"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.". From the end of 1989 and throughout 1990, police found six men robbed and shot to death on or near well-traveled roadways. On Tuesday, May 10th, detectives found the break they were looking for. Marion County. Congratulations again to all of the graduates! (Citrus County, FL) Yesterday, officials took into custody a serial bank robber, 44-year-old Jeromee Wade Greenough after he robbed the TD Bank in Crystal River. CCSO deputies and detectives promptly responded to the scene to investigate. Over time, roughly 36,831 of those homicides were solved, leaving Florida with around 19,064 unsolved murders. 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. Lets all make Citrus County the safest community to live in.. Dig deeper The sheriff's office responded to reports of violent clashes outside of a Circle K convenience store on Sunday when deputies heard gunshots as they arrived on scene. Our office stands with Gov. Ramos became involved with Crime Stoppers when she took on her analyst position and was nominated to the title of Coordinator for Crime Stoppers of Citrus County in 2016. Cole was arrested on the warrant for one count of Lewd and Lascivious Battery of a Child less than 16. Many of the standards are critical to life, health, safety issues, and best practices. Detective Tiffany Barry with the CCSO High Tech Crimes Unit (HTCU) was assigned to the case and immediately began an investigation. As per the websites archived Uniform Crime Reports, the number of homicides in Leon County is progressively increasing, likely due to the areas population increase. As deputies approached the suspect, he refused to comply with verbal commands. I am proud of our detectives and analysists who nimbly worked together to solve and put a stop to these crimes, Sheriff Mike Prendergast said. 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. This past weekend the burglar hit three separate locations in one night, bringing the total to 11 commercial burglaries. It was Exotic, however, who ended up behind bars for a murder plot. However, during one of his short stops, the other passenger of the vehicle, identified as 61-year-old Betty Joan Hall of Lecanto, was able to safely exit. 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. Finally, a few unsolved murders in Leon County, Florida, include the 2014 murder of Jody Kilgore, the 1986 murder of Belinda Snowden, and the 2012 murder of Curtis Eugene Anderson, among others. Citrus County Sheriff's Office, FL. Nicholas Sullivan (DOB 3/9/1990), Hernando, FL- Strangulation F.S.S. Hite was traveling with his girlfriend and young son. (Normally $49). Despite the acknowledgment of the childs age, in various messages these subjects engaged in sexually explicit conversations, detailing different sexual activities they hoped to perform with the child. On December 10th, 2020, Judge Howard sentenced 28-year-old Emery Whitt to 30 years in prison for the 2017 murder of Ryan McClellan. (Citrus County, FL) The Citrus County Sheriffs Office (CCSO) Training Section coordinated a training session with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to facilitate a 16-hour Single Officer Response to Active Threat and Shooter Incident training scenario in preparation for the upcoming school year. In response, officials contained the area, shutting down the entranceway into the Meadowcrest plaza and activated the CCSOs Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) to respond out. Some were confined in small kennels with multiple other dogs and no access to food or water. Detectives, with the assistance of Analyst Lori Cronshaw, learned the suspect didnt have a current driver's license. By 5 p.m. Friday, this outstanding effort resulted in the arrests of the following 20 suspects in Citrus County: Even though National Domestic Violence Awareness Month is ending, our fight against domestic violence is still ongoing. Help us eradicate illegal drugs from the streets in our community. Subsequently, officials deployed spikes strips, which deflated the suspects tires. 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. (Citrus County, FL) The Citrus County Sheriffs Office (CCSO) is proud to announce that we have received our 3rd consecutive Excelsior Accreditation Award from the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation, Inc. (CFA). We at the National Center would like to express our sincere gratitude and congratulations to the Citrus County Sheriffs Office for their diligence and commitment to children.. [1] Couey was a 46-year-old long-time resident of Homosassa with an extensive criminal record, listing dozens of arrests for burglary and was a convicted child sex offender. PUBLIC INFO. We encourage citizens to call 352-249-2790 to report suspected animal cruelty to help us help defenseless animals that cant speak for themselves.. As a result of this exam, the victims injuries were determined to be consistent