The Citrus County Sheriff's Office responded to reports of a domestic disturbance near North Andri Drive on March 30, and found the man, later identified as Lawrence Howard Worley, Sr., dead. "I would like to encourage anyone with information regarding this case to call our office," said Sheriff Prendergast. The units detectives identify, investigate, and infiltrate street-level to mid-level narcotics dealers and their organizations within Citrus County. Lunsford was abducted from her home in the early morning of February 24, 2005, by John Couey, a 46-year-old convicted sex offender who lived nearby. Thanks to his dapper good looks, charisma, and shockingly high body count, Ted Bundy, whos linked to the murders of at least 36 women, is perhaps the most famous serial killer in America. We are privileged to have worked alongside Chris and wish him nothing short of a happy and safe retirement.. Jessica Lunsford's murder influenced the introduction of legislation in Florida known as Jessica's Law, designed to protect potential victims and reduce a sexual offender's ability to re-offend, which has since influenced similar legislation in 42 other states. 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. No bond. Elias Junior Domenech (DOB 3-3-98), of Orlando, FL. 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. Citrus Hills; Holder; Hernando, FL crime analytics Source & Methodology. CITRUS COUNTY, FL - A Florida man convicted for the 2017 murder of Ryan Michael McClellan is finally going away. On February 19, 2008, almost three years to the day after her kidnapping and murder, Jessica's father was represented by Jacksonville, Florida lawyers in a pre-trial brief filed against the Citrus County Sheriff's Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Verification by the team that an agency meets the Commissions standards is part of a voluntary process to gain or maintain accreditation--a highly prized recognition of professional excellence. [5] At the time, he occupied a trailer along with two women, about 100 yards (91m) away. annual societal costs are estimated at $740 billion in overall healthcare spending as well as lost productivity and crime. 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. (Citrus County, FL) Yesterday, Wednesday, January 25, 2023, brothers 56-year-old Roy Lamar Lashley Jr. and 52-year-old Robert Dewayne Lashley were sentenced in federal court for a hate crime they committed in Citrus County back in 2021. While working full-time, Detective Parsons earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminology at Florida State University. A search revealed Dlugos was in possession of crack cocaine. Based on the findings of the medical examiner, and the facts and evidence collected by members of TIU and Detective Slingerland, Gromling was arrested for murder by unlawful distribution of fentanyl and is being held without bond. Detective Richey and Sergeant Holloway . I am extremely proud of the teamwork from the various law enforcement agencies that went into making these arrests possible and for knowing that thanks to their dedication, weve stopped these sexual predators from preying on children in our county and our surrounding counties.. Total bond set at $252,000. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. Upon contact, the suspect was observed holding another victim, with obvious injuries, as hostage. Deputies found the man while responding to a reported vehicle crash off North Alabaster Dr. and East Dearborn Drive in Hernando. The suspect, later identified as 46-years-old Bryan Thomas Otto of Dunnellon (DOB 10/19/1975), was pronounced deceased on scene. Very few humans have ventured into space. (Citrus County, FL) Citrus County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) officials say a suspected bank robber is off the streets and there is no longer a threat to public safety. A few of the countless northern Florida unsolved murders that are listed on this website and many others include the 1986 murer of Howard Kip Evans, the 2009 murder of Tymon Ross, the 2004 murder of Kristin Dunn, the 1994 murder of Laralee Spear, and the 1978 murder of Carol Lynn Sullivan, among many others. Near the beginning of July, several sources came forward advising that Shannon Morgan was selling fentanyl and cocaine from her residence. 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. "Simply put . Prior charge of domestic battery and career offender in Citrus County. Florida corrections officer was allowed to poison inmate, other officers implicated, lawsuit filed The young mom initially claimed that she had dropped her daughter off with a babysitter, and that when she came back later, both were gone. Locally, he received the Partners with a Heart award for his outstanding work in methamphetamine eradication. Both the East and West Community Crimes Detectives (CCDs) immediately began collaborative investigative efforts to identify, locate and hold the unknown suspect accountable. She accosted Shipman in an airport parking lot and released pepper spray into her open car window although Shipman was able to drive away and get help. They said they made contact with an injured 50-year-old woman inside the home. Her sensational trial featuring her defenses scorched-earth tactics against her family was watched by around 40 million viewers. On Jan. 14, deputies responded to a shooting in the area of East Dawson Drive in Inverness where they found 19-year Brenden Redman lying on a driveway with multiple gunshot wounds. Hudson was charged with one count of burglary to a structure, two counts of grand theft, as well as a violation of probation. Id like to thank the United States Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force, Citrus County Animal Shelter Chief Veterinarian Dr. Meaghan Mielo