Marilyn M. Aciego

Marilyn M. Aciego is the Publisher of Inside Lake and a veteran journalist with more than two decades of experience covering Lake County. Born and raised locally, she is a graduate of Umatilla High School and Lake-Sumter State College, where her journalism career began. Marilyn has reported on some of the area’s most high-profile and impactful stories, including the disappearance of Trenton Duckett, the death of Sheriff Chris Daniels, and the murders of Jamaria Sessions, Master Deputy Bradley Link and Xavier Williams. Her work is known for exclusive sourcing, public records expertise, and a willingness to ask uncomfortable questions. In 2023, she was honored with Lake-Sumter State College’s Distinguished Alumni Professional Achievement Award. In 2024, Marilyn was the first to break two major Lake County public safety stories, reinforcing Inside Lake as a trusted source for timely, independent, and community-focused reporting. In addition to publishing Inside Lake, Marilyn serves as the Florida Bureau Chief for an international media organization. She has an adult son she raised in the same community she reports on every day.

Leesburg Police Respond to Apartment Sunday and Find “Blood All Over the Floor,” Woman Arrested for Stabbing

LEESBURG, Florida—A verbal dispute that turned physical landed a woman in jail Sunday after Leesburg Police responded to an apartment of a report of a weapon, according to an arrest affidavit. When LPD arrived at the apartment on Sennett Drive, officers heard screaming and found a door ajar. They entered the open door and “observed multiple subjects in an altercation with blood all over the floor,” the affidavit states. The subjects, Davonna Loren Jones, 56, her son, and the victim and her daughter, were detained and separated by LPD. The victim told police she arrived at the apartment to pick

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Former Store Manager Accused of Extortion, Fraud and Grand Theft Arrested

EUSTIS, Florida—The former manager of a busy gas station was arrested Thursday after a months-long investigation by Eustis Police Department revealed she stole at least $75,000, according to an arrest affidavit. Alicia Marie Winters, 28, is facing three charges including grand theft from a person older than 65, organized fraud and extortion. According to the affidavit, Winters, as the store manager of 7-Eleven, 2002 North State Road 19, Eustis, was responsible for payroll, and she made 46 unauthorized direct deposits totaling $69,508 to herself between November 2020 and Aug. 1, 2022, in addition to four fraudulent employee accounts in the

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Veteran Cop Accused of Excessive Force, Tavares Police Chief Recommends Termination

TAVARES, Florida—Body cam footage released by Tavares Police Department Friday shows a 14-year veteran Tavares Police officer using excessive force on a Eustis man during a consensual encounter and Tavares Police Chief Sarah Coursey has recommended he be fired over the incident, according to a press release. “Officer (Jason) Baugh acted outside of policy and standard practice. When we learned of this incident, we took immediate action to rectify it,” Coursey said. “His actions are not indicative of how our officers act towards our community in which we serve and protect.” Baugh, who started with TPD in 2008, was captured

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Body Found in Search for Eustis Man Missing from Kissimmee

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Florida—A body has been found during the search for a 73-year-old Eustis man who went missing in Kissimmee Thanksgiving day, Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez said Thursday afternoon. Herman McClenton went for a walk in Secret Key Cove in Kissimmee, where he and his family were visiting for Thanksgiving, around 4 p.m. Thursday. McClenton, who suffers from dementia, Lopez said, did not return from his walk. The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office has searched for McClenton for the past week, utilizing deputies on foot, bloodhounds and aviation. A bloodhound was used today to locate the body, Lopez said. “During

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Former Police Chief Files Lawsuit Against Mount Dora Alleging Whistleblower Violation, Says He was Ordered to Stop Internal Affairs Investigations

MOUNT DORA, Florida—The former chief of Mount Dora Police Department has filed a lawsuit against the City of Mount Dora. James “Brett” Meade, filed the suit in Lake County Circuit Court late Monday afternoon, alleging a violation of the Florida Public Whistleblowers Act. Meade was named the city’s interim police chief in July 2020 after former Chief Robert Bell abruptly retired following the firing of former Deputy Chief Michael Fewless. Fewless was fired after having a conversation with this reporter, and this reporter broke the story of his firing. Fewless sued, also alleging whistleblower violations and the city settled with

Former Police Chief Files Lawsuit Against Mount Dora Alleging Whistleblower Violation, Says He was Ordered to Stop Internal Affairs Investigations Read More »

Man Out of Jail Just 2 Days, Goes Right Back on Same Charge

PAISLEY, Florida—A man just released from jail Wednesday after a domestic battery charge was dropped, went straight back to jail Friday after being accused of domestic battery again, and possession of methamphetamine. James Cecil Smith, 37, of Paisley, was arrested Nov. 7 after he was accused of battering a woman during an argument about infidelity on Nov. 6, according to that arrest affidavit. The woman told Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies Smith, also known as “Nasty Cracker,” put his right forearm across her neck and attempted to cover her mouth when she yelled, the affidavit states. The victim was able

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Suspicious Substance Mailed to Eustis High was Cornstarch, According to Eustis Police

EUSTIS, Florida—The white powder sent to Eustis High School Monday that caused the school to be placed on lockdown was cornstarch, Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri said. A package was opened shortly before noon Monday and contained an unknown white powder later determined to be cornstarch, Capri said. EHS was placed on lockdown out of abundance of caution, and students and faculty were not in danger, Capri said. “We are following protocol to ensure the safety and students and faculty,” Capri told Inside Lake Monday afternoon.   Eustis Fire Department and Lake EMS also responded to the scene.

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Suspicious Package with White Powder Sent to Eustis High Monday; Students and Faculty Safe, Eustis Police Chief Says

EUSTIS, Florida—Eustis Police Department is investigating a suspicious package sent to Eustis High School, Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri told Inside Lake. “Everything is under control concerning the safety of the students,” Capri said. The package was opened shortly before noon Monday and contained an unknown white powder that will be sent to a lab for testing, Capri said. EHS was placed on lockdown, and students and faculty are not in danger, Capri said. “We are following protocol to ensure the safety and students and faculty,” Capri said.   Eustis Fire Department and Lake EMS were also on scene and

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Attack on EMT Spills Out Onto the Side of the Road Thanksgiving Night

EUSTIS, Florida—An intoxicated combative patient on her way to the hospital attacked an EMT, opened the side door of the ambulance, attacked him again as they both fell out on the grass on the side of the road, attacked his partner as she tried to help and kicked a Eustis Police officer in the face after she arrived at the hospital Thanksgiving night, according to an arrest affidavit.   Ashley Polston, 34, is facing three charges of battery on a first responder after EPD responded to help Lake EMS EMTs after Polston attacked a male EMT in the back of

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“We just want him home.” Eustis Man Reported Missing in Kissimmee on Thanksgiving Day

KISSIMMEE, Florida—The family of a missing Eustis man stood with Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez Saturday to ask for the public’s help finding him. Herman McClenton, 73, went for a walk in Secret Key Cove in Kissimmee, where he and his family were visiting for Thanksgiving, around 4 p.m. Thursday. McClenton, who suffers from dementia, Lopez said, did not return from his walk. The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) has utilized aviation and bloodhounds in their search, along with a computer-aided system to track grid searches to make sure they are thorough, Lopez said. “We suspect no foul play at

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Doorbell Camera Alerts Tavares Mom to Prowler

TAVARES, Florida—A Tavares mom on her way to work was alerted by her doorbell camera to a man trying to break into her house while her daughter was inside, and he was quickly apprehended by Tavares Police officers earlier this month, according to an arrest affidavit. Jess Hubbard, 36, who has been booked into the Lake County Jail 17 times on a variety of charges including trespassing, possession of methamphetamine and violation of probation, was captured on video ringing the doorbell at a home on Palm Way in Tavares around 4:30 a.m. Nov. 8, according to the affidavit. When no

