Thats probably why the story. In simple terms, this indicates that 378 persons per 100,000 people livingin Florida were directly impacted by violent crime in 2019 alone. Most accurate 2021 crime rates for Hernando, FL. Their initial investigation revealed that Jonathan had contacted Dean for illicit narcotics, which she provided him on numerous occasions. But to willingly arrange to meet up with a child to carry out these sickening acts makes them very real and very dangerous. The victim was taken to Jessies Place, Citrus Countys Child Advocacy Center, for an emergency medical examination by the Child Protection Team (CPT). At around the same time, another male body turned. On April 20, 2022, CCSOs Community Crimes Detectives and Animal Control Officers served a search warrant for both of Munns properties at 6991 E. Shadywoods Ct. and 7033 E. Shadywoods Ct. in Floral City, in reference to this animal abuse case. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Dispatch relayed to the responding deputies the suspect's vehicle had fled the scene and no one inside the home was injured. We encourage citizens to call 352-249-2790 to report suspected animal cruelty to help us help defenseless animals that cant speak for themselves.. While he never reached that height of notoriety, he did. 847.0135 (3)(a ). As for Adam Walshs murderer, serial killer Otis OToole confessed to killing the boy in 1983. If you suspect someone is committing crimes against our youth, call (352) 249-2790 to report your suspicions to our office immediately. As soon as our team confirms the facts on what has transpired today, said Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast, we will release more information. (Arrested by the USMS FCFTF), Lawrence Neu (DOB 8/28/1954), Lakeland, FL 9 Counts of Transmission of harmful material to minor 847.0138 (2), Seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a child to engage in any illegal act F.S.S. Citrus County Sheriffs Office deputies are trained to respond appropriately to any threat they come in contact with, said Sheriff Prendergast. While he never reached that height of notoriety, he did inspire the horror movie Scream.. If you want to speak with a domestic violence advocate you can also contact CASA at 352-344-8111. Any additional details regarding this incident will be released when possible. MARION COUNTY, Fla. A Marion County man is accused of shooting and killing a former Citrus County deputy who had a retirement job filling propane tanks . . 741.31(4)(A). Deputies gave verbal commands for the suspect to release the hostage, which he eventually complied with. Crime Stoppers is an integral part in solving crime locally in Citrus County and beyond. Prior history of domestic violence. shirts to support this amazing cause and are encouraged to cheer on participants at either Publix locations or CCSOs operations building. Thank you for over three decades of dedication and service to our citizens as well as your steady mentorship of your fellow colleagues. Violent crimes in Citrus Hills are 45% lower than the national average. Retired Deputy Steven Smolensky was shot and. Total bond set at $27,000. Investigating homicide cases are difficult enough, let alone when the victim is a fellow law enforcement officer. Sheriff's office deputies responding to a disturbance at around 4:28 a.m. Saturday, April 2, found 36-year-old Kyle Davis dead near the back door of a home off of West Mistflower Place in . He was then sentenced to 35 years incarceration with the Florida Department of Corrections, lifetime Sexual Offender Probation, and will be required to register as a Sexual Predator. Congratulations to our graduates for completing Saint Leo Universitys Command Officer Management Program, said Sheriff Prendergast. 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. 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. CCSO Major Crimes Detectives responded to the residence to conduct an investigation. Detective Barry worked with the State Attorneys Office and a warrant was issued for Coles arrest. The campaign, which runs from August 19th - September 5th, is designed to educate people about the dangers and consequences of drunk driving. Here in Florida, the Torch Run had its start many years ago as the Special Olympics Mileage Event (SOME) Run, when a handful of officers carried the Flame of Hope throughout the state in a grueling, non-stop run. (Citrus County, FL)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. 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. B. Eventually, the relay came to be known as the Florida Law Enforcement Torch Run. (Citrus County, FL) Yesterday, March 3, 2022, in the courtroom of the Honorable Judge Richard Ric Howard, a jury found 40-year-old James Touchton of Inverness guilty of Capital Sexual Battery on a Child Under 12 (six counts) and Domestic Battery by Strangulation (two counts). (The US average is 22.7) Citrus County property crime is 53.2. