LEVY COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
ROBERT B. McCALLUM, JR., SHERIFF
Month: July 2017
Man Arrested for Shooting Father
July 31, 2017
On Saturday at 10:58 am Levy County deputies responded to
5530 SE 194th Lane in Inglis. A 22 year old Tampa man reported
accidentally shooting his father while inside the home. Responding deputies
found Manuel Castro (61) of Tampa on the floor in the living room. First
responders from Inglis Fire Rescue who had arrived at the same time deputies
had began administering first aid. Deputies secured the scene and requested
investigators from the Criminal Investigations Division (CID) and Crimes Scene
to respond.
5530 SE 194th Lane in Inglis. A 22 year old Tampa man reported
accidentally shooting his father while inside the home. Responding deputies
found Manuel Castro (61) of Tampa on the floor in the living room. First
responders from Inglis Fire Rescue who had arrived at the same time deputies
had began administering first aid. Deputies secured the scene and requested
investigators from the Criminal Investigations Division (CID) and Crimes Scene
to respond.
Investigators arrived and spoke to Matthew James Castro (1-6-95),
the son of Manuel. Matthew told investigators he was in the kitchen area of the
home and was “playing” with a .22 rifle. He said his father had given him
permission to play with the gun and told him the gun was unloaded. While trying
to take the clip out of the gun, it fired. The bullet struck Manuel Castro in
the temple. Manuel Castro did not survive his injuries.
the son of Manuel. Matthew told investigators he was in the kitchen area of the
home and was “playing” with a .22 rifle. He said his father had given him
permission to play with the gun and told him the gun was unloaded. While trying
to take the clip out of the gun, it fired. The bullet struck Manuel Castro in
the temple. Manuel Castro did not survive his injuries.
Crime Scene investigators and CID investigators
reconstructed the crime scene and determined the incident had not occurred as
Matthew first reported. The evidence did not match Matthew’s statement.
reconstructed the crime scene and determined the incident had not occurred as
Matthew first reported. The evidence did not match Matthew’s statement.
Investigators also spoke to members of the Hillsborough
County Sheriff’s Office and discovered Matthew had a violent history. The
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office shared multiple incidents where they had
contact with the Castro family because Matthew had battered his father or
destroyed family property.
County Sheriff’s Office and discovered Matthew had a violent history. The
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office shared multiple incidents where they had
contact with the Castro family because Matthew had battered his father or
destroyed family property.
Investigators determined Manuel Castro and his son Matthew
both reside in Tampa, Florida and that Manuel Castro also owns the home in
Inglis. He and his son came to Inglis for the weekend. Other family members who
reside in Tampa have been contacted by investigators.
both reside in Tampa, Florida and that Manuel Castro also owns the home in
Inglis. He and his son came to Inglis for the weekend. Other family members who
reside in Tampa have been contacted by investigators.
Matthew Castro was arrested and has been charged with Second
Degree Murder and is being held at the Levy County Detention Facility with “no
bond.”
Degree Murder and is being held at the Levy County Detention Facility with “no
bond.”
Citizen Tip Helps a Child
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| Photo provided by the Dixie County Sheriff’s Office |
July 25, 2017
“If you see something, say something” is the latest messages
all law enforcement agencies are asking of our citizens to do to help combat
crime. And below is an excellent example of how this worked.
all law enforcement agencies are asking of our citizens to do to help combat
crime. And below is an excellent example of how this worked.
On May 30, 2017 a citizen reported seeing a child and adult
behaving in what she deemed was an inappropriate manner at a local State Park.
The citizen gave a statement of what was seen to the responding deputy. The
deputy was able to identify the adult and child and determined the adult male
was Kenneth A. Brooks (8-10-41) of Old Town. The child was under his
supervision at the time. Brooks was initially interviewed and denied ever
acting inappropriately. But this did not end the investigation.
behaving in what she deemed was an inappropriate manner at a local State Park.
The citizen gave a statement of what was seen to the responding deputy. The
deputy was able to identify the adult and child and determined the adult male
was Kenneth A. Brooks (8-10-41) of Old Town. The child was under his
supervision at the time. Brooks was initially interviewed and denied ever
acting inappropriately. But this did not end the investigation.
The Department of Children and Family Services (DCF) and
investigators from the Levy County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations
Division (CID) requested a forensic interview be conducted. The University of
Florida Child Protection Team (CPT) did conduct this interview and during which
the child disclosed that Brooks had been sexually inappropriate with her on
several occasions while at a home in the Chiefland area.
investigators from the Levy County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations
Division (CID) requested a forensic interview be conducted. The University of
Florida Child Protection Team (CPT) did conduct this interview and during which
the child disclosed that Brooks had been sexually inappropriate with her on
several occasions while at a home in the Chiefland area.
On July 17, 2017 CID investigators secured search warrants
for the property of Kenneth Brooks and for his person. CID investigators met
with Dixie County Sheriff’s Office deputies who executed the warrants.
Investigators discovered evidence precisely as the child victim had described. Further
interview with Mr. Brooks left him no option but to admit to his wrong doings. The
Dixie County Sheriff’s Office established through Brooks confession that he had
also abused the same child at his home in Old Town and he was arrested.
for the property of Kenneth Brooks and for his person. CID investigators met
with Dixie County Sheriff’s Office deputies who executed the warrants.
Investigators discovered evidence precisely as the child victim had described. Further
interview with Mr. Brooks left him no option but to admit to his wrong doings. The
Dixie County Sheriff’s Office established through Brooks confession that he had
also abused the same child at his home in Old Town and he was arrested.
