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Scammers seek more than love 
Cryptocurrency investment
scams increasing in Florida

~
Information Provided By FBI Jacksonville Division
Published Feb. 15, 2025 at 9 a.m.
     JACKSONVILLE --
The FBI Jacksonville Division warns Floridians to take caution when developing relationships online as they could be targeted in confidence fraud schemes, also known as romance scams.

 


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Levy County Property Appraiser Jason Whistler
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     Floridians reported losing more than $62 million to various forms of romance scams in 2023, up from $20 million five years earlier (2018), according to the FBI’s Internet Crimes Complaint Center (IC3). IC3 received 17,832 confidence fraud complaints nationwide in 2023, with reported losses exceeding $652,554,800.
     Criminals who carry out confidence/romance scams often identify and target victims via social media and seek to establish a relationship as quickly as possible. Scammers may spend hours researching their victims to better manipulate and exploit them emotionally.
     They often claim to be traveling or engaged in work overseas to avoid meeting in person. When they feel they have gained their victim’s trust, they request money to cover an expense or promote a financial investment opportunity.
     The FBI recently launched the “Operation Level Up” to increase awareness of cryptocurrency investment scams, commonly described as “pig butchering,” which are among the most prevalent and costly fraud schemes today. Through various means of manipulation, scammers convince victims to deposit more and more money into financial “investments” using cryptocurrency. In truth, these investments are fake; all victim money is under the control of – and ultimately stolen by—criminal actors, usually overseas. As a result, victims typically lose all the money they invested.
     Be careful about the personal information you post online, and always assume that con artists are trolling even the most reputable dating and social media sites. Consider these helpful tips:
     • Research the person’s photo and profile to see if the material appears elsewhere.
     • Take the relationship slowly and ask questions.
     • Beware if the individual seems too perfect or quickly asks you to communicate “offline.”
     • Beware if the individual requests inappropriate photos that they could use to extort you.
     • Beware if the individual promises to meet in person but always has an excuse.
     • Never send money, cryptocurrency or gift cards to anyone you don’t know personally; never help anyone move money through your account or another person’s account.
     If you suspect an online relationship is a scam, stop all contact immediately and file a complaint with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.

 


Florida executes 106th person since 1976
By John Koch, Independent News Service, Foundation Enterprises
For HardisonInk.com and others
Published Feb. 13, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.
     STARKE –
The state of Florida executed its first person in 2025 this evening (Thursday, Feb. 13).

     Having had his last meal and a visit with family members, twice-convicted killer James Dennis “Jimbo” Ford, 63, was executed at Florida State Prison in Starke. 
     The execution scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Eastern Standard Time went without incident. It took about 17 minutes before he was declared dead by medical personnel. 
     Ford had no last words. He spent the last 26 years of his life on Florida’s Death Row.
     The death sentence was imposed after Ford brutally murdered Greg and Kimberly Malnory in rural Charlotte County in 1997. 
     The 12-member jury voted 11-1 for the death penalty. Ford was given a sentence of death by Circuit Court Judge Cynthia A. Ellis in 1999, according to records. Ford’s sentence of death became final in May of 2002.
     Several attempts to overturn the death sentence after that failed.

 


FDACS Office of Agricultural
Law Enforcement seizes
more than 29 pounds of cocaine
following traffic stop

Cocaine
Story and Photos Provided
By Commissioner Wilton Simpson’s Press Office
Published Feb. 13, 2025 at 4:30 p.m.
     TALLAHASSEE –
Yesterday (Wednesday, Feb. 12), officers with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (FDACS) Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement (OALE) seized in excess of 29 pounds of cocaine after stopping a white cargo van that bypassed an agricultural interdiction station in Escambia County.


     The street value of the seizure is $24,000 per bundle, with a total street value of $264,000.
      “Florida’s Agricultural Law Enforcement officers serve as a first line of defense against criminal activity and threats to our state,” said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. “This significant drug seizure is a testament to the critical role our Agricultural Law Enforcement officers play in keeping Florida safe. I’m proud of the work our Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement – and the men and women who put their lives on the line every day – to intercept criminals and illicit contraband that endanger our communities.”
     On Feb. 12, a large cargo van was observed bypassing an FDACS agricultural interdiction station, prompting officers to initiate a traffic stop. Upon inspection, officers discovered a crate holding a large plastic box filled with spray foam that had not yet solidified.
     Officers found 11 bricks of cocaine – with a total weight of 29.2 pounds – concealed beneath the foam. The crate had been picked up from a storage unit in El Paso, Texas, and was destined for a location in South Florida.
      OALE investigators are working with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration on this ongoing investigation.
     FDACS’ agricultural interdiction stations serve to protect Florida agriculture and enforce state and federal laws. The Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement conducts criminal investigations relating to any matter over which the department has jurisdiction, protects consumers from unfair and deceptive trade practices, protects Florida’s agriculture industry from theft and other crimes, and safeguards the integrity of Florida’s food and other consumer products.
     In support of its mission, the Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement operates more than 20 agricultural interdiction stations around the state. Officers conduct vehicle inspections 24-hours-a-day, 365-days-a-year to protect Florida’s food supply and prevent the introduction and spread of agricultural pests and diseases.

