Marilyn M. Aciego, Author at Inside Lake

Astatula Police corporal suspended following domestic battery arrest

Astatula, Inside Scoop, Leesburg, Unincorporated Lake / By Marilyn M. Aciego

ASTATULA, Fla.—An Astatula Police Department corporal is suspended and under internal investigation following an arrest for domestic battery last week.

Erick Capraun, 50, who has been with APD since 2016, was arrested by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office after his girlfriend said he had been drinking and pushed her Thursday afternoon.

She told deputies when she walked into the house in unincorporated Leesburg, Capraun started yelling at her over financial issues and pushed her in the shoulder. The argument ensued and he reportedly said, “stupid (expletive) I’m going to lose my dog.”

Capraun did serve as a K9 handler for APD, but the dog has been retired since his arrest, APD Chief Wally Hoagland told Inside Lake. “It was time,” he said.

Capraun told LCSO that the victim was intoxicated, and they were arguing about her driving while she was drinking. He said she was on the phone with an unknown male and told him she was going to leave him for the unknown male and then she pushed him, and he pushed her back. She told deputies he pushed her and when asked if she pushed him back, she said, “no, not that I can remember.” Capraun was arrested and changed his story while he was in the back of the patrol vehicle, according to the affidavit.

Deputies have responded to the home multiple times, including just five days before Capraun was arrested, for a similar issue, the arresting deputy noted in the affidavit.

Capraun will remain suspended from APD until the conclusion of the internal investigation, Hoagland said.

Astatula Police corporal suspended following domestic battery arrest Read More »

Fatal crash shuts down 2 roads near Howey-in-the-Hills

Howey-in-the-Hills, Inside Scoop, Unincorporated Lake / By Marilyn M. Aciego

HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS, Fla.— A 73-year-old woman was killed Tuesday morning after a semi pulled out in front of her on State Road 19, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Around 7 a.m., a 43-year-old Palm Springs man was driving a semi eastbound on O’Brien Road; he attempted to make a left turn on State Road 19 and pulled out in front of a 2017 Toyota 4-Runner being driven by a Howey-in-the-Hills woman.

The SUV t-boned the semi’s trailer and the Howey-in-the-Hills woman was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced deceased. The Palm Springs man was not injured.

At press time, State Road 19 and O’Brien Road were shut down.

Fatal crash shuts down 2 roads near Howey-in-the-Hills Read More »

Man apologizes for having sex with minor in recorded phone call, facing 13 charges

Inside Scoop, Minneola / By Marilyn M. Aciego

MINNEOLA, Fla.— An elementary school custodian was arrested last week after an underage girl told her guardian she had sex with him a few days before, according to an arrest affidavit.

The girl told Lake County Sheriff’s Office detectives James Pacheco, 19, of Minneola, told her he was 17 years old and a student in Groveland after they began communicating in January after meeting on Snapchat. On March 12, the girl, whose age is redacted from the affidavit, went to Pacheco’s Minneola home where they had consensual sex, she said. She said the encounter was painful, but she did not tell him to stop and after they were finished, she spent the night. The next morning when he attempted to touch her again, she said, no, because she was in pain and Pacheco told her to leave. She left using a rideshare company and Pacheco messaged her, told her he wanted to “breakup” and blocked her on his social media accounts, according to the affidavit.

The girl said Pacheco sent her numerous sexual photos and videos while they were communicating between January and March, and in a recorded phone call Pacheco apologized to girl for having sex with her and lying about his age. Detectives then executed a search warrant at Pacheco’s home at 913 White Oak Way, Minneola and found several pieces of evidence, including bed coverings and his phone.

Detectives interviewed Pacheco and he admitted sending sexually explicit videos and photos to the girl and directed detectives to more evidence. He also said he was sorry and knew what he did was wrong, the affidavit states.

Pacheco was arrested for three counts of lewd or lascivious battery and 10 counts of transmission of harmful material to minors. He was transported to the Lake County Jail, where he was released on $35,000 bond.

Pacheco was employed at Minneola Charter School as a custodian, but is no longer employed there, Minneola Charter School Principal Sherry Watts told Inside Lake.

Man apologizes for having sex with minor in recorded phone call, facing 13 charges Read More »

Clermont woman who was “acting strange and talking about having premonitions” arrested for killing husband

Clermont, Inside Scoop, Unincorporated Lake / By Marilyn M. Aciego

CLERMONT, Fla.—A woman is facing a first-degree murder charge after shooting and killing her husband late Sunday night, according to an arrest affidavit.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded to 10649 Lake Ralph Drive in unincorporated Clermont just before 10:10 p.m. on a report of a homicide and when they arrived, the complainant whose name is redacted from the affidavit, escorted a deputy into the home where Maria Jose Rodriguez, 40, was sitting in the dining room.

