Newscaster Crime Stories

Three Arrested Trying to Obtain Drugs Fraudulently

Three people were arrested by the Citrus County Sheriff's Office, Feb. 16, after the Inverness B & W Rexall Pharmacy contacted the CCSO that they were attempting to fraudulently obtain controlled substances.

Joseph K. vickers, 32, 10094 S.W. 152nd Place, Dunnellon; James Allen Dethlefs, 47, 7484 S.W. 150th St., Dunnellon; and Hillary Jean McKechnie, 24, 1731 S.W. 40th Ter. E., Gainesville, had each turned in three prescriptions from a south Florida physician for oxycodone 30 mg, ocycodone 15 mg and alprazolam 2 mg. The report stated that the weight of the mens' oxycodone was 45.36 grams, and the woman's oxycodone totaled 22.68 grams, and all the prescriptions had been obtained on the same date, Feb. 15.

As McKechnie was leaving the pharmacy, the two men were still inside making their purchases. A deputy detained McKechnie while a detective apprehended the men inside the store. As the deputy approached, Vickers was handing the bag of medication to Dethlefs, the report stated. The detective identified himself to the men and escorted them outside.

The pharmacist told the detective that the three had come in together and handed-in the prescriptions for "both patients" at the same time. McKechnie had wanted to pay for her medication through Medicaid, but was denied, so she went outside to call for approval. The pharmacist stated that vickers paid for Dethlefs' prescriptions with a credit card in the amount of $363.98.

The pharmacist had contacted the assistant office manager at the physician's office and was told that the MRI's provided by "both patients" were invalid, consequently the prescriptions they had obtained had been obtained in a fraudulent manner. Both MRI's were identical with the exception of the personal information, and the physician's office requested that law enforcement be notified.

The detective contacted the diagnostic imaging company in Belleview, Florida and learned that the two MRI's were fraudulent, and neither of the patients had ever been treated in the facility.

Dethlefs told the detective that the MRI's were fraudulent and had been obtained from an acquaintance for $200. vickers and McKechnie refused to talk with law enforcement.

All three were placed under arrest and transported to the Citrus County Detention Facility. Vickers and Dethlefs were each charged with one count of trafficking in oxycodone, one count of conspiracy, and 3 counts of attempting to obtain controlled substances by fraud. Their bonds were each set at $1,015,000. McKechnie was charged with one count of attempted trafficking in oxycodone, one count of conspiracy, and three counts of attempting to obtain controlled substances by fraud. Her bond was set at $215,000.

While incarcerated, Vickers was arrested on additional charges the following day (Feb. 17) for allegedly filling fraudulent prescription written by the same South Florida physician on Feb. 4. The prescriptions were for oxycodone 30 mg, oxycodone 15 mg and alprazolam 2 mg. The total weight of oxycodone was 45.36 grams. The report stated that Vickers paid cash for all of the prescriptions, with the exception of one that his insurance paid $10.47 toward.

A supervisor with a diagnostic imaging company in Naples, Florida stated that Vickers had never had been a patient, the account number on the MRI report does not exist, the imaging system named in the mri report is not used by the company, and the patient information format is incorrect.

When vickers was arrested on the second set of charges, he declined to make a comment. He was charged with one count of trafficking in more than 28 grams of oxycodone and three counts of obtaining controlled substances by fraud. His total bond on this second set of charges was $515,000.

Distress Call Leads to Discovery of Marijuana Plants in Inglis House

     An emergency call to law enforcement on Feb. 16, resulted in the confiscation of marijuana plants and drug charges being filed with the State Attorney’s Office against two Inglis residents.
     According to the arrest report, Tracie Renee Hunt, 39, contacted the Levy County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) to complain that she’d had an argument with her boyfriend, 27-year-old Jonathan Erlandson, and he’d made threats of suicide. Hunt fled to a nearby residence to get away from Erlandson. Hunt continued to talk with a dispatcher, stating that Erlandson was out of control, using illegal drugs and threatening suicide.
Officers and deputies with the Inglis Police Department (IPD) and LCSO arrived at Hunt’s and Erlandson’s residence, located at 47 Lois Ave. They were unable to locate Erlandson. Officer Swiggett requested that dispatch ask Ms. Hunt if the residence was locked so officers could check on Erlandson. Ofc. Swiggett and Dep. Prine announced their presence and entered Hunt’s and Erlandson’s residence by way of the back door. Erlandson was not located, and officers determined that he’d left before they arrived. A BOLO (be on the lookout) was issued for Erlandson through the LCSO.
     The report stated, while officers were checking the residence for Erlandson, they saw, in plain view, several cannabis smoking pipes. In the bathroom, they saw an unspecified number of cannabis plants. 
     Officers spoke with Ms. Hunt, who stated the argument was verbal (not physical), that she was concerned for Erlandson’s welfare due to his drug use and suicide threats. She told Ofc. Swiggett that the cannabis plants belonged to Erlandson, and she was aware of them, but had feared notifying law enforcement about them due to possible repercussion from Erlandson. She said that another person (referred to on the report as a “witness”), had brought the plants to Erlandson, about two weeks earlier.
     Ofc. Swiggett spoke with the witness at his residence. He said he knew the plants were at the residence because Erlandson had shown them to him. He denied bringing the plants to Erlandson or giving them to him. The witness speculated that Erlandson had gotten the plants from a man by the name of “Pete.” He also stated that the plants had been at Erlandson’s residence for at least a couple of weeks.
     The cannabis plants were removed from the pots and weighed at the IPD. They weighed approximately 125 grams. Other items taken into evidence were two spoons and three hypodermic needles (which are pending lab analysis), “several paraphernalia items,” and two “medium sized” containers of cannabis seeds. Several prescription bottles of miscellaneous narcotics, prescribed to Ms. Hunt, were located. She told Ofc. Swiggett that she no longer takes the medication and requested that it be disposed of.
Sworn complaints were filed with the State Attorney’s Office against both Erlandson and Hunt, on possible possession of cannabis more than 20 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia. The report stated that additional charges could be filed, pending on the lab analysis of the residue on the spoons.

