. CCSO would like to thank all of our local, state, and federal law enforcement agency partners who played an integral role in the success of this operation and were unwavering in their commitment to protecting our youth. Citrus County man dubbed 'sedition panda' after arrest in connection to Today, our Internet Crimes Against Children Detectives are part of the High Tech Crimes Unit, due to the specialized training. After a thorough search of the property, TIU detectives located: Over the duration of this investigation, a grand total of 8.98 kilograms of cocaine (19.8 pounds) a street-level value of $1,077,735.48 was seized from this drug organization. Lock your doors, lock up your valuables and help our agency in keeping Citrus County safe.. See the section on interpreting the crime map, however, because comparing rates for crime or any other crime is not as intuitive as it may seem. Additional charges are pending for Munn as our office continues its investigation. Citrus County Sheriff's deputies recovered the body, which had no immediate signs of trauma. 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. Marion County. Uncovered: Unsolved Florida Murders The murder occurred several hours prior to the discovery of Thomas' body. (Citrus County, FL) After dedicating 22 years to our community, a highly valued member of the Citrus County Sheriffs Office (CCSO) High Tech Crimes Unit, Detective Chris Cornell, retires today. Couey had lived at the West Snowbird Court residence with Dixon, her boyfriend Matt Dittrich, her daughter and sonin-law, Madie and Gene Secord, and her two-year-old grandson, Joshua. The dark underbelly to life in Florida is on full display in "Floribama Murders," airing Saturday, January 7 at 9/8c on Oxygen, which dives into chilling and bizarre crimes across the state. Deputies say the man appeared to have heavy trauma and injuries from the crash. 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. 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. Annually, the Federal Bureau of Investigation publishes a Uniform Crime Report which details the crimes, crime rates, and crime locations in every state, county, and city, including Florida. Nicholas Sullivan (DOB 3/9/1990), Hernando, FL- Strangulation F.S.S. Citrus County has had a serious illegal drug problem dating back to the early 70's. Law enforcement has attempted to address the issue over . (Citrus County, FL) On Friday, December 2nd, at approximately 6:23 p.m., the Citrus County Sheriffs Office (CCSO) communications center received a call in reference to a shooting that had just occurred at 3980 South Springbreeze Way in Homosassa, FL. Since taking over the program, Ramos has been extremely active and is responsible for much of the ongoing successes of our countys Crime Stoppers Program. Bond set at $5,000. Once the Commissions assessors complete their review of the agency, they report to the full Commission, which then determines if the agency is to receive accredited or reaccredited status - accreditation is valid for three years. I am extremely proud of the teamwork from the various law enforcement agencies that went into making these arrests possible and for knowing that thanks to their dedication, weve stopped these sexual predators from preying on children in our county and our surrounding counties.. 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. 172.105.99.84 So naturally, there is a lot of respect afforded to those deemed fit and courageous enough to travel to mankinds final frontier. 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. [2] He was released from police custody after being interviewed. The unit coordinates and assists other organizations and departments in combating street-level drug crimes. In his confession, Couey said that he had previously seen Lunsford playing in her yard and thought she was "about six years old". During this investigation, Houston had remained in custody at the Citrus County Detention Facility for his previous charges. Deputies were dispatched to an alarm call at TD Bank in Crystal River shortly before noon today. Total bond set at none, due to domestic violence related crime. Upon arrival at the W. Carter Road residence, deputies discovered six people inside the home. 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. More than 200,000 unsolved cases have gone cold since 1980, and murder clearance rates continue to drop. MUGSHOTS.COM IS AN AGGREGATOR OF THE TODAY'S CRIME NEWS. 'Florida Man Murders': Most Famous Florida Crimes | Crime News Total bond set at none, due to domestic violence related crime. On April 20, 2022, CCSO deputies were dispatched to a residence off West Hudson Street in reference to a death. 827.03(2)(D). Please join us in congratulating Deputy Spencer on her steadfast commitment to excellence in public safety and selfless service to our community. After securing the residence and both individuals on scene, detectives proceeded with the execution of the lawful search warrant. 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. On Monday, deputies responded to a home on North Andri Drive in Crystal River. 