Eustis

Master Deputy Bradley Link's handcuffs were used to arrest Julie Sulpizio last year for an ambush attack on Lake County Sheriff's Office deputies. PHOTO: Lake County Sheriff's Office

Competency review hearing scheduled for matriarch accused of ambush attack on deputies

Eustis, Inside Scoop, Tavares / By

TAVARES, Fla.—A competency review hearing for the lone survivor of a family deputies say plotted to kill them last year is scheduled for next month.

Julie Ann Sulpizio was declared incompetent to stand trial in February for charges stemming from the August 2024 ambush attack outside Eustis that killed Lake County Sheriff’s Office Master Deputy Bradley Link and wounded K9 Master Deputy Harold Howell and Deputy Stefano Gargano.

According to Circuit Judge Brian Welke’s order to transport and notice of hearing, the court has been noticed Sulpizio “is competent to proceed, or otherwise no longer meets criteria for continued commitment…” The order goes on to state Sulpizio must be delivered to the appropriate detention facility within seven days of the order, filed late Tuesday afternoon.

Sulpizio, 48, is accused of starting an altercation with her neighbors on Brookside Drive in unincorporated Eustis on Aug. 2, 2024. LCSO responded to the altercation and during a well-being check at her home, just down the street from the original call, deputies were ambushed. Link was shot and suffered fatal wounds, and in an immediate rescue attempt of Link, Howell was shot in the wrist and in a subsequent rescue attempt, Gargano was shot multiple times. Howell and Gargano have not returned to duty and continue to recover from their injuries.

 

Evidence at the scene revealed Julie’s husband, Michael, and daughters, Cheyenne and Savannah, all participated in the attack and opened fire on the deputies; all three were found dead from self-inflicted gunshot wounds after LCSO’s SWAT Team entered the home.

If declared competent, Sulpizio is facing a multitude of charges, including principal to first degree murder of a law enforcement officer, conspiracy to commit first degree murder, three counts of principal to attempted first degree murder of a law enforcement officer, three counts of battery and one count of battery on a law enforcement officer.

Competency review hearing scheduled for matriarch accused of ambush attack on deputies Read More »

PHOTO: Florida Highway Patrol

3 killed, 1 critically injured in early morning crash near Howey-in-the-Hills

Eustis, Howey-in-the-Hills, Inside Scoop, Mount Dora, Unincorporated Lake / By

HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS, Fla.—Three women were killed and another woman was critically injured after the SUV they were in hit a pole, overturned several times and ejected all four of them Sunday, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Just after 3:15 a.m., a 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee was traveling northbound on State Road 19 near Saint Florian Lane when the driver, a 30-year-old Mount Dora woman, failed to negotiate a curve, FHP said. The Jeep ran off the road, struck a pole and overturned several times, ejecting the driver, and her three passengers, a 32-year-old woman, a 28-year-old woman, and a 26-year-old woman, all of Eustis. None of the women were wearing seatbelts.

The driver and one passenger were pronounced deceased on the scene, and two passengers were transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where one of them died. The 26-year-old Eustis woman remains in critical condition.

 

3 killed, 1 critically injured in early morning crash near Howey-in-the-Hills Read More »

PHOTO: FWC

FWC to host series of virtual public meetings on bear hunting proposals

Astatula, Clermont, Eustis, Fruitland Park, Groveland, Howey-in-the-Hills, Lady Lake, Leesburg, Mascotte, Minneola, Montverde, Mount Dora, News Briefs, Tavares, Umatilla, Unincorporated Lake / By

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is holding a series of virtual public meetings to collect feedback directly from Florida residents on proposals for highly-regulated black bear hunting in Florida that will be presented to commissioners at FWC’s May meeting. The content covered in all meetings is identical, and it is not necessary to attend more than one virtual public meeting.

The meeting dates and times are as follows:

At the Dec. 2024 commission meeting, the FWC’s Bear Management Program gave commissioners a five-year update on implementing the 2019 Florida Black Bear Management Plan, highlighting recent bear management and research efforts. Following the presentation, the Commissioners directed staff to return to a future Commission meeting to propose options for implementing a potential bear hunt.

FWC to host series of virtual public meetings on bear hunting proposals Read More »

Eustis Elementary celebrates 100 years

Eustis, News Briefs / By

EUSTIS, Fla. – Eustis Elementary will celebrate 100 years of “Continuing Our Legacy” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 22, at the school campus, 714 E. Citrus Avenue. Families, friends, teachers, staff and alumni are invited to attend. Eustis Mayor Willie Hawkins will open the festivities in front of the school at 10 a.m. with the reading of a proclamation. The celebration will continue with historical tours, performances, games, food, music, art and more.