with abuse. Arnold was consequently sentenced to life in prison. He uncovered and analyzed hidden data solving some of our most complex cases. It is everyone's duty to protect those most vulnerable and if you see something say something. Witnesses state that both vehicles were traveling northbound on North Suncoast Boulevard at high rates of speed, with Hite traveling in the left/inside lane and the motorcyclist traveling in the right/outside lane. More famous Florida murders which have been solved include the 2008 murder of Caylee Anthony, Ted Bundys 1978 murders of Lisa Levy, Margaret Bowman, and Kimberly Leach, and the year-long murder spree of Aileen Wuornos. Rolling was arrested for armed robbery around this time. This training taught by FDLE officials is one of several courses that address the role of the SRD and is intended to prepare the SRD to respond immediately to an active shooter incident. 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. [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]. [5] Three days after he abducted her, Couey tricked Jessica into getting into two garbage bags by saying he was going to "take her home". As I learned a long time ago, this career demands constant pursuit of excellence when it comes to education and training to stay ahead of the bad guys.. A witness and composite police sketches eventually connected them to Wuornos. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Through witness statements, deputies were able to identify the suspect as 29-year-old Daniel Arthur Redman, who was just released from prison on January 9, 2022. An initial. Another resource that provides information regarding the number of unsolved homicides in each state is Project: Cold Case, which has not only provided a detailed database of many cold cases from all over the country, but also shares statistics about the many cases in the United States. Of this group, CCSOs very own graduates were: Law enforcement personnel who aspire for a leadership position benefit greatly from this comprehensive, six-week-long program, which provides on-site education, specifically focusing on leadership, ethics, human resources, critical incident management, and other relevant administrative competencies. The two became embroiled in an intense feud, with Exotic, a larger-than-life figure, even making music videos where he accused Baskin of. Behind the area were several freshly dug holes containing deceased roosters with artificial fighting spurs still affixed to their legs. Most accurate 2021 crime rates for Hernando, FL. Agents arrested Jesse James Rumson, of Lecanto, Florida, on a long list of charges, including obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder, engaging in physical violence in a . On March 19, police found nine-year-old Jessica Lunsford's body at the residence on West Snowbird Court in Homosassa, buried in a plastic bag in a hole approximately 2.5 feet (0.76m) deep and 2 feet (0.61m) circular, covered with leaves. Expand. Law enforcement officials from seven Florida counties, who make up the 23rd and 24th cohorts of Saint Leo Universitys Command Officer Management Program, received their diplomas earlier today. (in reality an undercover agent) to kill Baskin, and was arrested in Gulf Breeze, Florida. Congratulations to Jannette on her well-deserved retirement, said Sheriff Prendergast. Our office takes an aggressive stance in safeguarding our youth. After sharing this same information with our office, officials went to work to investigate these claims. BLOG; CATEGORIES. Hite is being held at the Citrus County Detention Facility on a $15,000 bond for attempted vehicular homicide and $2,000 for child neglect, a total bond of $17,000. Daniel Redman was shot by deputies during a hostage situation and has been in our custody while receiving medical treatment. A couple of her accomplishments during her tenure as coordinator include obtaining additional funding for Crime Stoppers of Citrus County and enhancing crime tip rewards through Google Grants and partnerships with the Florida Sheriffs Association Cold Case Advisory Board. During the summer of 1990, the college town of Gainesville was on edge. Members of the Intelligence Analyst Unit immediately assisted with providing relevant information on the possible suspect. Both the white powder and bill were collected for evidence. On October 20th and 21st, the Citrus County Sheriffs Office implemented their plan, not only to capture active wanted domestic violence suspects, but also help raise awareness in our communities. When Cohen brought the victim inside, he spontaneously told staff the victim had injuries on his chest, and it was caused by a pet. In 1976, Bundy was convicted of kidnapping in Utah and extradited to Colorado to stand trial for murder there. Florida may be a hot destination for retired snowbirds, vacation-starved families, and spring break partiers, but its also home to some of the most notorious criminals and shocking cases in U.S. history like Ted Bundys sorority house slayings and Aileen Wuornos infamous killing spree. Upon contact, the suspect was observed holding another victim, with obvious injuries, as hostage. The Citrus County Sheriffs Office remains steadfast in its mission to make our community safe and protect our most vulnerable citizens, said Sheriff Mike Prendergast. He developed a relationship online, and then travelled to Citrus County to take advantage of a juvenile. Crimes in Florida The units detectives identify, investigate, and infiltrate street-level to mid-level narcotics dealers and their organizations within Citrus County. 