(Citrus County Sheriff's Office) A west-central Florida man . She later pleaded no contest to the killings of the other five men. Many of the standards are critical to life, health, safety issues, and best practices. From there, participants and clients from the Key Training Center finish on to the Citrus County Sheriff's Office Operations building in downtown Inverness around 11:30 a.m. Our outstanding partners at CoreCivic, will then be providing lunch for everyone. We are thankful to have worked alongside him and wish him the best in retirement! At around the same time, another male body turned. The jury deliberated for four hours, tasked with recommending either life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty, the only two possible sentences available under Florida law. She was taken to a nearby hospital. This program was developed by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) and promotes best practices for responding to calls of missing, abducted, and sexually exploited children. [18], The abduction of Jessica Lunsford was covered in 2013 on the TV series FBI: Criminal Pursuit in the episode "Lurking Menace".[19]. Thanks to his dapper good looks, charisma, and shockingly high body count, Ted Bundy, whos linked to the murders of at least 36 women, is perhaps the most famous serial killer in America. We will release additional details as they become available. (Citrus County, FL) The tradition continues on Friday, May 13, 2022, when Citrus County Sheriffs Office (CCSO) deputies join in the annual Florida Law Enforcement Torch Run that benefits Special Olympics Florida. Murders are much more common in Tallahassee, Florida, given its size and population, than in other Florida cities. During the search a blood-stained mattress and pillows were found in Couey's closet in his room, and forensic analysis discovered both Couey's and Lunsford's DNA on the mattress.[3]. With the assistance of the USMS and the Saguache County Sheriffs Office, Munn was arrested in Colorado. (Citrus County, FL) On November 14, 2022, Citrus County Sheriffs Office (CCSO) Intelligence Analyst Heather Ramos was selected as the 2022 Crime Stoppers Coordinator of the Year at the Annual National Crime Stoppers Conference held in Orlando, Florida. BLOG; CATEGORIES. Shamy Tommie (DOB 7/23/1985), Crystal River, FL- Domestic Battery F.S.S. The Sheriffs Office has been conducting Active Shooter/Assailant trainings for many years in both the School Resource Deputy program and agency in-service training. This case is just one of many more to come in our effort to hold those responsible for destroying our communities.. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. The SOME Run soon gained momentum, and law enforcement agencies from all over Florida became involved. Emergency call centers and law enforcement agencies are recognized for meeting essential training and policy elements and demonstrating preparedness for responding to a missing child incident. Nicholas Sullivan (DOB 3/9/1990), Hernando, FL- Strangulation F.S.S. The curriculum the academy offers has been certified by the International Association of Law Enforcement Intelligence Analysts (IALEIA), an organization that represents analytical personnel in law enforcement and develops international qualification and competency standards, setting the foundation for a professional career path in intelligence analysis. SC07-1636 Appellee's Answer Brief, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Murder_of_Jessica_Lunsford&oldid=1139769932, February 2005 events in the United States, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 16 February 2023, at 20:30. Although our deputies are always diligently looking to serve these warrants, Thursday and Friday was designated solely to gathering intelligence, chase down leads, and track offenders that have been eluding capture. Total bond set at $137,000. From that point, runners will complete the relay leg over to the Publix in Inverness. Following agency policy, the deputies involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave with pay, pending the outcome of the preliminary FDLE investigation. She accosted Shipman in an airport parking lot and released pepper spray into her open car window although Shipman was able to drive away and get help. Without a doubt, the most famous Florida serial killers include Danny Rolling, Ted Bundy, David Alan Gore, Gerard Schaefer, also known as "The Killer Cop," Aileen Wuornos, Bobby Joe Long, and "The Flat-Tire Murderer," who has remained unidentified since at least 1975. The victim was taken to Jessies Place, Citrus Countys Child Advocacy Center, for an emergency medical examination by the Child Protection Team (CPT). Rolling aspired to be as infamous