The dark underbelly to life in Florida is on full display in "Floribama Murders," airing Saturday, January 7 at 9/8c on Oxygen, which dives into chilling and bizarre crimes across the state. Please join us in congratulating Detective Cornell on his commitment to excellence in public safety and selfless service to our community for over two decades. (Citrus County, FL) Today, detectives from the Citrus County Sheriffs Office Tactical Impact Unit (TIU) executed a search warrant at 6959 North Charles Terrace in Hernando, FL. (Citrus County, FL) The tradition continues on Friday, May 13, 2022, when Citrus County Sheriffs Office (CCSO) deputies join in the annual Florida Law Enforcement Torch Run that benefits Special Olympics Florida. William Gonsisko, 59, was charged with three counts of attempted murder. Eventually, the relay came to be known as the Florida Law Enforcement Torch Run. Deputy Spencer began her 32-year career with CCSO on May 7, 1990, as a Communications Officer. The professionals that work in our TIU, supported by our outstanding Patrol Deputies, are committed to protecting the residents of our great county. (Citrus County, FL) Early this morning, detectives from the Citrus County Sheriffs Office (CCSO) Tactical Impact Unit (TIU) and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team executed a search warrant at 5023 North Bedstrow Blvd. (Arrested by Polk County Sheriffs Office), Justin Rampe (DOB 11/21/1983), Williston, FL Transmission of Harmful Material 847.0138(2), Seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a child to engage in any illegal act F.S.S. A judge on Friday sentenced Scott Burnside to life in prison for his role in the 1990 Floral City murder case that left four men dead inside an old house off U.S. 41. Murder of Tampa Bay teacher Denise Hallowell on 'Dateline' - WFLA We dont mean to scare you, but here in Citrus County alone, the statistics for violent crime indicate that our fair county is not free from the threats of violent criminals. Donald Cash (DOB 10/11/1977), Homosassa, FL- Failure to Pay Child Support, Possession of a Firearm with an Altered Serial Number F.S.S. Top Drug Crime Lawyers in Citrus County, FL | FindLaw These trainings incorporate stressors and how they affect deputy and guardian responses along with tactical maneuvers and overall situational awareness. 2022 Best Places to Live in Citrus County, FL - Niche The jury deliberated for four hours, tasked with recommending either life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty, the only two possible sentences available under Florida law. 847.0135(4)(a), 4 counts Knowingly Transmit Harmful Material to a Minor: F.S.S. Both individuals were asked to step out and consent was given to search the vehicle. Each year, this signature event highlights the law enforcement community's year-round support of the Special Olympics. Her story was even told in the 2003 film Monster, which won Charlize Theron a Best Actress Oscar. The position is one of 14 regional director seats throughout the United States, which includes over 350 Crime Stoppers programs. Over Couey's objection, the trial court ruled that all evidence collected after the confession, including the recovery of Lunsford's body, would be admitted, as would incriminating statements allegedly made by Couey to investigators and a jail guard. A couple of her accomplishments during her tenure as coordinator include obtaining additional funding for Crime Stoppers of Citrus County and enhancing crime tip rewards through Google Grants and partnerships with the Florida Sheriffs Association Cold Case Advisory Board. After providing immediate first-aid on scene, Greenough, was then transported to a medical facility for his non-fatal injuries. Many of the standards are critical to life, health, safety issues, and best practices. Exotic lost the suit and soon owed Baskin a lot of money. Fighting the drug war in Citrus County | Editorials | chronicleonline.com Through these collaborations, we fiercely prepare ourselves to defeat threats and remove any potential hazard that may endanger our students and schools.. On December 10th, 2020, Judge Howard sentenced 28-year-old Emery Whitt to 30 years in prison for the 2017 murder of Ryan McClellan. Bond set at $5,000. We urge citizens to speak up about animal cruelty -- if you see something, say something.". Citrus County Sheriff's Office. Citrus County Sheriffs Office deputies are trained to respond appropriately to any threat they come in contact with, said Sheriff Prendergast. Contact was then made with Hite who was arrested. Over the course of this operation, officials from the Citrus County Sheriffs Office, along with our partners at the United States Marshals Service Florida/Caribbean Fugitive Task Force (USMS FCFTF), the United States Secret Service, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Sumter County Sheriffs Office, Hernando County Sheriffs Office, Pasco County Sheriffs Office, Sarasota Police Department, and the Longwood Police Department worked collaboratively to capture these online child sex predators. Thats probably why the story. Despite Munns initial arrest, officials continued to investigate. Officials did not describe the severity of her injuries or the cause. Citrus County Animal Control and CCSOs Community Crimes Unit detectives responded to assist with the investigation. He has also received two Certificates of Commendation, a Division Letter of Commendation, and more than twenty Letters of Appreciation. Additionally, during our search efforts, we discovered other individuals with active warrants or committing other crimes that we just couldnt pass up! Twenty-eight reptiles (snakes, skinks, geckos, and monitor lizards) were also found to be kept in terrible conditions. It has truly been an honor to have had him as part of our team, and we wish him the very best in his well-deserved retirement.. Members of the United States Marshals Service (USMS) Fugitive Task Force located Arnold in North Carolina on July 25, 2020, where he was taken into custody for this warrant. Total bond set at none. On March 12, Couey was arrested in Augusta, Georgia, at the request of the Citrus County Sheriff's Office, for questioning about Jessica Lunsford's disappearance due to his residence on West Snowbird Court in Homosassa, only 65 yards from the Lunsford's home, and his criminal record. As Hite saw the motorcyclist approach from behind, he swerved into the right/outside lane and struck the victim and his motorcycle, causing both the victim and motorcycle to flip repeatedly in the air violently. [10], On August 24, 2007, Couey was sentenced to death, in addition to three consecutive life sentences. Picture the state of Florida and all it has to offer the gorgeous beaches, the near-constant sunshine, the family fun magic of Walt Disney World the bizarre and jaw-dropping crimes? Wuornos died by lethal injection in 2002. Suspect in custody after retired Citrus County deputy murdered in People who live in Citrus County generally consider the north part of the county to be the safest for this type of crime. The whole saga served as inspiration for the film Lucy In The Sky, starring Natalie Portman. Detectives also observed evidence that tied Dlugos to at least one burglary scene. Police kill man reportedly seen shooting at gas pipeline - CBS News The suspect left the scene on a black bicycle heading westbound on Main Street towards Highway 581. John and Reve Walsh of Hollywood, Fla., along with a photo of their son Adam, who was taken from a store in Hollywood several months ago, appear before a House Judiciary subcommittee on Missing Children on Capitol Hill in Washington on Nov. 18, 1981. The following subjects were arrested in Citrus County during this operation: Christopher Covyaw SEXUAL OFFENDER (DOB 10/29/1972), Inverness, FL 4 Counts of Transmission of Harmful Material 847.0138(2), Seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a child to engage in any illegal act F.S.S. This is a horrendous case of an adult using a child for sexual gratification instead of protecting them, said Sheriff Mike Prendergast. The homicide rate in Florida was roughly 5.2 per 100,000 population, according to the same data, meaning that in 2019, roughly 5 people per 100,000 were murdered in Florida. This program was developed by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) and promotes best practices for responding to calls of missing, abducted, and sexually exploited children. Lunsford stated that changes were needed in procedures and policies. It is my hope that Arnolds sentencing will finally allow the victim to begin the healing process.. How to Improve Your Concealed Carry Reaction with a 35 Card. Throughout the investigation, TIU, in conjunction with CCSOs Intelligence Analysis Unit partnered with the United States Postal Inspection Service, United States Marshal Service, United States Department of Homeland Security Investigations Tampa Airport Division, United States Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations - Tampa Marine Unit, Hernando County Sheriffs Office SWAT team and the State Attorneys Office of the Fifth Judicial Circuit. If youre hosting a gathering, make sure all your guests have a sober ride home. "The Abductions That Changed America", Partial transcript of Video Confession of Couey, "Convicted child killer Couey dies in prison, Florida officials say", "Local attorney plans suit on behalf of Lunsford family", "Mark Lunsford to reveal new details of his lawsuit in Jacksonville today", "Mark Lunsford's allegations announced and Sheriff Jeff Dawsy's response", "Lunsford's pain vivid in documentary 'Jessie's Dad', Court TV coverage of Jessica Lunsford case, Court TV coverage of Jessica Lunsford case (Archived), CASE NO. Jamie Mullen (DOB 11/1/1976), Floral City, FL- Failure to Pay Child Support. CITRUS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) The former girlfriend of a detention deputy was arrested in connection to his murder on Wednesday night, the Citrus County Sheriff's Office said. Dailey is being charged with aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, resist officer without violence, aggravated flee/elude law enforcement from the scene of a crash with damage, theft of a vehicle, and driving while license suspended or revoked. In 2020, 106,515 crimes of domestic violence were reported to Florida law enforcement agencies resulting in 63,217 arrests. When Cohen was dropping the victim off at daycare in the morning, a staff member observed Cohen acting strange. Click to reveal His 20-years of commitment and selfless service to our community is a testament to the dedicated professionals that make up the Citrus County Sheriffs Office. If you have any information about stolen property or any other crime in our county, we encourage you to contact us as 352-249-2790 or by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-888-ANY-TIPS to remain anonymous. (Citrus County, FL)February 22, 2022, 25-year-old Shane Harrison Cohen was arrested for Aggravated Child Abuse in reference to injuries he inflicted on a 2-year-old child who was in his care. She was sentenced to four years in prison and credited time served. Over two weeks later, his head was found in a Florida canal. While he never reached that height of notoriety, he did. [15][16][17], Mark Lunsford becoming an activist for children's rights after the murder of his daughter Jessica is the subject of the 2011 documentary film, Jessie's Dad. As soon as our team confirms the facts on what has transpired today, said Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast, we will release more information. On August 15, 2022, the CCSO responded to a deceased person at a residence in Inverness, Florida. Teen indicted in Elkins slaying - Tampa Bay Times This year, he was sentenced to 22 years in prison. Another resource that provides information