Citrus County Man Arrested for Infant Son's Death

     Early Saturday afternoon, Feb. 20, Citrus County Sheriff's Office detectives arrested 21-year-old Spencer Tyson Weaver of Inverness, charging him with aggravated child abuse and murder in connection with the death of his 2-month-old son, Tamarri Weaver, on Feb. 16.
     On Friday night, the Sheriff's Office had issued a BOLO (be on the lookout) for Weaver, as he had left a voice mail for the child's biological mother, threatening to harm himself. 
     When deputies and detectives located Weaver on Saturday morning, he told them he'd physically abused his son for several weeks and knew that his actions had caused the infant's death. Weaver was taken into custody and transported to the Citrus County Detention Facility, where he's being held on no bond.
     The infant's biological mother and other family members were notified of the arrest and circumstances surrounding the boy's death. The child's biological mother is Destiny Rogers, 18, of Inverness, according to the sheriff's office.
     Preliminary results of the infant's autopsy performed on Thursday listed blunt force trauma as the cause of death, and homicide as the manner of death.
     On Sunday, Feb. 14, just after 1 p.m., deputies responded to Weaver's 707 Emery St. Inverness address, due to Tamarri being unresponsive. Deputies, paramedics and fire rescue personnel alternately performed CPR on the baby. The child was rushed by ambulance to Citrus Memorial Hospital. Because Tamarri was not breathing on his own, he was airlifted to All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg for further pediatric care. At 3:30 p.m., Feb. 16, Tamarri was pronounced dead.
     Detectives interviewed the infant's biological parents, who do not reside together, along with other caretakers, physicians and hospital personnel.
     When deputies located Weaver on Saturday, he spoke with them about the voice mail threats to harm himself and Tamarri's death.
     Weaver's arrest report listed details of his interview: Sometime around Jan. 29 when caring for Tamarri, Weaver said he'd grabbed him around the stomach area and squeezed him, while shaking him "in a rough and hard way," the report stated. Weaver said he knew he'd injured the child, because he later saw bruising on Tamarri's right side. Weaver made several comments that he was often rough when picking up the child out of bed or putting him to bed. He said, when burping the baby, he would squeeze the back of his neck very hard, while choking him with his other hand. 
     On Feb. 14, Weaver said his roommate gave him the baby and a bottle, while he was in his room, lying in bed. He said his roommate left for work, and he was home alone with Tamarri. He fed Tamarri in bed, according to the report, and afterward, burped him - squeezing the back of his neck very hard, while choking him. He told detectives he was very rough with Tamarri during this time. 
     Weaver said Tamarri woke up crying, and he removed him from the bed "in a rough and forceful manner," the report stated. Weaver said he held the baby around the chest and armpit area - squeezing him hard and shaking him. He then threw Tamarri onto his waterbed, and he landed in the middle. Weaver said he then hit Tamarri, twice, with an open hand, on the right side of his head, and he saw an immediate effect on Tamarri. He was not alert, he was very limp, he was going in and out of sleep, and his heart was beating very fast. 
     At that point, according to the report, Weaver was scared and worried, because he knew he'd harmed the child. Weaver said that he should have called 911, but did not, due to concern about his actions. Weaver then took the baby into the bathroom and bathed him in the sink. During the bath, he said, he struck the back of the baby's head on the sink, and he saw an immediate effect. Weaver told detectives that Tamarri was "very limp, going in and out of consciousness," the report stated. 
     In a rough manner, Weaver said, he placed Tamarri back on the bed, and he was asleep. A short time later, he heard the baby cough or make a noise, and when he entered the bedroom, the baby was very pale. Weaver said he panicked, because the baby was not breathing, and he began slapping the baby on the face. He told detectives he knew his actions had caused Tamarri's injuries and death.

Citrus Springs Man Arrested on Drug Trafficking Charge

Jonus Serrano, 27, N. Cortlandt Dr., Citrus Springs, was arrested by the Citrus County Sheriff's Office, Feb. 12, on numerous drug charges after the CCSO Tactical Impact and Vice Narcotics Units executed a search warrant at his residence, shortly after 1:00 p.m. 

When officers arrived, Serrano was seen standing on the front porch, but when he saw law enforcement, he ran inside and locked the front door. Several deputies announced,"sheriff's office, search warrant," while another deputy knocked on the door, and when they received no answer, deputies breeched the door with a sledge hammer. When they went inside Serrano's residence, they took all the occupants into the kitchen, which included Serrano, another white male and two juveniles.

Serrano told deputies that all they would find was "a little bit of weed," according to the report. When deputies told him they intended to search the entire house, Serrano replied that they would only find a little bit of weed in the home and maybe an ounce or so in his car. He said he'd recently snorted a line of cocaine, and that was the reason he had a scale, a spoon and a $100 bill on the bathroom counter top. He said he'd flushed the rest of his cocaine before the deputies entered his home.

Members of the Tactical Impact Unit searched the home and found numerous items of contraband, approximately 175.5 grams of marijuana in a large plastic ziplock bag inside his car, under the driver's seat. Inside this bag was also approximately 27.5 grams of cocaine. In a jacket hanging in the master bedroom closet, another baggie was found that contained approximately 27.5 grams of cocaine. Inside a ceramic container on the master bedroom dresser, deputies found 7 pills that were identified as Roxycodone 30 mg. Serrano told deputies that all the drugs belonged to him."Many other items of paraphernalia were additionally located in the garage," the report stated, including $991 hidden behind the air conditioner handler and paperwork found inside the home.

During the search, Serrano's live-in girlfriend returned home and stated that Serrano had been living with her for about a year.

Serrano was arrested and transported to the Citrus County Detention Facility. He was charged with trafficking in cocaine, possessing with intent to sell/manufacture/deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond was set at $65,000.

IPD investigation leads to felony arrest of Inglis man by CCSO

An investigation by the Inglis Police Department led to numerous felony charges being filed with the State Attorney's Office against 46-year-old Inglis resident Robin Edward "Bulldog" Haley of Northwood Mobile Home Park. Four Sworn complaints were filed by the Inglis Police Department on Jan. 27.

One complaint charged Haley with theft and fraud on Jan. 10, Haley allegedly took a boat and title using "a false name of Steven Maddon." The report stated that an Inglis man traded his vessel for the stolen one, which Haley allegedly sold to another Inglis man. The victim is listed as a Key Largo resident. The report stated that Haley was identified by all parties involved in the incident.

In a related case reported as occurring on Jan. 11 involving the same people involved in the Jan. 10 complaint, Haley was again charged in a Sworn Complaint with fraud and theft. This complaint stated that Haley had identified himself to the victim as Steven Maddon and asked him if he wanted to buy a sailboat that belonged to him. The complaint stated, that according to the investigation, Haley had defrauded an Inglis man by trading him the boat that was stolen from the Key Largo man. The complaint stated that the victim paid Haley $600 for the boat and was given a title that had been received from another Inglis man. 

Another Sworn Complaint, charging Haley with theft on Jan. 16, listed another Inglis resident as the victim. Haley is suspected of taking removing several items while he was working on the victim's property. Items reported as taken include several pieces of lawn equipment, a generator, and several items from the victim's boat, which Haley then allegedly sold to the Key Largo man. Again, Haley was identified by the victim and witness.

In a Sworn Complaint filed against Haley for theft that was reported as taking place on Jan. 16, Haley allegedly told his landlord that he'd taken his (the landlord's) riding lawnmower to be repaired, but the repair man would not give it back. However, Haley would not tell his landlord where the lawnmower was, but did tell him that he would call police and report it as stolen. The complaint stated that Haley did not report the lawnmower as stolen, and when the landlord attempted to contact him the following day, Haley was gone. 

According to the Citrus County Sheriff's Office, Inglis Police Sgt. Ballard contacted them regarding two grand theft cases he was working on in which Haley was a suspect. Ballard requested that they check pawn shops within the Citrus County jurisdiction to determine if Haley had made pawns. No pawn were located in Haley's name, but three items were located as having been pawned at the Gettin Place in Crystal River in the name of Steven Madden that matched the description and serial numbers given by Sgt. Ballard, a Coleman Power Mate generator that had been pawned on Oct. 29, 2009 for $70; an 8 hp Johnson outboard motor that had been pawned on Nov. 25, 2009 for $100; and a Hummingbird depth finder that had been pawned on Dec. 9, 2009 for $20.

The sheriff's office learned that Haley had been arrested by the Citrus County Sheriff's Office on Jan. 28, 2010 with an out-of-state driver's license in the name of Steven Madden with a date of birth of August 5, 1973. During his arrest, Haley had admitted that Steven Madden was a deceased relative. Haley was charged with unauthorized possession of an identification card and giving a false name to a police officer. 

On Feb. 3, thumb prints of Haley were matched to the thumb prints on the three pawn transaction forms in the name of Steven Madden, and they were identified as Haley's prints. Haley was arrested on additional charges - 3 counts of dealing in stolen property and 3 counts of giving false information to a pawnbroker. Haley's total bond was set at $45,000.

3 Homosassa youths arrested on numerous felony charges

Two 18-year-old Homosassa youths, Eric Jatawn Rowell, 5820 Cinnamon Ridge Dr., and Arthur Louis Nesbitt IV, 2180 S.Strohs Ter.; and Ted Mark Bishop, Jr., 28, 6499 Grant St., also of Homosassa, were arrested by the Citrus County Sheriff's Office related to an investigation initiated after two complaints were made on Jan. 23 of car windows that had been struck by fishing weights.

At 11:00 p.m., a woman driving east on Halls River Rd. near the Fish Net Motel said she heard a loud bang when her passenger side windshield cracked. Around 11:15 p.m., a second victim reported damage to his car, which was parked in the 
Margarita Grill restaurant parking lot. His car had been hit several times with fishing weights, and his rear window had been broken out. An estimate to repair the damage was approximately $617.