 


FWC stops weekly reports
of law enforcement activity

By Jeff M. Hardison © Feb. 11, 2025 at 3:45 p.m.
All Copyrights Protected By Federal Civil Law
Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     TALLAHASSEE --
The Florida Fish and Wildlife’s Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Division of Law Enforcement Weekly Report will be discontinued, with the final issue being distributed by March 5, according to information shared by the FWC on Tuesday (Feb. 11).
     The notice was part of the FWC report of some weekly arrests from around the state for the period of Jan. 31, through Feb. 6. 
     Previously, and up through March 5, the FWC Division of Law Enforcement’s weekly reports represented some events the FWC handled over specified weeks. And it was noted back then, those reports are not all-inclusive of actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement.
     The FWC noted it is “… working on expanding how FWC law enforcement news and information is shared, with plans for updates on other platforms in the near future.”
     Time will tell if it goes the way of the FHP as far as creating obstacle to public records requests.
     In the meantime, in the most recent briefs released by the FWC, it noted an officer saw observed a vessel with fishing gear occupied by two subjects returning to an area boat ramp near Horseshoe Beach (Dixie County).
     “Upon conducting a marine fisheries inspection, it was determined the subjects were in possession of two redfish, 10 spotted seatrout, and two flounder, the most recent reports showed.
     “Both flounder were undersized and four of the seatrout were over the maximum of 19 inches (only one spotted seatrout may be over 19 inches per vessel),” the report added.
     It was noted that the FWC officer issued the captain of the vessel a written warning for the undersized flounder and a citation for the oversized sea trout. A written warning is not a citation and there is no fine attached.

 


Man dies in pickup crash
By Jeff M. Hardison © Feb. 11, 2025 at 3:15 p.m.
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      LEVY COUNTY –
A 49-year-old Bronson man died this morning (Tuesday, Feb. 11), according information in a Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) press release.
     The victim’s next of kin were notifed, according to the press release sent at 11:40 a.m. on Feb. 11.
     The crash happened at 8:15 a.m. on Feb. 11, the FHP said, when the pickup truck driven by the man westbound on Levy County Road 102 (Northeast 60th Street) west of Northeast 97th Court.
     For unknown reasons, the press release based on information from crash investigator FHP Trooper K. Stone and homicide investigator FHP Cpl. J Bard, the pickup truck crossed over the center line and went off the roadway onto the left shoulder.
     The front of the truck hit a large tree, the FHP said.
     After impact, the pickup came to a rest facing west, the FHP said. The driver of was declared dead at the scene, the FHP said.
     As of May of 2020, the Florida Highway Patrol stopped providing names of people and some other information from crashes as part of its press releases.
     Prior to May of 2020, the FHP formerly provided that information via those public records in its press releases.
     The FHP and some other law enforcement agencies in Florida are abiding by a version of something known as “Marcy’s Law” of California, which is allegedly used to protect victims of crimes. The Florida version of “Marcy’s Law” was adopted after Florida voters chose to change the Florida Constitution to exempt more public records from view.
     Although not every vehicle crash involves crime victims, which may have been the legislative intent of the Florida version of “Marcy’s Law” approved by voters, the FHP adopted its current blanket exclusion of some information as part of its process in sending press releases.
     Although the FHP adopted this new practice, not every law enforcement agency has done so.
     For instance, the Chiefland Police Department, the St. Petersburg Police Department and the Ocala Police Department all have provided crash information in press releases or traffic crash reports, except when there is an actual victim of a crime, as demonstrated in the reports provided to the press since the onset of the FHP’s revision in its press release practices in May of 2020.
Crash Report Purchasing
https://services.flhsmv.gov/CrashReportPurchasing/
Florida Crash Data
https://www.flhsmv.gov/traffic-crash-reports/crash-dashboard/
Victims’ Rights Information
https://www.flhsmv.gov/victimsrights/
 

 


Levy County Sheriff's Office
Suspects Jailed In Levy County Florida
Suspects Jailed Feb. 3, 2025 through Feb. 9, 2025
Published Feb. 10, 2025 at 4 p.m.

