Press Releases

June 12, 2023

On Saturday, June 10, 2023 at approximately 8:40 p.m. Deputy Joe Wilber and Deputy Nelson Macias were on patrol in Inglis when they observed a Kia SUV being operated without headlights. They conducted a traffic stop. Both deputies could smell the odor of recently burned marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. Neither the driver nor her passenger had medical marijuana cards.

A search of the SUV was conducted. Deputies located a pill bottle containing 1.7 grams of marijuana and one oxycodone pill in the driver’s door panel. Deputies also found 28 grams of methamphetamines hidden in the center console. The driver, identified as Carrie Esiel (11/23/70) of Inglis, was taken into custody. No charges were filed on the passenger who was released at the scene.

Esiel was booked into the Levy County Detention Center and charged with trafficking in methamphetamines. Her bond has been set at $50,000.00.

June 12, 2023

On Saturday, June 10, 2023 Deputy Cody Weaver was on patrol in Inglis when he spotted a vehicle known to be driven by a subject designated in the State of Florida as a habitual traffic offender. As the vehicle passed, Deputy Weaver identified the individual driving was the habitual offender and turned around to conduct a traffic stop. The driver accelerated and outdistanced Deputy Weaver by turning into a private residence and stopping abruptly. Both the driver and the passenger fled from the vehicle on foot.

Deputy Weaver was able to apprehend the fleeing passenger who was identified a Kitty Collins (7/11/78) of Inglis. As Collins was being escorted back to Deputy Weaver’s patrol car, he found a recently discarded black zippered bag. He collected the bag as evidence. Examination of the contents of the bag discovered a baggie that contained 84.5 grams of methamphetamines. Possession of more than 14 grams of amphetamines is considered a trafficking amount and could be punishable by a minimum seven (7) year prison sentence, if convicted. She is being held in the Levy County Detention Facility on a $120,000.00 bond.

The driver was able to elude Deputy Weaver. His identity is known and deputies are currently looking for him. When apprehended he will be facing several felony charges.

Anyone who wishes to provide an anonymous tip in this case is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-877-349-8477. You could be eligible for a cash reward.

June 12, 2023

On Friday, June 9, 2023 Deputy Gerard Williams was on patrol in Fanning Springs and saw a male subject in a blue SUV pass by. The driver was not wearing his seatbelt and Deputy Williams stopped him. The driver pulled into a residential driveway off of NW 168 Lane and when approached by Deputy Williams the driver fled the scene.

Deputy Williams gave chase and called for back-up. The driver made multiple turns, drove the wrong way on US 19 and accelerated to speeds of over 100 mph in his attempt to elude Deputy Williams. The chase lasted more than five minutes and ended when the driver flipped his SUV in front of Ken Dogs, located at the intersection of NW 160 Street and US-19.
The driver, identified as Jay Thomas Working (12/5/91) of Old Town, was taken into custody. The on-scene investigation discovered that Working has a history of fleeing from law enforcement and at the time of this incident, he was also in possession of methamphetamines.

Working was transported to a local hospital where he was evaluated and released into law enforcement custody. Working was transported to the Levy County Detention Facility where he was booked in for possession of methamphetamines, fleeing and attempting to elude law enforcement and driving while license suspended or revoked. His bond has been set at $102,500.00.

May 19, 2023

Travis I. Henry (7/6/91) of Chiefland was the subject of an undercover drug investigation during which he sold narcotics to informants. Detectives were granted warrants for his arrest based on these street level narcotics transactions.

On May 18, 2023 Drug Task Force Detectives conducted a traffic stop on Henry in the City of Chiefland and executed the warrants. He has been charged with two counts of sale of methamphetamines and use of a two way communication device to commit a felony. Bond was set at $44,000.00.

The traffic stop investigation also netted a second arrest. Henry was in the company of Macquez L. Williams (5/2/02) of Chiefland. Williams had an active warrant for his arrest from Polk County for failure to appear for pretrial related to a possession of synthetic cannabis and possession of drug paraphernalia. During his arrest he voluntarily surrendered a baggie of methamphetamines he had concealed in his crotch. He told Detectives he was afraid the drugs would be found the jail and he would be charged with the higher degree felony, introduction of contraband into a detention facility.

He was charged with possession of the meth, possession of fentanyl and possession of MDMA. His bond was set at $68,000.00.

