Category: Law & Order

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”

The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) said today that 19-year-old Othello Cleveland of Dunnellon was arrested for Discharging a Firearm from a Vehicle and Aggravated Assault with a Deadly weapon

On Sunday, the CCSO was dispatched to a business in the City of Inverness in reference to a possible shooting.

Upon arrival, deputies were told that during a verbal argument, Cleveland had allegedly displayed several firearms, and had allegedly forced a subject into his vehicle.

Continue reading “Dunnellon man charged with discharging firearm from vehicle, aggravated assault”

A Crystal River man was sentenced to life in prison on Wednesday in the case of the 2019 Lewd and Lascivious Molestation of a Child under the Age of 12.

During the initial investigation into the claims against  Mark Daniel, 44, the victim disclosed to a parent that Daniel had made the victim touch him in a sexual manner.

Former Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) Detective Bruce Arnold, now a Special Agent with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, was assigned to the case.  After a thorough investigation, which included a forensic victim interview with the Child Protection Team, Arnold developed probable cause for Daniel’s arrest.

Continue reading “Crystal River man sentenced to life in underage molestation trial”