Press Releases

On June 13, 2024 the Levy County Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force and Criminal Investigations Division executed a search warrant at 2390 SE 145th Terrace in Morriston, Florida. The warrant concluded a lengthy investigation related to the sale of illegal narcotics by Katrina Veith from this home. The search of Veith’s room discovered methamphetamine, fentanyl, buprenol/nalox 6 pills, oxycodone pills and marijuana. Items associated with the sale of illegal narcotics was also seized and included digital scales, syringes, boxes of zip lock bags, smoking pipes and straws.

Veith is charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell, manufacture or deliver; possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of fentanyl, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Chloe Allen (11/7/2000) of Yankeetown was located on the property and arrested for an active warrant for grand theft of a motor vehicle. A search of her person incident to her arrest discovered two small baggies with a crystalline substance and a glass pipe commonly used to smoke methamphetamine in her shorts pocket. A test of the substance identified it as methamphetamine. Allen was subsequently charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Both subjects are being held in the Levy County Detention Center. Veith’s bond is set at $180,000.00. Allen’s bond is set at $110,000.00.

“Narcotic investigations take time, effort and expertise. The men and women who are assigned to the Drug Task Force have the experience, drive and determination they dedicate to these long and sometimes difficult investigations. Tips from our community are often the catalyst that launches these investigations. Both women arrested in this investigation have extensive criminal histories spanning many years and our neighbors are now safer that they are in jail. I am extremely proud of the DTF and the work they do for our community to make Levy County a safer place to live and raise our children,” said Sheriff McCallum.

June 7, 2024

On June 5, 2024 Deputy Mary Weaver and Deputy Rowdy Roberts responded to a report of domestic violence in Inglis. The deputies arrived to find a female with significant injuries to her face, head and body. The victim reported that she and her live in boyfriend, identified as Timothy Wade Arnold (3/21/77) of Inglis, got into an argument. Arnold accused her of infidelity and began to hit and kick her. She waited until Arnold passed out before making her escape to a nearby friend’s home and calling 911.

Arnold was located passed out inside the travel trailer where he resides at 50 Palm Drive. Deputies were able to awaken him and took him into custody. He was transported to the Levy County Detention Center and charged with battery, second or subsequent offense.

On June 6, 2024 Levy County Detectives were alerted that the victim was admitted to a local hospital for treatment of injuries sustained during the altercation with Arnold. Medical staff confirmed the victim suffered from serious internal injuries, lacerations and broken bones caused by a violent attack. A second interview was conducted with the victim where Detectives learned Arnold punched, kicked and struck the victim with blunt objects as well as a machete causing the injuries.

A search warrant was obtained for the travel trailer where Arnold resides. Detectives seized items described by the victim that were used by Arnold during the attack. As such, two additional charges of aggravated battery were filed.

Arnold is being held at the Levy County Detention Center in lieu of a $200,000.00 bond.

May 31, 2024

On May 30, 2024 shortly after 4:00 p.m. multiple 911 calls reporting a stabbing were received by the Levy County Sheriff’s Office Communications Division. Deputies were dispatched to the area of SE 132 Court in Morriston where they were told a known suspect attacked two people at their home, inflicting multiple stab and slash wounds.

The victim(s) told deputies the suspect had been to their home before and borrowed their phone to make a call and were able to provide his name. Other than this, they did not know him. The victims were able to escape the attacker and fled to neighbors’ homes nearby. The suspect fled prior to law enforcement’s arrival.

Deputies received a second report from a nearby home and upon arrival found two more individuals suffering from blunt force object wounds inflicted by weapons of opportunity. The suspect, also known to these victims had fled this location.

The suspect, Justin R. Byrant (6/29/88) of Morriston was located by deputies and Williston Police Department Officers in a wooded area nearby one of the victim’s homes and taken into custody. The motive for these apparent random and violent attacks is still under investigation. All four victims have been taken to nearby trauma units and are being treated. Their current conditions are reported as stable.  

Detectives have determined that Bryant was known to all four victims and had been “hanging out” with two of them earlier in the day. Detectives pieced together Bryant’s activities earlier that day and discovered that he took a vehicle from a known associate. He drove this vehicle to a home in Levy County where he abandoned it and stole a truck. He then drove the truck to another home approximately one mile away and attempted to steal a side by side. This theft was unsuccessful and he apparently walked away.

This was a large crime scene with eight separate locations that required extensive coordination between law enforcement, Levy County Department of Public Safety, Williston Police Department and ShandsCair. This cooperative effort enabled rapid care for the victim(s) and quick apprehension of the suspect.

Bryant has been booked into the Levy County Detention Center where he is charged with three counts of attempted murder, one count of aggravated battery and burglary of a dwelling. Additional charges are expected to be filed.

May 30, 2024

On May 25, 2024 Deputy Steven Williamson was dispatched to a complaint that Joshua R. Carter (1/25/2002) held his former girlfriend against her will at a location in Morriston. Deputy Williamson, through his investigation, determined Carter lured the female to the home in Morriston. The two argued and when she attempted to leave, he pushed her onto a couch, took her glasses and threatened to kill her and then himself. Carter chambered a round into the firearm he was holding and refused to let the female leave. The victim was able to escape some time later after reasoning with Carter to let her leave.

Deputy Williamson was able to contact Carter by phone and determined he fled the jurisdiction to Citrus County. Carter agreed to return to Levy County and speak to Deputy Williamson and was subsequently arrested.