On Jan. 26, numerous complaints were made to the sheriff's office regarding the occupants of a blue Ford pickup truck throwing fishing sinkers at occupied vehicles in the area of Hwy. 490 and Rock Crusher Rd. 

According to the arrest reports, the previous day, a deputy had received a tip from a complainant who had witnessed the vehicle and described it as a newer, clean, blue and gray Ford pickup truck. A detailed description of both occupants was given, along with a tag number, however, no record was found for the tag number until dispatch replaced the first number of the tag, a "1," with the letter "i." Rowell's name and address matched the tag number with the letter i replacing the the number 1.  

At Rowell's residence, officers spoke with his mother, who said that Rowell was in his room, but when she checked, he was not there. She contacted Rowell, and he told her that they were "just up the road." Deputies located Rowell and Nesbitt on Chive Loop. Nesbitt stopped and talked with deputies, But Rowell told deputies that he was walking home.  

One deputy went to speak with Rowell at his residence, but the deputy was contacted and informed that Nesbitt had confessed to committing the crimes involving the fishing sinkers with Rowell, so Rowell was handcuffed and read his Miranda Rights. Rowell said he would speak with the deputy, and his mother was present during the interview.

Rowell said, that over the past several days, he and Nesbitt had thrown numerous sinkers at vehicles, he said that Nesbitt had thrown the sinkers and he had just driven the vehicle. Upon questioning, he admitted that he knew Nesbitt was throwing the sinkers, and Nesbitt had hit several vehicles. When asked where the sinkers had come from, Rowell replied that Nesbitt had lots of them.

Both Rowell and Nesbitt were taken into custody and transported to the Citrus County Detention Facility. Two sinkers were located in Rowell's vehicle, by the passenger side door.

At the detention facility, both youths were interviewed. Nesbitt gave details about he and Rowell throwing sinkers at parked vehicles in the parking lot of the Margarita Grill and vehicles traveling on Halls River Rd. He gave time frames that matched the times of the incidents

Rowell and Nesbitt also confessed to a break-in that was reported on Jan. 22 to Alexander's Custom Paint and Body, located at 142 N.E. 11th St. in Crystal River where various pneumatic power tools (sanders, paint guns and drills) and stereo speakers with a value of $2,375 had been reported as stolen. Entry had been made into the shop by a hole that was punched into the drywall, and the door to the business had been opened by reaching through the hole. They said that Bishop had participated in the burglary and had taken possession of the stolen items.

Both Rowell and Nesbitt were charged with 12 counts of shooting or throwing a deadly missile into a dwelling or conveyance ($120,000 bond); 5 counts of criminal mischief more than $200 but less than $1,000 ($2,500 bond); 1 count of aggravated battery using a deadly weapon ($5,000 bond); and 1 count of criminal mischief $1,000 or more ($5,000 bond) - all related to the sinker throwing incidents. Charges related to the reported break-in at the body shop included 1 count of burglary of an unoccupied structure ($5,000 bond) and 1 count of grand theft greater than $300 but less than $5,000 ($2,000 bond). Their bonds on all the charges totaled $139,500.

On Jan. 28, Bishop was located at the Homosassa Library and arrested on 1 count of burglary to an unoccupied structure and 1 count of grand theft. He was transported to the Citrus County Detention Facility where his bond was set at $7,000.

Retired Policeman Arrested in Beverly Hills

     Thomas A. Gallagher, Jr., 67, Beverly Hills, was arrested by the Citrus County Sheriff's Office, Jan. 22, on numerous charges. According to the arrest report, a warrant was obtained for Gallagher's arrest for exposure of sexual organs, disorderly conduct and trespass to land of another. According to the sheriff's office, just after 6:30 p.m., Jan. 22, Gallagher's neighbors found him in their yard, behind their truck, performing an obscene act, wearing nothing but a woman's skirt. The report also stated that Gallagher is retired (officer) from the New York Police Department. His bond was set at $3,000.00.

Woman Arrested For Attempted Murder

The Citrus County Sheriff's Office arrested a Spring Hill woman in Floral City, Jan. 13, stemming from a "suspicious incident," according to her arrest report. Melanie Orise Glass, 36, S. Porsch Pl., was arrested on a warrant for premeditated attempted murder.

According to Glass's arrest report, allegations were made that she was poisening her estranged husband in an attempt to kill him. The report stated that there were ongoing domestic problems, a divorce in the works, and she was seeing someone else. 

In late October, she left her marital home in Floral City. "About two weeks prior to her departure, the victim had experienced persistent headaches and other medical difficulties," the report stated, but once Glass left the home, "the victim's sysptoms subsided, and he felt so much better that he never sought any medical treatment." The couple attempted to reconcile, but Glass only returned to Floral City for a couple of days before heading back to Spring Hill.

The report stated that the victim "eventually learned from other family members and an family acquaintance," that Glass had been adding substances such as plant food and pool chemicals to drinks she prepared for him, such a iced tea and coffee. 

The sheriff's office conducted interviews, forensically analyzed computers, "and more," and turned their case over to the State Attorney's Office for review before Glass's warrant was issued.

Glass was transported to the Citrus County Detention Facility where her bond was set at $50,000.

Inmate Swims River, Escapes Custody Near Inglis

IPD files complaints against escapee Davis

The Inglis Police Department has filed two Sworn Complaints with the State Attorney's Office against escaped Citrus County Sheriff's Office inmate, Terry Neal Davis, 47, of Homosassa, who escaped in Inglis while in the custody of a CCSO detective on Dec. 22.

The first Sworn Complaint was dated Dec. 22 and charges Davis with the burglary of a dwelling, theft and criminal mischief.

The burglary of the Michigan Ave. residence was reported by the owner of the residence who lives in St. Petersburg, around 10:15 p.m., Dec. 25. The owner told police that he'd arrived at his residence to find empty food containers, an empty soda can and several empty beer bottles. He also noticed that the coffee pot had been used. He told the investigating officer that he'd emptied the garbage when he'd left the residence, and had immediately contacted police because he knew of Davis' escape.

The police officer noted that a rear bedroom bed had been slept in. All the silver change was missing from a glass change container, a makeshift bed had been constructed in a bedroom closet, plus numerous items of clothing were missing.

Entry to the residence had been gained by way of a back door. Pry marks were found on the back door, a chain lock had been broken, and a screen door had been cut. The residence is located about 200 yards from a reported possible sighting of Davis, wearing only green boxer shorts, on Karen St.

Two partial fingerprints were found, one from the glass change container and the other from the soda can.

The other Sworn complaint was made regarding the theft of a cell phone that was on a podium inside a tent located on the front of a property, sometime between 5:00 p.m. on Dec. 24 and 9:00 a.m. on Dec. 25, according to the victim. Detectives with the CCSO were made aware of the call when Davis' brother contacted them stating that he'd received a call from Davis around 9:00 a.m., Dec. 25. The trace showed that the call had been made from the victim's cell phone in the area of Hwy. 40 and Daisy St. A search of the area where the cell phone had been traced did not locate Davis, but searchers located a Michigan ball cap and a knife that were positively identified by the victim as his/her property.

Davis remains at large, as of Tuesday morning. He is a 47-year-old white male, 5'10" tall, weighing 155 pounds, with brownish-gray hair and blue eyes. He may have a cast on one of his arms and may be favoring his right leg due to a previous injury requiring stitches.

If you have information on Davis's location, do not approach him, but dial 911 immediately. Tips can be texted to 274637 (CRIMES) - type CITRUS plus your information, or you can place an anonymous tip online at www.CrimeCtoppersCitrus.com 

(Crystal River) Citrus County Sheriff Jeff Dawsy is scaling back the search for escaped prisoner Terry Davis for night. Davis, who had been checked out from jail by a detective on Tuesday, jumped out of the detective's vehicle, ran down a boat ramp and swam across the Withlacoochee River near Elkins Rd. in Inglis.  There have been no confirmed sightings of him since.