regarding the number of unsolved homicides in each state is Project: Cold Case, which has not only provided a detailed database of many cold cases from all over the country, but also shares statistics about the many cases in the United States. During this interview, it was determined numerous instances of sexual abuse had taken place at a residence located in Crystal River, Florida, as well as at multiple other locations throughout the state. Dlugos bond was set at $69,000 per the bond schedule. Citrus County Sheriff's Office, FL 784.041(2)(A). What happens if the police dont get there in time? Coordinating this training is just one of the many efforts we make to ensure a safe school year for our students. While speaking with the complainant, the suspect returned to the scene in his vehicle. Once the hostage was safe, deputies ordered the suspect to show them his hands. As Director of Region IV, she will oversee all programs in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, the US Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. In total, 56 dogs were found on the property living in deplorable conditions. Hite was traveling with his girlfriend and young son. He was then sentenced to 35 years incarceration with the Florida Department of Corrections, lifetime Sexual Offender Probation, and will be required to register as a Sexual Predator. He also served as team leader and supervisor for CCSOs Mobile Command Unit. This incident was irresponsible and preventable, stated Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast. Ramon Luis Castro (DOB 8-21-42), of Hudson, FL. Total bond set at $15,485.00. US States (36975K) Current Events (51K) Celebrity (272) Exonerated (117) Favorites (421) FBI . Callers wishing to remain anonymous can call Citrus County Crimes Stoppers at 1-888-ANY-TIPS. We are proud to have you on our team serving Citrus County and thank you for your continuous dedication to helping us make Citrus County the safest community in Florida. As per the websites archived Uniform Crime Reports, the number of homicides in Leon County is progressively increasing, likely due to the areas population increase. BLOG; CATEGORIES. Dispatch relayed to the responding deputies the suspect's vehicle had fled the scene and no one inside the home was injured. The media extensively covered the investigation and trial of Couey. During an interview with the Child Protection Team (CPT), at Jessies Place Child Advocacy Center, the victim said that Cole had travelled to Inverness from his home in Polk City and they had engaged in sexual activity in a local parking area. However, while trying to render first aid to the man, deputies noticed his trauma was inconsistent with a vehicle crash and discovered he had a gunshot wound. Citrus Hills; Holder; Hernando, FL crime analytics Source & Methodology. US States (36975K) Current Events (51K) Celebrity (272) Exonerated (117) Favorites (421) FBI . Dillion is being held at the Citrus County Detention Facility on a $72,000 bond. We will continue to fight illicit drug activity in our community at every given opportunity.. Your IP: Members of the Intelligence Analyst Unit immediately assisted with providing relevant information on the possible suspect. Sheriff's office deputies responding to a disturbance at around 4:28 a.m. Saturday, April 2, found 36-year-old Kyle Davis dead near the back door of a home off of West Mistflower Place in . The trooper and all law enforcement involved were unharmed during this dangerous encounter with Greenough. POLK COUNTY, Fla. A 19-year-old man has been charged in connection with a murder after he posted a song about the slaying, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office. Over the course of his career, Detective Parsons received several professional commendations that include a Humanitarian Service Medal for his service during Hurricane Michael, a Medal of Commendation, multiple Unit Citations for Operation Coin Toss, Certificates of Commendation, Perfect Attendance Awards, and sixteen acknowledgments from various individuals and organizations including the Governor, other agencies, and citizens. Raw crime incidents are sourced from all 18,000+ local law enforcement agencies - municipal, county, transit . After speaking with the decedents mother and witness on scene, it was determined that the decedent did not have a known medical history that could have been attributed to his passing. Exotic (whose legal name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage) owned the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park in Oklahoma, a home to a number of big cats. Most of the names on the list of murders in Florida that can be found on the Florida Department of Law Enforcements unsolved cases website may not sound familiar; however, a few of the names on the list of all murders in Florida, list of Florida murders, and notorious Florida criminals have seemingly become household names across the state. The pursuit, which lasted roughly 45-minutes, ended in the business plaza of Meadowcrest when deputies deployed stop sticks deflating the tires. It was an immense honor to witness my staff graduate from such an outstanding and rigorous professional development program. CCSO Major Crimes Detectives responded to the residence to conduct an investigation. Total bond set at $52,000. University of Florida students were turning up dead fatally stabbed to death, sometimes raped and mutilated. 7633 North Florida Avenue , Citrus Springs, FL 34434 +1(352)465-4225 Website; Key Training Center Thrift Stores . The 6-year-old had been with his mom then suddenly he was gone. Great job to all involved and thank you for your tremendous effort. (The US average is 35.4) NOTE: The city of Citrus, Florida does not have FBI Crime Statistics. Pats many contributions over his distinguished career have played an integral part in meeting the mission of excellence in public safety, said Sheriff Prendergast.