She was secured in handcuffs and placed in a patrol vehicle and deputies then found her husband, Andrew Rodriguez, 40, lying on his side in a pool of blood in a bedroom. Lake EMS pronounced him deceased 10 minutes after LCSO arrived on scene.

The complainant told deputies Maria Rodriguez was “acting strange and talking about having premonitions” prior to the shooting. Andrew Rodriguez contacted Maria Rodriguez’ mother and requested family members to come to the home. When the family told Maria Rodriguez they were going to take her to the hospital, she “freaked out,” followed her husband into the bedroom and shot him multiple times.

Maria Rodriguez then exited the bedroom with a notebook in her hand and stated how important the notebook was, according to the affidavit. Evidence found at the scene was consistent with Maria Rodriguez moving closer to her husband as she fired, an LCSO detective noted in the affidavit.

She was arrested for first-degree murder and transported to the Lake County Jail, where she is being held on no bond.

Clermont woman who was “acting strange and talking about having premonitions” arrested for killing husband Read More »

No charges expected in Eustis shooting Sunday

Eustis, Inside Scoop / By Marilyn M. Aciego

EUSTIS, Fla.—The man who shot his cousin Sunday in a dispute over a vehicle repair likely won’t be charged, according to Eustis Police Department.

Jamaal Jones, 32, got into a dispute with his cousin, Devante Simmons, 31, over Jones repairing Simmons’ transmission, EPD Sgt. Paul Barnett told Inside Lake. The altercation led to Jones shooting Simmons after warning him several times, Barnett said.

Simmons was shot in the left upper thigh and transported to HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital in Sanford with non-life-threatening injuries.

Previous story: BREAKING NEWS: Eustis Police investigating after dispute between cousins ends in shooting – Inside Lake

No charges expected in Eustis shooting Sunday Read More »

Eustis Police Department investigates after a man shot his cousin Sunday afternoon; the victim was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Courtesy photo

BREAKING NEWS: Eustis Police investigating after dispute between cousins ends in shooting

Eustis, Inside Scoop / By Marilyn M. Aciego

EUSTIS, Fla.—One man is in custody and one man is in the hospital after a dispute between cousins ended in a shooting Sunday, according to Eustis Police Department Chief Craig Capri.

The incident occurred around noon Sunday at 210 West Stevens Avenue near Titcomb Street. Police had not released names at press time, and Capri said detectives are investigating whether the incident was a case of self-defense.

The victim suffered a non-life-threatening injury and was transported to HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital in Sanford.

This is a developing story.

BREAKING NEWS: Eustis Police investigating after dispute between cousins ends in shooting Read More »

Guns and drugs seized in a Leesburg search warrant executed by the Lake County Sheriff's Office, Homeland Security agents and detectives with Clermont, Eustis, Leesburg and Mount Dora police departments Tuesday. PHOTO: Lake County Sheriff's Office

Leesburg search warrant takes multiple guns and trafficking amounts of drugs of the streets

Inside Scoop, Leesburg / By Marilyn M. Aciego

LEESBURG, Fla.—A search warrant earlier this week took multiple guns and trafficking amounts of drugs off the street and landed a Leesburg man in jail whose criminal history dates back 26 years, according to an arrest affidavit.

Around 8 p.m. Tuesday, the Lake County Sherriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit (SIU,) LCSO SWAT, Homeland Security agents and detectives with Clermont, Eustis, Leesburg and Mount Dora police departments executed a search warrant at 2519 Myer Ave., Leesburg and found Walter Canady, 43, sitting in the driver’s seat of a vehicle in the driveway and 12 other people at the home.

Upon searching the home, detectives found a bedroom without a doorknob and locked with a deadbolt. After removing the deadbolt, LCSO found a cache of drugs, including about a pound of cocaine, 6 ounces of methamphetamine, 15 grams of fentanyl, 40 grams of MDMA, a small amount of marijuana, paraphernalia and seven firearms. When Canady was searched, deputies found numerous keys in his pocket, one that opened the deadbolt, the affidavit states.

Canady denied ever being in the home and said he had only been on the front screened patio, but detectives say that was a lie, as he was spotted exiting the home about five minutes before LCSO executed the search warrant.

Canady was arrested for armed trafficking of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine and MDMA; possession paraphernalia; possession of ammunition by a convicted felon and five counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He is being held in the Lake County Jail on no bond.

Two other people were arrested at home in addition to Canady; Gabriella Partridge, 32, was arrested on a warrant for violation of probation, Rosa L. Taylor, 55, was arrested for a Sumter County warrant for grand theft and Taylor G. Estrill, 27, was issued a summons to appear in court for possession of drug paraphernalia.

