When Local News Matters To You
The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) on Jan. 10 was contacted in reference to a past sexual assault of a juvenile.
Deputies made contact with the juvenile victim who disclosed inappropriate contact with the suspect identified as William (Charles) Hale Jr. on several separate occasions.
Based on these allegations, Detective Richey with the CCSO Special Victims Unit was assigned to the case and began an investigation.
Continue reading “Homosassa man arrested on lewd, lascivious charges”
Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) deputies today, along with the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, arrested 26-year-old David Jerome Lemon Jr. of Crystal River on charges of Premeditated Murder, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon and Shooting into an Occupied Vehicle.
“This violent crime has affected not only the victim’s family but our entire community, robbing both of their sense of safety and security,” said Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast.
Continue reading “Man charged with murder in Crystal River slaying”
On the afternoon of Jan. 3, the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) responded to a disturbance in Floral City which had already occurred during the early morning hours.
The two victims described the altercation between themselves and a male named Christian, who was residing on a neighboring property.
During the altercation, victim one alleged the suspect had fired a shotgun at least four times, in their direction. Victim-two said the suspect pointed the shotgun in their direction and pulled the trigger, but the gun failed to go off.
Continue reading “Dade City man faces attempted murder charges”
Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) officials on Wednesday arrested “Out of the Box Animal Rescue” owner, 56-year-old Robert Allan Schweickert Jr., on 25 counts of cruelty to animals with additional charges pending.
The Sheriff’s Office said that Schweickert, who owned and also operated “Out of the Box Animal Rescue” at 7007 South Florida Ave. in Floral City, failed to correct prior citations issued by officials regarding inadequate kennel sizes and inhumane housing of animals at the rescue.
His current bond is set at $12,500.
Continue reading “Animal rescue owner facing 25 counts of animal cruelty”
After starting their burglary spree on Dec. 16 and 17, three Citrus County men are in custody.
Between December 16, 2020, and Dec. 17, the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) responded to multiple vehicle burglaries, attempts and auto thefts that occurred in the areas of Citrus Springs, Citrus Hills, Pine Ridge and Crystal River.
Continue reading “Countywide burglary spree ends with three arrests”
Demare Barnes, age 33, was arrested and charged with murder on Saturday after an altercation inside the Citrus County Jail between he and a 53-year-old inmate, Wayne Washer.
The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office on Monday said that, as a consequence of the altercation, the injuries sustained by Washer resulted in his death.
Barnes has been in the custody of the Citrus County Detention Facility on a no-bond status since his arrest on Oct. 6 for Attempted Murder and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
Continue reading “County inmate charged with murder following jail scuffle”