 


Gilchrist County Sheriff's Office logo etc

Gilchrist County Suspects Jailed
Suspects Jailed Feb. 3, 2025 through Feb. 9, 2025

Published Feb. 10, 2025 at 4 p.m.

 


DCSO Logo
Suspected Criminals Jailed In Dixie County
Suspects Jailed Feb. 3, 2025 through Feb. 9, 2025
Published Feb. 10, 2025 at 4 p.m.

 


Live Oak Police kill fugitive
Threat to public resolved

Information Provided by the FDLE
Published Feb. 7, 2025 at 4:45 p.m.
     LIVE OAK –
The at-large fugitive responsible for shooting a Suwannee County deputy today (Friday, Feb. 7) is deceased and the threat to the public has been resolved.
     Following protocol, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is investigating the officer-involved shooting.
     At approximately 3:30 a.m. this morning, the suspect led Suwannee and Columbia County deputies, Florida Highway Patrol troopers and partner law enforcement officers on a vehicular pursuit that ended in Suwannee County. The suspect crashed in the area of U.S. Highway 90 West near Goldkist Boulevard. 
     As the suspect fled on foot, he fired on the responding officers, striking a sheriff’s deputy.  
      At approximately 8:30 a.m., officers with the Live Oak Police Department responded to a suspicious person call roughly two miles from the crash scene. The suspect again fired at the responding officers who returned fire. The suspect was pronounced dead on the scene.
     The Live Oak Police Department requested FDLE to investigate the officer involved shooting, as is standard protocol. FDLE’s investigation is active and FDLE will not be providing any additional information at this time.
     The wounded deputy is expected to make a full recovery.

 


Fire stations and ambulance
inventory reviewed
County employee honored

Dixie County
Chief Darian Brown, director of Dixie County Emergency Services, stands at the lectern as he tells the Dixie County Commission about progress in various fire station projects, and he answers questions about the county’s ambulance fleet. To his right are Dixie County Clerk Barbie Higginbotham and Dixie County Commissioner Daniel Wood III

Story and Photos By Jeff M. Hardison © Feb. 7, 2025 at 4 p.m.
All Copyrights Protected By Federal Civil Law
Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     CROSS CITY --
Chief Darian Brown, director of Dixie County Emergency Services, told the Dixie County Commission about progress in various fire station projects, and he answered questions about the county’s ambulance fleet during the regular twice monthly County Commission meeting on Thursday (Feb. 6).

     Chief Brown addressed County Commission Chairman Jody Stephenson and commissioners Daniel Wood III, Jamie Storey and David Osteen. Commission Vice Chairman Mark Hatch was absent.
     Before giving a report on stations and ambulances, Chief Brown mentioned he intends to hire another employee for the county’s paramedicine program. Funding for this will be through a grant.
     Additions to the Dixie County Emergency Operations Center has stud walls constructed inside, Brown said. The walls are up, and the roof is anticipated to be completed this week, he said.
     Doors and windows are coming. The DCES director said the whole building should be completed relatively soon as construction there is moving along.
     Dixie County Fire Station #4 is anticipated to be completed by Feb. 28, Chief Brown said.
     The land for Station #3, in First District, has been tested and it passed the tests. Dixie County Attorney Shana Watson has completed a title search for the land, Chief Brown added. The older station in First District remains active now with volunteers serving, the chief said in response to a question by Chairman Stephenson.
     The fire station set for Horseshoe Beach is moving toward a start with the purchase of land anticipated from the landowners in North Carolina, Brown said.
     In regard to ambulances, the chief said the previous practice of putting the ambulance on a new chassis each year changed due to delays from providers.
     The county did buy one ambulance during the global COVID-19 pandemic, he said. 
     “That truck has since been wrecked,” DCES Director Brown said. “It is in the shop getting fixed. We have another one that was wrecked during Hurricane Debby. We should have it back this week or next week.”
     Once those are in active service again, the chief added, the county will be in better shape.
     There are two new ambulances in Texas now that are slated to be brought to Dixie County, he said. 
     “All in all, to answer your question, we’re OK,” Chief Brown said.
     He conceded that the county is about 18 months behind on its scheduled replacement plan.
     The ambulances cover so many miles, the chief said, oil is changed every two weeks. There is no hospital or trauma center in Dixie County, Gilchrist County or Levy County.

County Employee Honored    
Scott Pendarvis
Dixie County IT Director Scott Pendarvis is seen at the back of the meeting room on Thursday, just before Assistant County Manager Roy Bass commended him for being a wonderful resource of information for others while attending the recent Florida Association of Counties Tech Summit Conference. Pendarvis helped people from other counties understand more about IT security during the meeting.