and Director Colleen Yarbrough, the Keokuk County Sheriffs Office, Iowa Animal Rescue League, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and the Saguache County Sheriffs Office for their steadfast dedication and assistance in this horrendous case.. Our office is thankful that we were able to apprehend Dailey without further incident and that everyone on our team will be returning home safely this Easter.. Both the white powder and bill were collected for evidence. Citrus is a county located in FL, and has a population of 140,011. We hope you will help light the way for inclusion and support the athletes of the Special Olympics Florida. In 1992, Wuornos was found guilty of first-degree murder in Mallorys murder and sentenced to death. Steven Alan Swearingen is . The victims were Jerry Lee Clark, JoAnn Sanders' 53-year-old fiance who lived in Floral City; Roger Clark, a 36-year-old carpenter from Weeki Wachee who was helping Clark remodel the house; Larry. Included in these lists are the many unsolved murders in northern Florida, which include the 1986 murder of Howard Kip Evans, the 2009 murder of Tymon Ross, the 2004 murder of Kristin Dunn, the 1994 murder of Laralee Spear, and the 1978 murder of Carol Lynn Sullivan, among countless others. If youre curious to know more about the statisticsregarding crimesin Florida, several law enforcement organizations publish yearly reportson their websites that detail the crimes in the state. 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. Twenty-eight reptiles (snakes, skinks, geckos, and monitor lizards) were also found to be kept in terrible conditions. Detectives were able to serve arrest warrants on two individuals: Christopher Eugene Smith, 33 years old, from Dunnellon and Sara Atwood, 24 years old, from Inverness. Perform a free Citrus County, FL public arrest records search, including current & recent arrests, arrest inquiries, warrants, reports, logs, and mugshots. This past weekend the burglar hit three separate locations in one night, bringing the total to 11 commercial burglaries. (Citrus County, FL) On November 14, 2022, Citrus County Sheriffs Office (CCSO) Intelligence Analyst Heather Ramos was selected as the 2022 Crime Stoppers Coordinator of the Year at the Annual National Crime Stoppers Conference held in Orlando, Florida. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! In his confession, Couey said that he had previously seen Lunsford playing in her yard and thought she was "about six years old". Welcome to the Citrus County Sheriff's Office website. Marshals Service Florida/Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force, the combined law enforcement efforts resulted in the arrests of thirty-five men and women in Citrus County for an array of narcotics charges. Every year, the Federal Bureau of Investigation publishes a Uniform Crime Report that details the crimes, crime rates, and crime locations in each state, county, and city, including Florida. Florida may be a hot destination for retired snowbirds, vacation-starved families, and spring break partiers, but its also home to some of the most notorious criminals and shocking cases in U.S. history like Ted Bundys sorority house slayings and Aileen Wuornos infamous killing spree. What really happened to toddler Caylee is still unknown. Ron DeSantis said after signing his bill into law last week to increase the penalties for those who illegally sell and distribute opioids in our state, Floridians of all walks of life have witnessed the destruction caused by the opioid epidemic across our state. Last year our county had 377 reported drug overdoses with 81 deaths a 47% increase from the year prior. While this can never undo the harm done to this victim, I hope they will find solace in knowing Touchton will spend the rest of his life in prison.. After a 45 minute negotiation period, members of CCSOs SWAT deployed a flash-bang with little effect and eventually fired two less-lethal gas rounds into the vehicle. Leah Barnes (DOB 6/11/1995), Crystal River, FL- Violation of Probation original charge Battery. As of this year, there are roughly 19,064 Florida cold cases, according to Project: Cold Case, a not-for-profit organization with the goal of bringing all of the unsolved homicides in the United States to the public eye in an attempt to solve cold cases by linking the information in an organized database. On Monday, deputies responded to a home on North Andri Drive in Crystal River. If you or someone you know are experiencing signs of domestic abuse and needs to file a report, please call us at 352-249-2790. (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. was put on trial in 2011 for the murder of her toddler daughter, Caylee, the case had generated nearly deafening levels of media coverage. As in past years, Citrus Countys runners and bicyclists will raise funds for Special Olympics Florida through the sale of commemorative T-shirts. Jevaris Dortch (DOB 08/09/2001): Premeditated Murder, Attempted Premeditated Murder, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, and Shoot/Throw Deadly Missile into Dwelling/Conveyance. Additionally, some unsolved central Florida murders include the 1994 murder of Dallas Beard, the 1974 murder of Frances Hernandez, the 1988 murder of Nancy Foster, and the 2015 murder of April Mullins, among many others. (Arrested by Levy County Sheriffs Office), Phillip Simpson (DOB 7/09/1995), Anthony, FL Transmission of Harmful Material 847.0138(2), Computer Pornography; Solicit, Lure, or Entice 847.0135 (3)(a), Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device 934.215. There is garbage everywhere. Violent crime mentioned on this list includes: Between 1995 and 2011 there have been as many as 536 combined reported incidences of violent crime in Citrus County alone.