Press Releases

August 14, 2024

On July 8, 2024 the Levy County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division received a tip that a person from Chiefland was identified downloading child pornographic materials. Detectives worked with the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit and confirmed the identity of the subject as Brad Breitbarth (6/9/88) of Chiefland.

LCSO Detectives executed a search warrant at Breitbarth’s home on July 31^st. Detectives seized multiple electronic devices during the operation. Examination of these devices found numerous pornographic images and video’s depicting sexual acts against minor children. Detectives then obtained an arrest warrant for Breitbarth documenting and charging him with twenty (20) counts of possession of child pornography. A one million dollar bond was assigned to this warrant.

Breitbarth was taken into custody this morning in the Chiefland area and has been booked into the Levy County Detention Center. Detectives have executed another search warrant at Breitbarth’s home and additional charges are expected to be filed.  

Sheriff McCallum, in consultation with the BOCC and staff, have re-opened some of the Levy County Boat Ramps.  The ramps on the Suwannee River REMAIN CLOSED until further notice due to high water.  The public is encouraged to resume fishing and boating on all other county owned boat ramps.  

Please watch out for fellow boaters and be safe! 

On August 8, 2024, Detectives and Deputies with the Levy County Sheriff’s Office located and arrested Tyree Brown who had active warrants for his arrest. Mr. Brown has an extensive criminal history that included 76 prior felony charges. The current arrest warrants stemmed from a long term narcotics investigation conducted by the Levy County Drug Task Force earlier this year. Since that time Mr. Brown had been on the run for the following charges:

• Sale and Manufacturing of Illegal Narcotics
• Possession of Cocaine with the Intent to Sell within 1000 feet of a place of Worship
• Trafficking in Cocaine
• Possession of a Controlled Substance Without a Prescription
• Possession of Marijuana
• Keeping or Maintaining a Nuisance Structure for Drug Activity

Mr. Brown also added to his list of charges when he decided to attempt to run from the Deputies.  When backup arrived, Mr. Brown was taken into custody after the short foot chase. He was also charged with Resisting without Violence for his early morning run. Mr. Brown’s total bond is set at $106,000.  Mr. Brown posted bond and was released the following day.  

On the evening of August 7th 2024 Levy County Dispatch Center received a report of a driver unable to stay on the roadway. The concerned citizen continued to follow and give information to dispatch on the location.

Levy County Deputy Sam Quincey responded to the area and was able to get behind the vehicle to establish the driving pattern. It was obvious that this driver was either suffering from a medical condition or was under the influence of something, due to the fact that they could not stay in one lane. Deputy Quincey initiated a traffic stop in the area of US 41 and SE 25th Street, and the driver refused to stop. The vehicle continued northbound on U.S. 41 running multiple vehicles off the roadway. Multiple times cars were pulling off the road and the driver still would swerve toward those vehicles and almost striking them.

Multiple units responded to the area to stop the vehicle in order to prevent a serious crash. Deputy Stephen Williamson was able to set up stop sticks (tire deflation device) in the area of Cloverleaf in the City of Williston after the driver had failed to stop at the red light at U.S. 41 and State Road 121. Deputy Williamson was able to get an effective hit with the stop sticks that deflated both front tires of the vehicle.

The driver continued northbound toward “The Top of the Hill” intersection. Due to the total disregard for the safety of other motorists and citizens, deputies used their vehicles to make contact with the defendant’s vehicle and force it to a stop. Once deputies had stopped the vehicle, it was boxed in with three patrol cars.

The driver of the vehicle was checked to make sure she had no medical issues, and then the criminal investigation started due to signs of impairment. The driver, Rhonda Livesay, ended up being arrested for DUI , Fleeing and Eluding Law Enforcement, Reckless Driving , Two counts of Possession of Controlled Substance Without a Prescription and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia .

Livesay was booked into the Levy County Detention Center and issued a total bond of $175,000 at first appearance. These deputies put their lives at risk to ensure the safety of all. There were no injuries during this incident and there was only minor damage to two patrol vehicles.

The Levy County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance in locating missing juvenile Christian Edwards-Duarte.  Christian is a white male who was born on August 20, 2007.  He is approximately 6’2” tall with brown hair and brown eyes.  Christian frequently wears glasses. 