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 . Detectives were aware of ongoing narcotics sales at the residence and conducted an investigation that led to the execution of the narcotics search warrant. Crime in Citrus County - Citrus County, FL Crime Map - SpotCrime On February 1, 2022, the Citrus County Sheriffs Office (CCSO) was contacted by the parent of the juvenile victim in this case. He then kidnapped his youngest and final victim, 12-year-old Kimberly Leach, from her Lake City school and murdered her. About the Citrus County Sheriffs Offices Tactical Impact Unit: The Tactical Impact Unit responsibilities include narcotics investigations, street-level reverse stings, regular checks for narcotics in schools and traffic interdiction. His crime spree continued into the following year he shot his father twice and went on the run for attempted murder, raping a woman named Janet Frakealong the way. Our continual fight against illicit drug activity takes time and numerous personnel. Upon arrival, officials located Jonathan in his room, where he was pronounced deceased due to obvious signs of rigor mortis. The professionals that work in our TIU, supported by our outstanding Patrol Deputies, are committed to protecting the residents of our great county. SM MD LG FDLE Crime Report Citrus County Crime Report (2018) Trend County-by-County : Year, : Population, : Number of Offenses, : Crime rate per 100,000 population, : Clearance rate. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. [7], On June 30, 2006, a judge ruled that Couey's confession was inadmissible in court because when it was recorded police had not granted Couey's requests for a lawyer, thereby rendering the confession invalid and unreliable under the Fifth and Sixth Amendments of the United States Constitution. [10], On August 24, 2007, Couey was sentenced to death, in addition to three consecutive life sentences. Based on the findings of this case, along with the evidence collected and interviews conducted, an arrest warrant was signed by the Honorable Judge Falvey yesterday and Dean was arrested merely hours later. (Citrus County, FL) Last night, Citrus County Sheriffs Office (CCSO) officials arrested 22-year-old Jacqueline Jasmin Johnson-Cabrera of Ocala for the murder of Cory Schweitzer. In the meantime, please avoid the area between N. Regatta Pt and Fort Island Gulf Beach.. Thank you to the FDLE instructors who came to Citrus County to provide this imperative course to our SRDs, and the School Districts participation of its Guardians, along with the furnishing of a school venue, said Sheriff Prendergast. Daileys passenger, Hall was also arrested and charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. Both detectives and Animal Control Officers attempted to make contact with Munn, who had bonded out from his previous arrest, and were unsuccessful. We have been aggressively looking at homes in Crystal River for our retirement. Citrus Hills; Holder; Hernando, FL crime analytics Source & Methodology. Unsolved Cases in Florida In 1989, he was executed by electric chair in Florida State Prison. Rodrick was charged with two counts of burglary to a structure and three counts of grand theft. Upon arrival, deputies met with the complainant. Total bond set at $52,000. And when Anthony was found not guilty of her daughters murder. The assessment team is composed of assessors from similar agencies. Total bond set at none, due to domestic violence related crime. On July 28, 2022, the Citrus County Sheriffs Office (CCSO) responded to a motor vehicle crash that occurred near the 8000 block of North Suncoast Boulevard in Crystal River. Great job to all involved and thank you for your tremendous effort. Best search engine for True crime stories | Mugshots.com Citrus County has an overall crime rate of 3,294 per 100,000 residents. William Gonsisko, 59, was charged with three counts of attempted murder. Detective Snedeker recalled a vehicle matching the description being parked at a local motel in Homosassa. The units detectives identify, investigate, and infiltrate street-level to mid-level narcotics dealers and their organizations within Citrus County. We are happy to provide this site as a resource for citizens to stay updated on the latest news in their county and to provide a platform of available resources and programs offered by our office. Bond $2,500. Shirts can be purchased at the Citrus County Sheriffs Office Training section in the Park Place building located at 107 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. in Inverness, Monday Friday, 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Citizens can purchase the shirts with cash or check (payable to L.E.T.R.). Total bond set at $2,000.00. In February 2012, Detective Parsons was transferred to CCSOs Tactical Impact Unit (TIU), serving as a Deputy from February 2012 until April 2015. During the initial investigation, detectives identified the suspect as Daniel Redman. Dont let someone get behind the wheel if theyve been drinking. Citrus County Sheriff's Office, FL. The