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. In this situation every second counted, where our deputies were able to respond immediately and save the life of another victim. Prior history of domestic violence. He surrendered 14 dogs to the Citrus County Animal Shelter; three of which were in such deplorable conditions from long periods of neglect that Munn was subsequently arrested on April 18th, for three counts of aggravated animal cruelty. His campsite was found not long after, which easily connected him to the crimes. This conduct will not be tolerated in Citrus County, and the SVU detectives will work tirelessly to bring justice to these young victims.. Citrus County Charities Thrift & More 415 US Hwy 41 S, Inverness, FL 34450 +1(352)419-7900 Lisa Nowak in 2006; Natalie Portman in the film Lucy in the Sky. (Citrus County, FL) Today, January 7, 2022, The Citrus County Sheriffs Office (CCSO) wishes to acknowledge the many accomplishments of Deputy Sheriff Thomas Pat Alford as he retires with 30 years of dedicated service to the citizens of Citrus County. Exotic was convicted 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 to a statementfrom prosecutors. On March 17, Couey was arrested and charged with the murder of Jessica Lunsford, and transported to the Citrus County jail in Florida. "Since being elected Sheriff, I have upheld my promise to combat the illicit drugs in Citrus County after witnessing the damaging effects drugs have on our community, especially our youth, said Sheriff Prendergast. 741.29(6). The following subjects were arrested in Citrus County during this operation: Christopher Covyaw SEXUAL OFFENDER (DOB 10/29/1972), Inverness, FL 4 Counts of Transmission of Harmful Material 847.0138(2), Seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a child to engage in any illegal act F.S.S. On February 19, 2008, almost three years to the day after her kidnapping and murder, Jessica's father was represented by Jacksonville, Florida lawyers in a pre-trial brief filed against the Citrus County Sheriff's Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Upon arrival, deputies observed a victim with apparent gunshot wounds lying on the driveway. Aggravated assault. Despite being a wanted man, Bundy murdered more when he snuck i. , where he killed two women and attacked two others. 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. Katlyn Obrien (DOB 6/6/1993), Hernando, FL- Failure to Appear original charge Battery. Total bond set at $52,000. During her eight years in Communications, she ascended to the rank of Communications Supervisor and Training Officer. Touchton was then sentenced to six consecutive life sentences for Capital Sexual Battery and two consecutive five-year sentences for Domestic Battery. During her sworn law enforcement career, Deputy Spencer has been assigned to the Judicial and Juvenile Services Division working in both the Court Services and Civil Units. Compared to 2014 crime figures for the county, these represent 22.1% and 11.7% dip in violent crime rate and property crime rate respectively. Do any specific cases or names come to your mind when you think of famous Florida murders? As part of the assessment, agency members and the general public are invited to offer comments to the assessment team. UPDATES: Get news alerts and updates in the free FOX 13 News app. A 30-something drifter named Danny Rolling. 827.03(2)(D). Of crashes, 46% involved drivers who had been drinking, and 38% involved a drunk driver. Coupled with the existing evidence and preliminary examinations by the shelter veterinarian, an arrest warrant was obtained for Munn. He uncovered and analyzed hidden data solving some of our most complex cases. Use Google Maps or Waze. 790.23(1)(A). He is being held at the Polk County Jail with a bond of $15,000.00. On November 17, 2021, the Citrus County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) was contacted in reference to a physical disturbance near the Family Dollar in Citrus Springs. Six other individuals were detained by deputies in reference to the criminal activity taking place on the property. She was sentenced to two days in jail and given credit for time already served. 172.105.99.84 Florida -- At approximately 9:18 p.m. on Wednesday, February 6, 2019, the Citrus County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) arrested 41-year-old Kenneth Slanker of Inverness, Florida. Total bond set at none, due to domestic violence related crime. 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. (Citrus County, FL) On August 8, 2022, 35-year-old Kristopher Alan Hite of Homosassa, Florida, was arrested for Attempted Vehicular Homicide and Child Neglect as a result of a Road Rage incident. 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. Oct 24, 2017 at 12:47 pm. She claimed she had been raped by the first victim, Richard Mallory, and killed him in self-defense. