On September 18, 2025 at approximately 8:00 in the evening, Levy County Deputies responded to an address in the 2200 block of SE State Road 121 in Morriston. Corporal Dean MacIntyre and Deputy Amanda Stokes went to the location in an attempt to serve a Marion County felony warrant. Michael Lee Pope (12-8-70) had an outstanding arrest warrant for Lewd and Lascivious Molestation of a child under 12.
The deputies were able to locate Pope on the premises and took him into custody on the warrant. While awaiting warrant confirmation and preparing for transport, the deputies observed a handgun in plain view near the front door of the residence. A check of Pope’s criminal history revealed two prior felony drug convictions from Polk County. Someone cue Sheriff Judd.
Further investigation revealed one additional rifle inside the premises along with a total of 192 rounds of live ammunition. Pope was arrested on the outstanding warrant and three additional counts of Possession of Firearm and Ammunition by Convicted Felon. He remains incarcerated at the Levy County Jail under a $25,000.00 bond for the Firearm charges. Pope is being held on a “No Bond” status for the Marion County Warrant.