July 2020 – Citrus Times Online

Undercover drug buy leads to warrant, arrests of 4 people

Four people were arrested Tuesday after an undercover “buy-bust” operation by the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office, and the subsequent execution of a search warrant at a nearby Homosassa residence.

The CCSO said that the sheriff’s office’s Tactical Impact Unit (TIU) concluded the multifaceted narcotic investigation by initiating a buy-bust operation and then a subsequent search warrant of the residence.

The targets of this investigation were Nicole Cash and Issac Edwards. The CCSO said Edwards is a 22-time convicted felon.

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Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Marshals capture Citrus County man

On July 25, the United States Marshals Service Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force (CRFTF) announced the arrest of fugitive Rapheal Malik Akbar Arnold.

The 32-year-old Arnold was wanted out of Citrus County for Sexual Battery on a child under the age of 12.

“Our agency owes the arrest of this violent fugitive and the safety of this 5-year-old child to our regional task force partnership with the U.S. Marshals Service,” said Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast.

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CCSO names interim emergency management head

Chris Evan has been named Interim Director of Citrus County Emergency Management.

The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to announce the appointment of Chris Evan to the position of Interim Director of Citrus County Emergency Management.

Finalized by a vote of members of the BOCC, Director Evan was nominated to take over the role upon Captain David DeCarlo’s retirement on Aug . 7, 2020.

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Detectives investigate body found near intersection

On Tuesday morning, the body of 29-year-old Dustin Arthur Chandler was discovered near the intersection of West Pine Ridge Boulevard and North Amarillo Drive.

Citrus County deputies responded and secured the scene upon their arrival.

Major Crimes Detectives and Crime Scene Specialists arrived and immediately began working the area to gather vital evidence and conduct interviews. The Medical Examiner was called to the scene and is assisting with this case.

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Hernando drug search warrant nets 2 arrests

Some of the evidence seized in Hernando following a drug arrest warrant served on a home there (PHOTO: Citrus County Sheriff’s Office on July 22, 2020

Two Hernando residents were arrested on Wednesday after the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office Tactical Impact Unit (TIU) executed a search warrant at 7168 N. Whippoorwill Terrace in Hernando.

Detectives arrested the homeowner, 31-year-old Ronald Mesick Jr., as well as the home’s other resident, 50-year-old Tammy Bryant. During their search of the house, detectives located fentanyl, methamphetamine, cannabis, a 9mm pistol and a 12 gauge shotgun.

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Citrus County Foundation for Animal Protection raises funds for Animal Services X-Ray machine

Citrus County Foundation for Animal Protection (CCFAP) is raising community awareness and funds to purchase a state-of-the-art digital x-ray machine to help Citrus County Animal Services and Care Center (CCAS) better serve the medical needs of the animals that move through the Care Center.

Currently, CCAS sends animals off-site for needed x-rays, which takes staff time, stresses the animals and can delay care for the most critical of patients.

In the past year, approximately 40 patients were sent off-site for x-rays totally over $20,000 spent for these diagnostics. The Care Center veterinarian has to choose which animals are the highest priority to receive x-rays when taking into consideration budget and time to receive care.

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