is rebuilt there.
     A workshop is scheduled on Nov. 19 at 5 p.m. to discuss the shortfall of funds as well as the need for increased animal control services. Also, at that 5 p.m. special meeting, the administration of the oath of office to recently reelected county commissioners is on the agenda.
     While the Dixie County Board of County Commissioners’ regular twice-monthly meeting would have been Thursday, Nov. 21, starting at 6 p.m., that regular meeting was moved to Nov. 19, starting at 6 p.m.
     Meanwhile, back at the Nov 7 County Commission meeting, the sheriff let the commissioners know that there may be a need for the County Commission to accept animal control duties. In Levy County and Gilchrist County, animal services are provided by the county commissioners in those counties.
     In the next two weeks, however, the sheriff said he intends to hire a replacement for Johnson. The former animal control officer in Dixie County has served far beyond the call of duty, Sheriff Barber intimated, even volunteering his own time at wee hours in the morning responding to calls for service.
     In fact, the sheriff said it will take at least two or three years for any person filling that vacancy to have the level of experience of handling animal control issues in Dixie County to be near to the level of expertise of Johnson.
     Beyond filling that vacancy, however, the sheriff said he needs to hire another worker to make it so that Dixie County will have animal control services seven-days-a-week rather than just Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
     Due to the increase of Dixie County residents who are irresponsible animal owners, Sheriff Butler said he has no choice but to respond by adding a staff member.
     Sheriff Butler said responding to the backlog of calls on Mondays causes a cascading effect where the Dixie County Sheriff’s Office cannot accomplish missions related to animal control, even when pulling resources from other public service actions by the law enforcement agency.
     The sheriff said he has pulled deputies off of command and patrol duties to become animal control officers. They have to learn how to do this “on the fly” with radio communications being used while they are on the scene of an active animal control incident, the sheriff said.
     Obviously, this being called away from normal duties for animal control services by those law enforcement personnel takes away from their time to perform normal duties for the safety and welfare of the residents of, and visitors to Dixie County.
     The sheriff let the commissioners know, too, that a deputy’s response to a nuisance dog might be different than a typical animal control officer who is trained in the use of methods that deputies have not been trained in implementing. 
     The sheriff said he wants to hire a new full-time animal control officer at $36,000.
     Finance Director Johnson said this translates to more than $68,000 annually in the budget due to insurance, retirement and other benefits.
     The sheriff repeatedly let the commissioners know that he refuses to tell people who are calling for help due to animal problems -- that he cannot send help. The sheriff will send help to the best of his ability. 
     Just to put some perspective on the level of current danger, Sheriff Butler said loose dogs are “tearing bumpers off” from vehicles in Dixie County now.
     Dixie County Clerk and Comptroller Higginbotham said at least twice, as did Finance Director Johnson, who serves in that office under the supervision of the clerk and comptroller, there is no money in the budget for the fiscal year (Oct. 1, 2024-Sept. 30, 2025) at this time to cover the cost of hiring another staff member for the Dixie County Sheriff's Office duties of animal control.
     The sheriff wanted an answer to his request on Nov. 7, but he agreed to participate in the Nov. 19 evening workshop and then potentially hear the County Commission’s decision at the meeting scheduled to start at 6 p.m. after the workshop.

Levy County's
Two New Ambulances Displayed

The Levy County Department of Public Safety (also known as Levy County Fire Rescue) put a couple of the new ambulances on display before the Tuesday (Nov. 5) meeting of the Levy County Board of County Commissioners. The top four photos are of one of the two new ambulances, looking at each of its four sides.


Providing a photo opportunity here are (from left) Levy County Commissioner Rock Meeks, County Commissioner Matt Brooks, Levy County Fire Rescue Chief (and Department of Public Safety Director) Mitch Harrell, EMT J. Dienell, Paramedic L. Yost, Commission Chair Desiree Mills, County Manager Mary-Ellen Harper and Commissioner Tim Hodge.


Here, Levy County Fire Chief Mitch Harrell speaks with Commissioner Tim Hodge before the meeting on Nov. 5.


