Month: March 2012

MEDIA RELEASE   Date:                March 22, 2012 Time:                3:50 PM   On March 21, 2012 the Levy County Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with the North Florida Violent Fugitive Task Force, United States Marshal Service were attempting to locate Steven Allen Ross.  Ross had an active Alachua County warrant for burglary and theft and he was on the run from authorities. Ross has a history of escape in Columbia County.   Information was developed that Ross was hiding in Gilchrist County and he made comments that he would not be taken alive.  Members of the USMS Task Force went to 6399 SE 62nd Court Trenton to execute the felony warrant, but Ross escaped out the back door and ran into a heavily wooded area.    The manhunt continued for the next 6 hours by conducting surveillances at other known locations and highways in the area.  The investigation revealed that a relative called a friend, Spencer Colson to pick up Ross.  Colson was sent to a pre-determine destination and picked up Ross.   Colson lives in Newberry and responded to Gilchrist County for the purpose of hiding Ross in Levy County.   Upon Ross and Colson entering Levy County, Deputy Burt Miller a member with the USMS North Florida Violent Fugitive Task Force attempted a felony traffic stop.  Colson was driving a green Dodge Durango and refused to stop and led authorities in a short chase.  Deputies performed a rolling road block and forced Colson to stop.  Colson was arrested for felony fleeing & attempting to elude a police officer and obstruction of justice.  Ross was arrested for the active Alachua County warrant and they were both transported to the Levy County Jail.   Defendant:   Spencer Colson 19019 SW 30th Street Newberry, Fl. W/M, 06/111983   Steven Allen Ross 430 Margarete Street Newberry, Fl W/M, 09/22/1990 ###  

Major Evan Sullivan
Levy County Sheriff's Office
FBI-National Academy 183rd Session
Office: 352-486-5446
Cell:    352-577-4218

MEDIA RELEASE   Date:               March 22, 2012 Time:               9:30 AM   On March 21, 2012 Deputy Jason Gallup responded to a residential alarm at 19931 NE 33rd Street in Morriston.  Prior to Gallup’s arrival the Communication Center received a call from a man complaining about the alarm and identified himself as “Pudding Tane”.   Upon arriving at the alarm call Deputy Gallup observed a white male on the property.  The man became agitated when Gallup asked him to identify himself and he identified himself as “Pudding Tane”.  Due to Pudding Tane not cooperating with the investigation he was detained and he became more evasive, combative and refused to cooperate with Deputy Gallup.  The subject struck Gallup almost knocking him to the ground and he was subsequently arrested for battery on a Police Officer and resisting arrest without violence.    The subject was later identified through fingerprints as Eric Priest and he didn’t live at the residence.   Defendant:   Eric D. Priest 19871 SE 34th Place Morriston, Fl. W/M, 08/08/1958     ###      

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Major Evan Sullivan
Levy County Sheriff's Office
FBI-National Academy 183rd Session
Office: 352-486-5446
Cell:    352-577-4218

MEDIA RELEASE   Date:               March 22, 2012 Time:               9:15 AM   On March 21, 2012 Corporal Lauree Allen responded to a Chiefland home in reference to a burglary.  Upon arrival the victim stated when she returned home she found garbage thrown on the kitchen floor.  It appears the suspect(s) pried the back door and stole several shotguns and rifles valued at $ 2,500.   CSI responded and processed the scene.  The Criminal Investigation Division will follow up with possible leads in this case.         ###      

Major Evan Sullivan
Levy County Sheriff's Office
FBI-National Academy 183rd Session
Office: 352-486-5446
Cell:    352-577-4218

MEDIA RELEASE

Date: March 19, 2012
Time: 11:35 AM

On March 16, 2012 the Levy County Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force executed a search warrant and arrested six drug dealers and users.

Prior to the drug raid Agents bought methamphetamine from Richard Pearson at 10530 NE 73rd Lane in Bronson. Agents obtained a search warrant from Honorable Tim Browning and members of the Drug Task Force and Detectives from the Criminal Investigation Division executed the warrant shortly after 7 PM.

Richard Alan Pearson, 46, Bronson, Fl. was arrested for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of a controlled substance, tampering with physical evidence, resist arrest without violence and possession of drug paraphernalia. During the raid there were numerous individuals on the property who ran and attempted to conceal and throw drugs on the ground. Richard Pearson lived in a motor home on the property and he had a surveillance camera that would allow him to observe anyone on the property. Pearson attempted to run and was tackled by Drug Agents. Inside the motor home Agents seized methamphetamine, oxycodone and cannabis that belonged to Pearson.

Brook Brittingham, 31, Webster, Fl was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance (Viagra pills, Xanax) and possession of drug paraphernalia (pipe).

Albert Anthony Massa Jr., 57, Bronson, Fl was arrested for possession of methamphetamine. Massa attempted to run and was tackled by Agents. Massa had crystal methamphetamine in his back pocket and in his right hand had $ 108.00 in cash.

Michael Dwayne Douglas, 51, Bronson, Fl. was arrested for tampering with evidence and possession of drug paraphernalia. Douglas upon seeing Agents immediately threw down a multi color glass pipe commonly used to smoke marijuana. Douglas admitted that the pipe belonged to him and he smokes marijuana.

While Agents were searching the property a 1995 Isuzu Rodeo pulled in the driveway. Agents immediately confronted the occupants in the truck and identified the driver as Crystal Fontenot, 34, Belleview, Fl., passengers John Williams, 24, Belleview, Fl. and Gidget Marie Temperato, 44, Ocala, Fl. Inside the truck on the floor board were 24 oxycodone pills wrapped in a napkin. In the driver’s seat Detectives located a pill bottle in the name of Crystal Fontenot for oxycodone, 30 milligrams. The pill bottle was filled on Friday, March 16, 2012 for 150 pills and only had 12 pills remaining in the bottle.

The investigation revealed that the driver, Crystal Fontenot, 34, Belleview, Fl. sold twenty-five oxycodone pills to John Henry Williams. Williams purchased the oxycodone pills for $450.00. Upon detaining Fontenot she allegedly had a medical issue and Levy County EMS was summons to the scene. Fontenot was transported to a local hospital and a sworn complaint has been filed for one count selling/distributing a controlled substance. A decision was made to file a sworn complaint where the Levy County tax payers did not have to pay for Fontenot’s medical treatment. Williams was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and tampering with physical evidence. Temperato was in possession of a black zip bag that contained a methamphetamine glass pipe and a straw. Temperato was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia.

Major Evan Sullivan recommends the trio to receive the Darwin Award for being the “Dumbest Criminals”. While Sheriff vehicles were at the scene and Agents with flashlights searching the property the trio pulled in the driveway and was greeted with a friendly smile.



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Major Evan Sullivan
Levy County Sheriff’s Office
FBI-National Academy 183rd Session
Office: 352-486-5446
Cell: 352-577-4218