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has published crime reports from 1995-2011 that indicate violent crimes in our county. As a Field Training Officer in the Court Security and Civil Units, she has imparted her years of knowledge and experience to a new generation of Judicial Deputies to serve the citizens of Citrus County. Total bond set at $137,000. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a2e06db0f6fcac4 Lunsford was abducted from her home in the early morning of February 24, 2005, by John Couey, a 46-year-old convicted sex offender who lived nearby. Upon further investigation by the CCDs, along with the assistance of CCSOs Intelligence Analysis Unit, detectives were able to identify the two suspects from the surveillance video as 68-year-old Steven Rodrick and 54-year-old Henry Hudson of Homosassa. We believe the more resources we can provide to digital volunteers and citizen solvers mean more citizen detective communities. Detectives were aware of ongoing narcotics sales at the residence and conducted an investigation that led to the execution of the narcotics search warrant. Detective Missions quick and pivotal action in this case saved this child from further abuse at the hands of Florence. The National Apprehension Detail calls for agencies across the United States to participate in serving outstanding family-violence warrants. As deputies approached the suspect, he refused to comply with verbal commands. Deputies were dispatched to an alarm call at TD Bank in Crystal River shortly before noon today. Aaron Matthew Smith, 41, Homosassa, arrested May 18 for possession of controlled substance and trafficking in 4-plus grams (morphine, opium, oxycodone or heroin). The initial investigation into Munns criminal acts began on April 1, 2022, after CCSO officials received information that Munn, the property/business owner was not properly caring for a large number of dogs that he was breeding and selling. (Arrested by Polk County Sheriffs Office), Justin Rampe (DOB 11/21/1983), Williston, FL Transmission of Harmful Material 847.0138(2), Seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a child to engage in any illegal act F.S.S. 847.0138(2), Attempted Lewd and Lascivious Molestation: F.S.S. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. 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. His 22-years of selfless service and the many countless hours he has dedicated to seeking justice for victims in our community has undoubtedly made Citrus County a safer place to live. Our office stands with Gov. (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. 741.29(6). How Many Americans Defend Themselves with Handguns? Detectives compared notes and investigated every possible lead. 784.041(2)(A). When law enforcement saw a vehicle matching the suspects description, they initiated a traffic stop wherein the suspect was ultimately detained. Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park in Oklahoma, a home to a number of big cats. Bond set at $5,000. 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. string of murders shocked the nation. He also served as team leader and supervisor for CCSOs Mobile Command Unit. According to NHTSA, one person is killed about every 45 minutes in a drunk-driving crash, totaling more than 11,000 lives lost each year. Sites including Reddit, Facebook, and Websleuths are all full of posts, comments, and threads containing speculation and the sharing of information about Tallahassee murders pictures, Tallahassee murders crime scene photos, and Tallahassee, Florida, murders autopsy photos. in Florida Citrus County. 741.29(6) and Violation of Injunction F.S.S. 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. Additionally, some unsolved central Florida murders include the 1994 murder of Dallas Beard, the 1974 murder of Frances Hernandez, the 1988 murder of Nancy Foster, and the 2015 murder of April Mullins, among many others. The disgusting and sexually deviant behaviors these predators displayed in their online chats are monstrous. Dillion is accused of robbing the Regions Bank at 809 W Main St, in Inverness. Eric Paul Clemente, 33, Floral City, arrested Sept. 19 for felony burglary of unoccupied residence and criminal mischief ($200 or less). During this joint operation, it was learned that packages of cocaine were being mailed to multiple addresses within Citrus County, then picked up and delivered to the Kensington addresses. On April 20, 2022, CCSO deputies were dispatched to a residence off West Hudson Street in reference to a death. 