Leesburg search warrant takes multiple guns and trafficking amounts of drugs of the streets Read More »

Injured motorcyclist files lawsuit against Mount Dora bar he says served alcoholic pedestrian involved in crash last summer

Inside Scoop, Mount Dora / By Marilyn M. Aciego

MOUNT DORA, Fla.—A motorcyclist thrown from his bike after striking a pedestrian who was standing in the middle of the road last summer has filed a lawsuit against the owners of the bar he says knowingly served an alcoholic before the fatal crash.

According to the lawsuit, Jason Dean Bowlin, 42, was served “numerous alcoholic beverages while a patron at Big Dog Saloon” on or about Aug. 20, 2023. Around 12:45 a.m. Brandon Crunk was riding his 2021 Harley-Davidson westbound on County Road 19A near Progress Boulevard when he struck Bowlin who was standing in the middle of County Road 19A, less than half of a mile from Big Dog Saloon.

The impact killed Bowlin and threw Crunk from the motorcycle, severely injuring him. The lawsuit states Bowlin was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash and he was “habitually addicted to alcohol and/or was a habitual drunkard.”

Crunk filed the lawsuit against Toga Holding Co. Inc. and Sara-Dora Tavern Inc. in Lake County Circuit Court Thursday morning and states the defendants and its “employees, agents, and/or representatives knew that Bowlin was habitually addicted to the use of alcoholic beverages.”

Crunk is represented by M. Jesse Stern of Newsome Melton PA in Orlando, and he is seeking damages “in excess of $50,000.”

Previous story: Pedestrian Killed in Mount Dora Early Sunday, Motorcyclist in Critical Condition – Inside Lake

Read the complete lawsuit here: Crunk v. Toga Holding Co. Inc.; Sara-Dora Tavern Inc.

Injured motorcyclist files lawsuit against Mount Dora bar he says served alcoholic pedestrian involved in crash last summer Read More »

More charges for accused Eustis serial burglar

Eustis, Inside Scoop, Mount Dora / By Marilyn M. Aciego

EUSTIS, Fla.—The man accused of multiple thefts in Eustis and Mount Dora beginning in October 2023 is now facing more charges, according to Eustis Police Department.

Jordan Makuannen, 19, has been held in the Lake County Jail on no bond since he was arrested earlier this week after Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies worked together and took him into custody after he bailed out of a stolen vehicle near the Lake County/Polk County line.

Makuannen is now facing additional charges related to the stolen Dodge Durango he dumped at Club at Eustis Apartments March 3, including burglary to an occupied dwelling, grand theft from a dwelling, grand theft, burglary of an unoccupied conveyance and grand theft auto.

In that case, Makuannen is believed to have climbed through a window of a home on East Atwater Avenue while a resident was asleep; he took electronics, the keys to the Durango and the Durango. This theft was just one day after he was captured on video stealing groceries off the porch of a home on Morin Street and at least the second time he is accused of entering a residence while someone was home.

After EPD officers recovered the stolen Durango, they found groceries that matched items stolen from Morin Street and located items that belong to a Eustis woman and were taken in a separate theft, according to an affidavit.

Makuannen is facing a slew of charges and is being held in the Lake County Jail on no bond due to his failure to appear in court for his October 2023 case.

Previous stories: Man arrested last year for multiple thefts in Eustis nabbed by deputies after bailing out of stolen SUV in South Lake early Monday – Inside Lake

Stepdad Turns Stepson in to Police After Finding Evidence of Multiple Burglaries in his Eustis Home Monday – Inside Lake

More charges for accused Eustis serial burglar Read More »

Leesburg woman arrested after boy tells his mom she touched him while he was sleeping

Inside Scoop, Leesburg, Unincorporated Lake / By Marilyn M. Aciego

LEESBURG, Fla.—The Lake County Sheriff’s Office quickly arrested a Leesburg woman early Saturday morning after a boy told his mother she inappropriately touched him while he was sleeping.

LCSO responded to a home in unincorporated Leesburg after the boy’s mom reported her son had called her “in a complete panic” and said he woke up to Anna Jackson, 38, rubbing his genitals and inner thigh, according to an arrest affidavit.

The boy, whose name is redacted because he is the victim of a sex crime, is between 12 and 15 years old, his exact age is also redacted. He told a deputy he was sleeping when he awoke to Jackson reaching under his clothes and touching his genital area. He said she got up and left the room but came back and began to touch him again. The boy said she only used her hands to touch him, and she touched him underneath his clothes.

He told her to stop, left the room and called his mom.

After speaking with the boy, deputies woke Jackson up and she said she had four to five small alcoholic drinks and did not remember anything except coming home and going to bed. Deputies questioned her about her sleeping habits, and she mentioned she had been single for a year, according to the affidavit. She also changed her story about the incident several times while being questioned.

Jackson was arrested for lewd and lascivious molestation and transported to the Lake County Jail, where she was released Monday on $10,000 bond.

Leesburg woman arrested after boy tells his mom she touched him while he was sleeping Read More »

Marilyn M. Aciego