Although deputies will still have a presence in the Inglis area,  plans will focus on re-interviewing associates of Davis and following-up on the leads, although few, that continue to come in.

The Sheriff's Office will remove its mobile command center from north Crystal River  and will re-establish its base of operations out of the Emergency Operations Center in Lecanto.

Anyone with information regarding Davis's whereabouts is asked to call 911 immediately, or to contact Crime Stoppers of Citrus County via text, Web, or phone.  Tips are completely anonymous.  Text the word CITRUS plus your tip to 274637 (CRIMES), submit an anonymous Web tip at www.crimestopperscitrus.com, or call 1-888-ANY-TIPS.  Tipsters may be eligible for up to a $1000 reward.

        Davis, 47, is a white male with brownish-gray hair and blue eyes.  He is believed to have shed his jail-issued orange jumpsuit.  He is 5 foot 10 inches tall and weighs 155 pounds.  He may have a cast on one of his arms and may be favoring his right leg due to stitches received from a previous injury.
     If you see Davis, do not approach him, but call 911 immediately.

Inglis PD Busts 2nd Meth Operation in as Many Weeks

Monday night the Inglis Police Department busted a meth lab at 724 Hwy 40 E Inglis. The only arrest made in the bust was Patricia White. Eric White, her husband, had been arrested the day before on a warrant from Citrus County for grand theft. 
The lab was located under a roof behind a shed in the back yard at the mobile home. Because of the explosive capabilities of the meth, the Levy County Drug Task Force was called in to suit up in protective gear and dismantle the operation. Inglis fire/rescue backed up the dismantling of the lab with charged lines in case there were problems. 
The task force moved the bucket process out back and away from the buildings to separate the addictive dangerous chemicals. This is the second meth bust in a month for the Inglis Police Department.

Inglis PD Shuts Down  Meth Lab

The Inglis Police Department was able to intercept a batch of methamphetamine that was chemically "cooking" in an Inglis backyard, Dec. 8, when two officers attempted to serve an arrest warrant on Alan E. Haley, Sr., whom IPD Officer Tim Swiggett had reason to believe may be at the residence of Larry Meadows, 33, 419 Linda St., in the Cason Acres area.

Mr. Haley is "known to flee law enforcement," according to Officer Swiggett, so he brought Deputy Lee Prine of the Levy county Sheriff's Office to serve as backup. The officers parked their patrol cars, one street over on Shearer St., and walked to the Linda St. residence. Officer Swiggett went to the front door, and Dep. Prine went to the back door, in the event that Mr. Haley Sr. might attempt to escape arrest by way of the back door.

While outside, standing at the front door, around 9:30 p.m., Officer Swiggett noticed people moving around inside the house and someone walking toward a back room. He also noticed a "strong chemical smell, similar to that commonly found during the manufacturing of methamphetamine," he reported. 

Swiggett knocked on the door and identified himself. Swiggett "heard several people moving frantically around the house," he reported, and Meadows came to the door. Meadows told Swiggett that Meadows was not there, Swiggett asked to come inside and look for Haley Sr. Meadows replied, "Well, I have weed laying out, right now," according to Swiggett's report, Swiggett replied that he was not overly concerned with a small amount of marijuana. At that point, Swiggett heard Dep. Prine yelling and looked through the open front door to see Dep. Prine speaking with Alan Haley, Jr. at the back door. Meadows said, "C'mon in, Swiggert, and look." 

Swiggett reported that he saw Naomi Gufford, 36, and Alan Haley, Jr., 22, both of 419 Linda St., Inglis, in the kitchen and Roger Brooks, 49, 1151 S. Palm Dr., Homosassa, lying on the sofa. Swiggett reported that Haley Jr. was nervous and insisted on escorting him around the house and also insisted that his father was not there. Swiggett found Barry Smith, 29, 588 Hwy. 40W, Inglis, lying on a bed in the rear bedroom. In the kitchen, several "suspicious items" were lying in plain view: a marijuana pipe, several lithium batteries, pH test strips, coffee filters, empty Gatorade bottles, Pyrex dishes and a plastic bottle that had been cut into the shape of a funnel. In the living room near where Brooks was sitting, Swiggett noticed an ashtray that contained lithium batteries, with the lithium strips cut away and missing. In the kitchen trash can, Swiggett saw additional lithium battery pieces.

Satisfied that Haley Sr. was not there, the officers walked out the back door. About 10 to 15 feet from the door, the officers saw what appeared to be an actively cooking mathamphetamine lab. Swigget saw that Meadows (near the back door) was watching him and saw him turn toward the front door. Swiggett drew his gun and ordered him to stop. Meadows complied and was handcuffed.

When he went back inside the residence in an attempt to gather all the people, Swiggett noticed that Haley Jr. had already fled out the front door. Swigget secured Gufford, while Dep. Prine contacted the Levy County Sheriff's Office Drug Task Force to come to the residence. Dep. Prine stayed in the residence, while Officer Swiggett went to retrieve their patrol cars. As he was returning to the residence in Dep. Prine's LSCO car, he saw Brooks pedaling a bicycle away from the residence. He secured Brooks and returned him to the residence. As Swiggett did not locate Haley Jr. in the immediate area, he contacted IPD Officer Tim Letson for help. Officer Letson and the LCSO Drug Task Force arrived at about the same time. Officer Letson, with the assistance of his canine partner, Elvis, made an unsuccessful attempt to locate Haley Jr., while the drug task force dismantled the lab and collected evidence. The suspected methamphetamine lab was verified by testing to be methamphetamine.


The Inglis Fire Department and Levy County Medical Unit 3 arrived on the scene, for safety purposes during the methamphetamine lab cleanup. All the people who were currently in custody - Meadows, Gufford, Brooks and Smith - were placed under arrest, transported to the Levy County Jail and charged with manufacturing methamphetamine, trafficking methamphetamine and possession of listed chemicals. A Sworn Complaint was filed with the 8th Judicial Circuit Court, charging Alan Haley, Jr. with the same charges as the others who were arrested during the incident. The LCSO Crime Scene Unit also arrived on site to assist with the packaging and collection of evidence inside the residence and also to maintain custody of the residence which was deemed safe, so Meadows was allowed to secure his residence before being transported to the jail by Officer Swiggett. Dep. Letson transported 1 to jail and Dep. Prine transported 2, according to IPD Sgt. Mack Ballard.

Dunnellon Homeowner Beats Burglar with a Stick

Matthew Gregory Gordianeer, 19, 4149 E. Fort Apache Pl., Dunnellon, was arrested by the Citrus County Police Department, early on Sunday morning, Jan. 3, charged with burglary of an occuupied residence. His bond was set at $5000.

The sheriff's office was contacted around 3:10 a.m. by a neighbor of Gordianeer, that a burglary was in progress. The residents met the deputy at the front door. They told him that they were holding Gordianeer in the master bedroom. They said that Gordianeer had entered the house through the rear bathroom window. One of the residents had heard noises in the bathroom, and alerted the others. The deputy found Gordianeer on the floor and one of the residents holding a wooden stick. One of the residents had held a crossbow, the victims explained, but had put it away before the deputy arrived.

The deputy handcuffed Gordianeer, and as he walked him to the patrol vehicle, the report stated, Gordianeer told the deputy that one of the victims had hit him with a wooden stick, and he was hurting in his rib area. He told the victim he said had hit him,"Wait until I get out of jail; I'm going to kill you." 