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Man, Apparently Angry His Advances were Rebuffed by Group of Women, Runs Down Pair Walking Nearby

SORRENTO, Florida—A man is being held in the Lake County Jail on $115,000 bond after intentionally running two people over earlier this month, according to an arrest affidavit. Bryan Alexis Juarez, 34, of Sorrento is accused of hitting the man and woman as they walked near State Road 46 and Church Street shortly before 3:30 a.m. Nov. 13 and sending the woman to the hospital. In the early morning hours of Nov. 13, Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the area of Oasis Saloon, 23800 State Road 46, Sorrento on a report of a hit-and-run crash involving a pedestrian

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Eustis Man Killed in Orange County Head-On Collision

APOPKA, Florida—A Eustis man was killed Saturday night after the 2000 Ford Focus he was driving was struck head-on by a 2017 Dodge Ram 1500, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. A 38-year-old Apopka man was driving the Ram eastbound on South Binion Road, also known as County Road 437, near Sheaf Road when he failed to maintain his lane entered the westbound lane and struck the Focus being driven by a 65-year-old Eustis man, shortly before 9 p.m. Saturday, FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi said. The impact caused the Ram to overturn on its right side and the driver was

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Villages Man Dead, Teen Ejected and Seriously Injured in SR 44 Crash Saturday Afternoon

EUSTIS, Florida—The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a crash that killed an elderly man and seriously injured a teenager Saturday afternoon. The 73-year-old Villages man was traveling southbound in a 2021 Honda CRV on State Road 44 near Rory Lane in unincorporated Eustis just before 2 p.m. Saturday when he attempted to make a U-turn and entered the direct path of 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe also traveling southbound. The front of the Tahoe struck the left side of the CRV, according to FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi. The impact ejected the Tahoe’s passenger, a 19-year-old male from Eustis; he was not wearing

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Suspect Who Fled Crash that Killed Teen Confessed to FHP, According to Report

MONTVERDE, Florida—The man who hit a high school freshman earlier this week was found by his boss using a tracking device and turned over to the Florida Highway Patrol, along with the two occupants who were in the car with him, and the driver confessed to the crime, according to a report. Owen Wells, 14, a ninth grader at Lake Minneola High School, was killed around 6:20 a.m. Thursday on County Road 455 near Willo Pines Lane when he was struck by a Pontiac G6 being driven by Enrique Ramirez, 57, of Winter Garden. The impact threw the teen into

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Account Created to Support Family of High School Student Tragically Killed Thursday

MONTVERDE, Florida—A GoFundMe has been created to help provide financial support to the family of  the Lake Minneola High School freshman who was tragically killed in a hit and run crash Thursday. The account, created by family friend Derek Kelley, describes 14-year-old Owen Wells as “always smiling” and “always on some adventure” “Owen had a love of God and a love of life,” Kelley wrote. “Owen had a deep love for his parents. And definitely loved the occasional harassment of his two younger brothers. The funds collected are slated to pay for Owen’s funeral expenses and to give Owen’s parents,

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FHP Arrests Man in Hit and Run Death of Teenager

TAVARES, Florida—The man accused of hitting a Lake Minneola High School freshman and leaving the scene shortly before daybreak Thursday has been arrested, the Florida Highway Patrol said Thursday night. Enrique Ramirez, 57, of Winter Garden was arrested by FHP for leaving the scene of a crash involving death, FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi said. The boy, whose name was not released, was walking across the lanes of County Road 455 near Willow Pines Lane just before 6:30 a.m. Thursday when he entered the path of a 2007 Pontiac G6 being driven by Ramirez and was struck by the front left

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Leesburg Man Arrested in Summer Overdose Death

LADY LAKE, Florida—A Leesburg man has been arrested in the overdose death of a 38-year-old man in Lady Lake over the summer, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Albert Robert Springs, 33, was taken into custody Wednesday after an investigation revealed Springs dealt Harry Cooper the lethal fentanyl that killed him on June 25. Cooper was found dead in a bedroom at a home at 4100 Holly Hill and the medical examiner’s office ruled his death an accidental overdose of fentanyl, LCSO Lt. John Herrell said. “Detectives worked diligently throughout the course of this investigation,” Herrell said. Phone records

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High School Freshman Killed in Hit and Run Thursday Morning

MONTVERDE, Florida—A Lake Minneola High School freshman was killed Thursday after he was struck by a car that fled the scene and then struck by a second vehicle as he lay in the southbound lanes of County Road 455, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The boy, whose name has not been released, was walking across the lanes of County Road 455 near Willow Pines Lane just before 6:30 a.m. when he entered the path of a 2007 Pontiac G6 and was struck by the front left of the car. The impact threw the teenager into the southbound lane of

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No Arrests in Umatilla Murder Last Week, LCSO Developing Leads

UMATILLA Florida—The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is developing leads in the murder of a 31-year-old man Nov. 8, Lt. John Herrell told Inside Lake Wednesday. Antwain “Lil Daddy” Hart was found shot in front of a home at 38946 Merrell Avenue last week in the Southside area of unincorporated Umatilla. He was transported to AdventHealth Waterman in Tavares by Lake EMS, but died during transport, Herrell said. LCSO has not released many details in the case. Hart’s rental vehicle, a white 2022 Jeep Cherokee was stolen at the time he was shot and found about 12 hours later behind First

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Pedestrian Killed Thursday Morning, CR 455 Shut Down

MONTVERDE, Florida—A pedestrian fatality has shut down County Road 455 Thursday morning. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a vehicle and a pedestrian were involved in a crash of County Road 455 near Willo Pines Lanes just before 6:30 a.m. The pedestrian was killed and motorists can expect County 455 to be shut down for several hours. This is a developing story.

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Man Caught on Video Using Pallet Jack to Break Into Local Publix

LEESBURG, Florida—A Leesburg man put in some work to break into a local Publix early Saturday, according to an arrest affidavit. Edward Lee Brown, 61, was caught red-handed inside Publix, 717 North 14th Street, Leesburg shortly after 4 a.m. Saturday by Leesburg Police with a backpack full of loot that included 35 packs of Newport cigarettes and 39 Black and Mild cigars, along with other tobacco products valued at more than $500, according to the affidavit. LPD also found a crack pipe in Brown’s backpack. LPD responded to the popular grocery store after a caller reported seeing Brown breaking into

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Traffic Stop Leads to More than 100 Grams of Meth

UMATILLA, Florida—A painted taillight that caught the attention of a Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputy began a series of events that ended in a trip to jail for a DeLand man Friday night after he was found with more than 125 grams of methamphetamine. Shortly after 10 p.m. Friday, the deputy spotted a blue Mercedes with what the deputy thought was an inoperable taillight on State Road 19 south of Umatilla. As the deputy approached the car, it was apparent the lights were painted and the driver side taillight was painted darker, making it appear very dim, according to an

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Naked Woman on Motorcycle Causes a Stir Sunday

LEESBURG, Florida— “I had to do a double take.” Tiffany Khoudali got quite the surprise as she made her way home from a tea party with her daughter Sunday afternoon when she saw a naked woman riding a motorcycle, she told Inside Lake. At 5:59 p.m. as Khoudali drove northbound on U.S. Highway 441 near Buzzard Beach, she spotted a woman on a motorcycle. As they approached County Road 473, she first thought the woman was wearing flesh-colored leggings, “So I sped up a little,” she looked over, “And…she’s naked,” she told Inside Lake.   She quickly snapped a photo,

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Mount Dora Police Seeking Public’s Assistance Identifying Man Who “Sexually Assaulted” Young Female