as Ted Bundy. Our continual fight against illicit drug activity takes time and numerous personnel. (Citrus County, FL) February 17, 2022, the Citrus County Sheriffs Office SWAT team, along with the support of the Hernando County Sheriffs Office SWAT team, executed a search warrant at 6330 W. Carter Road in Homosassa. Most of the names on the list of murders in Florida that can be found on the Florida Department of Law Enforcements unsolved cases website may not sound familiar; however, a few of the names on the list of all murders in Florida, list of Florida murders, and notorious Florida criminals have seemingly become household names across the state. During the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. The training took place at Crystal River High School over two days, Tuesday and Wednesday this week, with both CCSOs School Resource Deputies (SRD) and school Guardians in attendance. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. So naturally, there is a lot of respect afforded to those deemed fit and courageous enough to travel to mankinds final frontier. SPRING HILL, Fla. The Hernando County Sheriff's Office said three people are dead after an apparent double murder-suicide in Spring Hill on Monday. Updated: Nov 5, 2021 / 03:56 PM EDT. In October 2005, Deputy Parsons was promoted to the rank of Corporal and Officer In Charge. A NCMEC spokesperson stated, By demonstrating remarkable leadership, and making this commitment of training and preparedness, the Citrus County Sheriffs Office is communicating to its citizens and families that protecting the lives and safety of their children is a top priority. K9 Odie conducted an exterior vehicle sniff of the suspect vehicle and alerted to the presence of narcotics. We will continue to work in partnership with the State Attorneys Office to make sure Geller will never terrorize another child.. Upon a thorough evaluation of the forensic evidence and additional investigative work by CCSO detectives, a warrant was secured for the arrest of Johnson-Cabrera, a former girlfriend of the victim. More about this case Best Image Available Meeker, Robert Case Information: Case Type: Homicide Several law enforcement and investigating agencies provide reports and statistics on their websites if you would like to know more about the number of murders in Florida by year. Cohen used the victim as a target for his anger and frustration, knowing they would be unable to fight back, said Sheriff Mike Prendergast. Detectives located narcotics including large trafficking amounts of methamphetamine (482.6 grams), various narcotic pills (Diazepam, Oxycodone, and Alprazolam), and LSD. 784.03(2). Law enforcement officers from around the state carry the Flame of Hope in an intrastate relay of simultaneous routes throughout Florida, covering hundreds of miles. In simple terms, this indicates that 378 persons per 100,000 people livingin Florida were directly impacted by violent crime in 2019 alone. (Citrus County, FL)February 22, 2022, 25-year-old Shane Harrison Cohen was arrested for Aggravated Child Abuse in reference to injuries he inflicted on a 2-year-old child who was in his care. CRYSTAL RIVER, Fla. - Citrus County deputies say a man who had just been released from prison five days ago is back behind bars, this time on attempted murder charges. The panel decided to indict Hunter on a charge of first-degree murder. Greenough exited his vehicle and armed himself with a rifle from inside the vehicle prior to taking off and running toward a playground area. US States (36975K) Current Events (51K) Celebrity (272) Exonerated (117) Favorites (421) FBI . Marshals Service for their teamwork, which resulted in the resounding success of this operation. 44 to the Publix in the Crystal Springs Plaza at the intersection of C.R. The victim was interviewed by the Child Protection Team (CPT) at Jessies Place, the Citrus County child advocacy center. (Citrus County, FL) School Resource Deputy Joseph Faherty retires today from the Citrus County Sheriffs Office after dedicating nearly 24 years of service to our youth and community as a sworn law enforcement officer. Our united front in the fight against illegal narcotics serves as a reminder to those dealing drugs in our communities that we will find you, and when we do, youll be in cuffs.. Of crashes, 46% involved drivers who had been drinking, and 38% involved a drunk driver. (Citrus County, FL) On July 30, 2022, at approximately 12:27 pm, Citrus County Sheriffs Office (CCSO) deputies responded to 12599 S. Florida Avenue in Floral City in reference to a noise complaint. Detectives were then able to locate Dean just eight short days after Jonathans death to question her about her interactions with Jonathan and involvement