campaign, which runs from August 19th - September 5th, is designed to educate people about the dangers and consequences of drunk driving. "While we believe this to be an isolated incident, there are many unknown details that we seek your assistance in obtaining in support of our investigation.". In 1976, Bundy was convicted of kidnapping in Utah and extradited to Colorado to stand trial for murder there. Aaron Matthew Smith, 41, Homosassa, arrested May 18 for possession of controlled substance and trafficking in 4-plus grams (morphine, opium, oxycodone or heroin). During the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Medical examiners ruled the death a homicide after finding the cause to be blunt-force trauma and drowning. Detective Cornell began his career with the Citrus County Sheriffs Office on February 14, 2000, as a Deputy Sheriff where he responded to various calls for service in our community and worked diligently enforcing Floridas laws for the safety of our community. Tampa police will hold a community forum on Thursday, March 2, at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center2200 N Oregon Ave, Tampa, FL, 33607from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. to talk about violent crime and . Serial killers are seemingly almost always male, which is why Aileen Wuornos string of murders shocked the nation. Total bond set at none, due to domestic violence related crime. from prosecutors. Caylees body was eventually found months later, not far from her mothers Orlando home, and Anthony was charged with her little girls murder. As part of the assessment, agency members and the general public are invited to offer comments to the assessment team. The suspect forced entry to closed businesses and stole cash and other miscellaneous items. This year, he was sentenced to 22 years in prison. When Cohen brought the victim inside, he spontaneously told staff the victim had injuries on his chest, and it was caused by a pet. Retired Deputy Steven Smolensky was shot and. Shamy Tommie (DOB 7/23/1985), Crystal River, FL- Domestic Battery F.S.S. Florence, who was at the residence when detectives arrived, was placed under arrest and turned over to the custody of the Citrus County Detention Facility. A judge on Friday sentenced Scott Burnside to life in prison for his role in the 1990 Floral City murder case that left four men dead inside an old house off U.S. 41. BLOG; CATEGORIES. Citrus is a county located in FL, and has a population of 140,011. Over Couey's objection, the trial court ruled that all evidence collected after the confession, including the recovery of Lunsford's body, would be admitted, as would incriminating statements allegedly made by Couey to investigators and a jail guard. Earlier this year Gov. IN EACH FRONT-PAGE POST, THE HYPERLINK TO THE PRIMARY SOURCE IS SPECIFIED. His 20-years of commitment and selfless service to our community is a testament to the dedicated professionals that make up the Citrus County Sheriffs Office. Responding deputies determined that Dietrich and Houston had been involved in a physical altercation earlier in the day, which could have led to his hospitalization. Almost immediately upon his release, he chose to reoffend again said Sheriff Mike Prendergast. Carlos Hallowell, who killed his mother with an axe while she slept, wasn't eligible for the death penalty because. Near the beginning of July, several sources came forward advising that Shannon Morgan was selling fentanyl and cocaine from her residence. Upon arrival, deputies located the deceased, identified as Bruce Payne, in a shed on the property. In 1989, he was executed by electric chair in Florida State Prison. 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. Locally, he received the Partners with a Heart award for his outstanding work in methamphetamine eradication. Our office works closely with our partners at CoreCivic, and we want to send a clear message that illicit drugs have no place in our community and absolutely no place in our detention facility.. Megan Thersea Stergios Megan Thersea Stergios, 29, Beverly Hills, arrested May 18 for two counts of failure to appear. CCSO. 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. shirts to support this amazing cause and are encouraged to cheer on participants at either Publix locations or CCSOs operations building. CITRUS COUNTY, Fla. -- A week after two Florida teens were charged with murdering a man during a robbery, one of the suspects faces charges in a separate attempted murder, reports CBS affiliate . The action you just performed triggered the security solution. After approximately three weeks of intense searching for her around the area of her home, John Evander Couey was arrested in Savannah, Georgia, for an outstanding warrant of cannabis possession, but was released after questioning because it was only a local warrant. in Florida Citrus County. From the end of 1989 and throughout 1990, police found six men robbed and shot to death on or near well-traveled roadways. Bond $4,000. Forcible sex offenses. Florida corrections officer was allowed to