September 18, 2024
On September 17, 2024 Levy County Sheriff’s Deputies and Detectives concluded a fraud investigation and arrested Carrie Ann Hendricks (7/7/78) of Trenton in the Wal-Mart parking lot in Chiefland. This is the case that drew so much attention yesterday and was incorrectly identified as a possible active shooter incident on several social media platforms.
Deputy Landon Kennedy launched a fraud investigation on September 9, 2024. The victim explained she had been searching for a rental home and located a listing on Facebook marketplace. In May she contacted Hendricks through messenger and secured a rental agreement.
The victim began pre-paying rent in May and intended to move into the home in August. When she arrived at the home she found it occupied. She left a note telling the occupant she was moving in and changing the locks within the next two weeks. The occupant, who turned out to be the owner of the home, called the victim to tell her she apparently was being scammed.
Deputy Kennedy obtained the rental payment information from the victim and verified that Hendricks received approximately $3,000 in advance payments. He also verified Hendricks had no affiliation to the home and verified the homeowner never listed the house for rent.
Hendricks scheme unraveled yesterday when Deputy Kennedy and LCSO detectives arranged the “final” payment. Hendricks met with the victim and took another $750 from her. She was taken into custody as she walked toward the front entrance of Wal-Mart. Robert Tanner drove Hendricks to this meeting and was found to be operating a vehicle without a valid license. He too was taken into custody.
Hendricks is charged with use of a two-way communication device to commit fraud and scheme to defraud. She is being held on a $70,000 bond at the Levy County Detention Center.