CCSO welcomes three new K-9s
CCSO K9s
Story and Graphic Provided
By Citrus County Sheriff’s Office
Published Feb. 6, 2025 at 5 p.m.
     CITRUS COUNTY --
The Citrus County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) is proud to announce the addition of three new K-9's to its ranks.
     Today (Thursday, Feb. 6), K-9 Knight, K-9 Recon, and K-9 Kodak successfully completed their North American Police Work Dog Association (NAPWDA) narcotics certification and Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) patrol certification tests, officially joining the CCSO K-9 Unit.
     Each K-9 and their handler underwent a rigorous certification process, which included a minimum of 480 hours of intensive training in tracking, narcotics detection, suspect apprehension, and obedience.
     ● K-9 Knight, a 15-month-old Dutch Shepherd from Hungary, is assigned to Deputy Daniel Elias.
     ● K-9 Recon, a 14-month-old German Shepherd from Hungary, is assigned to Deputy Emory Parrish.
     ● K-9 Kodak, a 21-month-old Belgian Malinois from Poland, is assigned to Deputy David Elias. K-9 Kodak replaces K-9 Odie, who retired in October 2024 after 5 years and 8 months of dedicated service. K-9 Odie now enjoys his well-earned retirement at home with Deputy David Elias.
     “Citrus County just gained three new canine teams to continue keeping our hometown community safe,” said Sgt. David Miller. “The amount of effort that each handler and K-9 partner exhibited during their training to improve and perfect their craft was unmatched and I'm thrilled to see what each pair accomplishes.”
     The CCSO K-9 Unit plays a vital role in law enforcement operations, assisting in narcotics detection, tracking suspects and missing persons, and providing an extra layer of protection for deputies, as well as all of the residents and visitors in Citrus County.

 


Property owner prefers
against going vigilante

Gilchrist County
Wilbur Curry speaks to the Gilchrist County Commission about property he knows of that appears to be in need of a visit by the code enforcement officer. 

Story and Photo
By Jeff M. Hardison © Feb. 5, 2025 at 3:40 p.m.
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     GILCHRIST COUNTY –
Wilbur Curry was the first person to speak with the Gilchrist County Board of County Commissioners on Monday evening (Feb. 3) during the “public participation” portion of the agenda.

     People are given three minutes during these parts of those meetings to give their input to the County Commission, which is comprised of Chairman Tommy Langford, Vice Chairman Bill Martin, and commissioners Sharon A. Langford, Darrell Smith and Kenrick Thomas.
     Curry told the County Commission about people near to where his sister lives who are burning something other than just yard debris. Sometimes, people in the Tri-County Area burn paper, plastic and other things other than limbs and leaves, which is against the law, in most instances.
     There are certain instances where agricultural interests can burn the plastic wrapping of hay, which produces a black cloud of smoke.
     Curry lives in the Wilcox area of Gilchrist County, east of the City of Fanning Springs.
     Curry said he was present Monday evening to “ask, beg or plead with the county” to clean up an area that he has brought to the attention of code enforcement before.
     Curry first moved to Gilchrist County in 1964, he said, and now he is in a different place than back then. 
     His sister, Curry said, is very sick.
    “They are burning stuff,” Curry said, “and the odor is so foul – it’s sickening.”
     He said he knows the kind of people who live in Gilchrist County, intimating  that he thinks the people here, for the most part, care about one another.
     “I don’t want to be a vigilante, you know, that takes something into his own hands,” Curry said. “I feel like I am very capable of doing that, but it’s not my place.”
     That is why he is seeking the county to enforce its codes.
     County Administrator Bobby Crosby said he is aware of the problem area, which the county has dealt with before.
     Curry said he does not see himself as being above or better than anyone, but some of the structures there appear like they are about to collapse, he added.
     Crosby indicated the county will look into the complaint.

 


Suspected poacher nabbed
on SRWMD property

gun
This is the shotgun located by the investigating officer at the scene.
Photo Provided By Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

By Jeff M. Hardison © Feb. 5, 2025 at 8:15 a.m.
All Copyrights Protected By Federal Civil Law
Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     GILCHRIST COUNTY –
A 19-year-old man from Bell received a criminal citation as a hunter suspected of unlawfully hunting on land owned by the Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD), according to records.