poison inmate, other officers implicated, lawsuit filed 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. Citrus County Sheriff's Office, FL Great job to our guys working out there in our community noticing the small details of an expired registration that elevated this minor traffic stop to a full blown drug bust.. whos linked to the murders of at least 36 women, is perhaps the most famous serial killer in America. He entered Lunsford's house at about three o'clock in the morning through an unlocked door, awakened Lunsford, told her "Don't yell or nothing", and told her to follow him out of the house. Detectives compared notes and investigated every possible lead. Gainesville Rippers String Of Coed Killings, Photo: Lisa Nowak in 2006; Natalie Portman in the film Lucy in the Sky. Cole was arrested on the warrant for one count of Lewd and Lascivious Battery of a Child less than 16. In this age of technology, it baffles and disgusts me that individuals will still seek out to harm animals for their pure entertainment, said Lora Peckham, CCSO Animal Control Unit Supervisor. Jessica Cadett (DOB 10/16/1985), Dunnellon, FL- Failure to Pay Child Support. (Citrus County, FL) On January 14, 2022, at approximately 9 P.M., deputies responded to a residence in the area of East Dawson Drive, Inverness, FL in reference to a shooting. (Citrus County, FL) On October 20, 2022, the Citrus County Sheriffs Office (CCSO) arrested 30-year-old John Dylan Gromling of Beverly Hills for first-degree felony murder as a result of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance (fentanyl) which resulted in the overdose death of 53-year-old Bruce William Payne of Inverness. Congratulations again to all of the graduates! 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. Leon County, Florida, has a population of approximately297,400 inhabitants. [6] Couey admitted to raping Lunsford in his bedroom, keeping her in his bed that evening, and raping her again in the morning. (NBC News) Tonight on "Dateline," investigators desperately search for a killer after Florida teacher Denise Hallowell is found murdered in her own . Following her death, her father, Mark Lunsford, pursued new legislation to provide more stringent tracking of released sex offenders. (Citrus County Sheriff's Office) A west-central Florida man . If youre hosting a gathering, make sure all your guests have a sober ride home. Her mother, Cindy, called 911 to report her granddaughter missing. 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. was put on trial in 2011 for the murder of her toddler daughter, Caylee, the case had generated nearly deafening levels of media coverage. Walshs kidnapping and murder proved a pivotal point in crime, as his parents advocated hard for legal changes to help victims like their son. As with all law enforcement involved shootings, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement will be investigating this incident. (Citrus County, FL) Beginning on February 25th, 2022 the Sheriffs Office began receiving reports of commercial burglaries that occurred throughout the county. Fugitive nabbed halfway around world - UPI Archives 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. The SOME Run soon gained momentum, and law enforcement agencies from all over Florida became involved. Over a million dollars worth of cocaine has been taken off the streets as a result of this investigation. after to taunt her he used aspects of Big Cat Rescue branding in his marketing. (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. Additionally, during our search efforts, we discovered other individuals with active warrants or committing other crimes that we just couldnt pass up! Carl Collier (DOB 4/23/1981), Beverly Hills, FL- Strangulation F.S.S. Anthony claimed her daughter went missing in June 2008 but it would take a full month for police to find out. After speaking with the decedents mother and witness on scene, it was determined that the decedent did not have a known medical history that could have been attributed to his passing. 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. "Munns arrest could not have been made possible if it was not for the collaborative efforts of all the incredible professionals and advocates involved, said Sheriff Prendergast. 572 N Citrus Avenue, Crystal River, FL 34428 +1(352)794-6367 FireFlex Beauty Supply For a complete listing of all MKRP recognized agencies, go to: (Citrus County, FL) Last night, the Citrus County Sheriffs Office (CCSO) arrested a suspect involved in the Regions Bank robbery, which occurred on Monday, July 11, at approximately 12:16p.m. The trooper and all law enforcement involved were unharmed during this dangerous encounter with Greenough. Touchton, who had been a Correctional Officer at Lowell Correctional Institution in Marion County, was originally arrested on March 11, 2019, by Detective Jason Cook and Detective Mike Laborda with the Citrus County Sheriffs Office (CCSO) Special Victims Unit (SVU). Mandel Witherspoon in Florida Citrus County 12/26/1975. We urge citizens to speak up about animal