MOUNT DORA, Florida—Mount Dora Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a man who “sexually assaulted” a young female in his vehicle earlier this week. According to MDPD, the young female, whose age has not been released, was walking home in the area of Eudora Road and Old U.S. Highway 441 Tuesday when the man pulled off to the side of the road and began talking to the female. The female got into his vehicle and a “sexual assault” occurred, according to an MDPD crime bulletin. It is unclear exactly what happened to her and there is no

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Fiery Crash Kills Tavares Woman in Umatilla Thursday Night

UMATILLA, Florida—A 39-year-old woman was speeding before she crashed her car into a tree and it burst into flames in unincorporated Umatilla, witnesses told the Florida Highway Patrol. Around 9 p.m. Thursday, the Tavares woman was driving a 2009 Chevy Malibu northbound on West 4th Avenue approaching West 7th Street when she lost control, ran off the roadway and struck a tree, causing the car to become engulfed in flames, according to FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi. Witnesses told troopers the woman was speeding before the crash. She was transported to Central Florida Regional Medical Center in Sanford, where she later

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2 Killed in Turnpike Crash Early Thursday, Including Tow Truck Driver

ORANGE COUNTY, Florida—A Groveland man and a tow truck driver are both dead following a crash on Florida’s Turnpike early Thursday morning as Hurricane Nicole made its way across Orange County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. An FHP trooper and a tow truck were working a single-vehicle crash, facing southbound on the inside shoulder, around 5:45 a.m. Thursday; the tow truck, being driven by a 42-year-old Poinciana man, was parked in front of the marked cruiser and both vehicles had their emergency lights activated, near mile marker 266, FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi said in a press release. A Groveland

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LCSO Identifies Man Killed Near Umatilla Tuesday

UMATILLA, Florida—The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has identified the man killed in unincorporated Umatilla Tuesday afternoon.  Antwain Jamar Hart, 31, aka “Lil Daddy” was found shot in front of a home at 38946 Merrell Avenue in the Southside area of unincorporated Umatilla around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to LCSO Lt. John Herrell. Hart was transported to the hospital, but died before he made it there, Herrell said Tuesday night. Hart’s rental vehicle, a white 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee was stolen during the incident and found in the early morning hours Wednesday at First Church of God-Eustis 1550 North Highway 19

LCSO Identifies Man Killed Near Umatilla Tuesday Read More »

Man Shot Near Umatilla Tuesday, Dies On the Way to the Hospital

UMATILLA, Florida—A man is dead following a shooting in unincorporated Umatilla Tuesday afternoon, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office Lt. John Herrell. LCSO responded to a report of shots fired at 3:25 p.m. Tuesday around Merrell Avenue in the area known as Southside, and when they arrived, they found a man shot at a home at 38946 Merrell Avenue. Paramedics transported the man, but he died on the way to the hospital, Herrell said. AdventHealth Waterman was placed on lockdown for a short amount of time, standard procedure when a shooting victim is brought to a hospital. The shooting also

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Crash Monday Kills One Man, Lands Another in Jail

LEESBURG, Florida—The driver who rear-ended a man, causing a chain-reaction crash Monday morning that killed the man, does not have a license, the Florida Highway Patrol said following the crash. Around 7:20 a.m. Monday, Gustavo Martinez Cortez, 36, of Eustis was driving a 2003 Chevy Silverado southbound on County Road 44 when he failed to stop for a 2004 Toyota Corolla that was stopped in the southbound lane, waiting to turn on Silver Lake Road, FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi said. The Silverado struck the Corolla, being driven by a 42-year-old Eustis man, and pushed it into the northbound lane, causing

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Fatal Crash Shuts Down CR 44 Monday Morning

LEESBURG, Florida—A fatal crash involving four vehicles has closed County Road 44 at Silver Lake Road in unincorporated Leesburg Monday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The crash occurred around 7:20 a.m. Monday and killed a 42-year-old man from Eustis driving a 2004 Toyota Corolla, said FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi. A 23-year-old DeLand woman driving a 2015 Mitsubishi Mirage was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries, Crescenzi said; a Eustis man, 36, driving a 2004 Chevy Silverado and a 69-year-old Avon Park man driving a 2021 tractor trailer were not injured. Drivers are asked to seek an

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Umatilla Teen Driving Mercedes Busted by Off Duty Deputy for Impersonating a Cop

EUSTIS, Florida—A teenager is being held on $6,000 bond after flipping on red and blue lights as he pulled over near a disabled vehicle Tuesday night—in front of a Lake County Sheriff’s Office detention deputy. Joshua Michael Mazenka, 18, of Umatilla, was driving a black 2011 Mercedes on State Road 19 in Eustis around 10 p.m. Tuesday when he saw a disabled vehicle, turned on his illegal red and blue lights and pulled over, according to an arrest affidavit. An LCSO detention deputy on his way home, saw the disabled vehicle and as he attempted to pull over, the Mercedes

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Low Bond on DUI Charge was an Error, Troopers Say. Suspect Turns Himself in on Upgraded Charge

TAVARES, Florida—The man accused of possessing cocaine and driving drunk in a crash that killed a 5-year-old boy turned himself in at the Lake County Jail Wednesday on a DUI manslaughter charge. Daksh Wadhwa, 30, of Tavares, turned himself in just before 11 a.m. Wednesday after troopers issued a warrant for his arrest in the boy’s death Tuesday afternoon.  He is being held on $30,000 bond but sources close to the investigation told Inside Lake he is already in the process of bonding out. Turning in his passport was a condition of the bond, and it was turned in to

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Trio, Including Mother, Charged in Infant Overdose Death

DeLAND, Florida—Three people have been charged in the May overdose death of a 4-month-old baby boy, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office Lt. John Herrell. LCSO responded to 42221 Dogwood Avenue in the DeLand area of unincorporated Lake County on a report of an unresponsive infant May 19. Logan Bixler, just 4 months old, was transported to AdventHealth DeLand where he was pronounced dead. Detectives began investigating and found methamphetamine in the home on Dogwood Avenue, Herrell said in a press release. An autopsy and toxicology results revealed tiny Logan died from an accidental overdose of methamphetamine. Through numerous interviews,

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Man Accused in DUI Crash that Killed 5-year-old Boy Turns Himself in on DUI Manslaughter Charges

TAVARES, Florida—The man accused of killing a young boy in a DUI crash turned himself in at the Lake County Jail Wednesday morning on DUI manslaughter charges, according to Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Tara Crescenzi.   Daksh Wadhwa, 30, of Tavares, is accused of driving drunk Saturday on County Road 448 and killing the Mount Dora boy and seriously injuring his mom. This is a developing story and Inside Lake is working on getting more details.

Man Accused in DUI Crash that Killed 5-year-old Boy Turns Himself in on DUI Manslaughter Charges Read More »

Trick or Treat? Eustis PD Serves Up Search Warrant Halloween Morning

EUSTIS, Florida—In response to numerous complaints, Eustis Police Department executed a search warrant on a home before daybreak Monday, according to Chief Craig Capri. Four people were arrested in the home at 15 Haselton Street, which had deplorable conditions, including a roach infestation and no running water, said Capri, who was on scene, along with City Manager Tom Carrino and Mayor Michael Holland. The house has since been condemned. “The residents should not have to tolerate living near this type of property,” Capri said. EPD and Mid Florida SWAT executed the warrant at 5 a.m. and detained six people, and

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Boy Dies From Injuries in Saturday DUI Crash, Charges Upgraded to DUI Manslaughter

TAVARES, Florida—The 5-year-old boy who was critically injured in a crash on County Road 448 Saturday morning has died, according to Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Tara Crescenzi. Daksh Wadhwa, 30, of Tavares, was driving a 2022 BMW 740I westbound on County Road 448 near Shirley Shores Road at 8:30 a.m. Saturday when he veered into the eastbound lane. Both he and the driver of a 2008 Honda Civic swerved to the left to avoid a collision, and the right front of the BMW struck the right side of the Honda, Crescenzi said in a press release. The driver of the