Here, an intrepid, illustrious, prolific and occasionally funny photographer captures his image (and that of a 2013 Nissan Juke) in the shiny hubcap of one of the ambulances relatively early in the morning.
Photos By Jeff M. Hardison © Nov. 5, 2024 at 8 p.m.
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Cops catch
suspected hardware store burglar

Photos By CCPD - Graphics By HardisonInk.com
By Jeff M. Hardison © Oct. 31, 2024 at 3 p.m.
     CROSS CITY – A 28-year-old homeless man who reportedly was prowling the streets of Cross City found himself a temporary home with meals and a place to sleep after reportedly burglarizing a local hardware store, according to information posted on social media by the Cross City Police Department (CCPD).
     Preston Michael Wallace, 28, homeless was put in the Dixie County Jail on the following charges, the CCPD noted.
     ● Armed burglary
     ● Grand theft of a firearm (nine counts)
     ● Possession of a firearm/ammo by felon (13 counts)
     ● Grand theft (more than $750)
     ● Criminal mischief (more than $200 but less than $750)
     ● Possession of burglary tools
     The set of circumstance leading law enforcement officers to find probable cause for Wallace’s incarceration are noted by the CCSO in a social media “press release.” A link to the social media page was sent to the actual press by a councilman on Cross City City Council.
     The Dixie County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) on Wednesday (Oct. 30), the CCPD noted, responded to Liles Ace Hardware, 16608 S.E. U.S. Highway 19, in Cross City, where crimes were reported to the DCSO as having been committed.
     DCSO Deputy Megan Van Zile investigated what appeared to be a burglary, which included the theft of nine handguns with ammunition, the CCSO said.
     Van Zile contacted Cross City Police Chief Jamey King and requested assistance.
     The CCPD investigators joined the investigation. After reviewing video footage, it was determined that the suspect was previously contacted by local law enforcement, and that man had been checked through the National Crime Information Center.
     Investigators identified Wallace as the suspect, CCPD said.
      Wallace is a convicted felon with a criminal history involving breaking and entering, the CCPD said. 
     Due to the certain circumstances, the United States Department of Justice’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) was contacted, and that federal agency sent a team to assist, the CCPD said. 
     At approximately 11:03 p.m. Thursday (Oct. 30), ATF agents saw a man fitting the description of the suspected burglar walking down the sidewalk near Dixie Appliance, 16266 S.E. U.S. Highway 19, in Cross City, the CCPD said.
     ATF and Police Chief King contacted Wallace. A pat search (frisk) of Wallace's person uncovered a loaded Glock Model 43 9 mm handgun in his waistband, the CCPD said. The firearm’s serial numbers matched to a stolen firearm, the CCPD said.
     A Florida Department of Corrections K9 Unit was called into action to conduct a reverse track from where the suspect was stopped on the sidewalk, the CCPD said.
     That track led to the vacant restaurant structure that was once known as Smokey's Bar-B-Que & Steakhouse, and then it was a BubbaQue’s franchise site, and then it became a Mexican restaurant, which failed to continue. That address is 16368 S.E. U.S. Highway 19.
     The building is just south of the plaza where the Dixie County Public Library and Subway sandwich shop are located in Cross City.
     An extensive search of the building and the area was conducted, the CCPD said. No additional firearms were located there, the CCPD said. Therefore, eight of the nine reported stolen handguns have not been found yet.
 

WPD and LCSO catch suspected fuel thief

Photos Provided By LCSO – Graphics By HardisonInk.com
By Jeff M. Hardison © Oct. 30, 2024 at 11 p.m.
     LEVY COUNTY – Through the combined efforts of law enforcement officers with the Williston Police Department (WPD) and the Levy County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO), a suspected thief was arrested, according to information in a press release sent Wednesday (Oct. 30).
     On Oct. 18, a WPD officer saw “a suspicious van” parked in a closed gas station parking lot, according to information in the LCSO press release. The officer witnessed the van hastily exit the parking lot as he drove past, the LCSO said.
    The vehicle accelerated to speeds higher than the posted speed limits which prompted the WPD officer to stop him. The driver of the vehicle fled and then abandoned the vehicle, fleeing on foot into a subdivision.
     LCSO deputies responded to the call to assist the WPD, the LCSO said. A deputy saw a vehicle brake abruptly and witnessed a person exit the woods and enter that car, the LCSO said. This car was stopped, and the driver and passenger were detained, the LCSO said.
     An LCSO detective responded to assist the WPD, and he identified Livan Olano Darias, 25, of Miami as the driver of the van who fled from the WPD officer and Darias was arrested, the LCSO said.
     Investigators found Darias was attempting to steal diesel fuel from the in-ground tank at the gas station, the LCSO said.
     The van he abandoned was modified for this purpose. The van had a hole cut into the floor, the LCSO said, and there were approximately 400 gallons of onboard fuel storage and high flow pumps to extract the fuel from the ground tank. 
     The LCSO detective has been in contact with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the LCSO said.
     So far, more than 14 cases of fuel theft from multiple counties south of Levy County are being associated with this group of thieves, the LCSO said. Darias was charged with felonies but posted a $27,500 bond and released, the LCSO said. Additional warrants for his arrest are expected. The driver of the vehicle who picked up Darias was identified and warrants for his arrest have been issued.