Month: August 2012

On August 23, 2012 Robert Demaine was arrested on a Levy County warrant for possession and making a destructive device. 
On December 17, 2011 Deputy Justin Mashburn responded to 8150 SE 140 Lane in reference to a verbal disturbance.  The report stated that Demaine buried a blue bag behind the residence and then left in a white Dodge van prior to the deputy’s arrival.   
A witness advised that he dug the bag up prior to the deputies arrival and located the following items: thirty insulin syringes, seven straws, three spoons, one scissors, four prescription bottles, three smoking pipes, one pill crusher, one razor, one small blue case with three grams of cocaine, eight grams of unknown powder substance and one homemade bomb with gun powder.  The homemade bomb was disarmed and the above items were placed into evidence.
On August 15, 2012 a warrant was issued for Demaine and he was arrested in Volusia County.  On August 23, 2012 the Levy County transportation deputy picked Demaine up and arrested him on the Levy County warrant.

Defendant:

MEDIA RELEASE   Date:               August 20, 2012 Time:              11:30 AM   On August 17, 2012 Jonathan Maurice Allen was arrested for attempted murder on a law enforcement officer, five counts of aggravated assault, possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute, tampering with evidence, possession of cocaine with intent to sell, sale of cocaine within 1000 feet from a place of worship and two counts of unlawful use of a two way communication device.   The Levy County Drug Task Force Agents working under the authority of the US Marshal’s Service Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force were conducting surveillance on Allen who was a fugitive from justice.  On May 15, 2012 the Drug Task Force purchased crack cocaine from Allen in the Chiefland area only 1000 feet from a church.  On August 10, 2012 Honorable Judge James T. Browning signed a warrant for Allen’s arrest for possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, sale of cocaine within 1000 feet of a place of worship and unlawful use of a two-way communication device and issued a $90,000 bond.    Friday, August 17, 2012 Agents located Allen driving a car at the McDonald restaurant in Chiefland.  Upon positively identifying the driver as Allen and the only person in the car they attempted to arrest Allen.  Fearing a high speed chase, Agents attempted to block Allen’s car at the drive thru line and identified themselves by having emergency lights on and wearing Sheriff’s and or US Marshal insignia.  Captain Anderson upon blocking Allen’s vehicle got out of his Sheriff’s office vehicle and advised Allen that he was under arrest.  Allen refused to surrender and attempted to run over Captain Anderson while he was on foot in the parking lot. Captain Anderson narrowly escaped death by jumping out of the way and Allen jumped the curb and was able to elude the drag net.    Allen refused to stop at stop signs or traffic lights and the high speed pursuit continued into the county.  Deputy Britton Drew joined and assisted in the car chase at County Road 347 and State Road 55 and was able to capture the chase on his dash cam video.  A rolling road block was attempted to end the chase, but Allen refused to stop and continued to elude law enforcement officers.  Allen drove across the grassy median and traveled south in the north bound lane running numerous vehicles off the road.    Allen while driving in the wrong direction of traffic ran numerous motorists off the road and finally lost control of his vehicle traveling across the median and unto the southbound lane.  Agent Rob Bowers attempted to stop Allen by tapping his back quarter panel and forcing him to spin out in the median.  Allen refused to stop and was using his 4000 pound vehicle as a weapon.   Due to Allen’s actions showing no regard for human life Investigator Rob Bowers fired shots attempting to stop Allen.  Allen continued to assault law enforcement officers and Lt. Duane Dykstra was able to tap Allen’s quarter panel and Allen spun out but was attempting to flee the scene when Captain Anderson rammed Allen’s vehicle and the chase was ended.    Allen was arrested without further incident and charged with seventeen (17) felony charges.  Allen received a six (6) million dollar bond at first appearance.     Defendant:   Jonathan Maurice Allen 10091 NW Ave. Chiefland, Fl. B/M, 01/13/1988     ###

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

Operation Safe Start   As another summer comes to an end, our children prepare for their next adventure in their Levy County School. On August 20, they will begin this timeless ritual, their first day back. Children will face new challenges, making new friends, new teachers and for some, a new school.   Among this change comes danger. Children become at an increased risk from transportation related injury such as motor vehicle crashes, bicycle related injuries and pedestrian injury. Traffic patterns change as parents, bus drivers and the children themselves, rush to school. Increased congestion around the schools entrances and exits become the focal points for law enforcement and citizens alike who try to navigate in and out of the school zones, all the while trying to hurry.  It is time for everyone—motorist, parents, educators and students—to improve their traffic safety practices.   Currently our Levy County School Board bus division is completing all the last minute safety inspections on the icons of education system. On the 20th, our buses will hit the streets in force. Law Enforcement will be watching as our buses make the scheduled stops and pick up our children.   Motorists are reminded of the traffic laws and dangers associated with this. School buses make multiple stops each morning, most of which are not part of the everyday motorist schedule. Most child related injury as related to our buses occur during the time they enter or exit the bus. The danger zone for our children extends 10 feet from all sides of the bus. Motorists need to be aware of this and be especially mindful and diligent in their travels taking heed to the warning lights each of our buses display while collecting our children each morning and dropping them off in the afternoon.   “Operation Safe Start” began three years ago and is a program we intend to continue. The Sheriff’s Office will be present to assist in the safe and efficient welcome of our students back to school. For the first three days of school, each school will have a Uniformed Deputy assigned to greet our children and assist the staff. Resource Officers, Volunteer Citizens on Patrol (COPS) and Uniformed Patrol Deputies will be monitoring the school zones and bus stops in marked and unmarked vehicles looking for traffic violations. We urge all of our parents, educators and students alike to travel safe and be alert to the dangers as they travel toward their next adventure in life.   ###  

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