Press Releases

July 25, 2023

On July 21, 2023 Levy County Deputies responded to a residence on SE 55^th Street in Morriston to investigate an open line 911 call. 911 Operators could not hear any noises or sounds of distress. However, two weeks prior deputies responded to a domestic violence call at this same location. The suspect fled prior to law enforcements arrival and had not been apprehended.

Deputies arrived and saw a male standing on the front porch. The man immediately retreated inside the home. A Ford F-150 was parked in the driveway and the driver’s door was open. Plainly visible inside the truck were two handguns, cash and drugs. The registered owner of the truck was the same person suspected in the previous domestic violence call and the male seen fleeing inside the home matched the description of the domestic violence suspect.

Deputies and Drug Task Force members surrounded the home and called for the suspect to surrender. He did not and authority to enter the home to apprehend the suspect was granted by the homeowner. Deputies located the suspect, identified as John H. Chastain (10/11/88) of Morriston, hiding inside a closet. Chastain did not surrender peacefully and fought deputy’s attempts to handcuff him. Chastain was arrested for felony battery for the incident that occurred two weeks prior. He was also found to have 17.1 grams of Fentanyl in his pocket.

The truck was sealed with the visible contraband inside and towed to the Levy County Sheriff’s Office impound yard. A search warrant for this truck was obtained by LCSO Drug Task Force Detectives.

On July 24, 2023 Task Force Detectives executed the search warrant on the truck. Detectives recovered the two plainly visible guns, drugs and money. The search also led to the discovery of a third gun and more narcotics. In all, three guns, one having previously being reported stolen in Levy County on 3/9/23, 278.7 grams of Fentanyl (0.61 pounds), 580.1 grams of methamphetamines (1.27 pounds), 57.5 grams of powder cocaine, 20.8 grams of crack cocaine, 2.9 grams of MDMD ecstasy, 26.7 grams of marijuana, 5 packs of Fentanyl 12mcg/hr patches, oxycodone and $1,600 in US currency.  In the State of Florida possession of more than 400 grams of methamphetamines is considered a trafficking offense and is punishable as a Capital Felony with a potential life sentence and possession of Fentanyl in excess of 28 grams carries a minimum mandatory sentence of 25 years.

John Chastain is being held in the Levy County Detention Center and has been charged with a multitude of crimes. His bond is set at $3,810,000.00 dollars.

July 24, 2023

Deputies arrested Philip Roberts (8/27/65) of Gainesville during a traffic stop on July 19, 2023 after finding drugs in his possession. Jaime Fordham (10/12/95) of Bronson was a passenger in the vehicle with Roberts and too was arrested for tampering with evidence. Fordham attempted to conceal drugs and needles in the vehicle at the request of Roberts as they were being stopped.

Roberts was found in possession of cocaine and methamphetamines, as well as driving with a suspended license. He was transported to the Levy County Detention Center.

Fordham was also booked into the Levy County Detention Center and placed in a holding cell. Detention Officers noticed she was acting strange and began monitoring her. Each cell is monitored by video. Fordham was seen behaving abnormally and appeared to be attempting to “retrieve” contraband concealed on her body. Officers saw a small white packet fall to the ground that she immediately picked up and ate.

In the hours that followed her arrest Fordham exhibited symptoms of a person high on illegal narcotics. The investigation following this incident revealed Fordham had ingested Fentanyl she smuggled into the jail. She was additionally charged with introduction of contraband into a detention facility and tampering with evidence. She has since posted a $15,000 bond and released.   

Roberts is currently being held in custody in lieu of a $30,000.00 bond.  

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.