Christian was reported missing on July 23^rd of this year.  Anyone with information regarding Christian’s whereabouts is encouraged to call Lt. Mike Narayan at 352-486-5111 or 911.  Thank you for your assistance. 

All Levy County students will be returning to school this coming Monday, August 12th, 2024. As is the case every year, we anticipate a high traffic volume around all of our school campuses, especially for the first week of school. We want to remind motorists to BE ALERT, PATIENT, and travel the SPEED LIMIT. All posted school zones will be activated during the posted times beginning Monday morning and will be STRICTLY ENFORCED.

All school bus activity will return, conducting their normal morning and afternoon pickups and drop offs. Motorists need to expect traffic delays as students board and exit their school bus. Please be extra cautious and slow down when traveling near school bus stop locations and NEVER pass a stopped bus.

If you are a parent of a student or interested in the latest information from any school as it pertains to traffic patterns, please see each school’s webpage or social media page for the latest updates. It is known that Chiefland Middle/High School suffered sinkholes due to heavy rainfall from Hurricane Debby. A photograph of the temporary traffic pattern on and near the school has been attached to this post for your convenience.

Every School Resource Deputy has trained over the summer, with the main focus being on active threats, campus security, and first aid. Sheriff Bobby McCallum puts a major emphasis on training and ensuring that all Levy County school campuses are as safe as possible.

Sheriff McCallum and each School Resource Deputy are excited for the upcoming school year and we wish each student a fun and successful learning year. Again, we ask that anyone who travels near or within a school zone to please SLOW DOWN, BE PATIENT, and AWARE of your surroundings.

August 5, 2024

Hurricane Debby made landfall earlier this morning and has passed to our north, but the dangers of this storm have not ended. One life has already been claimed by a falling tree. Residents need to exercise caution as the root systems of our trees have been weakened by the heavy rains and the continued wind can cause them to topple at any time.

Localized flooding in our coastal communities and along our rivers is still of major concern. Storm surge is expected to surpass what we endured during Hermine and Idalia as we near high tide at 3:00 p.m. today.

Be smart and be safe. Avoid downed trees and powerlines until proper authorities have issued an all safe bulletin.  

(photo credit from weather stem at Shell Mound)

August 5, 2024

At approximately 8:00 a.m. the Levy County Sheriff’s Office responded to 8770 NW 168 Place to a report of a tree that had fallen onto a mobile home. Responding deputies and the Levy County Department of Public Safety have confirmed a fatality of a 13 year old male who was crushed inside the home. No other injuries were reported.

Sheriff McCallum has responded to the scene personally, and is with the family. Our thoughts and prayers are with this family as they deal with this tragedy. We encourage everyone to use extreme caution as they begin to assess and clean up the damage. Downed powerlines and falling trees are among the many hazards. One life is too many. Please be safe.

July 29, 2024

Multiple Levy County Deputies are in 2200 block of SE 140 Avenue off of SR 121 attempting to locate Dakota Morsell 4/4/98. Morsell expressed intentions of causing harm to himself after walking away from a home located in this general area. Morsell was last seen wearing black pants, a black shirt and was carrying a bag that is said to contain a firearm.

Anyone with who sees this person is asked not to approach him and instead call the Levy County Sheriff’s Office at 352-486-5111 or call 911.

July 26, 2024

On November 8, 2023 Levy County Detectives arrested John V. Lewis 9/30/77 of Williston for sexual battery on a person over 18. Lewis has been held in custody at the Levy County Detention Center since his arrest. The details of this case are too graphic to release, but we can say the victim of this crime can now rest easier knowing he will be behind bars for a long time to come.

On July 24, 2024 Lewis was convicted by a jury of his peers in Levy County. Sentencing has not been passed and has been scheduled for next month by Circuit Judge William Davis. We will provide an update on sentencing when it becomes available.

“Crimes against persons are the most difficult for law enforcement and prosecutors to work. The trauma caused to these victims cannot be measured but must be explained to a jury. The bravery of this victim to make the call and report the crime; the hard work and diligence of our detectives, victim advocates and the prosecution team who presented this case to the jury in order to convict Lewis must be recognized. A dangerous individual has been excised from our community and we hope and pray healing can now begin for the victim,” said Sheriff McCallum.