Press Releases

January 22, 2024

On January 21, 2024 at 8:55 p.m. Levy County Deputies responded to the boat ramp located at the end of CR 40 East to a report of a vehicle in the water. CR 40 dead ends into the Gulf of Mexico at this boat ramp and unfortunately this is not the first time LCSO has responded to a call of this nature.

Deputy Cody Weaver arrived and his headlights illuminated a truck approximately 75 yards from the end of the ramp. He could see two people in the bed of the truck. Deputy Dakota Dowling arrived shortly after Deputy Weaver as the people in the truck entered the water in an attempt to swim to shore.

The couple, identified as 77 year old Frank Fournier and 68 year old Elena Van Kampen who both list Inglis addresses, were quickly overcome by the 54 degree water temperature and began yelling for help. Deputies Weaver and Dowling entered the water and were able to rescue the victims, aiding them to shore and into the back of a nearby waiting ambulance. Both of the victims as well as both deputies were transported to Seven Rivers Hospital and treated for exposure. The deputies were released after a complete examination and returned to duty completing the remainder of their shift.  The victims were held for further observation. The truck, a 2024 Denali, was recovered from the Gulf this morning.

Sheriff McCallum said, “The quick thinking and selfless sacrifice these deputies displayed is a testament to their dedication to the safety of our citizens. The deputies endured extremely cold water and an even colder air temperature (42 degrees) which placed their own life in jeopardy. Thankfully everyone was rescued safely and the couple is expected to make a full recovery.”   

January 12, 2024

Levy County Sheriff’s Office in cooperation with the United States Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force apprehended Aubrey Ethridge 7/5/2002 from San Bernardino, California on an outstanding warrant for his arrest on an attempted murder charge. Ethridge was located at a home in the Raleigh area of Levy County and taken into custody. Ethridge initially provided a false name to law enforcement resulting in an additional charge.

Ethridge will be extradited to California after the charges in Levy County are complete. Investigators discovered Ethridge surrendered without any resistance because he thought law enforcement was at the home seeking another individual. He was also unaware that the false name he provided actually belongs to person wanted in connection to crimes reported in Alachua County.   

On December 19, 2023 Levy County Sheriff’s received information that the violent wanted felon Wyatt Morgan Arnow (8/14/97) of Williston could be located at an address near Morriston. Arnow is very familiar to Levy County law enforcement as well as his violent history. Arnow was wanted in Levy County, Alachua County and Citrus County for multiple violent felonies, some which included the use of a firearm and for failing to appear in court. He was currently out on bond in these three counties.

Deputies believed Arnow would resist all attempts of apprehension and devised a plan. Arnow was under surveillance at this location which offered limited access and few escape routes. This allowed Deputies to block all routes of escape, or so they thought.

Detectives and Uniformed Patrol Deputies set a trap and waited. Arnow drove away from the location and was intercepted by Detectives. Arnow immediately fled in the vehicle he was driving when Detectives attempted to stop him.  A short vehicle pursuit ensued.

Arnow, whose escape was blocked by Patrol Deputies, turned onto a dead end road. He abruptly slammed on the brakes and fled from his vehicle on foot with Detectives in pursuit. Arnow found a Polaris SxS at a nearby property with a key in it, and used it in his attempt to escape. He was quickly pursued by nearby waiting Deputies and his escape was blocked. Arnow then used the Polaris to ram the blocking patrol vehicle before fleeing a second time on foot. Patrol Deputies immediately gave chase.

Arnow, in this attempt to evade capture, was shot with a Taser. He continued to fight with deputies although the Taser initially incapacitated him. Three deputies struggled with him until he was ultimately cuffed.

Arnow was booked into the Levy County Detention Center on 12/19/23 and held in custody with no bond on the warrants. On 12/27/23 additional charges were filed by Detectives based on the incident when he was taken into custody. He now faces the additional charges of aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest, fleeing and attempting to elude law enforcement, grand theft of a motor vehicle and other charges. His bond has been set at $835,000.00 for these charges.

December 27, 2023

On 12/26/23 Levy County Deputies responded to two different reports of multiple vehicle burglaries in Williston. Deputies recovered surveillance footage from one location and we are asking the public for their assistance in identifying the suspects.