741.29(6). DeSantis in his fight to end this deadly crisis and save lives. Overall Niche Grade. Police found Nowak had brought along a steel mallet, a four-inch folding knife, a BB gun, garbage bags, latex gloves, pepper spray, and a black wig on her drive, according to. We will continue to work in partnership with the State Attorneys Office to make sure Geller will never terrorize another child.. Guevara manipulated the young victims in this case and then took advantage of them,said Sheriff Mike Prendergast. She was sentenced to four years in prison and credited time served. Detectives were able to identify him as a suspect, leading to a warrant being issued for his arrest. (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. Carlos Hallowell, who killed his mother with an axe while she slept, wasn't eligible for the death penalty because. Detectives learned the suspect vehicle, a white GMC extended cab style vehicle, was observed to be in the area of multiple burglary scenes. Updated: 6:44 PM EST December 1, 2021. Those two addresses are both located on the same five-acre tract, where both homes were being utilized to traffic large quantities of cocaine. Initially, staff only observed minor scratches and red marks, but a short time later they worsened. You can submit a tip in three ways: She was convicted and sentenced to death for six of the murders and executed by lethal injection on October 9, 2002. 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. I am extremely proud of the CCSO team, the Child Protection Team, and the State Attorneys Office for their efforts in taking predators like Florence off the streets of Citrus County.. 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.. "[14], Following complaints and suggestions from Citrus County residents that the pending litigation was being pursued out of greed and that had he been a better father his child may still be alive,[15] Mark Lunsford and Jacksonville-based attorneys Eric Block and Mark Gelman held a news conference in Jacksonville, where it was stated that the pending litigation was "not for the money but for change." In 1998, Deputy Spencer transferred to the Civil Unit where she performed the duties of a Process Server while attending the Law Enforcement Academy at Withlacoochee Technical College. Detectives interviewed Dlugos who confessed to 10 of the reported 11 burglaries. The NHTSA recommends having a plan whether youre driving, riding, or hosting. Upon arrival, deputies met with the complainant. , which dives into chilling and bizarre crimes across the state. Citrus County Sheriffs Office deputies are trained to respond appropriately to any threat they come in contact with, said Sheriff Prendergast. We wish you the best in your retirement, as well as happiness and health in the years to come.. The parent told deputies that the victim had just disclosed sexual activity with Cole, who they had met on the TikTok social media app. 847.0135 (3)(a ). [15][16][17], Mark Lunsford becoming an activist for children's rights after the murder of his daughter Jessica is the subject of the 2011 documentary film, Jessie's Dad. Performance & security by Cloudflare. She was also reportedly wearing an adult diaper for the trek a detail her legal team denied but one salacious enough to turn her into a national punchline. 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. 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. Picture the state of Florida and all it has to offer the gorgeous beaches, the near-constant sunshine, the family fun magic of Walt Disney World the bizarre and jaw-dropping crimes? The total value of items stolen was nearly $13,000. HCSO said deputies were called out to a home . (Citrus County, FL) Citrus Abuse Shelter Association (CASA) issued a calling to the community to step-it-up for survivors of domestic violence during the month of October. A man was shot and killed in what Citrus County Sheriff's Office authorities believe to be an act of self-defense. 