     Augustus McCrae Roberts, 19, of Bell was one of two men interviewed by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Officer Marcus Reith. 
     Roberts was cited specifically for violating Florida Administrative Code that notes activities are prohibited on SRWMD lands to the extent specified -- unless specifically authorized by the written terms of an SRWMD Governing Board approved agreement or lease with any governmental entity or public or private utility or as part of a land management operation conducted by the SRWMD.
     Hunting or trapping animals and releasing free-running dogs on SRWMD lands is prohibited except as provided in specific situations.
     On Jan. 19, FWC Officer Reith was patrolling Log Landing Wildlife Management Area around Hart Springs, in Gilchrist County, the state law enforcement officer noted in a report.
     At approximately 4:30 p.m. that Sunday afternoon, he found a vehicle parked along Gilchrist County Road 344, in front of property owned by the SRWMD, which is closed to hunting, according to records.
     The 2018 Ford 150 pickup truck was not there earlier when FWC Officer Reith went by, he noted, and due to the time of day and location in which it was parked, he suspected the occupant(s) were hunting, according to records.
     The vehicle was found to be owned by Roberts, according to records.
     Once Reith had identified the vehicle, he parked a short distance down the road to watch and see if the operator would return.
     After approximately five minutes, the FWC officer saw two men quickly exit the SRWMD property, according to records, and they were loading items into the parked vehicle.
     “I approached the vehicle and first contacted the subject on the driver’s side,” Reith noted. “I observed two sets of camouflage waders on the ground which are commonly used when hunting waterfowl. When I stepped out of my patrol vehicle, the male subject stated that he thought that this was log landing and they were just looking for ducks, but he was way off.
     “I asked him if he was hunting, and he said they were just looking,” the officer noted. “The subject seemed very nervous and short of breath as if he had been running. I then asked if he has ever hunted Log Landing WMA (Wildlife Management Area) before and he said ‘Yes.’ Both subjects were identified by their Florida Driver licenses and photos.”
     In addition to Roberts, there was another man -- Dylan Beal, 18, Reith noted.
     After Reith asked them if they had any guns, Beal said “Yes, but it was in the vehicle because he does not have a hunting license.”
     Roberts stated “Yes, it’s over behind that tree,” the officer noted.
     After Reith asked Roberts why he put it there, Roberts told the FWC officer that he didn’t want to get in trouble.
     They then walked to where Roberts had left his gun and found it lying on the ground behind a tree, according to records.
     “The gun had been covered with leaves in an apparent attempt to conceal it,” Reith noted. “Upon closer inspection of the gun, I found that it was loaded with Federal Blackcloud shot shells which are a non-toxic shot commonly used when hunting waterfowl.”
     The officer explained to Roberts how hiding his gun looked and he said that he wouldn’t have done that unless he knew they weren’t supposed to be in here, according to records.
     Reith read both subjects the Miranda Warning from a prepared text, and they both agreed to speak to him. 
     The officer explained to them that on the FWC website, they can look up the map for Log Landing WMA and it shows all the open tracts and that this was not one of them. 
     Roberts then said that they had jumped some ducks, but he was glad he didn’t shoot because they then noticed the signs that said, “Closed to hunting.”
     Roberts said they had seen Reith drive by and then he put the shotgun down because he was scared, according to records. He admitted to the officer that he had planned to come back and get it later, according to records.
     Roberts said Beal doesn’t have a license to hunt ducks and that Beal “was just tagging along,” according to records.
     Publisher’s Note: While the Florida Highway Patrol has decreased its service to the press in regard to providing information over the past 20 years, especially in its modified press releases from crashes, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission continues to abide by Florida law in regard to providing public records sought by the press and public.
     The story and photos above resulted from public records requested by a professional journalist on Jan. 30 at approximately 8:15 a.m. The records arrived via email on Feb. 4 at approximately 10:26 a.m.

 


Public records released
from first-degree arson arrest

Arson Photo
This picture of the burned baseball cap is among the photos taken of the crashed car, the crash scene, and the area where the fire was reportedly started by the man suspected of wanting to burn down a residence with people inside of it, according to records.
Photo Provided By GCSO

By Jeff M. Hardison © Feb. 5, 2025 at 9:45 a.m.
All Copyrights Protected By Federal Civil Law
Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     GILCHRIST COUNTY –
A man suspected of first-degree arson of a three-story residence with people inside was arrested in the wee hours of Jan. 25 by the Gilchrist County Sheriff's Office, according to records released Feb. 4, just a few days after those public records were sought.
     Release of the records was initially delayed due to a belief that the arrest was part of an ongoing active investigation; however, after a journalist noted reporting the arrest did not appear to cause any issue with any potential ongoing investigation subsequent to that arrest, those records were released.
     Gilchrist County Sheriff Bobby Schultz and Undersheriff Robert Willis assisted in the journalist obtaining public records.
     Patrick Cody Craft, 34, of Trenton was arrested as the result of teamwork by GCSO Sgt. Matthew Adams, GCSO Deputy Jeremy Zimmerman, GCSO Deputy Kerrisa Fricke and Gilchrist County Fire Chief James Campbell, who was serving in his capacity as a reserve deputy with the GCSO in regard to this incident, according to records.