That same victim told the deputy, that his residence had been broken into, twice on previous occasions that week. The victim said he'd believed the perpetrator to be a relative of Gordianeer and/or an affiliate of Gordianeer's relative, whom he works with, because his house had been broken into on previous occasions when he and Gordianeer's relative had gone away on a work-related trip. The victim told Gordianeer's relative, that he was going away to Alabama for the weekend and would not return until later on that day (Sunday). He said he had parked his vehicle at a friend's 
residence and hid inside his own residence to see if anything 
would happen, and around 3:00 a.m., he'd heard noises that sounded like the rear bathroom window being opened.

The victim and another person went to investigate and saw Gordianeer climbing through the window. They tried to grab him, but he dove back out of the window. They were able to grab his legs and pull him back inside. They'd hit him several times with their hand and feet but Gordianeer had continued to resist, so the victim had grabbed a wooden stick and hit Gordianeer across the chest and told him, that if he moved again, he would continue hitting him. He'd told another of the witnesses (victims) to call the sheriff's office. All three of the people inside the residence gave the same account of the incident.

Gordianeer told the deputy that he believed that the victims were out of town, so he had walked to the back of the residence by way of the driveway and placed a portion of a boat canopy, which was in the back yard, underneath the bathroomm window and had stood on it, lifted the window and climbed inside the  residence. He said that two of the victims had attacked and beaten him, that one victim had held him while the other hit him several times with a wooden stick.

Gordianeer told the deputy that he had not planned on taking anything, that he had only planned to look around inside and check on the dogs. He also said that he had not burglarized the residence on the two previous occasions, but knew who had done it, and had told this person that the victim was was gone and when he would return. He said he had learned this information through listening to his relative's conversation.

Gordianeer was treated for his injuries at Citrus Memorial Hospital then transported to the Citrus county Detention Facility.

Three arrested at two Hernando cannabis grow operations 

Arrested were Luis Alberto Balverde,33, 1725 E. Fletcher St.; and Niuria Calzada, 35, and Michael G. Martinez, 31, both of 763 E. Gaines Ln.

According to the arrest reports, a search warrant was obtained  by the CCSO's Tactical Unit for both residences. The first search warrant was executed on Balverde's Fletcher St. residence. No one came to the door when the officers knocked and announced their presence. The officers made entry by way of the back door and found no one home. Officers found numerous marijuana plants, approximately 5 feet tall, in an added room on the east side of the residence, along with two Hispanic males who were taken into custody. Additional marijuana plants were found inside two sheds and a barn. The total number of plants confiscated at the Fletcher St. residence was 81. 

While the search was ongoing, an officer noticed a Hispanic female drive by the residence in a Ford F-150 pickup truck, so a traffic stop was made, and the woman was detained and brought into the residence. The two men and the woman all claimed that they do not speak English, so a deputy read the search warrant to them in spanish.

The second search warrant was executed at Calzada's and Martinez's residence on E. Gaines Ln. Again, no one came to the door. Deputies entered, and no one was found inside the residence. However, 7 grow rooms containing a total of 322 marijuana plants were located inside the E. Gaines Ln. residence.

Mr. Martinez was interviewed in Spanish at the Fletcher St. residence. He admitted to closely working with Balverde on the marijuana grow operation, on a daily basis. He told investigators that he lives at the E. Gaines Ln. residence, but often assists Mr. Balverde, who lives at the marijuana grow operation on Fletcher St. Martinez stated that he rents his residence for $1200 per month, but has not paid his rent recently, due to lack of money. He said he'd lived there since May of 2009 and his employment is growing the marijuana.

Balverde and Martinez were both arrested and transported to the Citrus County Detention Facility, charged with trafficking in marijuana; agreeing/conspiring with another to traffick in cannabis; and leasing/renting a structure to be used for trafficking a controlled substance or for the manufacturing of a controlled substance for sale or distribution. Due to both men being resident aliens from Cuba, they are considered flight risks, and it was requested that they be held without bond.

Ms. Calzada's name was listed on the account for electricity at the  E. Gaines Ln. residence, and she is the sister-in-law of the owner of both residences. During her interview in Spanish, she told investigators that she had been to both residences on numerous occasions, but did not know anything about the grow opoerations at either of the residences, although her arrest report stated that "it was very strange," because "the smell of marijuana is very pungent." She said that she used to reside at the E. Gaines Ln. residence, but had recently moved to a residence located off Indian Head in Citrus Hills. Calzada's arrest report also stated that Mr. Martinez told investigators that Ms. Calzada had picked him up from the E. Gaines Ln. residence and dropped him off to work the plants at the Fletcher St. residence. Calzada was arrested on a charge of agreeing to conspire, combine or confederate with another person to commit trafficking in marijuana and transported to the Citrus County Detention Facility. Her arrest report also stated, that as she is an alien resident from cuba, she was held without bond as she is a flight risk.

Crystal River Grow House Shut Down

Barbaro Pineda Mesa, 46, 761 E. 31st St., Hialea, FL, was arrested by the Citrus County Sheriff's Office, Dec. 16, on charges of cultivation of marijuana; and renting, owning or leasing for the trafficking of a controlled substance. His bond was set at $15,000.
According to the arrest report, the CCSO's Tactical Impact Unit went to a residence located at 2610 N. Owl Point in crystal River to investigate the theft of utilities, as the electric meter had been tampered with. Calculations obtained over a 28-day period showed that approximately $579.92 in electricity had been stolen from the residence
The report stated that the seal to the electric meter had been cut, and the power had been diverted. A detective noticed the smell of marijuana coming from the residence. Officers also noticed that all the windows were covered and the sound of the air conditioner and fans inside the residence could be heard from outside. The rear glass door had been left open, and a stronger and more distinct smell of marijuana was detected there. The residence was secured, Mesa was detained, and a search warrant was obtasined for the property. 
Inside, the report stated, several bedrooms had been converted to a single grow room that contained 37 marijuana plants, approximately three to four feet tall.
Mesa, who was born in Cuba, was read his rights in Spanish. He spoke with the team voluntarily. He said he was aware of the marijuana plants, but he came to the residence only to feed the farm animals, that he'd been hired by the homeowner. He said that other Hispanic males, whom he did not know, had come to the residence on many occasions when he was there to take care of the plants. When asked, Mesa said that his fingerprints would possibly be found on articles in the grow room.
Mesa was transported to the Citrus County Detention Facility.

Citrus Sheriff Dept. Locates Meth Cooking Location in Inglis

   Samuel Allen Brewer, 20, Inglis, was arrested by the Citrus County Sheriff's Office, Dec. 10, charged with possession of listed chemicals with intent to manufacture a controlled substance. His bond was set at $5000. A juvenile was also arrested in the case.
   According to the arrest report, Deputies responded to the Hollingswood Ranch in northern Citrus County On Dec. 8, due to the fence having been cut a second time. When they arrived and found the area where the fence had been cut, the officers walked a trail leading north from the property and extended to the rear of an Inglis residence in Citrus County which has been associated with methamphetamine ("meth") manufacturing cases, and allegations of stolen property. Several old meth cook sites and a newer cook site were found near the trail leading to the residence.
   On. Dec. 10, two deputies went to the area and found a new, active meth cook they knew as the "one pot, shake and bake 
method." The report stated that the officers determined that material had been pulled from the bottle once and "it was obvious that they planned to return to do a second pull." The deputies went to the Inglis residence and located a marijuana bong and items associated with meth in a 17-year-old's bedroom. The boy admitted that the items were his, that he uses meth and has cooked it, 4 to 6 times, with the help of Brewer, who came by the meth cook area with another male While a crime scene technician was collecting evidence. Brewer admitted his role in the drug manufacturing and was arrested on the charges. The Juvenile Assessment Center allowed the 17-year-old to be released to the custody of his father.