cruelty -- if you see something, say something.". Drug users steal to pay for their addictions; their dependence tarnishes relationships with loved ones and can even result in their death by means of overdose. She is being held at the Citrus County Jail with a bond of $47,000.00. (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. It was Exotic, however, who ended up behind bars for a murder plot. Upon contact, the suspect was observed holding another victim, with obvious injuries, as hostage. Aggravated assault. Citrus County - FOX 13 Tampa Bay Hernando, FL Crime Rates and Statistics - NeighborhoodScout This investigation is an exceptional example of what can be accomplished when different law enforcement and community partners work together to keep our citizens safe, said Sheriff Mike Prendergast. The media extensively covered the investigation and trial of Couey. Do any specific cases or names come to your mind when you think of famous Florida murders? (Citrus County, FL) Today, six Citrus County Sheriffs Office professionals graduated from Saint Leo Universitys Command Officer Management Program. Ron DeSantis said after signing his bill into law last week to increase the penalties for those who illegally sell and distribute opioids in our state, Floridians of all walks of life have witnessed the destruction caused by the opioid epidemic across our state. Last year our county had 377 reported drug overdoses with 81 deaths a 47% increase from the year prior. Arnold was later transported to Citrus County to await trial, where he was held until his sentencing yesterday. 2 arrested in Lecanto murder case - CITRUS-DAILY On May 19, 2022, the toxicology report from the Medical Examiners Office ruled the cause of death as a combined drug toxicity of Fentanyl and alcohol. Violent crime mentioned on this list includes: Between 1995 and 2011 there have been as many as 536 combined reported incidences of violent crime in Citrus County alone. This is a horrendous case of an adult using a child for sexual gratification instead of protecting them, said Sheriff Mike Prendergast. 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. More notably, he has trained over 50 personnel in establishing emergency communications through two-way radio, satellite, and cellular connections. These arrests came after the CCSOs Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, with the assistance of the Hernando County Sheriffs Office SWAT team served a search warrant at 116 and 158 South Kensington Avenue, in Lecanto. cotton short-sleeve shirts are $20.00, dry-fit shirts are $25.00, and womens cotton razorback tanks are $25.00. There is garbage everywhere. She claimed she had been raped by the first victim, Richard Mallory, and killed him in self-defense. The suspect refused to comply and reached behind his back towards his waistband. Couey put her in his closet and ordered her to remain there as he reported for work at "Billy's Truck Lot", which she did. Leah Barnes (DOB 6/11/1995), Crystal River, FL- Violation of Probation original charge Battery. On June 30, 2022, the Citrus County Sheriffs Office (CCSO) was contacted by the parent of a juvenile victim in reference to this case. Florida Man Arrested For Attempted Murder in Citrus County Detectives interviewed Dlugos who confessed to 10 of the reported 11 burglaries. East Tampa community holds violent crime community forum 486. 2023 FOX Television Stations, until SAT 7:00 PM EST, Pinellas County, Coastal Hillsborough County, Coastal Manatee County, Coastal Sarasota County, 'Ice cream man murder case': Michael Keetley set to go to trial again for 2010 double murder, Watch: Fishermen spot sharks in huge feeding frenzy off Louisiana coast, 3 shot, including 6-year-old girl, in Land OLakes home invasion, sheriff says, Here's what events are happening across the Tampa Bay are this weekend, 1 shot, killed outside Suncoast Credit Union in Seminole Heights, police say, 3 Daughters head brewer killed in Skyway Bridge accident, company says, Tom Sizemore, 'Saving Private Ryan' Actor, Dies at 61 after suffering brain aneurysm, 8-year-old girl who performed solo wins big in cheer competition after team didn't show up, From Coconut Road to Moose Tracks, here's the scoop on how Publix creates its ice cream, North Port brush fire: Roads reopen after fire forces closures on I-75; schools evacuate as precaution. 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. Orlando Sentinel. (in reality an undercover agent) to kill Baskin, and was arrested in Gulf Breeze, Florida. Erik Andrew Hess slide 1 of 1. Televised by numerous news outlets, Deputy Spencer was instrumental in the bailiff court activities and a month-long 24/7 jury sequestration while Citrus County was thrust into the national spotlight. Citrus County is in the 56th percentile for safety, meaning 44% of counties are safer and 56% of counties are more dangerous. We are grateful to Detective Cornell for his unwavering commitment in solving some of the most atrocious crimes in our county, said Sheriff Prendergast.
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