Press Releases

February 27, 2025

On February 26^th, 2025 LCSO deputies were dispatched to a disturbance on SE 195^th Place in Inglis after neighbors reported hearing a female cry out for help. Deputy Patrick Lockett and Deputy Dakota Dowling arrived and found a female victim clothed only in a blanket in distress. The female victim told deputies that she had been physically attacked and sexually battered by Whyitt Wood (12/3/02). Deputies located and detained Wood pending further investigation. The female was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

LCSO Criminal Investigations Division was requested to assist in the investigation. Detectives Shelby Kilian and Joe Barrera, along with Victim Advocate Donna Sanderson and Crime Scene Detective Jennifer Langston responded to the scene. Following a lengthy investigation and interviews, probable cause was established to charge Wood with forcible sexual battery, kidnapping-false imprisonment, and domestic battery by strangulation. Wood was arrested and transported to the Levy County Detention Center where he is being held with NO Bond.   

A local business woman and Bronson resident, Janet Lee Dean (2/22/61), was involved in a fatal motor vehicle accident in Levy County in 2024 that resulted in the death of another citizen. A Levy County warrant drafted by the Florida Highway Patrol was issued for arrest based on her role in the accident. Dean, who was in the hospital at the time the warrant was issued, fled before the warrant was executed. She was located some months later and arrested by law enforcement officials in Tampa, Florida. She was charged with Vehicular Homicide and DUI with Property Damage/Personal Injury.

Dean was released from custody after posting bond on this first arrest. A second warrant was issued for failure to appear after she intentionally refused to appear for her appointed court date. LCSO detectives received information Dean once again fled the jurisdiction in an attempt to avoid prosecution.

LCSO detectives are part of the United States Marshals Service fugitive task force and joined with other agencies in attempts to locate Dean. The LCSO, the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office (Georgia) and the Florida Highway Patrol received information on Deans’ whereabouts. The collective efforts of these agencies located Dean and arrested her on February 25, 2025 in Lowndes County Georgia.

Dean will be returned to the Levy County Detention Center where she will be held without bond until her first appearance before a Levy County judge.

Sheriff McCallum is dedicated to maintaining the safety of traveling motorists in Levy County and frequently works with the Florida Highway Patrol to make our streets are safer. Driving under the influence is a major contributor to accidents involving the loss of life and will not be tolerated. Sheriff McCallum’s hope is that the apprehension of Janet Dean, and her return to Levy County to face justice will allow the family of the victim some comfort knowing that senseless death has not been forgotten.  

February 24, 2025

“See something, say something” is not just a catch phrase, it means what is says and worked to secure the safety of students on the Williston Middle/High School Campus. On Thursday afternoon a witness student reported to school staff that student Jesus E. Ramirez (14) was carrying a knife on campus. School administrators and School Resource Deputy (SRD) Nelson Macias located Ramirez and escorted him to the office. It was discovered that Ramirez had a knife tucked into his sock.

SRD Macias conducted an investigation and discovered Ramirez recently transferred to Williston from Texas. In less than one month of enrollment he had a disagreement with another student. Witness statements indicate Ramirez planned to use the knife during a pre-planned altercation with this student later that day. Witnesses also said Ramirez claimed to be part of gang.

Jesus Ramirez was arrested for possession of a weapon on school campus, a felony. He was booked into the Levy County Detention Center, process and released to the Department of Juvenile Justice.

February 18, 2025

The Levy County Sheriff’s Office is an active participant in the North Florida ICAC (Internet Crimes Against Children) Task Force. On Friday, February 14, 2025 a lengthy investigation was concluded in a joint operation in conjunction with the Gainesville Police Department at a residence in Levy County with an Archer, Florida address. 

ICAC Detectives assigned to the Levy County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division along with other ICAC Unit detectives arrested Julio Bernard Rodriguez (5/19/1991) for possession of child sexual abuse material. This arrest came about after an investigation was initiated upon receiving a Cyber Tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

The Cyber Tip, initially investigated by the Gainesville Police Department ICAC Unit, determined Rodriguez was storing child sexual abuse material on an electronic device. Detectives with the Gainesville Police Department discovered Rodriguez resided in Levy County. The Gainesville Police Department forwarded their investigation to the Levy County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division where an investigation was immediately opened. Based on this investigation Detectives obtained a search warrant for Rodriguez and his residence. 

Detectives executed the search and found a computer and cellphone belonging to Rodriguez contained child sexual abuse material. Rodriguez was arrested for 10 counts of possession of child pornography and one count of unlawful use of two-way device. Rodriguez was transported to the Levy County Sheriff’s Office Detention Bureau.

Rodriguez’s bond was set at $1.1 million dollars on Saturday, February 15, 2025.

ICAC investigations often start with cyber tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Detectives gather information through subpoenas, search warrants and interviews. These investigations take weeks or months to gather sufficient evidence to bring a perpetrator to justice. The Levy County Sheriff’s Office is dedicated to combating crimes against children and is steadfast in this mission.

January 4, 2025

This morning at approximately 9:30 a.m. a Williston Elementary School student reported seeing a person run by an outside window holding an object believed to be a gun. School officials immediately placed the school on lock-down and School Resource Deputies began searching the property. Additional LCSO deputies and Williston Police Officers arrived on scene to aid the SRO deputies in the search. A complete and thorough search of the entire campus was performed and no person who posed any threat to the campus was located. Information disseminated throughout the Williston area that this was an active shooter incident is INCORRECT.

Due to a potential threat on the campus of the Williston Elementary School, the Williston Middle/High School and the Joyce Bullock Elementary School were also placed on lock down.

The Levy County School Board and the Levy County Sheriff’s Office want to ensure every parent that the safety of our children while on our school campuses is top priority. The LCSO along with Williston Police Department responded to the campus in force. A full investigation and search of every building on the Williston Elementary School campus was completed quickly.

We understand parents immediately went to each campus to collect their child during the lock down. These parents were not allowed on campus adding more stress and confusion. For safety and security reasons students are not allowed to be removed from the campus during a lock-down.

January 2, 2024

Lawrence Paggeot (2/4/62) notified Kentucky authorities of his intent to move to Marion County, Florida. He was told he must register his address with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office upon his arrival. Kentucky did not receive confirmation Paggeot registered in Florida and contacted MCSO. MCSO Detectives went to the address Paggeot provided Kentucky to find the property abandoned. MCSO discovered Paggeot was living at a residence in Levy County and contacted the LCSO Sex Offender Unit.

LCSO Detectives responded to 11190 SE 201 Street in Inglis and located Paggeot on 12/31/24. He initially gave detectives a false name but his true identity was soon discovered. Paggeot had not registered as a sex offender living in Levy County with the LCSO and was subsequently arrested. He is being held in the Levy County Detention Center in lieu of a $15,000.00 bond.

January 1, 2025

A New Year’s Eve domestic argument resulted in the death of Jeremy Miller, (50 yoa), from Chiefland. At approximately 5:00 p.m., deputies received a 911 call and responded to an address in Manatee Farms Subdivision. The 911 caller told dispatchers that two brothers were involved in an argument and one shot the other. Deputies arrived to find Jeremy Miller suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head. The suspect, Michael Miller (33 yoa), was hiding inside a shed on the property where they both lived. After a short stand off, Michael Miller surrendered to law enforcement. Michael Miller was charged with murder. He will be held in the Levy County Detention Center pending his first appearance in court.