LCSO Detectives and School Resource Deputies conducted a compliance operation which targeted Levy County sexual offender/predators in June. These compliance checks discovered Charles Elias Hengsteler Jr. (1/29/78) vacated his primary residence in Dixie County in January of 2024 forwarding his new address to a location in Levy County. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement requires he report to the Levy County Sheriff’s Office within 48 hours and provide proof of his new address in Levy County. Hengsteler failed to report.
On June 10, 2025 Detective Ryan Sullivan obtained an arrest warrant for Hengsteler for three sex offender violations. Detective Sullivan learned Hengsteler relocated to DeSoto County during his investigation. Hengsteler never notified Levy County Sheriff’s Office or the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office of his current address.
On July 14, 2025 Detectives and Deputies with the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office located and arrested Hengsteler on the active Levy County warrant. Hengsteler has also charged in DeSoto County for multiple sex offender violations.
The Levy County Sheriff’s Office works cooperatively with other law enforcement agencies to track down and arrest absconded offenders. The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office arrest of Hengsteler and removal of this dangerous individual from our communities is proof of our commitment to the protection of our citizens statewide.