Deputy Williamson contacted Detective Corporal C.J. Perryman to assist in the investigation. A search warrant was obtained for the home where the victim had been held. Detectives recovered the loaded firearm described by the victim as well as other evidence of this crime.

Carter is being held with no bond at the Levy County Detention Center. He is charged with false imprisonment, aggravated assault with a firearm, battery, theft and use of a two way communication device to commit a felony.  

May 1, 2024

At approximately 9:30 a.m. on April 30^th Deputy Nick Duncan was alerted to a “be on the lookout” (BOLO) for a stolen truck issued by the Chiefland Police Department (CPD). CPD officers responded to a domestic violence call where the victim reported being in an argument with her boyfriend while driving in town. The victim was battered then forcefully removed from her vehicle by the boyfriend who then stole her truck and fled the scene.

Deputy Duncan saw the stolen vehicle driven by the suspect southbound on US 19, north of the Town of Inglis. He pulled in behind the truck and turned on his overhead emergency lights signaling the driver to pull over. The driver did pull over initially, but hit the gas and fled from Deputy Duncan.

Deputy Duncan pursued the fleeing driver at speeds in excess of 100 mph southbound on US 19. Deputy Kelly Kimpel was able to position herself in the median at the outskirts of Inglis and deploy Stop Sticks, effectively puncturing the front driver’s side tire of the fleeing vehicle. This did not deter the fleeing felon who continued south on US 19 into Citrus County. His reckless disregard for safety, even after his tire disintegrated, endangered all other motorists on the road. The suspect continued his effort to evade Deputy Duncan by swerving around traffic and running red lights as they entered into Crystal River. The suspect turned onto SR 44, made a few evasive turns then lost control on NE 1^st Street, crashing into mailboxes and a power pole then into a tree before coming to a stop. Deputy Duncan used his push bumper to pin the driver’s door closed and prevented the driver from fleeing on foot. The pursuit totaled approximately 20 miles.

The driver, identified as Daniel Maxwell (11/23/83) of Crystal River was taken into custody. He was booked into the Citrus County Detention Center and has been charged with aggravated fleeing and attempting to elude LEO, grand theft of a motor vehicle and driving on a suspended driver’s license. He will be held in Citrus County awaiting transfer to the Levy County Detention Center.    

April 29, 2024

At 1:30 a.m. this morning a family awoke to the sound of breaking glass. The husband armed himself and went outside to investigate as his wife looked at their home surveillance system. To her horror she saw a man on their porch and immediately called 911.

Deputies arrived and immediately saw the armed homeowner outside. The deputy did not know he was the homeowner and after a tense few moments, the homeowner lowered his gun. The deputy didn’t know he had the intruder at gunpoint. The intruder fled and was able to make his escape.

The on-scene investigation determined the intruder fired a handgun through the sliding glass door, shattering the window. The bullet lodged into the backrest of their couch.

Undeterred, the homeowners took to social media posting pictures of the suspect their surveillance camera captured. At 7:30 this morning the homeowners were contacted by a person who identified the suspect as Fransisco Calvillo. They immediately contacted the LCSO with this information.

Deputies responded to the home of Fransisco Calvillo (8/6/94) of Bronson and took him into custody. Additional evidence was collected and interviews confirmed Calvillo was the person who fled from the homeowner earlier this morning. Calvillo has been arrested for shooting into an occupied dwelling, armed trespassing and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Bond has not yet been assigned.

April 29, 2024

On April 27, 2024 Deputy Rowdy Roberts observed a vehicle traveling on NE 35 Street in Williston at a speed above the posted 25 mph speed limit. Deputy Roberts verified the vehicle’s speed at 47 mph with his radar and conducted a traffic stop. The driver pulled into the Toad Stool Bar and immediately fled into the woods.

The passenger, identified as Joshua Lamonte Monroe (8/13/96) of Williston walked away from the traffic stop scene and into the bar. His suspicious behavior when he entered the bar captured the attention of an employee inside. The employee saw Monroe walk directly to a garbage can in the back of the building and place a white package inside. The employee summoned Officer S. Goodson of the Williston Police Department who arrived to assist Deputy Roberts. Officer Goodson recovered the package and the contents were identified as cocaine and methamphetamines that were pre-packaged for street level sales. Monroe was then detained. Deputy Roberts reviewed the surveillance video from inside the bar that clearly captured Monroe placing the illegal drugs inside the trash can.

The car Monroe had been riding in was inventoried prior to it being towed from the scene. Inside deputies found a black backpack in the passenger seat that contained Monroe’s driver’s license and more drugs, including fentanyl.

Deputies located a handgun under the driver’s seat during the inventory. The gun, a FN 5.7 X 28, was loaded with armor piercing bullets. These bullets can be used is to penetrate the body armor law enforcement officers wear.

Sheriff McCallum said, “This is the type of proactive law enforcement efforts LCSO deputies are trained to conduct. Saturday night Deputy Roberts removed dangerous drugs and a lethal firearm off of our streets making that neighborhood safer for the citizens and our law enforcement officers. Great work Deputy Roberts!”

The driver has not been captured. Efforts to identify and take him into custody are still on-going. The image attached is that of the driver. If anyone in our community can positively identify him or provide his current location they are asked to call Lt. Mike Narayan at 352-486-5111 ext. 267. Anonymous tips can be made to Crime Stoppers at 1-877-349-8477. You could be eligible for a cash reward.