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Drunk Driver Caused CR 448 Crash that Left 5-year-old in Critical Condition Saturday Morning, Troopers Say

TAVARES— The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a crash they say was caused by a drunk driver Saturday morning. Daksh Wadhwa, 30, of Tavares, was driving a 2022 BMW 740I westbound on County Road 448 near Shirley Shores Road at 8:30 a.m. Saturday. He veered into the eastbound lane, and both he and the driver of a 2008 Honda Civic both swerved to the left to avoid a collision, and the right front of the BMW struck the right side of the Honda, FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi said in a press release. The driver of the Honda, a 29-year-old Mount

Drunk Driver Caused CR 448 Crash that Left 5-year-old in Critical Condition Saturday Morning, Troopers Say Read More »

FHP Searching for Witnesses to Fiery Triple Fatality on I75 Wednesday

MARION COUNTY, Florida—The Florida Highway Patrol continues to investigate a fiery crash that killed three people Wednesday afternoon on Interstate 75 in Marion County and is searching for witnesses to the crash. According to preliminary information, around 1:10 p.m. Wednesday, a 2017 Subaru sedan and a dump truck were traveling southbound on Interstate 75 and at some point, came into contact, FHP Lt. P.V. Riordan said in a press release. Both vehicles traveled southeast through the center median guardrail and into the northbound lanes and a series of collisions occurred between the vehicles and a 2021 Dodge Ram 3500 pulling

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Sorrento Man Killed After Being Thrown from Motorcycle Early Thursday Morning

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Florida—A Sorrento man was killed early Thursday morning after he was thrown from his motorcycle, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The 51-year-old man was riding a 2022 Honda CMX1100D northbound on Markham Woods Road, south of Lee Williamson Road when he failed to negotiate a curve and struck a raised curb around 1:40 a.m. Thursday, FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi said in a press release. He ran off the roadway and was thrown off the motorcycle and pronounced dead on the scene. He was wearing a helmet. The crash remains under investigation.

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Man Accused of Shooting Man in Head Just Hours After Hurricane Ian, Apprehended by Eustis Police Tuesday

EUSTIS, Florida—Less than a month after a man was shot in the head the day Hurricane Ian made its way through Eustis, his attempted killer is behind bars, according to Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri. Only Inside Lake was on the scene the day of the shooting and at EPD Tuesday after Christopher Worlds was picked up on the warrant for attempted murder. Detectives worked diligently on this case for nearly a month, “I have zero tolerance for gun violence in my city,” Capri told Inside Lake Tuesday. On Sept. 29, shortly before 5 p.m., EPD responded to Lee’s Market,

Man Accused of Shooting Man in Head Just Hours After Hurricane Ian, Apprehended by Eustis Police Tuesday Read More »

Incident Involving Man Who Told Boy to Get in His SUV Near Clermont Bus Stop Last Week was a Misunderstanding, Deputies Say

CLERMONT, Florida—Lake County Sheriff’s Office detectives have located a man who approached a 12-year-old boy last week near County Road 455 and 3rd Avenue in unincorporated Clermont and they say it was a misunderstanding and not an attempt to kidnap the boy. The East Ridge Middle School student was walking to his bus stop around 8:30 a.m. Thursday when an older white male driving a silver SUV with tinted windows approached him. “According to the student, the driver knew his name and instructed the student to get in his car, to which the student refused. The student stated he then called

Incident Involving Man Who Told Boy to Get in His SUV Near Clermont Bus Stop Last Week was a Misunderstanding, Deputies Say Read More »

Tickets Available for Clean Comedy Show in Eustis Saturday Night

EUSTIS, Florida—Laughs for the whole family will be on tap Saturday night in Eustis.   House of Laughter is celebrating its 7th anniversary with its Off to the Races “clean” comedy show scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Mieluz Grand Hall, 415 North Grove Street, Eustis. The show will feature comedians, Cazsell Williams, Roy Richardson, Renard Hirsch and host Demetrius Wheeler; food will be available for purchase by Chef Michael Ponder and Blessed Looks by Sharon Hooks will have jewelry on hand. Tickets are $20 each or two tickets for $30 and can be purchased here or at FTG Global,

Tickets Available for Clean Comedy Show in Eustis Saturday Night Read More »

Deputies Step Up Patrols After Unidentified Man Told Tween Boy to Get in His SUV at Bus Stop Thursday Morning

CLERMONT, Florida—The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has stepped up patrols at bus stops around County Road 455 and 3rd Avenue in unincorporated Clermont after a 12-year-old boy said a stranger called him by name and told him to get in his SUV, according to LCSO Sgt. Jim Vachon. The East Ridge Middle School student was walking to his bus stop around 8:30 a.m. Thursday when an older white male driving a silver SUV  with tinted windows approached him. “According to the student, the driver knew his name and instructed the student to get in his car, to which the student

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Groveland Woman Found in Cardiac Arrest Following 4-Vehicle Crash Wednesday

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Florida—A 73-year-old Groveland woman found in cardiac arrest following a crash Wednesday, failed to stop on an Interstate 4 exit ramp and caused the chain-reaction crash, according to Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Channing Taylor.   The woman was driving a sedan when she failed to stop for traffic on the exit ramp at I4 and State 436 in Altamonte Springs at 3:10 p.m. Wednesday, Taylor said in a press release. The woman’s car struck a sedan being driven by a 48-year-old Apopka man, pushing his sedan into another sedan being driven by a 52-year-old Longwood man and pushing

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Silver Alert Issued for Minneola Man Diagnosed with Dementia

MINNEOLA, Florida—The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has issued a silver alert for a man who was recently diagnosed with dementia and has not been seen since early Tuesday night. Rodger Stambaugh, 69, left his home at 825 Elm Forrest Drive in Minneola around 7:15 p.m. Tuesday and has not been seen or heard from since, LCSO Lt. John Herrell said in an email. Stambaugh is balding with grey hair, a grey beard and has green eyes; he is 6’1” and should be driving a 2020 black Kia Soul hatchback with temporary tag DGD 5348. If you have information on Stambaugh’s

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Family Seeking Answers After Woman Found Dead in Astor Sunday

ASTOR, Florida—The family of a woman found dead Sunday afternoon wants answers about her death and is urging anyone with information to come forward. Tracy Nicole Beckwith, 40, of Mount Dora, was found dead in her on again/off again boyfriend’s vehicle around 3 p.m. Sunday after she failed to return the vehicle, according to a Lake County Sheriff’s Office report. The vehicle’s owner installed a GPS tracker on the vehicle prior to the incident and used it to find her location. His son found the vehicle in the 18700 block of State Road 40 and Beckwith was inside, deceased. LCSO

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Jeep Fire Spreads to Eustis Home Late Friday, Displaces Residents

EUSTIS, Florida—A vehicle fire that began late Friday night destroyed two vehicles and spread to a home on South Exeter Street leaving the home uninhabitable, sources told Inside Lake. Eustis Fire Department, Mount Dora Fire Department, Tavares Fire Department and Lake County Fire Rescue battled the blaze throughout the early morning hours beginning around 11:30 p.m. Friday and continuing until 4 a.m. Saturday, a source told Inside Lake. Lake EMS also responded to the scene. When fire crews arrived at the home at 573 South Exeter Street, near Eustis High School, a jeep was fully involved, and the fire spread

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Former Corrections Officer Arrested for Threatening to Blow Off Security Guard’s Head and Impersonating an Officer After Causing Quite a Scare in Busy Eustis Shopping Plaza Friday

