Press Releases

July 24, 2023

On July 20, 2023 Deputies responded to a domestic disturbance in Rosewood. Deputies arrived and obtained statement from the victim and a friend. The victim told deputies she had an argument with Marshall Dimick (12/31/67) of Rosewood. During the argument Dimick dunked her head into a vat of a tar like substance that is used to treat clam and oyster bags. He also pointed a shotgun at her and choked her to near unconsciousness. Dimick is a convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing a firearm. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment of chemical burns to her face and arms.

The following investigation discovered that Dimick removed several firearms from the home prior to law enforcement arriving. The guns were located on a neighboring property and recovered. Dimick was arrested and has been charged with aggravated battery, aggravated assault with a firearm and four counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He is being held at the Levy County Detention Center on a $550,000.00.

July 14, 2023

Deputies discovered a graffiti covered pavilion at the end of CR 40 in Yankeetown on July 4, 2023 while conducting routine patrol. The vandal used spray paint and permanent marker to scroll the name “James Edwards” on most surfaces of the pavilion and picnic tables. Deputies estimated over $3,000 dollars in damages to the building and table that is maintained by the Levy County Parks and Recreation Department. The “artists” work gained a lot of attention on local social media pages.

Word around town was that Kristine Hess was responsible for the graffiti. Deputies know Hess was the girlfriend of James Edwards, who recently passed away. Many of the messages included how “he” was missed.

Deputies worked diligently to gather evidence of Hess’s participation in this crime. Hess herself confessed via Facebook to the graffiti painted on the sidewalk and road. Hess was located and interviewed and denied responsibility. Fortunately sufficient evidence had been collected and she was arrested on July 8, 2023.

Since publication of the graffiti on social media the Levy County Parks and Recreation have cleaned up the mess. Hess is arrested and has acquired additional charges for violation of her probation. She is being held in the Levy County Detention Center with no bond.

June 28, 2023

Yesterday Sheriff McCallum and representatives from Haven Hospice had the unique pleasure of recognizing and expressing gratitude for the service and sacrifice of one of our own local heroes. Kenneth Carpenter, of Chiefland, surrounded by family and friends humbly accepted recognition for his lifelong achievements serving our country and this community.

Mr. Carpenter, born November 24, 1921, faithfully served this great county in the U.S. Army during WWII from January 1941 until June of 1945. He achieved the rank of Sergeant during his tenure. This spry, soft spoken 101 ½ year-old veteran continued his service to community after WWII by working in utilities in West Virginia. He ultimately made his home in Chiefland in 1974 where he worked for the Central Florida Electric Co-Op until retirement.

Haven provides a veteran recognition ceremony for every veteran under their care. These ceremonies are typically facilitated by a Haven veteran volunteer or staff member and include the presentation of a certificate of appreciation and items like a patriotic lap quilt, American flag pin and more. Haven RN case manager Scott Knudsen and volunteer coordinator Vondla Sullivan along with the Trenton Marine Corps Ladies Auxiliary representative Arlene Lang presented these gifts on behalf of Haven. Sheriff McCallum presented Mr. Carpenter a certificate of appreciation and the coveted LCSO challenge coin.

Mr. Carpenter is looking forward to celebrating his 102^nd birthday in November by surrounding himself with family. His wife Lucille, son, two grandchildren and two great grandchildren ask that you help us celebrate Kenneth and all of these life-long achievements.  

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.