Wanted Fugitive Captured by K9 Ellzey and Deputies
On August 14, 2026, K-9 Deputy Dowling, while off duty, observed Jonah Smith riding his bicycle near the Oak Ridge Estates subdivision. K-9 Deputy Dowling having knowledge that Smith was a wanted fugitive holding multiple active warrants for his arrest, coordinated with Deputy Kyle Schultz to attempt contact Smith.
Deputy Schultz located and attempted contact with Smith, who immediately upon sight of Deputy Schultz fled on foot. Deputy Shultz gave loud verbal commands to stop, but Smith continued fleeing and failed to comply. Deputy Schultz pursued Smith on foot though lost visual contact in a heavily wooded area of the subdivision.
Additional Patrol, Criminal Investigation units responded and establish a perimeter and where law enforcement continued searching for Smith. At the request of on scene law enforcement K-9 Deputy Dowling responded with K-9 Ellzey to assist in locating Smith.
A short time later K-9 Deputy Dowling deployed K-9 Ellzey and began tracking Smith. At the time of the search, the heat index was approximately 108 degrees Fahrenheit, creating additional safety concerns for law enforcement, K-9 Ellzey, and Smith during the extensive track through the heavily wooded area. Despite the extreme heat and difficult terrain, K-9 Ellzey tracked and located Smith attempting to conceal himself within the wooded area.
Once located by K-9 Ellzey and other law enforcement officers Smith complied with commands and he was taken into custody without further incident.
Smith was arrested on his active warrants, which included two counts of Sale of Methamphetamine, two counts of Possession of Drug Equipment Manufacture/Deliver, and a Violation of Probation associated with Fleeing/Eluding a Law Enforcement Officer with Lights and Siren Activated, Failure to Register a Motor Vehicle, and Operating a Motor Vehicle Without a Valid Driver’s License. Smith was also charged with Resisting an Officer Without Violence.
Smith was transported to the Levy County Jail, where he was booked on the active warrants and the new charge of Resisting an Officer Without Violence. His total bond was set at $275,000.