in his illicit drug use. 847.0135 (3)(a), Sexual Offenders Failure to Register; Electronic Mail 943.0435(4)(e)(1), Sexual Offenders Failure to Register; Telephone Numbers 943.0435(4)(e)(2), and Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device 934.215. In February 2012, Detective Parsons was transferred to CCSOs Tactical Impact Unit (TIU), serving as a Deputy from February 2012 until April 2015. Our office stands with Gov. After the discovery of Lunsford's body at the residence, Dixon stated that a week earlier she had given Couey money for a bus ticket, and that he had telephoned her to say he had moved to Savannah, Georgia. According to CCSO, 26-year-old Hunter Dillon, of Inverness was arrested on charges of Robbery, Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer, and Resisting with Violence. If you suspect someone is committing crimes against our youth, call (352) 249-2790 to report your suspicions to our office immediately. People who live in Citrus County generally consider the north part of the county to be the safest for this type of crime. I am extremely grateful to my team and the outstanding staff at Citrus County animal shelter for saving these helpless animals, working well into the midnight hours.. Thanks to the courts decision yesterday, Touchton will spend the rest of his life in prison and will never be able to abuse another child. Acting on information received from a local daycare facility, Citrus County Sheriffs Office (CCSO) Detective Jason Cook and Detective Roscoe Watts, with the Special Victims Unit (SVU), immediately began an investigation. [2] He was released from police custody after being interviewed. . Members of the Intelligence Analyst Unit immediately assisted with providing relevant information on the possible suspect. CCSO has to comply with numerous standards in order to receive accredited status. Very few humans have ventured into space. On July 13, 2022, 33-year-old Diana Elizabeth Guevara of Inverness, Florida, was arrested on a warrant for the charges of Transmitting Harmful Materials to Minors, Unlawful Sexual Activity with Certain Minors, and four counts of Lewd and Lascivious Battery in reference to multiple incidents that occurred over the past several months at her residence in Inverness, Florida. In addition, some of the other unsolved murders Florida which are included in the long list of cold cases are the numerous east Florida unsolved murders. HCSO said deputies were called out to a home . CITRUS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) - Citrus County deputies are currently investigating a verbal altercation that led to the death of a resident. Crime Map for Citrus County, FL Crime Map Trends Analytics Cold Cases Missing Persons Daily Archive Burglary 11/30/2022 3:44 AM LECANTO HWY Burglary 11/29/2022 5:56 PM 2ND CT Theft 11/29/2022 3:41 PM HIGH ACRES STREET Vandalism 11/29/2022 2:32 PM GULF TO LAKE HWY Burglary 11/29/2022 1:22 PM U S HIGHWAY 41 Other 08/13/2021 6:34 AM 123 SESAME ST The homicide rate in Florida was roughly 5.2 per 100,000 population, according to the same data, meaning that in 2019, roughly 5 people per 100,000 were murdered in Florida. Ramirez, Jessica. In recent years, DNA technology has resulted in the resolution of hundreds, if not thousands, of decades-old cold cases, and Florida is no different. Project: Cold Case, as well as many other local, county, and state law enforcement and investigating agencies have lists of unsolved homicides and unsolved missing persons cases listed on their websites. We encourage all citizens to use this tool so they will remain anonymous and possibly eligible for a cash reward when reporting a crime. On March 25, 2022, Detective Barry made contact with Cole at his residence in Polk City. We believe the more resources we can provide to digital volunteers and citizen solvers mean more citizen detective communities. The peak occurred just three years ago in 2009 at 536 but the total violent crime index of the last year of reporting (2011) is not that far behind at 442. We will continue to target drug dealers in an ongoing effort to make our community the safest in Florida, said Sheriff Prendergast. According to the sheriff's office Sunday morning, deputies were dispatched to do a well-being check at a Homosassa home, where they found the bodies of girlfriend and boyfriend, Erin Cain Prost . Prior history of domestic violence. Fabricio Oswaldo Aguilar Beccera (DOB 5/10/1981), Ocala, FL Travel to Seduce/Solicit Child in Sex Act: F.S.S. The victims were Jerry Lee Clark, JoAnn Sanders' 53-year-old fiance who lived in Floral City; Roger Clark, a 36-year-old carpenter from Weeki Wachee who was helping Clark remodel the house; Larry. Twenty-eight reptiles (snakes, skinks, geckos, and