EUSTIS, Florida—A former corrections officer is facing charges of aggravated assault and impersonating a law enforcement officer after allegedly threatening to “blow an armored guard’s head off” at a medical marijuana facility Friday afternoon. Eustis Police Department responded to Liberty Health Science Medical Marijuana Dispensary, 15443 U.S. Highway 441 after Michael Craig Shapiro, a former corrections officer for the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, reported that an armed subject had entered the dispensary and was possibly a security guard.   EPD arrived and found Shapiro, 39, of Mount Dora, in a silver vehicle blocking a white van; officers spoke to the

Former Corrections Officer Arrested for Threatening to Blow Off Security Guard’s Head and Impersonating an Officer After Causing Quite a Scare in Busy Eustis Shopping Plaza Friday Read More »

Man Arrested for Sexual Battery, Traveling to Meet 13-year-old Boy, Released on $29,000 bond

CLERMONT, Florida—A doorbell camera that alerted a woman to a suspicious vehicle in front of her house helped nab a man who picked up a boy for sex acts after meeting the boy on a social media app earlier this month, according to an arrest affidavit. On Oct. 2, Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a home in Clermont after the woman called about someone walking back and forth to the suspicious white dually pickup truck in front of her home. The street address is redacted because the incident involves the victim of a sex crime.    When deputies

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Man Accused of Walking Down Street in Eustis Tuesday Night and Firing Shots

EUSTIS, Florida—A man accused of firing several shots not far from Eustis Police Department and pointing a shotgun at an officer Tuesday night is being held at the Lake County Jail on $8,000 bond. EPD officers responded to the 1300 block of South Grove Street shortly before 8 p.m. Tuesday after several complaints of shots being fired in the area, according to EPD. An officer spotted Carl Eric Herzberger, 41, carrying a shotgun as he walked down East Atwater Avenue; the officer got out of his patrol vehicle and ordered Herzberger to drop the gun. Herzberger is alleged to have

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Chain Reaction Crash Kills Leesburg Man, Seriously Injures Good Samaritan

LEESBURG, Florida—A motorcyclist was killed late Saturday night after he was thrown from his motorcycle in one crash and then struck by his motorcycle after a second vehicle hit it and propelled into him and a good Samaritan near Leesburg, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. A 57-year-old Leesburg man was riding a 2016 Harley Davidson Street Glide in the inside lane northbound on County Road 473 approaching California Street when a 2004 Toyota Tacoma traveling southbound on County Road 473, attempted to make a left turn into a gas station parking lot and struck the motorcycle.  The motorcyclist was

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Busy Intersection Still Blocked Due to Diesel Cleanup After Fatal Crash Near Okahumpka

OKAHUMPKA, Florida—A fatal crash that caused a diesel spill closed a busy intersection for most of the day Sunday, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.    A 33-year-old Bradenton man was driving a 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander eastbound on County Road 470 approaching County Road 33 near Okahumpka when he ran a red light and struck the right side of a 2021 semi-truck being driven by a 43-year-old Brandon man. The impacted killed the 25-year-old Outlander passenger of Sarasota; he was not wearing a seatbelt and the driver was airlifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center with serious injuries. Both occupants of

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FHP On Scene of Fatal Crash

Update at the bottom of this story. OKAHUMPKA, Florida— The intersection of County Road 470 and County Road 33 in Okahumpka is shut down due to a fatal crash that occurred around 8:45 a.m. Sunday, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The crash involves a 2021 semi-truck and a 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander; the passenger in the Outlander was killed, FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi said. The driver of Outlander, a 33-year-old Bradenton man, was airlifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries and the driver of the semi, a 43-year-old man of Brandon, was not injured. Troopers are on scene

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LCSO and Lake County Office of Emergency Management Partner to Battle Astor Flooding, Area Closed to Non-Residents

ASTOR, Florida—In an effort to monitor and manage the flooding caused by Hurricane Ian along the St. Johns River in Astor, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office has partnered with the Lake County Office of Emergency Management to set up a unified command center and has closed the area to non-residents, according to an LCSO press release.   The areas adjacent to the St. Johns River are still being accessed and at press time, the following areas were impacted the most: Several roads are underwater, LCSO Lt. John Herrell said, and more flooding is likely in the coming days. Residents who

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Man Shot Thursday Remains Hospitalized, Eustis Police Investigating 3 Persons of Interest

EUSTIS, Florida-Eustis Police Department is continuing to investigate a shooting that left a man hospitalized Thursday afternoon. EPD responded to Lee’s Food Market, 1333 East Orange Avenue and found a man shot above one of his eyes, EPD Chief Craig Capri told Inside Lake. The man was taken to a local hospital and has not been able to talk to detectives yet, Capri said. No one has been arrested in the shooting, but police know who is involved, Capri said. “We know who the players are,” he said. Few details have been released about what led to the shooting, but

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Eustis Police Investigating Shooting as Residents Clean Up from Hurricane Ian

EUSTIS, Florida-Eustis Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred Thursday afternoon. The shooting was in the parking lot of Lee’s Food Market, 1333 East Orange Avenue according to EPD Chief Craig Capri. The shooting occurred as many residents were awaiting the restoration of services following Hurricane Ian. A male was shot, Capri said. It is an active investigation and no other information has been released. Witnesses on scene, who did not want to be identified, told Inside Lake the altercation started as a fight, a male was pistol whipped and the gun fired, striking him. This has not been

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Driver Killed After He Loses Control on County Road 48, Collides with Truck and Guardrail

ASTATULA, Florida—A Howey-in-the-Hills man was killed Wednesday afternoon after he lost control of the 2018 CH-R he was driving, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The man was traveling eastbound on County Road 48 near Ranch Road shortly after 12:30 p.m. when he lost control and began to hydroplane on the wet road as rain moved in before Hurricane Ian. The Chevy entered the westbound lane of County Road 48 and hit a 2020 Ford F-150 head-on. “This impact caused vehicle 1 and vehicle 2 to exit the roadway and collide with the guardrail,” FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi said in

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Traffic Fatality Closes CR 48, Law Enforcement Urging Residents to Stay off the Roads

ASTATULA, Florida—A traffic fatality has closed County Road 48 between Ranch Road and Laylaine Drive as Hurricane Ian approaches the coast of Florida and weather conditions worsen. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash that killed a 38-year-old Howey-in-the-Hills man shortly after 12:30 p.m. The man was driving a 2018 CH-R and collided with a 2020 Ford F-150. The driver of the Ford was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries, according to FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi. No other information was available at press time. Law enforcement agencies are urging residents to shelter in place and stay

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Alabama Man Charged in Altoona Double Murder

TAVARES, Florida—An Alabama man already in the Volusia County on unrelated charges has been arrested in the murders of two men, one month and one day after they were found. Roger Myles Gilbert, 35, is accused of killing Shane Eugene Clements, 41, of Altoona and David Thomas Mikell, 34, at Mikell’s home located at 45918 Pennsylvania Avenue in Altoona. The two men were found dead of gunshot wounds around 9 p.m. Aug. 25, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office Lt. John Herrell. LCSO has not released a motive for the slayings. Just a day after the murders, Gilbert was arrested

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Apopka Man Arrested for Murder in Eustis Teen’s Overdose Death

EUSTIS, Florida—A 22-year-old Apopka man has been arrested in the death of a teenager who overdosed on fentanyl in her Eustis bedroom last month. Zach Brandon Zorn, 22, was arrested by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Thursday on a charge of murder by distribution of a controlled substance, a Eustis Police detective working the case said when he spoke exclusively with Inside Lake Friday.   On the afternoon of Aug. 13, EPD patrol officers responded to a home on Cherry Blossom Court in reference to a death. They spoke with the homeowners, who told officers they found their 19-year-old daughter

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FHP Releases Details in Friday Morning Fatal Crash Near Mount Dora