Inglis Meth Lab Dismantled

   The Inglis Police Department was able to intercept a batch of methamphetamine that was chemically "cooking" in an Inglis backyard, Dec. 8, when two officers attempted to serve an arrest warrant on Alan E. Haley, Sr., whom IPD Officer Tim Swiggett had reason to believe may be at the residence of Larry Meadows, 33, 419 Linda St., in the Cason Acres area.
   Mr. Haley is "known to flee law enforcement," according to Officer Swiggett, so he brought Deputy Lee Prine of the Levy county Sheriff's Office to serve as backup. The officers parked their patrol cars, one street over on Shearer St., and walked to the Linda St. residence. Officer Swiggett went to the front door, and Dep. Prine went to the back door, in the event that Mr. Haley Sr. might attempt to escape arrest by way of the back door.
   While outside, standing at the front door, around 9:30 p.m., Officer Swiggett noticed people moving around inside the house and someone walking toward a back room. He also noticed a "strong chemical smell, similar to that commonly found during the manufacturing of methamphetamine," he reported. 
   Swiggett knocked on the door and identified himself. Swiggett "heard several people moving frantically around the house," he reported, and Meadows came to the door. Meadows told Swiggett that Meadows was not there, Swiggett asked to come inside and look for Haley Sr. Meadows replied, "Well, I have weed laying out, right now," according to Swiggett's report, Swiggett replied that he was not overly concerned with a small amount of marijuana. At that point, Swiggett heard Dep. Prine yelling and looked through the open front door to see Dep. Prine speaking with Alan Haley, Jr. at the back door. Meadows said, "C'mon in, Swiggert, and look." 
   Swiggett reported that he saw Naomi Gufford, 36, and Alan Haley, Jr., 22, both of 419 Linda St., Inglis, in the kitchen and Roger Brooks, 49, 1151 S. Palm Dr., Homosassa, lying on the sofa. Swiggett reported that Haley Jr. was nervous and insisted on escorting him around the house and also insisted that his father was not there. Swiggett found Barry Smith, 29, 588 Hwy. 40W, Inglis, lying on a bed in the rear bedroom. In the kitchen, several "suspicious items" were lying in plain view: a marijuana pipe, several lithium batteries, pH test strips, coffee filters, empty Gatorade bottles, Pyrex dishes and a plastic bottle that had been cut into the shape of a funnel. In the living room near where Brooks was sitting, Swiggett noticed an ashtray that contained lithium batteries, with the lithium strips cut away and missing. In the kitchen trash can, Swiggett saw additional lithium battery pieces.
   Satisfied that Haley Sr. was not there, the officers walked out the back door. About 10 to 15 feet from the door, the officers saw what appeared to be an actively cooking mathamphetamine lab. Swigget saw that Meadows (near the back door) was watching him and saw him turn toward the front door. Swiggett drew his gun and ordered him to stop. Meadows complied and was handcuffed.
     When he went back inside the residence in an attempt to gather all the people, Swiggett noticed that Haley Jr. had already fled out the front door. Swigget secured Gufford, while Dep. Prine contacted the Levy County Sheriff's Office Drug Task Force to come to the residence. Dep. Prine stayed in the residence, while Officer Swiggett went to retrieve their patrol cars. As he was returning to the residence in Dep. Prine's LSCO car, he saw Brooks pedaling a bicycle away from the residence. He secured Brooks and returned him to the residence. As Swiggett did not locate Haley Jr. in the immediate area, he contacted IPD Officer Tim Letson for help. Officer Letson and the LCSO Drug Task Force arrived at about the same time. Officer Letson, with the assistance of his canine partner, Elvis, made an unsuccessful attempt to locate Haley Jr., while the drug task force dismantled the lab and collected evidence. The suspected methamphetamine lab was verified by testing to be methamphetamine.
     The Inglis Fire Department and Levy County Medical Unit 3 arrived on the scene, for safety purposes during the methamphetamine lab cleanup. All the people who were currently in custody - Meadows, Gufford, Brooks and Smith - were placed under arrest, transported to the Levy County Jail and charged with manufacturing methamphetamine, trafficking methamphetamine and possession of listed chemicals. A Sworn Complaint was filed with the 8th Judicial Circuit Court, charging Alan Haley, Jr. with the same charges as the others who were arrested during the incident. The LCSO Crime Scene Unit also arrived on site to assist with the packaging and collection of evidence inside the residence and also to maintain custody of the residence which was deemed safe, so Meadows was allowed to secure his residence before being transported to the jail by Officer Swiggett. Dep. Letson transported 1 to jail and Dep. Prine transported 2, according to IPD Sgt. Mack Ballard.

Lecanto Meth House Busted

Joseph Shane Damron, 31, 5359 S. Destin Pt., Lecanto, was arrested by the Citrus County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) on numerous drug charges, NOv. 30. According to the arrest report, the sheriff's office spoke with residents at Damron's address while investigating an unrelated robbery. The report stated that three individuals at the residence told officers that Damron had been manufacturing methamphetamine at the residence for the past few months. They also said that many items related to the manufacturing of the drug were in Damron's bedroom.

Officers obtained a search warrant and searched the residence for the drug. During the search of Damron's bedroom, bathroom and yard, numerous items were found that are used in the manufacturing of 
methamphetamine: an active methamphetamine "cook," which tested positive for the presence of methamphetamine and had a weight of more than 28 grams; a partially full anhydrous ammonia 
tank (discovered outside, near a shed), pseudo-ephedrine blister packs, ether cold packs, and coffee filters. Officers found other items located inside a metal safe in Damron's bedroom, which included syringes, digital scales, rolling papers and a glass pipe (commonly used for smoking methamphetamine). 

Damron, who had previously been arrested (on Nov. 30), was already incarcerated at the Citrus County Detention Facility. He was informed of the drug charges, arrested on them, and his bond was set at $65,500. The previous charges were burglary, grand theft and dealing in stolen property, for allegedly stealing a riding lawnmower and gas container from a Homosassa church property (a shed at Life Point church) and selling the mower for $300 (it was recovered). Damron was also arrested on Nov. 15, on charges of petit theft ($115 in merchandise from Wal-Mart) and possession of one gram of methamphetamine.

One of the names used for the methamphetamine cooking method used by Damron is the "one pot," because all the ingredients are added to one container and allowed to "cook" by chemical reaction, said CCSO Public Information Officer Gail Tierney. She said that Damron used a plastic, 2-liter bottle for cooking the methamphetamine. The "one Pot" method is highly volatile, as the mixture can explode if agitated before the cooking (chemical) process is completed. The lithium metal strips used in the process can react with moisture in the bottle to explode the flammable fuel used in the cooking process. "In essance, it is a bomb, ready to explode," said Tierney.

According to Dep. Brian coleman, "There are many different methods for producing methamphetamine. Each method has its own inherent dangers. Many of the chemicals used are caustic or corrosives, and some of the processes create noxious and harmful fumes. One variation is called the 'Nazi Method,' because it allegedly mirrors a meth-making procedure followed by the Germans during WWII. Instead of hydriodic acid, the Nazi method uses anhydrous ammonia, a chemical found in fertilizer. Anhydrous ammonia can produce a poisonous gas if its liquid form is released into the air. This was the method being used in the Lecanto single-wide mobile home (Damron's residence) where detectives with the CCSO Tactical Impact Unit served a search warrant on Monday (Nov. 30). Besides law enforcement, fire and Haz-Mat (Hadardous Chemical Unit) also responded to the scene. A cleanup crew from Orlando under contract with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) was called to safely clean up the lab and its contents." 

Two Men Arrested for Aggravated  Assault


David Joseph Harrison, 24,  N, Amphibian Pt., Crystal River, was arrested by the Citrus County Sheriff's Office on a warrant, Nov. 28, charged with robbery with a firearm or other deadly weapon, aggravated battery using a deadly weapon and armed burglary. He was held on $85,000 bond and also charged with violation of probation (original charge of driving while license suspended) and failure to appear, with additional bond set at $2205.

Harrison had remained "at large" since his co-defendent, 24-year-old Derek Robert Berstein (also known as Derek Robert Bernstein), , had been arrested on Nov. 22, charged with robbery with a firearm or other deadly weapon, aggravated battery using a deadly weapon, armed burglary, and driving while license suspended (habitual traffic offender) and held on $87,000 bond. 

