Month: June 2012

Suwannee River Ramp Closure

Posted on June 29, 2012

Levy County   June 29, 2012   The Levy County Suwannee River boat ramps located at Clay Landing, Camp Azalea and Fowlers Bluff will be closing at 5 p.m. on Saturday June 30, 2011. Rising floodwaters are expected to be impacting our local river communities and boaters are asked to keep their speeds slow to reduce the impact on homes.   Boaters should expect to see an increased patrol by FWC during the weekend holiday. Recreational boater as asked to exercise increased caution while traveling the waterways this holiday weekend and into next week due to the above normal waters and floating debris.
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Lt. Scott Tummond
Criminal Investigations Division
Levy County Sheriff's Office
(352) 486-5111

Murder/Suicide Investigated

Posted on June 28, 2012

June 26, 2012   The Levy County Sheriff’s Office responded to 7491 NW 168 Lane Fanning Springs, Florida to the frantic call from a juvenile female sobbing to 911 operators that someone had killed her mother.   Within minutes of the call being received, Deputies arrived on scene and confirmed what the child had reported. The body of Genoveva Magnolia Recinos Castillo 1-3-66 was discovered in the living room area of her home. A large injury to her neck was plainly visible.   As additional law enforcement arrived on scene, the suspect information was quickly obtained from neighbors and the child. Within minutes, the body of Arturo Ranferi Zacarias 1-1-86 was located in a room of his residence across the street. Zacarias appeared to have died from self inflicted wounds.   As this investigation began to unfold, it was discovered by Investigators that Castillo and Zacarias knew each other. Statements taken from friends of the families said that Zacarias viewed Castillo as a mother figure, having lost his mother some years before. The case is currently under investigation in attempts to identify the catalyst that sparked Zacarias to take such violent actions.
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Lt. Scott Tummond
Criminal Investigations Division
Levy County Sheriff's Office
(352) 486-5111

Update- T/S Debby

Posted on June 28, 2012


Levy County   June 28, 2012   NWS Tallahassee has advised that local flood warnings are still in effect for the Suwannee River basin. Sheriff Johnny Smith has decided to re-open all launch sites in the county. Should that prediction of rising water begin to cause problems on the Suwannee River, it could prompt a second closure. The situation will be closely monitored daily and advance warning of any impending boat ramp closures will be announced.   The Sheriff cautions boaters who decide to travel on the waterways of Levy County exercise additional caution. With all the recent rains and associated run-off, excessive debris will be floating our river making navigation more hazardous. 

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Lt. Scott Tummond
Criminal Investigations Division
Levy County Sheriff's Office
(352) 486-5111

Tropical Storm Debby– Levy County Update– June 26, 2012

Posted on June 26, 2012

June 26, 2012 10:50 a. m.   As a result of Tropical Storm Debby, an Executive Order of Emergency has been declared by Gov. Scott, which includes Levy County. The Board of County Commissioners for Levy County have also signed a Local Declaration of Emergency.   The recent heavy rains have caused sinkholes to form, roads to flood and weakened the root systems on some of our trees, making them vulnerable to the winds. Drivers are cautioned to stay off of flooded roadways and be aware that roads could become obstructed with debris.   At 0955 hours Levy County Sheriff Johnny Smith has ordered the closure of the Waccasassa River, Suwannee River and Withlacoochee River to all boating traffic. The following boat ramps will be closed to all boating traffic: the ramp at the western end of SR 40 in Yankeetown, Shell Mound, Fowlers Bluff, Clay Landing, Camp Azalea, Waccasassa boat ramp at CR 326 and the #4 boat ramp in Cedar Key, all City maintained ramps in Cedar Key and Yankeetown. All citizens are urged to stay off the water until the ramps have been re-opened and the waterways deems safe for navigation.   Emergency Management Director Mark Johnson has also ordered the closure of the George T. Lewis airport in Cedar Key.   Levy County Emergency Management is monitoring the storm very closely and we stand prepared to assist our citizens during this storm.   ###

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Lt. Scott Tummond
Criminal Investigations Division
Levy County Sheriff's Office
(352) 486-5111

Sexual Predator Notification

Posted on June 25, 2012

Sexual Predator

 Address Notification

  Date: June 25, 2012   On June 25, 2012 James E. Cook registered as a Sexual Predator with the Levy County Sheriff’s Office. By Florida law Cook is required to notify law enforcement when ever he changes his address.   James Cook was convicted in Levy County in 2003 for sexual battery by an adult on a child under 12. Cook was just released from prison and has registered his address of residence as 10251 NE 20 Ave. Chiefland, Florida.   Sexual Predator: James E. Cook 10251 NE 20 Ave. Chiefland, Florida White/Male DOB: 08/06/1966###

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Lt. Scott Tummond
Criminal Investigations Division
Levy County Sheriff's Office
(352) 486-5111