ORANGE COUNTY, Florida—The Florida Highway Patrol has released details about the crash that killed a 28-year-old man before sunrise Friday morning. The Sumterville man was traveling southbound on Orange Blossom Trail, also known as U.S. Highway 441, on a 2007 Harley Davidson Road King, when he was struck by 2007 Kia Sedona attempting to make a left turn onto Orange Blossom Trail off Willow Street, about 5 miles from the Lake County line around 6: 25 a.m. The intersection is in Orange County but has a Mount Dora address. The left side of the Sedona struck the front of the

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Motorcycle Fatality Closes Most of Orange Blossom Trail Near Mount Dora Friday Morning

ORANGE COUNTY, Florida— A fatal crash has closed the southbound lanes and the inside northbound lane of Orange Blossom Trail at Willow Street, about 5 miles from the Lake County line Friday morning, according to Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Tara Crescenzi. The intersection is in Orange County but has a Mount Dora address. The crash involves a 2007 Kia Sedona being driven by a 37-year-old Mount Dora man and a 2007 Harley Davidson being ridden by a 28-year-old Sumterville man. The crash occurred around 6:25 a.m., killing the motorcycle rider and the Mount Dora man was transported to a local

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Written Threat Places Lake Minneola High School on Lockdown

MINNEOLA, Florida—The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a written shooting threat was received at Lake Minneola High School Thursday afternoon, according to Lt. John Herrell. The threat was received around 1:20 p.m., about 10 minutes before classes change and the school, located at 101 North Hancock Road, was placed on lockdown out of an abundance of caution, Herrell told Inside Lake. The school was checked and deemed safe. No one has been arrested. The threat delayed dismissal for around 10 minutes and there is a heavy law enforcement presence at the school, Herrell said A written threat to

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Tavares Police and LCSO Join Forces for Operation Aware

Operation Aware will provide wristbands and a database for first responders and the special needs community. TAVARES, Florida—Two law enforcement agencies have joined forces to provide a new tool to the community that will give first responders valuable information when responding to calls for service in the special needs community. Nearly a year in the making, Tavares Police Department began its Operation Aware initiative in November 2021 and has since teamed up with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office to provide wristbands to members of the community that may require a different response from law enforcement. “We are big on community

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Unborn Baby Killed in Head-On Collision Late Tuesday Night

EUSTIS, Florida—A head-on collision killed an unborn baby late Tuesday night, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. A 19-year-old Leesburg woman was westbound in a 2007 Cadillac DTS on County Road 44 near Sparrow Lane around 10: 45 p.m. Tuesday when a 2017 Ford Transit van traveling eastbound entered her lane. The van, being driven by a 34-year-old Eustis man, struck the left front of the Cadillac, causing critical injuries to the teenage driver, who was 30 weeks pregnant. The unborn child did not survive. The woman was airlifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center for treatment and the driver of

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2 Students Arrested for Making Threats Monday in Separate Incidents

LAKE COUNTY, Florida—A little more than a month into the new school year and two more Lake County Schools students have been arrested for threats, according to two arrest affidavits. Christopher Joseph Wallace, 17, of East Ridge High School and Braedyn A. Auker, 16, of Tavares High School are each facing a felony charge of written threats to kill after they were arrested in separate incidents Monday. A student came forward Monday morning at East Ridge High School in Clermont about some concerning texts Wallace had allegedly sent Friday, according to the affidavit. The student said Wallace sent texts that

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Man Accused of Exposing Himself Fails to Show Up for Court

TAVARES, Florida—The man accused of exposing himself in his Eustis neighborhood last month is back in jail. Mark Ronald Banks, 53, is in the Lake County Jail on no bond after failing to appear in court Sept. 7 on a charge of exposure of sexual organs stemming from an arrest in August. In that case, a neighbor accused Banks of standing at his doorway naked and masturbating while facing Glover Street in Eustis on numerous occasions. The neighbor explained he has observed Banks masturbating naked two to three times a week at 7 a.m. for the past six months, according

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Man Fires Shot Near SUV with Toddler In It, Police Say

TAVARES, Florida—An argument over an alleged affair led to an Apopka man firing a shot near an SUV with a toddler in it and landed the man in jail Thursday, according to an arrest affidavit. Richard Joseph Kinchens, 39, pulled up in the front yard of a woman’s home Thursday at Palm Gardens Resort and began arguing with her because his girlfriend accused him of having a “fling” with the woman, she told Tavares Police Department. A friend of the woman’s heard the argument and went to the home where he heard Kinchens call him a derogatory name, according to

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Man, 28, Killed Walking Across Turnpike Earlier This Month

CLERMONT, Florida—A 28-year-old Orlando man was killed earlier this month after he crashed vehicle on County Road 455 and walked across several lanes of Florida’s Turnpike, where he was struck by an SUV. According to Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Tara Crescenzi, the man, whose name is not being released due to Marsy’s Law, crashed his 2015 Acura into an embankment on County Road 455. He exited the vehicle and walked across the southbound lanes of Florida’s Turnpike, crossed the concrete median and entered the northbound inside lane near mile marker 276, where he was struck by a 2020 Kia Soul

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California Man Accused of Stabbing Tavares Woman Bonds Out of Jail

TAVARES, FLORIDA—The California convicted murderer accused of stabbing and beating a Tavares woman in late July has bonded out of jail. Oren Derell Warren, 57, of Sacramento, Calif. was being held on just $16,500 bond after a woman showed up at Tavares Police Department, beaten and bloody, on July 30, and said Warren repeatedly choked, beat and stabbed her. The victim had to be airlifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center due to the extent of her injuries. Warren was found at the woman’s home with a knife on his hip and taken into custody. He was arrested for aggravated battery

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Teen Wanted for Eustis Drive-By Shooting Arrested Tuesday

EUSTIS, Florida—The teenager wanted for shooting two people last week near a Eustis private school has been arrested. Jaques J. Jenkins, 19, was wanted for shooting two people at the corner of Old Mount Dora Road and Grove Street shortly before 4 p.m. Sept. 7. The shots were fired at the stop sign near Faith Lutheran Church, which houses a private school and daycare. The school day had just ended less than 30 minutes before the shooting and the daycare was still open, according to a report. Jenkins, who was driving a black Hyundai Elantra, fled east down Old Mount

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LCSO Negotiating with Barricaded Subject in RV, U.S. Highway 27 Shut Down in Both Directions at Lake Louisa State Park

8 a.m. Update: One northbound lane of U.S. Highway 27 is shut down; the remaining lanes are open. CLERMONT, Florida— At least one barricaded subject in an RV has shut down U.S. Highway 27 in both directions early Wednesday morning. Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies attempted to pull over an RV stolen out of Flagler County and had to utilize stop sticks on U.S. Highway 27 near Lake Louisa State Park, according to LCSO Lt. Fred Jones. After the RV stopped the blinds were closed and it is unknown how many occupants are in the vehicle. This is a developing

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Name of Man Killed in Armed Confrontation with LCSO Released

CLERMONT, Florida—The name of the man killed in an armed confrontation with deputies Sunday has been released. James Edward Vought, 49, died Sunday after confronting a Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputy armed with a rifle, according to LCSO Lt. John Herrell.  LCSO responded to 10630 Reagans Run Drive, Clermont just after 5 p.m. Sunday on a report of a suicidal man armed with a rifle. A deputy encountered Vought and during the confrontation, the man was fatally shot by the deputy, Herrell said.  The shooting is under investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and deputy has been placed

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Leesburg Woman Killed, and Man Seriously Injured in Hit-and-Run Crash Sunday, FHP Searching for Vehicle