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. It has truly been an honor to have had him as part of our team, and we wish him the very best in his well-deserved retirement.. (NBC News) Tonight on "Dateline," investigators desperately search for a killer after Florida teacher Denise Hallowell is found murdered in her own . Her efforts and hard work contributed to ensuring the judicial systems fairness and impartiality of due process and, in the end, brought long-awaited justice for young Jessica Lunsford. We will not sit idly by; we will take a steadfast approach and stop the power and control these individuals have over their victims. It was an immense honor to witness my staff graduate from such an outstanding and rigorous professional development program. Notably, 831 of those reports came from Citrus County. Teresa Lynn Montag in Florida Citrus County 12/17/1991. There were also two dogs on the property with inadequate food, water, and shelter that were seized by CCSO Animal Control. Through the investigation, TIU detectives, along with Detective Dan Slingerland of the Major Crimes Unit (MCU), were able to identify Gromling as the individual who provided Payne with the lethal dose of Fentanyl. 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. To meet the programs requirements, the Citrus County Sheriffs Office reviewed its missing child policy with NCMEC ensure it will meet the critical elements of NCMECs model policy for call center agencies. Joshua Fitzwater (DOB 11/28/1984), Homosassa, FL- Violation of Probation original charge of Possession of Paraphernalia. As Director of Region IV, she will oversee all programs in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, the US Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Guevara manipulated the young victims in this case and then took advantage of them,. Assessors will be on site from August 2nd through August 4th. Home. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. She was able to foster a relationship with one victim and identify her next victims through them, showing a pattern of predatory behavior. (Arrested by the USMS FCFTF). ), Possession of a controlled substance (cocaine) with intent to sell BOND $5,000.00, Conspiracy to traffic cocaine BOND $5,000.00, Possession of drug paraphernalia BOND $1,000.00, Trafficking in cocaine BOND $100,000.00, Carrying a firearm during the commission of a felony BOND $5000.00, Carrying a concealed firearm BOND $5,000.00, Resisting without violence- BOND $1,000.00, Possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell (cocaine)- BOND $5,000.00, Resisting without violence BOND $5,000.00, Possession of drug paraphernalia BOND $1,000.00. , an astronaut who drove about 900 miles to confront and allegedly kidnap a romantic rival, fascinated the public. Detectives Cook and Watts made contact with Cohen and conducted an interview. Houston has no regard for the laws of society and chose to take the life of another man said Sheriff Mike Prendergast. (Citrus County, FL)March 15, 2022, in the courtroom of the Honorable Judge Richard Ric Howard, a jury found 34-year-old Rapheal Malik Akbar Arnold of Oviedo guilty on one count of Capital Sexual Battery on a Child Under 12. Recent Arrest. (The US average is 35.4) NOTE: The city of Citrus, Florida does not have FBI Crime Statistics. If youre hosting a gathering, make sure all your guests have a sober ride home. Near his body, deputies located drug paraphernalia that tested positive for fentanyl, an extremely dangerous opioid. 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. Total bond set at $52,000. Dillion is accused of robbing the Regions Bank at 809 W Main St, in Inverness. into the stories you've heard before, and encounter many others you haven't, in ways that actually help. However, on September 30, 2009, before the sentences could be carried out, Couey died of natural causes.[11]. Shortly thereafter, EMS arrived and began treating the victim. Also, take the research that indicates that robbery victims who used guns in self-protection were significantly less likely to either be injured or lose their property than victims who used any other form of self-protection or who did nothing to resist and you may consider armed self-defense as your best protection. Rolling aspired to be as infamous as Ted Bundy. Detectives located narcotics including large trafficking amounts of methamphetamine (482.6 grams), various narcotic pills (Diazepam, Oxycodone, and Alprazolam), and LSD. Beginners Class: Shoot 5 Handgun Calibers at the Range! A 30-something drifter named Danny Rolling. 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 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. If you or someone you know are experiencing signs of domestic abuse and needs to file a report, please call us at 352-249-2790. The decedents body was turned over to the medical examiner to determine the cause of death. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Warning: Do NOT use the iPhone GPS to get you here. CCSOs Animal Control Officers seized over 60 roosters, along with other animals contained on the property that lacked proper care and were in distress. Deputy Spencer has been a valued asset and dedicated member of our agency during her tenure. Detectives were aware of ongoing narcotics sales at the residence and conducted an investigation that led to the execution of the narcotics search warrant. Both individuals were asked to step out and consent was given to search the vehicle. Many of the most famous Florida serial killers can easily be found on any top ten or other form of serial killer list, including, but not limited to, list of serial killers in Florida and Florida serial killer list. Cole is an example of how a predator can use social media to connect with a victim said Sheriff Mike Prendergast. In his confession, Couey said that he had previously seen Lunsford playing in her yard and thought she was "about six years old". A few of the countless northern Florida unsolved murders that are listed on this website and many others include the 1986 murer 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 many others. During an interview with the Child Protection Team (CPT), at Jessies Place Child Advocacy Center, the victim said that Cole had travelled to Inverness from his home in Polk City and they had engaged in sexual activity in a local parking area. Justice has been served today in Citrus County, said Sheriff Mike Prendergast. Total bond set at none. Thats probably why the story of Lisa Nowak, an astronaut who drove about 900 miles to confront and allegedly kidnap a romantic rival, fascinated the public. UPDATES: Get news alerts and updates in the free FOX 13 News app. Despite being a wanted man, Bundy murdered more when he snuck i. , where he killed two women and attacked two others. Thanks for registering for our FREE 1.5 Hour Intro to Firearms Class! Bond $2,500. Steven Alan Swearingen is . ontwo counts of murder-for-hire, eight counts of violating the Lacey Act for falsifying wildlife records, and nine counts of violating the Endangered Species Act, according. 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. However, in July 2011, Anthony was acquitted on murder and manslaughter charges, but found guilty on four counts of withholding information from the police. Uncovered is where the most passionate true crime enthusiasts can learn from and teach others. On August 15, 2022, the CCSO responded to a deceased person at a residence in Inverness, Florida. Total bond set at none, due to domestic violence related crime. I hope you get raped, scumbags of America, a visibly upset Wuornos shouted when she was convicted. Her sensational trial featuring her defenses scorched-earth tactics against her family was watched by around 40 million viewers. It was Exotic, however, who ended up behind bars for a murder plot. Detective Ricci with the CCSO Special Victims Unit (SVU) immediately began investigating the allegations. Munn will be extradited back to Citrus County for his crimes. Aaron Matthew Smith, 41, Homosassa, arrested May 18 for possession of controlled substance and trafficking in 4-plus grams (morphine, opium, oxycodone or heroin). Our office wishes Travis the best on his well-deserved retirement, said Sheriff Prendergast. Bond set at $5,000. The victim was put on life support and was in critical condition due to his injuries. This means that your chances of becoming a victim of any type of crime in Citrus . Total bond set at none, due to domestic violence related crime. On September 9, 2022, the CCSO was contacted by jail staff in reference to an inmate, 40-year-old Gerald Raymond Dietrich, Jr., who had been transported to a hospital with an unknown medical condition. As of this year, there are roughly 19,064 Florida cold cases, according to Project: Cold Case, a not-for-profit organization with the goal of bringing all of the unsolved homicides in the United States to the public eye in an attempt to solve cold cases by linking the information in an organized database. . CCSO has to comply with numerous standards in order to receive accredited status. The deputy involved has been placed on administrative leave which is standard procedure. (Citrus County, FL) A team of assessors from the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA) will arrive on August 2, 2022, to examine all aspects of the Citrus County Sheriffs Offices (CCSO) policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services. In this situation every second counted, where our deputies were able to respond immediately and save the life of another victim. Touchton was then sentenced to six consecutive life sentences for Capital Sexual Battery and two consecutive five-year sentences for Domestic Battery. As soon as our team confirms the facts on what has transpired today, said Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast, we will release more information. Detectives compared notes and investigated every possible lead. Every year, the Federal Bureau of Investigation publishes a Uniform Crime Report that details the crimes, crime rates, and crime locations in each state, county, and city, including Florida.

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