According to Berstein's arrest report: The victim stated that he'd visited a friend and had walked outside around 11:00 p.m. to go to his vehicle and saw someone sitting in the front seat of his vehicle with the door partially open. As he got closer, he recognized the person sitting in his car as Derek Bernstein, whom he's known for about ten years. When he approached his car to ask Bernstein what he was doing, he saw that Bernstein was stealing his Magellan GPS and IPOD Touch. He said Bernstein jumped out of his car, brandishing a pistol, and yelled to another man (possibly Harrison), "Get him!" He said the second man (possibly Harrison) came out from the side of the house with a shotgun and smacked him on the back of the head, sending him to the ground. While he was on the ground, he said, Bernstein and the other male (possibly Harrison) were hitting him with their weapons and that Bernstein continued hitting him on the left side of his face with his pistol, telling him that he'd better give him his money. He said he attempted to locate his wallet, which he did not have with him, but he was able to give him the cash he had, which was approximately $400. He said that both men stopped hitting him for a moment, so he crawled back to his vehicle, got into his car and started the ignition. While he was attempting to leave, Bernstein and the other male (possibly Harrison) reached into his vehicle in an attempt to keep him from leaving and also to look for additional cash, then both men took off on foot. 

The victim provided officers with a description of the vehicle the two men were driving, a green 1994 Cadillac, along with the name of the registered owner of the car and the last three digits of the tag number, due to his having seen the two men in the vehicle on a regular basis. Deputies issued a BOLO (be on the lookout) for the Cadillac and located and stopped it at the Race Track gas station on Hwy. 44. Bernstein was driving the vehicle, although he had a suspended driver's license. Berstein was taken into custody, but Harrison remained at large until his arrest on Nov. 28 at 7855 W. Gulf to Lake Hwy. in Crystal River.

Homosassa Pack N Post Reports Robbery 

      (Homosassa)  The Pack N Post at 5455 S. Suncoast Boulevard reported being robbed Monday not long after 2 p.m.
      A white male, around 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing between 200 and 220 pounds, entered the business and approached employees wearing a black knit cap with holes cut out that was rolled down over his eyes.  He was wearing glasses under the makeshift mask.
      The lone suspect also was wearing a yellow hoodie, jeans and white tennis shoes.  Although it was never displayed, he may have had a gun in a pocket of the hoodie.
      The suspect took an undisclosed amount of cash and was last seen exiting a back door of the business.  No injuries were reported.
      It is unknown at this time whether or not a vehicle was involved.
      Anyone who has information about this crime or the suspect’s identity is asked to use Crime Stoppers of Citrus County, Inc.  Report your tip by texting CITRUS to 274637 (Crimes), clicking on www.crimestopperscitrus.com or calling 1-888-ANY-TIPS toll-free.  Tipsters may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $1,000.

Pizza Delivery Man Robbed at Gunpoint   

     
(Lecanto)   Shortly before 11 p.m. on Wednesday, a Papa John’s pizza delivery man told deputies he was robbed at gunpoint while making a late night pizza run.  Two suspects remain at large.       The 31-year-old Citrus Springs victim was called to a residence on S. Leisure Boulevard, which turned out to be vacant.  As the delivery man was turning to leave, he was confronted by two men wearing masks and dark clothing.  The shorter suspect, about 5 feet 8 inches tall, was displaying a handgun, while the taller one, between 6 feet and 6 feet 1 inch tall, was pointing a shotgun.       
They both demanded cash from the victim, and then ordered him to the ground and began beating the man with an unknown object.  They tied the 31-year-old’s legs together, and then tied one of his arms to a pole of the carport.  He was told to lie facedown as the two suspects fled the scene.       
     The victim’s personal vehicle was entered by the pair, and his cell phone, keys and wallet were stolen.  The suspects took the delivery bag containing the pizza, too.The victim was able to free himself and get help from a house nearby.  Sheriff’s Office deputies responded, as detectives and crime scene technicians were dispatched to the incident location. The victim suffered various lacerations and abrasions, as well as a large lump on his head; however, he refused medical treatment.  The delivery man told detectives that he remembered hearing a vehicle, but could offer no physical description or direction of travel. Detectives are following up on a few possible leads, but could use the public’s help. Anyone who may have information about this armed robbery is asked to call 911 right away.  To remain anonymous, use Crime Stoppers of Citrus County, Inc.  To report a tip, text CITRUS to 274637 (Crimes), click on www.crimestopperscitrus.com or call 1-888-ANY-TIPS toll-free.  Tipsters may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $1,000.

Lecanto man charged with attempted premeditated murder


Joseph Michael Rairick, 55, N. Brighton Rd., Lecanto, was arrested by the Citrus County Sheriff's Office, Nov. 19, charged with the attempted, premeditated murder of a 74-year-old Lecanto man. According to the arrest report, Rairick got into an argument with the victim and told him, "This is your last day on earth." The report stated that Rairick then left the living room and returned shortly with a Philips head screwdriver and attacked the victim, stabbing him in the neck at least twice. The victim also had what a appeared to be a defensive stab wound to his right hand, the report stated. As the victim fell to the floor, he managed to take the screwdriver away from Rairick, who commented, "It's all going to end now," the report stated. Rairick then walked to the other side of the living room and closed the sliding glass door, according to the report. The victim managed to get outside, by way of the front door, and yelled for help. As witnesses approached, Rairick was seen standing over the victimn, struggling for the screwdriver, the report stated. When deputies arrived, Rairick fled inside the house with deputies in pursuit, and they were able to take him into custody without incident. A deputy spoke briefly with the victim, as he was waiting to be flown to a trauma center (Tampa General Hospital). He identified his assailant as Joseph Rairick. Rairick initially agreed to speak with a detective, but changed his mind, stating he did not want to talk.

Two Men Arrested for Fraudulent Prescriptions

     Robert L. Dey, 27, 1316 Claymore St., Inverness, was arrested by the Citrus County Sheriff's Office, Nov. 18, charged with obtaining a controlled substance by fraud or deception. According to the arrest report, Dey was arrested for allegedly turning in a fraudulent prescription for methadone at a local pharmacy on Oct. 6. The prescription was made out to Dey by a local physician who said that Dey had mever been a patient and the prescription had not been authorized and was fraudulently made. Dey admitted that the charges were true. He was arrested on the charge. His bond was set at $5000.
     Michael William Allender, 35, 3536 S. Apopka Ave., Inverness, was arrested by the citrus County Sheriff's Office, Nov. 16, charged with obtaining a controlled substance by fraud or deception. His bond was set at $2,000. According to the arrest report, Allender attempted to turn in a fraudulent prescription for methadone at a local pharmacy that was written for Allender by a local physician who said the Allender had never been a patient and the prescription was fraudulently made. Allender admitted that he'd assisted a female in attempting to fill the prescription. He was arrested on the charge. The woman codefendent's name was not listed on Allender's arrest report.
     On the same day, Allender was also cited with driving while license revoked, habitual offender. His bond on this charge was $2.000.

Man Arrested in Rosewood Murder Case

Rosewood, Florida-On November 5, 2009 Detective Mike Narayan arrested Charles Edwin Duke for murder, armed kidnapping and possession of a firearm during commission of a felony.
 
On November 4, 2009 at 8:37 p.m. Crystal Fine called the Levy County Sheriff's Office and stated that she received a text from Justin White.  The text message stated that somebody was dead.  Ms. Fine called the Sheriff's Office and reported this incident, but was unable to provide an address on the whereabouts of White.  Deputies had knowledge that the White's had property near Carters Store on CR-345 and responded to the area and began a search.  While deputies were on the White's property the Sheriff's Office received a call from a male subject that was later identified as Charles Duke.  Duke stated that he killed his wife, Felicia Duke and we would find her body at the Peters hunting camp in Rosewood.  Duke stated that he had Justin White hostage at gun point and was located at the power lines but would not be taken alive.  The power lines are a known area where people mud bog with their four wheel drive trucks.
 