May 19, 2023
Earlier this week a post was made to the Levy County Sheriff’s Office Face Book page requesting the public’s assistance in locating a stolen portable sawmill valued at $20,000.00. The large piece of equipment was taken during the night from a fenced piece of property in Inglis off of US 19. A citizen tip led Detectives to the suspect resulting in his arrest and the recovery of only a part of the sawmill.

Detectives arrested Rodney A. Morris (9/9/82) of Inglis on May 17 for the theft. Morris initially cooperated with Detectives and led them to a wooded area where he said the sawmill was hidden. Morris’s cooperation with Detectives ended with he claimed someone had stolen the sawmill from this location.

Morris is charged with grand theft and felony criminal mischief. His bond has been set at $60,000.00.

Detectives continued to work on this investigation to locate the sawmill, even after Morris was arrested. The main component, the motor and blade were located by Detectives yesterday. Unfortunately, they had both been burned by the suspect in his efforts to conceal his crime.

May 17, 2023

On May 16, 2023 Detectives received a tip that wanted person Joseph A. Collins (1/7/80) of Chiefland was at the Manatee Jiffy. Detectives did not have anyone nearby to apprehend Collins and called for the assistance of the Chiefland Police Department. CPD Officers responded to the Jiffy, located and detained Collins until LCSO Detectives arrived.

Detectives searched Collins during the arrest and located illegal drugs in his pocket. Collins had 21 ½ grams of meth and 1 ½ grams of fentanyl both on his person and in his vehicle resulting in new charges being levied against him.

Collins was wanted for the sale of methamphetamines and the warrant was derived from an investigation launched by the LCSO Drug Task Force in January. Drug investigations continue across the county and are frequently opened based on tips from our community. We want to ensure everyone that each tip we receive is thoroughly investigated and just because you do not see an immediate arrest, doesn’t mean we aren’t working on the case. Drug investigations take time and often lead to multiple arrests.

Collins is being held in the Levy County Detention Center and has been charged with the January sale of methamphetamines as well as possession of a trafficking amount of methamphetamines, possession of fentanyl and possession of drug paraphernalia. His total bond has been set at $150,000.00. We also want to thank the Officers from the Chiefland Police Department for their continued assistance for without their help, Collins could still be selling his poison.

Today survivors, family, friends and the brave men and women of law enforcement gathered at Heritage Park in Williston to honor the memories of our own that made the ultimate sacrifice to the community of Williston and Levy County. Sheriff McCallum and Chief Rolls hosted the memorial service with special guest speakers Deputy Chief Clay Connelly (Ret.) and Gussie Boatwright.

Today was a day of remembrance, an opportunity to share stories and pay our respect to those who went before us and will NEVER be forgotten:

Levy County Deputy Atticus H. Ellzey                     EOW: January 28, 1945

Williston Police Corporal Davis W. Moss                EOW: July 30, 1988

Levy County Lieutenant Duane Dykstra                   EOW: September 26, 2020

Levy County Deputy Allen Breeding                         EOW: October 27, 2021

Former Levy County Sergeant Noel Ramirez            EOW: April 19, 2018

April 25, 2023

Yesterday, April 24, 2023 the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in cooperation with the Levy County Sheriff’s Office issued a nationwide missing child alert. Levy County Sheriff’s Office Detectives were working with the Florida Department of Children and Family Services (DCF) to execute an order of protective custody for two children, Raiden Phoenix (1 year old) and Ember Willoughby (11 months). The children were temporarily placed in the custody of Raymond Otero (48) of Williston when the children’s mother, Hailey Palmer (21) of Williston was arrested for an outstanding warrant issued from the State of Indiana. Palmer was extradited to Indiana where she is being held and her release date is unknown.

Raymond Otero refused to cooperate with DCF Agents during the investigation and fled the State of Florida with the children. Shortly before midnight last night the Levy County Sheriff’s Office was notified that the children had been located in Colorado. Law Enforcement at the Rocky Ford Police Department in Otero County Colorado reported Raymond Otero dropped the children off at their station and left. Both children are in good health and are being cared for until they can be picked up by representatives of DCF. Raymond Otero did not want to speak to law enforcement and his current location is unknown.

Levy County Sheriff’s Office is still working on this investigation. Detectives are seeking a warrant for Raymond Otero for interference of custody. Anyone who has information related to this investigation is asked to contact Lieutenant Mike Narayan at 352-486-5111. You can make an anonymous tip by contacting Crime Stoppers at 1-877-349-8477.