monitor lizards) were also found to be kept in terrible conditions. Your chance of being a victim of vandalism in Citrus County may be as high as 1 in 188 in the southwest neighborhoods, or as low as 1 in 695 in the south part of the county. The B- grade means the rate of murder is slightly lower than the average US county. Exotic lost the suit and soon owed Baskin a lot of money. Harold Wilfred Carver III (DOB 7/22/1976), Orlando, FL Fugitive from Justice out of Washington County Virginia for 8 Counts of Rape and Sexual Battery. Bond set at $5,000. The remains of two dogs were also located under a tarp on the property and one puppy was found deceased in its own feces and urine, with no access to water. As soon as our team confirms the facts on what has transpired today, said Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast, we will release more information. The pursuit, which lasted roughly 45-minutes, ended in the business plaza of Meadowcrest when deputies deployed stop sticks deflating the tires. 6.6 lbs. On August 11, 2007, a jury overseeing the Lunsford case voted 10-2 that Couey be eligible for the death sentence. At the time of his arrest, Gromling was already in custody at the Citrus County Detention Facility for drug related charges, About the Citrus County Sheriffs Offices Tactical Impact Unit: The Tactical Impact Unit responsibilities include narcotics investigations, street[1]level reverse stings, regular checks for narcotics in schools and traffic interdiction. The young mom initially claimed that she had dropped her daughter off with a babysitter, and that when she came back later, both were gone. 847.0135 (3)(a), Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device 934.215. Based on the findings of the medical examiner, and the facts and evidence collected by members of TIU and Detective Slingerland, Gromling was arrested for murder by unlawful distribution of fentanyl and is being held without bond. All throughout itshistory, Florida saw more than its fair share of Florida killers. Most famously, he became the host of Americas Most Wanted, a popular program that has led to the capture of many criminals across the country. Rafael Rosado Lopez (DOB 3-20-62), of Hudson, FL. Robbery. Nowak was originally charged with kidnapping and attempted murder but pleaded guilty to burglary and misdemeanor battery. On July 12, 2022 the Citrus County Sheriffs Office (CCSO) was contacted in reference to a juvenile receiving sexually explicit social media messages from Geller. The dark underbelly to life in Florida is on full display in Floribama Murders,airingSaturday, January 7 at 9/8con Oxygen, which dives into chilling and bizarre crimes across the state. Kenneth Hottes (DOB 4/01/1979), Ocala, FL Knowingly Transmit Harmful Material to a Minor: F.S.S. Daniel Redman was shot by deputies during a hostage situation and has been in our custody while receiving medical treatment. Furthermore, they informed detectives she was attempting to get hired at the Lecanto Detention Facility in Lecanto, operated by CoreCivic, in a detention guard capacity to infiltrate the county jail for the purpose of bringing narcotics into the facility for monetary gain. Through these collaborations, we fiercely prepare ourselves to defeat threats and remove any potential hazard that may endanger our students and schools.. Included in these lists are the many unsolved murders in northern Florida, which include the 1986 murder of Howard Kip Evans, the 2009 murder of Tymon Ross, the 2004 murder of Kristin Dunn, the 1994 murder of Laralee Spear, and the 1978 murder of Carol Lynn Sullivan, among countless others. in Beverly Hills, FL. Prior history of domestic violence. Daileys passenger, Hall was also arrested and charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. "Citrus County Animal Services staff will be collecting veterinary forensic evidence and providing care for the victims. As Director of Region IV, she will oversee all programs in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, the US Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Following her death, her father, Mark Lunsford, pursued new legislation to provide more stringent tracking of released sex offenders. Last Wednesday, while in her training academy at CoreCivic, TIU detectives in coordination with CoreCivics management and security team, entered the classroom and arrested Morgan. The powder was field-tested and yielded a positive result for the presence of Fentanyl. Fifty-nine roosters and hens were seized by CCSO Animal Control. While this can never undo the harm done to this victim, I hope they will find solace in knowing Touchton will spend the rest of his life in prison.. (Citrus County, FL) Tuesday, May 3, 