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. Your email address will not be published. "We here at the Citrus County Sheriffs Office want these offenders to know their actions are unacceptable and they will be held accountable. Her sensational trial featuring her defenses scorched-earth tactics against her family was watched by around 40 million viewers. During the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, Joe Exotic became Americas unofficial entertainer as millions of viewers self-isolated at home and watched Netflixs docuseries Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness. The hit docuseries immersed viewers in the world of private zoos and big cat conservationists, focusing primarily on eccentric zookeeper Exotic and his eventual downfall in pursuit of his rival, Carole Baskin. The powder was field-tested and yielded a positive result for the presence of Fentanyl. The B- grade means the rate of murder is slightly lower than the average US county. He was praised for his efforts by receiving the highest award issued DETECTIVE OF THE YEAR for the State of Florida in 2017 by the Florida Narcotics Officers Association for combatting the methamphetamine epidemic. According to CCSO, this appears to be an isolated incident. Orlando Sentinel. Greenough entered the bank, shortly before noon yesterday, where he approached the tellers counter and demanded money while brandishing a firearm. Guevara manipulated the young victims in this case and then took advantage of them,said Sheriff Mike Prendergast. [18], The abduction of Jessica Lunsford was covered in 2013 on the TV series FBI: Criminal Pursuit in the episode "Lurking Menace".[19]. At the same time, the management and security team at CoreCivic received similar information about the defendant. Please join us in congratulating Deputy Pat Alford on his remarkable commitment to public service for the past three decades. Total bond set at $1,178.00. Various narcotics, drug paraphernalia, eighteen firearms (including three stolen firearms), hundreds of rounds of ammunition, body-armor, four silencers, an explosive device, and roughly $5,600 in cash from illegal drug activity were seized and turned in as evidence this afternoon. After initial contact with Munn reference the allegations of violating county ordinances, it was discovered that Munn was not in compliance with the size and capacity of the dogs kennels. Despite Munns initial arrest, officials continued to investigate. Detective Ricci also obtained evidence supporting the victims statements of both the sexual activity and the explicit images sent via social media. However, on September 30, 2009, before the sentences could be carried out, Couey died of natural causes.[11]. 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. Detectives, with the assistance of Analyst Lori Cronshaw, learned the suspect didnt have a current driver's license. According to CCSO, deputies took three people into custody while serving a warrant at a home located on South Kik Point in Floral City, Florida. During the initial investigation, detectives identified the suspect as Daniel Redman. 3357 E Buffalo Lane, Hernando, FL. Armed with the information, knowledge, and operational resources gained through meeting the program criteria, the Citrus County Sheriffs Office continues to be positioned to respond more quickly, comprehensively, and effectively when a childs life may be at stake. Citrus Hills is safer than 58% of the cities in the United States. Bond set at $5,000. And when Anthony was found not guilty of her daughters murder. Drive Sober, Citrus - together, we can save lives.. I hope you get raped, scumbags of America, a visibly upset Wuornos shouted when she was convicted. On March 7, 2007, Couey was found guilty of all charges in relation to Lunsford's death, including first degree murder, kidnapping, burglary with assault or battery upon any person, and capital sexual battery. According to the 2019 Uniform Crime Report (UCR) from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the violent crime rate in Florida was roughly 378.4 per 100,000 people. 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. Both the East and West Community Crimes Detectives (CCDs) immediately began collaborative investigative efforts to identify, locate and hold the unknown suspect accountable. There were also two dogs on the property with inadequate food, water, and shelter that were seized by CCSO Animal Control. What really happened to toddler Caylee is still unknown. Bruce William Henderson Jr. (DOB 1/17/1972), Brooksville, FL Travel to Seduce/Solicit Child in Sex Act: F.S.S. This is a horrendous case of an adult using a child for sexual gratification instead of protecting them, said Sheriff Mike Prendergast. Megan Thersea Stergios Megan Thersea Stergios, 29, Beverly Hills, arrested May 18 for two counts of failure to appear. On March 18, 2005, Couey made an audio-recorded and videotaped confession to having kidnapped, raped and murdered Lunsford.