Suspect
Mugshot By GCSO - Graphic By HardisonInk.com


     Deputies had responded to a Trenton address where they saw a 2020 Kia Soul car with damage and the airbag deployed, indicating it had recently crashed there. The GCSO report time of the sergeant arriving to the scene of the crash and possible arson inside the resident was noted to be 12:43 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 25, according to records, although initial responding deputies had arrived late Friday night (Jan. 24).
     The Soul was parked in the driveway leading to the residence of the property where the deputy had been dispatched, according to records.
     The sergeant spoke with other deputies on the scene and was told Craft was asleep inside the residence, according to records. The Soul, which had front end damage was reported to have been crashed by Craft in the driveway, was an event that happened just before Craft was said to have started a fire before going to sleep in his brother’s room, Sgt Adams noted in his report.
     Adams learned that Craft had announced his plan to burn down the residence before igniting a baseball cap and throwing a burning hat into plastic bags with clothes in them in a laundry room at the residence, according to records.
     People in the house were able to extinguish the fire before it spread very far, according to records. Craft who was reported to have been holding lighter fluid and a Zippo brand lighter had threatened to burn other areas, but he did not, according to records.
     Upon investigating, Sgt. Adams found the area damaged by the fire as was reported to him by the other law enforcement officers at the scene, according to records.
     Sgt. Adams’ response, where he served as in a supervisory role, came after the other deputies arrived at the crash site and took reports of Craft’s alleged actions, according to records.  
     


GCSO takes down
suspected drug house with three arrests

Suspects
Mugshots By GCSO – Graphic By HardisonInk.com

By Jeff M. Hardison © Feb. 5, 2025 at 10 a.m.
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Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     GILCHRIST COUNTY –
Three people suspected of being among those Gilchrist County residents and visitors who violate drug laws recently took up short-term residence in the new Gilchrist County Jail, according to information in a press release from Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office Community Relations Division Lt. Keagan Weatherford, who also serves as the public information officer for the GCSO.
     As part of its One Team, One Mission activities, the GCSO continues its efforts to eliminate criminals from selling dangerous drugs in the county, Lt. Weatherford noted.
     In recent weeks, The GCSO conducted a criminal investigation which resulted in criminal charges and a search warrant being executed on Feb, 3, at 9629 Minnesota St., in the City of Fanning Springs, Weatherford said.
     During the investigation fentanyl, and more than an ounce of methamphetamines, assorted prescription pills, and psilocybin mushrooms were seized, Weatherford said.
     Roger Wayne Hand, 54, of Fanning Springs, was arrested for trafficking of methamphetamines, three counts of possession of a controlled substance, two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, maintaining a drug dwelling and the unlawful use of a two-way communication device in the commission of a felony, Lt. Weatherford said.
     Kathleen Dawn Luce, 44, of Fanning Springs was arrested for five counts of possession of a controlled substance, possession of paraphernalia and introduction of contraband into a correctional facility, Weatherford said.
     Joseph William Berggren,43, of Trenton was arrested for trafficking of methamphetamine, Weatherford said.
     “We are blessed to live in one of the best and safest counties in America,” Gilchrist County Sheriff Bobby Schultz said. “But we are not immune to some of the dangers of the world infiltrating our communities. To be clear, Gilchrist County will not be a safe haven for those individuals who wish to poison our communities or to conduct criminal activity. Their conduct and behavior will be met with diligent, professional investigations and God willing, they will ultimately be arrested and re-located to the newly constructed county jail.”
     Sheriff Bobby Schultz again commended the strong work by all members of the GCSO, and he thanked the people of Gilchrist County for everyone’s continued adherence and application of the “ONE TEAM, ONE MISSION” philosophy of working together to close these drug dwellings down, Lt. Weatherford said.

 


FHP withholds records
with ‘active investigation’ excuse
Automated response button
obviously pushed

By Jeff M. Hardison © Feb. 4, 2025 at 12 p.m.
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Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     TALLAHASSEE –
A series of emails between the publisher of a multiple award-winning daily news website from Jan. 13 through Feb. 3 reflects facts showing the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) using the “active investigation” response as a template to be uncooperative to a relatively simple public records request.

