Category: Law & Order

On Aug. 20, the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) was contacted in reference to allegations of a 20-year-old woman transmitting nude photographs of herself via text message to a minor.

The suspect was identified as Ashlee Graham, and detectives were able to gather forensic digital evidence to support these allegations.

The evidence revealed Graham had sent three nude photos to the victim and also requested the victim to send nude photos of themselves. Detective Tiffany Barry with the CCSO Internet Crimes Against Children Unit was assigned the case and began working both the digital and forensic sides of the investigation.

Continue reading “Woman faces charges of allegedly transmitting nude pictures to minor”

Four Citrus County residents were arrested today and charged with Aggravated Manslaughter of a Child, Child Neglect, and Maintaining a Dwelling for the Purpose of Using Controlled Substances.

Arrested were 25-year-old Kevin Courtney, 25-year-old Stephanie Carroll, 52-year-old Steven Gibson and 44-year-old Tammy Allison were arrested after CCSO’s investigation revealed their negligence in the death of a 2-month-old child earlier this year.

“This case is an example of the heinous crimes that are investigated by the detectives of the CCSO Special Victim’s Unit,” said Sheriff Prendergast. “It also highlights the cooperation between our office, state, and federal agencies in order to bring justice to Citrus County victims, like the precious child in this case.

Continue reading “2-month-old’s death leads to 4 arrests”

Five Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) leaders, alongside 145 employees from many other government agencies in the region, were graduated today from Florida State University’s Certified Public Manager (CPM) program.

According to the Florida Center for Public Management, the CPM program is a nationally-recognized leadership development program for public managers and supervisors. It is currently offered in 38 states and by the federal government.

The program is described by the Florida Center for Public Management to consist of 32 days of classroom instruction, supplemented by homework assignments and open-book exams.

Continue reading “CCSO well represented at public manager course”

Two of three suspects were arrested after detectives solved a rash of burglaries that were committed on Aug. 8 in the area of Woodland Estates in Crystal River.

Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) detectives have already identified and arrested two out of the three culprits.

“This case is not fully closed, but I am extremely proud of our deputies, detectives, and intelligence analyst for the work they have done so far. Despite the diligent efforts of our case detectives, the third suspect has not yet been identified. If anyone has information regarding these crimes, or believes to know the identity of the third suspect, please call our office at 352-726-1121,” said Sheriff Mike Prendergast. ”

Continue reading “2 of 3 burglary suspects wanted in crime spree now jailed”

Citrus County Sheriff’s Office detectives in the agency’s High Tech Crimes Unit on Aug. 26 arrested 34-year-old Daniel Grisales of Dunnellon on charges of capital sexual battery against a juvenile victim under the age of 12.

As members of the Central Florida Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force, detectives receive tips for the exploitation of children that may be occurring within the community.

This investigation began after a popular internet company reported that child pornography was sent to multiple people through their mobile app.

Continue reading “Citrus County man charged with capital sex battery on a person under 12 years old”

On Wednesday at about 6 p.m., deputies responded to a residence in the area of West Amman Street in Dunnellon, in reference to a domestic disturbance.

Upon arrival, deputies were met by a suspect who was on the property in violation of a court order.

After threatening the deputies with a firearm, the two responding deputies sought shelter outside the front door. The suspect then emerged from the residence armed with two firearms and fired his weapon toward a deputy.

Continue reading “Man injured in deputy involved shooting in Dunnellon”

After a long and dedicated career, Citrus County Sheriff’s Office Captain David DeCarlo is ready to retire.

Starting on February 16, 1987, Captain DeCarlo has served the agency in

numerous capacities during his 33 years.

Beginning as a Communications Officer, Captain DeCarlo quickly moved to the position of Deputy Sheriff and later to Investigator. He served as a member of the SERT team from 1998 to 2004.

Continue reading “DeCarlo retiring from Sheriff’s Office”

After receiving cyber tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), Inverness resident John Warner was taken into custody for ten counts of possession of child pornography and one count of promoting the sexual performance of a child.

Detectives with the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office High Tech Crimes Unit received tips from NCMEC on Feb. 20 detailing the transfer of child pornography through an email account.

Following up with the investigation, detectives obtained a search warrant for the suspected email account, confirming the child pornography. This email account also contained information identifying the suspect, including family pictures, vacation videos, and legal documents.

Continue reading “Inverness man charged with 10 counts of possession of child porn”

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.

Continue reading “Undercover drug buy leads to warrant, arrests of 4 people”