CRIME & SAFETY
Former bishop found guilty of molesting juvenile sentenced to life in prison
The victim in the Frederick Hamilton criminal case appeared via Zoom and told the court he wanted the defendant, found guilty by a jury, to go to prison. The judge obliged. The victim said Hamilton has damaged him, and he now has trouble trusting anyone. He told the judge not to have any sympathy for Hamilton because he may do something similar to another person.
‘Dark world:’ 15-month-old dies from fentanyl in Marion County; parents arrested
OCALA, Fla. – The parents of a 15-month-old boy were arrested Wednesday after he died from fentanyl, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. In a press conference Thursday morning, deputies announced 37-year-old Kelly Nichole Starling and 48-year-old Brady Miller faced charges of homicide and aggravated child manslaughter, as well as drug possession, in the death of Daltin Miller.
Shooting in Belleview determined murder suicide
BELLEVIEW, Fla. (WCJB) - A shooting that took place in Belleview on Sunday, April 21st, has been determined a murder/suicide by Marion County Sheriff’s Office detectives. Responding to a death investigation, arriving officers found two victims on the floor with what appeared to be gunshot wounds. The victims were later identified as Erica Brooks, 37, and James Marean, 64.
Man and woman, both 63, found dead inside SE Marion home. Two accidental drug overdoses.
A man and woman found deceased inside a Summerfield residence in March each died from an accidental drug overdose, according to a Marion County Sheriff's Office report. Detective Daniel Pinder noted in his report the cause of death for Christopher Brian Collette was combined drug toxicity of fentanyl and amphetamine. His manner of death was listed as an accident. Collette was 63.
Caretaker charged with ripping off Villager suffering from dementia
A caretaker has been charged with ripping off a Villager suffering from dementia. Katelyn Marie Haire, 30, of Belleview, was arrested this week on warrants charging her with fraud and theft. Haire had been hired through Assisting Hands to work for a woman living in the Village of Pine Ridge,...
Woman headed to prison in fatal hit-and-run on Rolling Acres Road
A woman is headed to prison after a hit-and-run crash on Rolling Acres Road killed a 40-year-old pedestrian. Tara Rene Schiessle, 32, of Lady Lake, pleaded no contest on Monday in Lake County Court to charges of leaving the scene of an accident involving death and leaving the scene of an accident involving serious injury. The former Lake Centre for Rehab physical therapist assistant has been sentenced to three years in state prison to be followed by three years of probation. Court records indicate the prosecutor’s office waived a four-year minimum mandatory sentence as part of the plea deal. A charge of insurance fraud was also dismissed as part of the plea agreement.
Florida man claiming to have split personalities arrested after infant seriously hurt
MARION COUNTY, Fla. – An Ocala couple was arrested last week after an infant was taken to the hospital in March for severe injuries, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. In an arrest affidavit, deputies said they responded to an Ocala hospital on March 26 shortly before...
Husband and wife land in jail after brawl at their home in The Villages
A husband and wife both landed in jail after a brawl at their home in The Villages. Leonard Victor Lezott, 64, and Dolores Ann Lezott, 66, were arrested at about 2 p.m. Monday by Sumter County sheriff’s deputies at their home on Rose Croft Terrace in the Arlington Villas in the Village of Belvedere.
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