     Jazmin Grant of the FHP Regional Communications Centers, where the FHP is under the bigger state government umbrella of Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DMV) responded on Jan. 16 to a Jan. 13 public records request with “Dear Jeff Haridson” to start and she “signed” the email with “Respectfully yours.”
     After Hardison noted the spelling of his name is “Hardison” rather than “Haridson,” Alain Hernandez of the FHP responded with the verbatim same response, including incorrectly spelling the name that was noted for Grant to be spelled incorrectly and also signing the email with “Respectfully yours.”
     Two weeks after receiving the first note that public records requests might take two weeks for response, Hardison sent a reply to FHP Director of Communications Molly Best.
     The DMV had sent a well-written story with graphics about the need for people to stop leaving the scene of accidents, which is a blatant violation of Florida law. The publisher noted for Best that he was considering running the public service announcement, and then he asked for help in obtaining FHP public records from the DMV.
     “In looking into your request, it looks like the request was denied due to an active investigation,” Best noted on Feb. 3. “Please feel free to reach out on a later date to see if the investigation has closed.”
     The 69-year-old sole proprietor of the 15-year-old daily news website said he fails to understand the delay. All that he seeks is the arrest report for a man who was booked into the Levy County Jail.
     “There are a number of points here,” Hardison said. “First, a typographical error with the spelling my last name happened. Okay, that happens. I know that because I have done it. And even though this is an extremely rare occurrence by me, I have corrected in future stories.”
     For an agency that notes “courtesy” among its ideals, the journalist said, sending back an automated response with a different name is not very courteous.
     “This is relevant,” the journalist said, “because when I told Grant about her error and requested to know an estimated date when the “active investigation” would be competed, that is when 
Hernandez obviously pushed the automated response – and not only again spelled my name incorrectly, but they only said to keep looking because one day it will no longer be ‘active.’”
     As for DMV Director of Communications Best “looking into” the request and it being an “active investigation,” that does not appear to fit with reality.
     Hardison said his request was for the arrest report is not going to cause harm to the state government law enforcement agency prosecuting a man who is charged with leaving the scene of a fatal accident where he is suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
     At the Florida Press Club Annual Excellence In Journalism Awards Banquet at the Hilton Hotel in Ocala on Saturday (Feb. 1), Hardison heard from other Florida journalists who said employees in federal, state, regional and county agencies are not providing public records.
     Kneejerk and automated responses to delay or stop journalists from finding facts are becoming more common in Florida.
     In the automated responses, Grant and Hernandez noted “You have requested records of an active criminal investigation which, under §119.071(2)(c)1., Fla. Stat., are exempt from public disclosure while the investigation remains active. Although Florida Highway Patrol, once an investigation is complete, is unable to contact each person who has inquired about the investigation’s records, you are welcome to periodically contact me to determine whether the investigation has closed, thereby allowing disclosure of the requested records. To assist is locating your request, when calling please mention Ref.# P821269-011325.”
     Hardison had noted on the form to this state agency that he was seeking public records. 
     “Please provide me with the arrest report of the 51-year-old Morriston man arrested in Levy County for DUI after the fatal crash on Jan. 12 of a motorcyclist.”
     By using other methods beyond seeking information from the FHP, Hardison found the mugshot of the defendant and he found more information through other means.
     He published stories on Jan. 14 and 15, which can be seen in the archives by clicking HERE.
     The professional journalist who graduated from the University of Florida College of Journalism with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1984, where he majored in newswriting and editing, said he heard from other journalists how some law enforcement agencies in Florida are misapplying “Marcy’s Law,” which is intended to protect victims of crimes as another catch-all to delay or refuse to release public records to journalists who strive to inform and educate the public.
     “I hope that law enforcement personnel and their support staff understand that I am trying to inform the public,” Hardison said. “Some law enforcers understand. Some do not.”

 


GCSO catches suspected meth trafficker
Suspect
Mug Shot By GCSO 
Graphic By HardisonInk.com

By Jeff M. Hardison © Feb. 3, 2025 at 9 p.m. - All Rights Reserved

     TRENTON -- Alert deputies with the Gilchrist County Sheriff's Office halted a man suspected of trafficking in methamphetamine, according to information in a press release from GCSO Lt. Keagan Weatherford.