2022, the Citrus County Sheriffs Offices (CCSO) Wanted of the Week, 48-year-old Jason Munn of Floral City, was arrested by authorities with the Saguache County Sheriffs Office in Colorado, thanks to the assistance of the United States Marshals Service (USMS) Fugitive Task Force. This was not your average noise complaint on a Saturday afternoon. After obtaining an undisclosed amount of cash, the suspect fled in a white vehicle. The disgusting and sexually deviant behaviors these predators displayed in their online chats are monstrous. Citrus County is in the 56th percentile for safety, meaning 44% of counties are safer and 56% of counties are more dangerous. Heres why felons stopped their violent assaults: The fact that a large percentage of incidents are not reported and these numbers can be even higher. The Behavioral Health Unit, specifically our Domestic Violence Unit, works diligently to reduce domestic violence across the county by working with our community partners like CASA, to intervene and stop the cycle of violence, said Sheriff Prendergast. Dig deeper If youre curious to know more about the statisticsregarding crimesin Florida, several law enforcement organizations publish yearly reportson their websites that detail the crimes in the state. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement estimates that there were around20 murders in Leon County in 2018 and 21 murders in 2019. Drive Sober, Citrus - together, we can save lives.. Detectives were able to review surveillance footage from the church property that showed two suspects removing various items, to include three lawn mowers and a portable air compressor. Total bondset at none, due to domestic violence related crime. The crash involved a motorcycle and an SUV, following a verbal altercation between the motorists at a stoplight. We will continue to fight illicit drug activity in our community at every given opportunity.. Megan Thersea Stergios Megan Thersea Stergios, 29, Beverly Hills, arrested May 18 for two counts of failure to appear. Caylees body was eventually found months later, not far from her mothers Orlando home, and Anthony was charged with her little girls murder. (Arrested by Levy County Sheriffs Office), Phillip Simpson (DOB 7/09/1995), Anthony, FL Transmission of Harmful Material 847.0138(2), Computer Pornography; Solicit, Lure, or Entice 847.0135 (3)(a), Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device 934.215. We have been aggressively looking at homes in Crystal River for our retirement. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has published crime reports from 1995-2011 that indicate violent crimes in our county. (NBC News) Tonight on "Dateline," investigators desperately search for a killer after Florida teacher Denise Hallowell is found murdered in her own . Jose Joaquin Hernandez (DOB 6-10-64) was arrested and charged in accordance with Florida Statute 828.122 (3) (d), Fighting or baiting animals and promoting, staging, advertising, or charging any admission fee to a fight or baiting between two or more animals. Devin Picard (DOB 2/8/1994), Hernando, FL- Child Neglect without Great Bodily Harm F.S.S. During his public service career with CCSO, he received two Medals of Commendation one of which was for a child pornography case in which the suspect was arrested and charged with over 50 counts of child pornography possession, one Unit Citation, and multiple Certificates of Commendation. Upon arrival, deputies met with the complainant. We are privileged to have worked alongside Chris and wish him nothing short of a happy and safe retirement.. Anyone having information about this case is encouraged to contact the Major Case Assessment Team at (850) 891-4462 or (850) 891-4745. According to Project: Cold Case, there were roughly 55,895 unsolved murders between 1980 and 2019 in Florida. Welcome to the Citrus County Sheriff's Office website. According to CCSO, this appears to be an isolated incident. Upon arrival, officials located Jonathan in his room, where he was pronounced deceased due to obvious signs of rigor mortis. If you see an impaired driver, dial 9-1-1. And when Anthony was found not guilty of her daughters murder. Total bond set at none, due to domestic violence related crime. Gainesville Police Department, During the summer of 1990, the college town of Gainesville was on edge. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! The dedication shown by Analyst Heather Ramos in her position at the Sheriffs Office and as Coordinator of the Program is impressive, and we want to congratulate her on receiving national recognition, said Sheriff Mike Prendergast. Deputies were dispatched to an alarm call at TD Bank in Crystal River shortly before noon today. Retired Deputy Steven Smolensky was shot and. Warrants are served for all types of family related crimes, including: domestic violence, interfering with making 9-1-1 calls, injunction violations, pretrial release agreement violations, non-payment of child support, child abuse crimes, elder abuse crimes and any other type of family violence. For more information regarding CFA or for persons wishing to offer written comments about the agencys ability to meet the standards of accreditation, please send correspondence to: CFA, P.O. (Citrus County, FL) Today, the Citrus County Sheriffs Office (CCSO) announces its participation in the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administrations (NHTSA) Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign. Deputies say the man appeared to have heavy trauma and injuries from the crash. The NHTSA recommends having a plan whether youre driving, riding, or hosting. Crime Stoppers is an integral part in solving crime locally in Citrus County and beyond. Exotic (whose legal name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage) owned the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park in Oklahoma, a home to a number of big cats. The unit coordinates and assists other organizations and departments in combating street-level drug crimes. While working full-time, Detective Parsons earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminology at Florida State University. In 1992, Wuornos was found guilty of first-degree murder in Mallorys murder and sentenced to death. CCSO joins law enforcement agencies nationwide that will maintain high visibility on the roads as we approach the Labor Day holiday weekend. Total bond set at $15,485.00. The property was set up with an arena, along with numerous cages, holding pens, scales, timers, and a scoreboard enabling bets to be placed on the fighting roosters. (Citrus County, FL) Yesterday, 36-year-old Russell Thomas Florence of Homosassa, Florida, pled guilty to Lewd and Lascivious Molestation of a Child under 12. After securing the residence and individuals on scene, officials proceeded with the execution of the lawful search warrant. At the conclusion of the interview further evidence was collected in an attempt to support the victims statements. The Citrus County Sheriff's Office responded to reports of a domestic disturbance near North Andri Drive on March 30, and found the man, later identified as Lawrence Howard Worley, Sr., dead. After locating both Rodrick and Hudson, detectives conducted an interview with them regarding the crimes committed. On January 14, 2022, CCSO deputies responded to a shooting in the area of East Dawson Drive in Inverness where they located victim Brenden Redman lying in a driveway with apparent gunshot wounds. While serving the search warrant, defendant Ways and defendant Lozada both fled on foot from the property and were apprehended by perimeter units within seconds. This unit works in direct conjunction with the Citrus County State Attorneys Office, Jesses Advocacy Center, the Department of Children and Families, as well as other local, state and federal agencies to investigate and prosecute cases involving sexual exploitation and abuse, human trafficking, severe physical abuse cases involving children and a wide variety of other crimes against children. This year, he was sentenced to 22 years in prison. Deputies say 62-year-old Michael Ball was arrested in . You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. has certainly achieved a high level of fame. Couey stated he did not have anything to do with the nine-year-old's disappearance and had moved to Georgia to find a job, only knowing about it from the television news. The 6-year-old had been with his mom then suddenly he was gone. [8], The trial was moved to Miami after officials were unable to seat an impartial jury in Citrus County where the trial was first scheduled to be held.[9]. Detectives compared notes and investigated every possible lead. Locally, he received the Partners with a Heart award for his outstanding work in methamphetamine eradication. (Citrus County, FL) Today, we celebrate the many impressive achievements, valuable contributions, and well-deserved retirement of Citrus County Sheriffs Office (CCSO) Deputy Jannette Spencer, who is officially retiring from our office after 32 years of dedicated service. William Oefelein, another NASA astronaut with whom Nowak had once had an affair. Exotic lost the suit and soon owed Baskin a lot of money. The investigation shows that Norris traveled to Citrus County, Florida to purchase his marijuana from . Citrus County is in the 50th percentile for safety, meaning 50% of counties are safer and 50% of counties are more dangerous. Detective Richey and Sergeant Holloway .