Early today Chiefland Middle High School received multiple phone calls of concern related to threatening social media posts from a neighboring school district. The posts described potential school security threats. Currently extra law enforcement officers from LCSO and the Chiefland Police Department are on campus conducting their investigation.
Out of an abundance of caution, both CMHS and Chiefland Elementary School are on “Secure Campus” status. We have NO EVIDENCE indicating any valid threat at this time.
Additional updates will be forthcoming. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Press Releases
Robbery Suspect Apprehended
August 27, 2024
The Levy County Sheriff’s Office responded to an armed robbery at the Inglis Food Store located at 19 Highway 19 South in Inglis yesterday around 3:15 p.m. The clerk reported a man entered the store and attempted to purchase drinks and cigarettes. When his card was declined, he pulled a handgun. He demanded the clerk open the register. The clerk told him no, backed away and began screaming she was being robbed. The suspect turned and fled outside, firing the gun into the ceiling on his way out of the store.
The suspect, identified as Joshua Timothy Comer (12/6/88) fled the scene toward Dunnellon in a gold pickup truck. The truck was soon located in the parking lot of Wal-Mart in Dunnellon by Dunnellon Police. Marion County Sheriff’s Office responded to assist and apprehended Comer as he was exiting the store with a shopping cart full of stolen merchandise. Comer was still armed with the revolver used in the robbery in Inglis.
Comer was with an acquaintance earlier in the day working at an odd job. Comer asked to borrow the friend’s vehicle, a gold truck, to run an errand and did not return. The friend was able to find a ride home and discovered someone kicked in their back door and had stolen two firearms while he was gone. Deputies obtained photographs of the handgun seized by Marion County Sheriff’s Office from Comer and the owner positively identified the gun as his. The truck Comer was in was also registered to the acquaintance.
Comer is being held in the Marion County Jail for crimes committed in Dunnellon. A warrant has been issued for Comer from Levy County where he is charged with armed robbery, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and aggravated assault with a firearm. No bond is assigned to this warrant.
Sheriff McCallum thanks the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and the Dunnellon Police Department for their assistance and apprehension of this suspect. This is an example of the close relationship that we have with these agencies. “My Deputies and Detectives did a wonderful job in developing this case quickly which led to the apprehension of this suspect,” states Sheriff McCallum.
Pursuit on US 19 Ends in Fatality
August 27, 2024
Yesterday evening the Levy County Sheriff’s Office received a request for assistance from the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP). The FHP located a suspect wanted for a carjacking incident that occurred in Pasco County. Troopers attempted to stop the suspect as he was driving through Crystal River. The suspect vehicle fled north on US 19 into Levy County when LCSO joined the pursuit.
Levy County Deputies deployed Stop Sticks in Lebanon Station and then again in Otter Creek. The suspect was able to avoid the attempts to flatten his tires both times. The suspect, identified as a 39 year old Hispanic male shot at pursuing FHP Troopers and LCSO deputies multiple times during this pursuit. The pursuit, topping speeds of 120 mph, ended near CR 347 on US 19. The suspect driver crashed approximately 5 miles south of the City of Chiefland. He did not survive. The Florida Highway Patrol and the LCSO requested the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to assist in this investigation due to the exchange of gunfire between law enforcement and him.
Sheriff McCallum said, “We are extremely thankful that this violent criminal was stopped and there were no injuries to any of the Troopers, our LCSO Deputies or members of our public. This was a very dangerous situation complicated by high speeds, the exchange of gunfire and the suspect’s total disregard for anyone’s safety, including his own. We pray this type of criminal activity will never affect our community, but yesterday it did and our professionals were able to stop this criminal before any innocent person was harmed.”
Court Actions with Notable Sentences
August 22, 2024
The Levy County Sheriff’s Office saw two cases come to conclusion during the past week with substantial sentences levied against the defendants.
In 2021 Fredrick Donnell Williams (5/27/95) shot and killed Khajon Lamont Spikes in Williston. Williams has been held in custody at the Levy County Detention Center since his arrest on 2/23/21. Williams’s case came to conclusion yesterday in the 8th Judicial Circuit Court of Levy County where he was sentenced to 25 years in the Florida Department of Corrections. He will remain on probation for 5 years following his release.
John Lewis (9/30/77) of Williston was convicted by a jury of his peers in Levy County on 7/24/24 for sexual battery. He was originally arrested on 11/8/23 and has been held in custody since his arrest. Lewis was sentenced to 20 years in the Florida Department of Corrections and will be monitored on special condition sex offender probation for an additional 10 years upon his release.
We are thankful to the citizens of Levy County who served on the jury and to the Judicial system that will hold these two accountable for these crimes. Our hopes and prayers are for the continued healing of the victims in these cases.
Inglis Man Arrested for Murder
On August 19, 2024, the Levy County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call for service in reference to a shooting.
The caller said he heard gunshots outside of his residence and when he walked out found the victim suffering from a gunshot wound in the driveway. Deputies and Levy County Department of Public Safety responded to the scene and administered medical aid. Unfortunately the victim succumbed to his injuries.
Witnesses reported hearing a motorcycle leave the area after the shooting. Detectives and deputies began their investigation and quickly identified Brandon Capozzi as a person of interest. Law Enforcement, through investigative means, was able to establish probable cause for Capozzi’s arrest.
Levy County Sheriff’s Office detectives, along with Chief Rolls and Officers from the Williston Police Department, worked together to take the defendant into custody in the parking lot of McDonald’s, located in the City of Williston.
During the investigation Detectives would learn specific details from Capozzi, which would corroborate evidence at the scene, as well as witness statements, and motive.
As a result of the investigation, Capozzi would ultimately be arrested and charged with homicide. The Levy County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate this matter and will leave no rock unturned. It is important if anyone in the community has information regarding this incident to contact the Detective Weaver with Levy County Sheriff’s Office at (352)486-5111 Ext 364.
Child Pornography Arrest
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 31st. 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.
SOME County Boat Ramps Re-Open
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!
Drug Arrest Made After Foot Pursuit
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.
Vehicle Pursuit Ends With Arrest
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.
Missing Juvenile
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 23rd 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.