     On Friday (Jan. 30), deputies saw a white pickup truck in the area of Southwest 70th Street and West Suwanee Street as it went on the roadway without a tag, Lt. Keagon, the public information officer for the GCSO, noted.
     Deputy Dominic Marchione stopped the vehicle and contacted the driver, Justin Charles Lewis, 39, of Gainesville, Lt. Keagon said.
     At the conclusion of the traffic stop, Deputy Marchione initiated an investigation, which led to the arrest of Lewis, after the Gainesville man was found to be in possession of a white crystalline substance that tested positive for methamphetamine, Keagan said.
     Deputies found 53 grams (almost two ounces) of the illegal drug, the lieutenant said, and a glass pipe commonly used to smoke methamphetamine was found as well.
     Lewis was arrested for trafficking in amphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia and transported to the Gilchrist County Jail.
     The honorable Gilchrist County Judge Sheree H. Lancaster set bond for the defendant at $300,000 for trafficking in amphetamine and $5,000 for possession of drug equipment, according to records.
     Florida Statutes show that “Any person who knowingly sells, purchases, manufactures, delivers, or brings into this state, or who is knowingly in actual or constructive possession of, 14 grams or more of amphetamine, or methamphetamine, or of any mixture containing amphetamine or methamphetamine, or phenylacetone, phenylacetic acid, pseudoephedrine, or ephedrine in conjunction with other chemicals and equipment utilized in the manufacture of amphetamine or methamphetamine, commits a felony of the first degree, which felony shall be known as “trafficking in amphetamine.”
     Gilchrist County Sheriff Bobby Schultz thanks the deputies for their continued effort to keep Gilchrist County roadways as safe as possible, and for slowing the flow of dangerous, illegal drugs into the county.

 


One dead, two injured
in Levy County crash

By Jeff M, Hardison © Jan. 30, 2025 at 4 p.m.
All Copyrights Protected By Federal Civil Law
Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     LEVY COUNTY –
One man died and two suffered injuries Thursday morning (Jan. 30) in a Levy County crash, according to information in a Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) press release.

     The next of kin of the man who died had not been notified by the FHP as of 10:49 a.m. on Jan. 30, the FHP said. Information for the press release came from reports by crash investigator FHP Trooper J. Lord and homicide investigator FHP Cpl. J. Gurrieri.
     At 5:45 a.m. on Jan. 30, a sport utility vehicle (SUV) driven by a 57-year-old Ocala man was northbound on U.S. Highway 41 south of Southeast 70th Lane, the FHP said. This is south of the city of Williston and north of the community of Romeo.
     At the same time, a motorcycle driven by a 57-year-old Morriston man was southbound on U.S. 41 in the same are, the FHP said.
     A pickup truck driven by a 29-year-old Williston man was northbound on U.S. 41 south of SE 70th Lane, directly ahead of the SUV, the FHP said.
     The Ocala man driving the SUV began to the pickup truck driven by the Williston man, the FHP said, and it went northbound in the southbound travel lane of U.S. 41.
     The southbound motorcyclist from Morriston was unable to avoid the oncoming SUV, the FHP said.
     The SUV and motorcycle hit head-on, the FHP said.
     Debris from the SUV and the motorcycle struck the front of the pickup truck, the FHP said.
     The motorcyclist who was wearing a helmet died, the FHP said. 
     The SUV driver who was wearing a seatbelt suffered serious injuries, the FHP said.
     The pickup truck driver who was wearing a seatbelt suffered minor injuries, the FHP said.
     As of May of 2020, the Florida Highway Patrol stopped providing names of people and some other information from crashes as part of its press releases.
     Prior to May of 2020, the FHP formerly provided that information via those public records in its press releases.
     The FHP and some other law enforcement agencies in Florida are abiding by a version of something known as “Marcy’s Law” of California, which is allegedly used to protect victims of crimes. The Florida version of “Marcy’s Law” was adopted after Florida voters chose to change the Florida Constitution to exempt more public records from view.
     Although not every vehicle crash involves crime victims, which may have been the legislative intent of the Florida version of “Marcy’s Law” approved by voters, the FHP adopted its current blanket exclusion of some information as part of its process in sending press releases.
     Although the FHP adopted this new practice, not every law enforcement agency has done so.
     For instance, the Chiefland Police Department, the St. Petersburg Police Department and the Ocala Police Department all have provided crash information in press releases or traffic crash reports, except when there is an actual victim of a crime, as demonstrated in the reports provided to the press since the onset of the FHP’s revision in its press release practices in May of 2020.
Crash Report Purchasing
https://services.flhsmv.gov/CrashReportPurchasing/
Florida Crash Data
https://www.flhsmv.gov/traffic-crash-reports/crash-dashboard/
Victims’ Rights Information
https://www.flhsmv.gov/victimsrights/
 

 


 

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Goldy the cat plays dead on command by Jeff M. Hardison
Here, Goldy (the now late) cat Hardison (Aug. 12, 2009-Aug. 25, 2021)
plays dead - her signature trick. She was among the great cats of the world.
Cat training and video
By Jeff M. Hardison
© 2010-2024 All Rights Reserved




Inky Jumps In 2016
Here Inky the cat Hardison performs three Olympic jumps to rival the athletes in Brazil in 2016. Wait for it -- JUMP!
Cat training and video
By Jeff M. Hardison
© 2010-2024 All Rights Reserved

 




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