As seen in the photographs, the suspect vehicle is unique and we believe someone can identify either the car or the two people involved. Anyone who can provide information is asked to contact Detective Joe Barrera at 352-486-5111 ext. 265. Anonymous tips can be made to Crime Stoppers at 1-877-349-8477. You could be eligible for a cash reward.

LCSO has received word from multiple sources that a “Pop Up” Block Party is being planned for the East Williston Area for the late night hours of Friday, December 22, 2023.  Deputies have reached out to community leaders and government officials in an attempt to convince potential organizers from bringing this activity back to our county. 

In the past, organizers have concealed the location of the planned parties to avoid detection by law enforcement.  The gathering, which may attract thousands of participants from throughout the state, then “Pops Up” to the surprise of citizens and law enforcement.  So far no location of the planned Block Party has been announced on social media. 

Similar gatherings have brought street blockages, noise complaints, open air drug usage and violence to Levy County.  In September of 2020 six people were shot during the “All Gas” Block Party in East Williston.  Those crimes remain unsolved. 

In June of 2023, a “Pop Up” party occurred in the town of Lake Butler.  During this event one person was shot, multiple businesses were closed and multiple law enforcement agencies were called on to restore peace. 

LCSO will use all available resources including the strict enforcement of the Levy County Noise Ordinance, to keep the peace and insure that everyone can enjoy the Christmas Holiday.  We request that anyone with information about potential illegal activity contact our office at 352-486-5111 or CrimeStoppers 1-877-349-8477.  We wish everyone a safe and Merry Christmas!

December 8, 2023

The Living Waters Church is hosting their Christmas Holiday program, “Walk to Bethlehem.”  This event is located at 4551 South East State Road 121, Morriston, FL and begins this Saturday, December 9, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. The celebration will continue each night beginning at 7:00 p.m. until December 23, 2023.

The event attracts many participants who will be parking adjacent to State Road 121 to attend. This is approximately 12 miles south of the Town of Williston. Motorists are asked to be cautious and slow their speed in and around this event as pedestrians will be present along the roadway. The Florida Department of Transportation will be installing message boards today alerting motorists.  Levy County Sheriff’s Office C.O.P. Volunteers will be posted in key locations in LCSO C.O.P vehicles with their amber overhead lights activated in addition to the message boards.

December 5, 2023

Jason M. Key ((5/23/78) was convicted of crimes in Wisconsin in 2018 which designated him a sexual offender. Key has familial connections to the Bronson area of Levy County and in 2019 moved here. Key complied with all State of Florida Sex Offender registration requirements until he moved back to Wisconsin in 2021.

Deputies responded to a verbal altercation on 11/9/23 and learned that Key had returned to Levy County on October 28, 2023 and was living in a motor home. A check of his registration status revealed he failed to report his return to Levy County to the Sheriff’ Office as required and he continued to report to authorities in Wisconsin he was in their state. As a result of this intentional deception, Key was arrested on 10/30/23 for failure to comply with offender registration requirements. He was later released on bond with an order to complete his registration here in Florida. He later violated this court order.

On 12/1/23 sex offender compliance detectives located Key driving an RV on US Alt. 27 and attempted to stop him. Key accelerated away from detectives and attempted to elude them. His attempts were not successful so he ultimately stopped and surrendered.

A search of the RV was conducted after Key was taken into custody. Drug paraphernalia and crack cocaine were located inside the RV that Key told detectives belonged to him. Key was arrested for failure to register as a sex offender, fleeing and attempting to elude law enforcement, possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia. He is currently being held in the Levy County Detention Center on a 55,000.00 bond.   

The Levy County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance to locate Guy Tindall 3/3/48. Mr. Tindall was last seen yesterday at 4:00 p.m. on his property located at 7851 SW 132 Terrace Cedar Key. He was last seen wearing blue pants and an unknown color shirt. He is described as being 5-11″ tall and weighs approximately 120 pounds.

There is a heavy law enforcement presence in and around his property. Please avoid this area as first responders search for him.

Anyone who has information on his current whereabouts is asked to contact the Levy County Sheriff’s Office at 352-486-5111.