The Levy County Sheriff's Office and the Florida Wildlife Commission responded to the area off N.E. 128 Lane and County Road 337.  Sheriff Johnny Smith negotiated with Duke for over six hours by cellular phone attempting to have him release White and surrender to authorities.  White was extremely adamant that if law enforcement attempted to approach him he would kill White and the officers.  Duke parked his truck in the middle of the wet lands and during negotiations stated he would release White if he could talk to his father.  Duke's father was located in Archer and transported to the area.  After a lengthy dialogue with Duke he was allowed to speak to his father and after many tense moments he surrendered to the Sheriff's Office.
 
The investigation revealed Duke and Felicia Fine Duke were married less than two weeks.  On the night of November 4, 2009 an altercation occurred between Duke and his wife.  During the argument the Levy County Sheriff Dept. alleges that Duke shot his wife multiple times at their residence at 6490 SW 95 Ave.
 

Man  Arrested For Strangling Bronson Woman

Bronson, Florida- On October 22, 2009 Deputy Ella Anderson arrested Leon Wiggins for felony battery and he was transported to the Levy County Jail. The victim reported that she went to 450 Alvin Road in Bronson to purchase drugs from Wiggins on October 22, 2009 around two in the morning.  Upon arriving Wiggins wanted to exchange drugs for sex and the victim refused.  This infuriated Wiggins and threw the victim on the ground and started strangling her with both hands.  The victim reported that she fought Wiggins and he covered her nose and mouth and she lost unconscious on two different occasions.  The victim was able to free herself from Wiggins and fled the scene on foot.  Deputy Anderson observed bruising around the victim's throat, face and shoulders and she was upset. Patrol deputies located Wiggins at 550 Hurst Street in Bronson sleeping in a vehicle and he was arrested without incident.

Bronson Man Tasered, Pepper Sprayed During Arrest

October 17, 2009 Deputy Ella Anderson arrested Matthew Edward Devers for two counts of domestic battery and resisting arrest without violence.
     Deputy Anderson responded to 11711 NE 106th Court in reference to a domestic disturbance. Upon arrival victim # 2 stated that Devers was mad at a relative and spit on the victim when they walked past him in the kitchen. Devers was mad at victim # 2 from an argument that occurred a few days prior. Devers then began striking victim # 1 repeatedly with a closed fist in the face, chest and arms. Victim # 2 stated that she attempted to intervene and Devers directed his anger at victim # 2 by shoving her several times in the stove and kitchen counters. Deputy Anderson observed red marks and bruising on both victims and they were extremely upset and crying. The victims stated that Devers was hiding in the laundry room and to be careful because he will be extremely violent and explosive.
     Deputy Anderson removed her taser from the holster and ordered Devers to lie face down on the ground. Devers was hesitant but finally complied with the order. Deputy Anderson told Devers not to move or he would be tazed. When Deputy Anderson attempted to handcuff Devers he rolled over and yelled to “Shoot Me” and attempted to get up. Deputy Anderson deployed her taser and Devers screamed and pulled the probes out and ran out of the residence. Devers ran down the road and Deputy Anderson apprehended Devers one block from the residence and ordered Devers to the ground several times. Devers refused the lawful orders, and he was pepper sprayed and told to lie face down on the ground. Devers complied and went to the ground but then continued to get up. Devers was held at gun point until back up arrived on the scene and he was arrested.
     Devers was treated on the scene by Levy County medics for the chemical spray and he was transported to the Levy County Jail.

Inverness Woman Charged with Child Abuse     

Grow house dismantled, 4 arrested, in Rainbow Lakes Estates, Dunnellon

     On Oct. 1, the Levy County Sheriff's Office Drug Task Force received information that a group of people may be operating an indoor marijuana grow house at 11471 S.E. 136th Terrace in Dunnellon. After an initial investigation, information for a search warrant was obtained, then executed, during the late afternoon of Oct. 1. 
     When the Task Force team entered the residence, they discovered a passageway, located behind a refrigerator, that led to three hidden rooms that were being used for the cultivation and processing of marijuana. They had an intricate support mechanism, made up of an advanced watering system, several grow lights and air conditioning that was needed to make the mechanism work. 
According to Capt. Evan Sullivan, Public Information Officer with the LCSO, agents said it appeared that one marijuana crop had already been harvested since the group moved into the residence, early this year. 
     Investigators seized 4.5 pounds of processed marijuana, along with 105 marijuana plants. The street value of the confiscated marijuana is in excess of $100,000. 
Arrested in the investigation were: (1) Duniesky Alfonso Soccorro (born in Cuba), age 33, 20255 S.W.122 Ave., #103, Miami, charged with conspiracy to traffic marijuana and possession of marijuana more than 20 grams; (2) Abelardo Mesa Rojas (born in Cuba; married to Rocio I. Mesa, below #3), age 56, 11471 S.E. 136th Terrace, Dunnellon, charged with conspiracy to traffic marijuana,cultivation of marijuana, possession of marijuana more than 20 gms., possession of drug paraphernalia, and maintaining a drug dwelling; (3) Rocio I. Mesa (born in Columbia; married to Abelardo Mesa Rojas, #2, above), age 45, 703 S.W. 100 Court Cir., Miami, charged with conspiracy to traffic marijuana and cultivation of marijuana; (4) Andres Camilo Gonzales (born in Columbia), age 20, 8842 W. Flagler St., Apt. 208, Miami, charged with conspiracy to traffic marijuana and driving while license suspended or revoked.

Crystal River Man Arrested on Precription Drug Fraud Charges     

Hubert Terry Doss, 55, 8221 W. Edgehill Ct., Crystal River was arrested by the Citrus County Sheriff's Office, Oct .1, on a charge of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud. He was later released on his own recognizance. According to his arrest report, Doss had been seeing local and out-of-county physicians and getting prescriptions filled at local and out-of-county pharmacies withing the same 30-day time frame.
     The report stated that Doss had filled a prescription on April 6 for 180 oxycodone tablets at a local pharmacy by an out-of-county physician, and nine days later on April 15, had filled a prescription for 120 oxycodone tablets at a Citrus County pharmacy by a Citrus County physician. On May 21, the report stated, Doss filled two prescriptions for controlled medications (240 oxycodone tablets and 270 methadone tablets) at an out-of-county pharmacy, from an out-of-county physician. Eight days later on May 29, Doss filled two prescriptions (210 oxycodone tablets and 180 methadone tablets) at a Citrus County pharmacy from a out-of county physician. A physician gave the arresting deputy a card signed by Doss, indicating that he knew the laws on withholding information from a practitioner and attempting to obtain controlled substances by fraud. According to the arrest report, Doss continued to see other out-of-county physicians up to July 26 and filled prescriptions for controlled substances at local and out-of-county pharmacies.
     Doss was arreated at the Emergency Operations Center on one count of obtaining controlled substances by fraud, the alleged May 29 incident. He was transported to the Citrus County Detention Facility, where he was later released on his own recognizance. 

Missing woman located in VA, arrested for shoplifting

      A woman Citrus County Sheriff's Office detectives have been attempting to locate since Sept. 8, has been located in Amherst County, VA where she was arrested for shoplifting. Jean Marie Doerr, 45, contacted dispatchers just before 1:00 a.m., Sept. 8, saying she was being battered, but hung up before providing any additional information. Officials were unable to reach her, via the cell phone she used to make her call to dispatchers, but they learned that the cell phone was registered to Doerr, with a Volusia County address. Law enforcement officers were unable to locate her Volusia County address or at another address in Bradford. Deputies also checked all of Doerr's known local residences, along with hospitals and urgent care facilities, but still were unable to locate her. The CCSO also issued a BOLO (be on the lookout) for her and entered her into the National Database for  Missing Persons. Doerr's name was removed from this database after she was located.

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