CID investigators have also secured an arrest warrant for
Brooks. He has been charged with four counts of sexual battery by a custodial
and lewd and lascivious molestation. His bond has been set at 4.5 million
dollars. Brooks is currently being held in the Dixie County Jail on a “no
bond.”
Brooks. He has been charged with four counts of sexual battery by a custodial
and lewd and lascivious molestation. His bond has been set at 4.5 million
dollars. Brooks is currently being held in the Dixie County Jail on a “no
bond.”
Sheriff McCallum said, “Our citizens are our eyes, and ears
and we rely on them for tips such as these to help us protect those whose voice
cannot be heard. I am grateful this person took notice of this situation and
made the report. Her actions have allowed us to protect this child from future
harm and make this arrest. I also want to thank Sheriff Hatcher and his men and
women for their cooperation in this case. Their cooperation has allowed us to
put an end to this child’s suffering.”
and we rely on them for tips such as these to help us protect those whose voice
cannot be heard. I am grateful this person took notice of this situation and
made the report. Her actions have allowed us to protect this child from future
harm and make this arrest. I also want to thank Sheriff Hatcher and his men and
women for their cooperation in this case. Their cooperation has allowed us to
put an end to this child’s suffering.”
Search Warrant Discovers Drugs
July 24, 2017
On Friday July 21, 2017 the Levy County Sheriff’s Office
Drug Task Force (DTF) and Criminal Investigations Division (CID) executed a
search warrant at 439 North Court Street in Bronson. The LCSO received multiple
calls from concerned citizens that activity at the home owned by Frank Barnes
(4-23-48) dramatically increased. Callers reported seeing what they believed
was drug activity at the otherwise quiet household.
Drug Task Force (DTF) and Criminal Investigations Division (CID) executed a
search warrant at 439 North Court Street in Bronson. The LCSO received multiple
calls from concerned citizens that activity at the home owned by Frank Barnes
(4-23-48) dramatically increased. Callers reported seeing what they believed
was drug activity at the otherwise quiet household.
DTF and CID investigators found Barnes inside the home
alone. The search of the home revealed cocaine and drug paraphernalia. Multiple
people were coming to this home and buying and/or using narcotics based upon
evidence gathered by DTF investigators which lead up to the search warrant.
alone. The search of the home revealed cocaine and drug paraphernalia. Multiple
people were coming to this home and buying and/or using narcotics based upon
evidence gathered by DTF investigators which lead up to the search warrant.
Barnes was arrested and has been booked into the Levy County
Detention Facility. His bond has been set at $50,000.00.
Detention Facility. His bond has been set at $50,000.00.
This investigation is still on-going and additional arrests
could be made in the future.
could be made in the future.
Early Morning Robbery Reported
July 21, 2017
On July 20, 2017 Levy County Sheriff’s Office Deputies
responded to a home on NE 217 Court in East Williston. Deputies met with a
subject who told them he was visiting the home when he was confronted by two armed
males. These subjects pointed handguns at him and demanded his money and phone.
The victim reported these men took his personal belongings and ran into a
wooded area next to a home.
responded to a home on NE 217 Court in East Williston. Deputies met with a
subject who told them he was visiting the home when he was confronted by two armed
males. These subjects pointed handguns at him and demanded his money and phone.
The victim reported these men took his personal belongings and ran into a
wooded area next to a home.
Investigators with the Criminal Investigations Division
(CID) responded to the scene and assumed control of the investigation. Evidence
developed by investigators led to the issuance of a search warrant for a home
located at 3850 NE 217th Court Lot C. Investigators identified
William Meeks (7-31-89) of Ocala, Florida as a potential suspect and Meeks was
located during the search warrant. Meeks was arrested for outstanding warrants.
Investigators found and seized two firearms hidden inside
the home along with ammunition, cocaine, methamphetamines, heroin and drug
paraphernalia.
the home along with ammunition, cocaine, methamphetamines, heroin and drug
paraphernalia.
The robbery investigation is still on-going. Anyone with
information which could assist investigators in solving this crime is asked to
contact Investigator Justin Douglas at 352-486-5111 or if you wish to remain
anonymous call Crime Stoppers at 1-877-349-8477. You could be eligible for a
cash reward.
Sexual Battery Arrest
July 21, 2017
On July 19, 2017 the Levy County Sheriff’s Office Criminal
Investigations Division (CID) answered a complaint of sexual battery on a
disabled person. The victim, a 32 year old mentally disabled person, disclosed to
a family friend she was having “sex.” The family friend immediately reported
this to law enforcement.
Investigations Division (CID) answered a complaint of sexual battery on a
disabled person. The victim, a 32 year old mentally disabled person, disclosed to
a family friend she was having “sex.” The family friend immediately reported
this to law enforcement.
Allen R. White (1-19-52) met with CID investigators at the
LCSO and consented to an interview. During his talk with investigators, White admitted
to sexual acts with the victim and acknowledged he knew the victim was mentally
disabled. Investigators told White he was being arrested and White became
combative.
LCSO and consented to an interview. During his talk with investigators, White admitted
to sexual acts with the victim and acknowledged he knew the victim was mentally
disabled. Investigators told White he was being arrested and White became
combative.
White was escorted to the Levy County Detention Facility and
was charged with two counts of Lewd and Lascivious Battery on a Disabled Person
and Resisting Arrest Without Violence. His bond has been set at $1,010,000.00.
was charged with two counts of Lewd and Lascivious Battery on a Disabled Person
and Resisting Arrest Without Violence. His bond has been set at $1,010,000.00.
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