LADY LAKE, Florida—A 40-year-old woman was killed, and a 31-year-old man was seriously injured when a vehicle, possibly a Jeep Cherokee, struck the pair while they were walking northbound on Rolling Acres Road, south of West Lakeview Street just after 9:45 p.m. Sunday, according to Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Tara Crescenzi. The pair, both of Leesburg, were walking on the grass shoulder of Rolling Acres Road, when the vehicle ran of the road and struck them, Crescenzi said in a press release. The vehicle fled the scene. The woman was pronounced dead, and the man was airlifted to Ocala Regional

Leesburg Woman Killed, and Man Seriously Injured in Hit-and-Run Crash Sunday, FHP Searching for Vehicle Read More »

Suicidal Man Armed with Rifle Fatally Shot By LCSO During Confrontation, Deputies Say

CLERMONT, Florida—A man is dead following an armed confrontation with a Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputy Sunday afternoon, according to LCSO Lt. John Herrell. LCSO responded to 10630 Reagans Run Drive, Clermont just after 5 p.m. on a report of a suicidal man armed with a rifle. A deputy encountered the 49-year-old man and during the confrontation, the man was fatally shot by the deputy, Herrell said.  The man’s name is not being released at this time.    The shooting is under investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and deputy has been placed on administrative leave, standard procedure

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Leesburg Police Officer Injured in Fight Friday Morning

9:30 a.m. Update: The officer’s leg is broken. He was assisting a female officer who was trying to detain a Baker Act patient who was running in and out of traffic on U.S. Highway 27 near Palm Plaza, according to Leesburg Police Capt. Joe Iozzi. LEESBURG, Florida—A Leesburg Police Officer was injured Friday, and may have a broken leg, according to Leesburg Police Department Capt. Joe Iozzi. Numerous people saw the officer down during rush hour traffic Friday morning. “An officer was injured fighting with a Baker Act (patient.) He may have a broken leg,” Iozzi told Inside Lake. The

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Mascotte Parents Urged to be Extra Vigilant After Unidentified Man Tries to Lure 2 Small Children to His Car Thursday Morning

MASCOTTE, Florida—Mascotte Police Department is investigating a suspicious incident that involved two small children Thursday morning, according to a social media post by the City of Mascotte. Around 7:30 a.m. Thursday an older Hispanic man with balding or short hair and stubble on his face, approached two children ages 8 and 10 near the area of Ridgemoor Drive and American Legion Road. The man is alleged to have asked the children in Spanish to come to his vehicle, believed to be a silver 2021 Toyota Corolla. The children refused and the suspect circled back around and told them to get

Mascotte Parents Urged to be Extra Vigilant After Unidentified Man Tries to Lure 2 Small Children to His Car Thursday Morning Read More »

Warrant Issued for Man Suspected in Eustis Drive-By Shooting Wednesday Afternoon

EUSTIS, Florida—A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a man suspected in a Eustis drive-by shooting Wednesday afternoon, according to Eustis Police Capt. Dave Carney Jaques J. Jenkins, 19, is suspected of shooting at a male and female at the corner of Old Mount Dora Road and Grove Street shortly before 4 p.m.  Wednesday. Multiple shots were fired at the stop sign near Faith Lutheran Church, which houses a private school and daycare. The school day had just ended less than 30 minutes before the shooting and the daycare was still open, according to the report. Jenkins, who

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See Something, Say Something. Student Comes Forward after Seeing Gun on School Bus

MASCOTTE, Florida—A Lake Hills Academy student was arrested Thursday after another student came forward to the school’s administration about a gun on a school bus, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office Lt. John Herrell. Deputies had reason to believe the gun was left on the bus and went to the bus parking lot of Golf Links Avenue in Eustis and found the gun wrapped in a sweatshirt on a seat. The gun was not loaded. LCSO retrieved video surveillance from the bus, and Trace James Richardson, 16, was seen on video removing his sweatshirt and leaving the Glock handgun on

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Third Generation Tavares Native Sarah Coursey Becomes City’s First Female Police Chief

TAVARES, Florida— Sworn in to a standing ovation at Tavares City Hall, Sarah Coursey made history Wednesday as she became the city’s first female police chief.  Coursey, a 13-year veteran of Tavares Police Department, was surrounded by friends and family as her 8-year-old daughter (almost 9!) Kaelyn pinned her Wednesday afternoon at the Tavares City Council meeting. Kaelyn was beaming with pride as she pinned her mom and when she spoke to Inside Lake. “I feel really proud of my mom. It’s a big part of my life and hers. I can’t believe she’s chief!” A large crowd came to

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Two Victims Injured in Drive-By Shooting Wednesday, Eustis Police Say

EUSTIS, Florida—Eustis Police Department is investigating a drive-by shooting that occurred Wednesday afternoon. Two people were shot, a male and a female near the intersection of Old Mount Dora Road and Grove Street, EPD Capt. Jon Fahning told Inside Lake on the scene. The victims’ names and ages were not released, but one of them is a juvenile, Fahning said. The victims left the scene of the shooting and the maroon Ford Escape they were in was left at Lake Hills Plaza, near the entrance of RaceTrac, 2850 South Bay Street with noticeable bullet holes. As they drove into the

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Woman Turns Herself In for Killing Relative, Held on No Bond

FRUITLAND PARK, Florida—A woman is being held in the Lake County Jail on a charge of second-degree murder after killing a male relative, due to a “longstanding grudge,” according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Jesse James McParlin, 39, was walking down Pine Street in unincorporated Fruitland Park around 10:20 a.m. Saturday, when the woman saw him, according to LCSO Lt. John Herrell. She began yelling at him and chased him down the street and shot him with a handgun, witnesses told LCSO. Detectives later learned there was a longstanding grudge between the two, Herrell said. McParlin went to his

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Violent End to August as LCSO Investigates 5 Homicides in 6 Days

LAKE COUNTY, Florida— It was a bloody and violent end to August in Lake County, as the sheriff’s office continues to investigate five homicides that occurred in just six days from one end of the county to the other. Numerous sources have told Inside Lake there was yet another homicide in unincorporated Fruitland Park Saturday, but LCSO did not respond to an email or a text all day Sunday to confirm. Altoona, Aug. 25 Around 9 p.m. Aug. 25, Shane Eugene Clements, 41, of Altoona, and David Thomas Mikell, 34, of Umatilla were found dead at a home at 45918

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Florida Woman Arrested for Stabbing Uncle after Argument and Spraying Each Other with Kitchen Faucet

CLERMONT, Florida—An 18-year-old woman apparently mad at her uncle for being drunk and sleeping on the floor stabbed him with a kitchen knife, grazing his liver, an injury serious enough to require him to be transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center (ORMC) as a trauma alert, according to an arrest affidavit. Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to Lake Ridge Circle in unincorporated Clermont after South Lake Hospital reported the victim of a stabbing left the emergency room without receiving treatment early Wednesday morning. When deputies arrived at the home, they found the victim sitting in a recliner sweating profusely

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Missing Man Found Dead in Marion County, “Maniac” Arrested and Held on No Bond

LEESBURG, Florida—A man reported missing Wednesday has been found dead in Marion County and a Wildwood man has been arrested in his death, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. On Wednesday, a friend of Casey Dean’s told LCSO they heard Dean had been killed and was last seen with Matthew Luke “Maniac” Allen, 26, on Sunday riding with Allen and unidentified person in a red 2015 Dodge Ram. Deputies went to a home on Misty Meadows Drive in attempt to find Dean, Allen or the truck and were unsuccessful. They found the door to the guest house on the

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Man Confesses to Killing Wife, Stepson and Raping Female in Travel Trailer Wednesday

CLERMONT, Florida—The man accused of killing his wife and stepson and raping another female confessed his crimes to a Lake County Sheriff’s Office detective, according to an arrest affidavit. The female rape victim told LCSO that between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. Wednesday, she heard Ty Finister, 17, screaming and found Justin Lamar Jones—his stepfather— on top of him striking him with either a hammer or a knife. She screamed for Jones, 41, to stop and he slammed her to the ground, according to the affidavit. She told deputies Jones, of Michigan, then duct taped her ankles, wrists, mouth, and