[4]. CCSO App users can look up Sexual Offenders in their area by clicking on the Sexual Offenders feature, which will show a photo of the offender, their name, physical descriptors, address, and your approximate distance from their location (if app location settings are turned on by the user). FOX 13 News CRYSTAL RIVER, Fla. - After Citrus County deputies receiving a call for a welfare check, they said they found the body of a Crystal River man. Prior history of domestic violence. (Citrus County, FL) On September 14, 2022, the Citrus County Sheriffs Office (CCSO) arrested detention guard candidate, 38-year-old Shannon Marie Morgan of Inverness, at the Citrus County Detention Facility. HCSO said deputies were called out to a home . Dlugos was charged with 10 counts of commercial burglary, 2 counts of felony criminal mischief, 2 counts of grand theft, 1 count of possession of a controlled substance, 5 counts of criminal mischief, 5 counts of petit theft, and 1 count of driving without a valid license. 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. Daniel Redman was shot by deputies during a hostage situation and has been in our custody while receiving medical treatment. This incident was irresponsible and preventable, stated Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast. On Monday, deputies responded to a home on North Andri Drive in Crystal River. 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. The victim was put on life support and was in critical condition due to his injuries. 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.. The 6-year-old had been with his mom then suddenly he was gone. Total bond set at $1,178.00. 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. [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. Partnering with agents from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (Homeland Security) Air and Marine Operations, and task force officers from the U.S. Citrus County Sheriff's deputies recovered the body, which had no immediate signs of trauma. Our office takes an aggressive stance in safeguarding our youth. Rafael Rosado Lopez (DOB 3-20-62), of Hudson, FL. The suspect left the scene on a black bicycle heading westbound on Main Street towards Highway 581. Exotic lost the suit and soon owed Baskin a lot of money. Remember, Citrus - If you SEE something, SAY something! This region is policed by CITRUS COUNTY. Detectives interviewed Dlugos who confessed to 10 of the reported 11 burglaries. He then set up a campsite near the University of Florida and murdered five students in a shockingly brutal manner, stabbing them repeatedly and cutting the nipples off two of the women. 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. As in past years, Citrus Countys runners and bicyclists will raise funds for Special Olympics Florida through the sale of commemorative T-shirts. 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. Citrus County has an overall crime rate of 3,294 per 100,000 residents. In February 1994, on the eve of his murder trial, Rolling pled guiltyto five counts of murder and three counts each of sexual battery and armed burglary. Your First Look at the New Series Floribama Murders, 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. 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 Our office works tirelessly to stop the illegal sell of narcotics in our community and will continue to work closely with our partners at CoreCivic in an effort to eliminate the flow of contraband into our detention facility. With equity for BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and other underserved victims not prioritized in the true crime communitytogether we can do better. Due to the incredible work by our SVU detectives, alongside the Child Protection Team at Jessies Place, Touchton was quickly arrested and remained in custody all the way through todays trial. For over 16 years, Detective Cornell performed digital forensic examinations on computers, cellular phones, camera systems, hard drives, thumb drives, and cloud based servers. [5] At the time, he occupied a trailer along with two women, about 100 yards (91m) away. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Warning: Do NOT use the iPhone GPS to get you here. The following subjects were arrested and charged accordingly: Id like to thank Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis and his team, along with our federal partners for assisting us with the successful execution of this narcotics search warrant, said Sheriff Prendergast. When Cohen was dropping the victim off at daycare in the morning, a staff member observed Cohen acting strange. The following subjects were arrested on Citrus County warrants as part of this operation: Timothy Brown (DOB 11/28/1968), Ponte Vedra, FL 17 Counts of Transmission of harmful material to minor 847.0138 (2), and Seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a child to engage in any illegal act F.S.S. Due to the laws at the time, Couey received only short sentences and was not monitored after release, despite his record of being an experienced trespasser and his repeated sexual offenses against children. Those two addresses are both located on the same five-acre tract, where both homes were being utilized to traffic large quantities of cocaine. 486. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. 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..