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Man arrested for double murder, sexual battery at Clermont RV Resort

CLERMONT, Florida—A man has been arrested for killing his stepson, and a second unidentified person and he is accused of kidnapping and raping a female in his home. Justin Lamar Jones, 41, is accused of murdering his stepson at 244 Jewelfish Lane in unincorporated Clermont in a travel trailer Wednesday morning. Jones then tied up a female and raped her throughout the day until she was able to escape, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office Lt. John Herrell. The female’s identity and relationship to Jones and the murder victims will not be released because she is the victim of a

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Male Found Dead in RV Resort, Suspect in Custody, LCSO Says

CLERMONT, Florida—The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a homicide after a body was found in unincorporated Clermont Wednesday. LCSO received a call just after 2 p.m. that an alleged homicide had occurred at 244 Jewelfish Road in Thousand Trails Resort off U.S. Highway 27, according to LCSO Lt. John Herrell. Deputies responded and found a deceased male, Herrell said. A suspect is in custody and detectives are continuing to investigate. Inside Lake will have an update if more details become available.

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Florida Women and Children Fought in Busy Intersection Because of Past Problem, Suspect Tells Police

EUSTIS, Florida—A fight between two women spilled out into the street and small children joined in the brawl at a busy Eustis intersection Thursday morning, according to an arrest affidavit.   Santana Potts, 35, of Leesburg, is accused of arguing with a woman near the intersection of Bay Street and Orange Avenue around 8:30 a.m. Thursday and then using her red Hyundai SUV to block the woman’s grey Toyota Camry. Both women exited their vehicles and began fighting each other in front of numerous witnesses, including a Florida Department of Law Enforcement agent. A small child exited each vehicle and

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Tavares High Student Arrested for Shooting Threat

TAVARES, Florida—A little over two weeks into the new school year and a Tavares High School student has been arrested for threatening to shoot up the school, according to an arrest affidavit. The Tavares High School principal alerted the school’s resource deputy to a screenshot of a school computer which stated, “I am going to shoot up the school Monday,” allegedly written by James Ray Sabb, 17. A student found the message and reported it to a teacher and a second teacher verified Sabb was sitting at the computer. Sabb was arrested for written threats to kill and turned over

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Second Person of Interest in Altoona Slayings Found Dead Friday, Ormond Beach Police Say

ORMOND BEACH, Florida—The female person of interest in last week’s double homicide in Altoona died Friday, just a day after the slayings, according to Ormond Beach Police Department. Samantha Butler, age unknown, and Roger Myles Gilbert, 35, fled a traffic stop in Ormond Beach shortly before noon Friday and crashed in an Ormond Beach KFC parking lot. Butler was found dead in the white Volvo and Gilbert fled on foot and was captured in a nearby store. Butler was a person of interest in the deaths of David Thomas Mikell, 34 of Umatilla, and Shane Eugene Clements, 41, of Altoona.

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Inmate Found With Shank In His Cell

TAVARES, Florida—A Leesburg man serving a 270-day sentence for domestic battery by strangulation and deprivation of 9-1-1 was found with a homemade shank in his jail cell and is last week, according to an arrest affidavit. Lake County Jail correction staff members were conducting a search Joshua Jerome Robertson’s cell around 12:45 a.m. Aug. 13 when they found the stabbing weapon fashioned from a toothbrush. Robertson, 27, admitted it belonged to him, and is now facing a charge of possession of contraband, the affidavit states.  

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Person of Interest In Altoona Double Homicide Booked Into the Volusia County Jail

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Florida—A person of interest in the killings of two Lake County men has been booked into the Volusia County Jail and is being held on no bond. Roger Myles Gilbert, 35 of Alabama, was arrested by Ormond Beach Police Department Friday “after an encounter with Ormond Beach police officers,” Lake County Sheriff’s Office Lt. John Herrell said early Friday evening. Gilbert was arrested on charges of possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, grand theft of a firearm, carrying a concealed firearm and resisting an officer without violence, according to Volusia County Corrections online booking records. Inside

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Persons of Interest in Altoona Double Shooting Involved in “Encounter” with Ormond Beach Police Friday, Few Details Released

ORMOND BEACH, Florida—The two persons of interest in an Altoona double homicide Thursday night were involved in an incident with Ormond Beach Police Department Friday, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office Lt. John Herrell. Herrell did not release many details Friday night and an email to Ormond Beach Police Department was unanswered at press time Friday. Rogers Myles Gilbert, age unknown, of Alabama, is in custody in Volusia County on unrelated charges “after an encounter with Ormond Beach police officers,” Herrell said. The second person of interest is a female whose name has not been released and her status is

Persons of Interest in Altoona Double Shooting Involved in “Encounter” with Ormond Beach Police Friday, Few Details Released Read More »

LCSO Investigating Double Homicide in Altoona

ALTOONA, Florida—The Lake County Sheriff’s Office in investigating a double homicide that occurred around 9 p.m. Thursday, according to LCSO Lt. John Herrell. LCSO responded to 45918 Pennsylvania Road on a report of two people shot and found David Thomas Mikell, 34 of Umatilla, and Shane Eugene Clements, 41, of Altoona, dead from apparent gunshot wounds, according to Herrell. Neither one of the men live at the home, and the shootings were not a random act, Herrell said. No one has been arrested for the crime and detectives are working leads and following up on information. No further details are

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Man Accused of Biting One Officer, Kicking Another on Traffic Stop

EUSTIS, Florida—A traffic stop for an expired tag ended in a trip to jail for a Eustis man after he bit one police officer in the groin area and kicked another one in the chest several times early Monday morning. Around 2:45 a.m. a Eustis Police officer spotted a white SUV with an expired tag near State Road 19 and County Road 452, he initiated a traffic stop near County Road 44 and the vehicle finally came to a stop near Pine Meadows Golf Course Road, according to an arrest affidavit. The driver, identified as Michael Lloyd Rodebush, 35, of

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Leesburg Man Charged in Woman’s Murder Earlier This Month

LEESBURG, Florida—Leesburg Police Department and the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office has charged a man in the murder of a Leesburg woman earlier this month, according to LPD Capt. Joe Iozzi. Alphonza Bryant, 40, also of Leesburg, is facing three charges, including first degree murder, armed burglary and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. Bryant has been in the Lake County Jail since Aug. 10—two days after the murder—for a violation of probation stemming from a battery case in April. On Aug. 8, LPD responded to a home on Penn Street after someone reported that they believed

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Forensic Analysis Reveals 10 Kiddie Porn Images on Lady Lake Man’s Electronic Devices

LADY LAKE, Florida—A Lady Lake man has bonded out of the Lake County Jail on $20,000 bond after a search warrant at his home revealed at least 10 images of child pornography containing male and female children as young as 1 year old, according to a probable cause affidavit. Acting on a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) began investigating images that that were uploaded to from IP address that belongs to Michael Pollitt, 61, of Lady Lake, the affidavit states. On Wednesday, FDLE served a search warrant

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Man Arrested for Killing Finnley the Dog with Baseball Bat

CLERMONT, Florida—A Clermont man is facing a charge of aggravated animal cruelty after allegedly beating his girlfriend’s dog to death with a red and gold baseball bat, according to an arrest affidavit. Clermont Police Department responded to a home on Hurston Watch Lane shortly after 6 p.m. Sunday in reference to a dog being beaten to death and when officers arrived, a pair of brothers were waiting and one of them told police when he arrived home, his mother told him their dog, Finnley, bit her boyfriend, Brian Keith Rumler. He said Rumler hit the dog in the head with

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