“Eustis Elementary has served so many in our community for so many years, and it continues to be a bright light in the lives of our children and families,” Principal Reanna Boardway said, adding that many local families have had generations of students enrolled at Eustis Elementary – current students, their parents and their grandparents. Additionally, some who were once students have come back to teach or serve on staff.

“There’s just so much history here,” she said. “We may have a small school, but we have a lot of family, and they come and support us.”

Looking ahead, the school is due for some much-needed upgrades. Community meetings are scheduled to discuss potential changes, including additional space and technological upgrades. 

Eustis Elementary celebrates 100 years Read More »

File photo

Social media monitoring sparks investigation: Multiple tips result in Eustis man’s arrest

Eustis, Inside Scoop, Unincorporated Lake / By

EUSTIS, Fla.— A Eustis man is facing 10 counts of possession of obscene and lewd materials, following an investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

The suspect was identified and arrested after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received multiple tips about accounts linked to a man, later identified as Randall Lee Small II, 38.

According to a probable cause affidavit, FDLE began investigating tips that came into NCMEC’s CyperTipline (CT) from multiple social media platforms last year, including Facebook, TikTok and Snapchat.  A tip came from Facebook in May 2024, regarding one of its users uploading six files containing “child erotica.”

“Child erotica images portray an unclothed, partially clothed, or clothed child depicted in a sexually explicit manner indicating the child has a willingness to engage in sexual activity,” the affidavit states.

In August 2024, an FDLE agent attempted to speak with Small at his home on Pine Road in the Pine Lakes area of unincorporated Eustis. The agent spoke with Small’s mother, who said he was not home, and the agent left her business card. Small never called her and the CT report was closed; an additional tip from Snapchat stated username Randallringo uploaded 25 child erotica images, and users he shared the content with called him a “predator” because the girls he was referring to were only 9 and 12 years old, according to the affidavit.  The affidavit does not include the date this tip was received.

On Jan. 15, FDLE agents traveled to Small’s place of employment. Small was summoned to the clubhouse at the golf course where he worked in unincorporated Eustis, and he pulled up and left on a golf cart three times before finally parking. As he walked toward agents, he was making swiping motions on his phone and later admitted he was deleting messages and photos of juveniles in bikinis. Agents asked Small if they could see his phone, and he stated, “No, not without a warrant.”

An agent took the phone as evidence and Small, who seemed “embarrassed,” admitted he was stupid for posting the photos. He claimed he would never touch a child, and he got the photos from the internet. Small said he had only been sharing the photos for a year, and an agent told him that was untrue, and he had been on her “radar since 2021.” Small reportedly replied, “I know.”

FDLE obtained a warrant for the phone and found multiple images of child erotica. Small was charged with 10 counts of possession of obscene and lewd materials, stemming from files found on his TikTok and Snapchat accounts. A warrant was issued for his arrest March 10, and he was arrested at home Thursday. He was transported to the Lake County Jail, where he is being held on no bond.

Social media monitoring sparks investigation: Multiple tips result in Eustis man’s arrest Read More »

Jephson Seguin, left, in his latest mugshot, and when he was captured on a security camera in 2023, right.

Man accused of terrorizing Eustis female joggers and attempting to run down cop pleads guilty

Eustis, Inside Scoop, Tavares / By

TAVARES, Florida—The man accused of attacking three women and trying to run down a Eustis police officer in 2023 will spend the next 15 years of his life in prison – and when he gets out, he will be labeled a sexual predator and serve 15 years of probation, according to Lake County Clerk of Court online records.

Jephson Seguin pleaded guilty to attempted sexual battery, attempted murder of a law enforcement officer and fleeing or attempting to elude on Monday. Seguin, of Eustis, is accused of attacking two women in the spring of 2023 and a third woman on June 27, 2023, and when EPD arrived on the scene of the third attack, he attempted to run over former EPD Officer Cody Schneider as he exited his patrol vehicle. Schneider fired three shots, striking Seguin in the shoulder and he fled the scene in a vehicle and stayed on the run for three days until he was finally arrested on June 30, 2023, after his parents called EPD.

Still image taken from a body cam video of Jephson Seguin as he was booked into the Lake County Jail in 2023

When officers apprehended him in his Eustis neighborhood, they found he had not received medical treatment for the gunshot wound, and he was taken to a Level II Trauma Center in Sanford. He was booked into the Lake County Jail after receiving treatment for the wound and posted a $37,000 bond the following day. He was released with several stipulations, including no contact orders with the female victim in his latest attack and Schneider, and a GPS monitor. After pleading guilty to the three charges Tuesday, he was booked into LCJ where he will await transfer to a state prison.

 

Body cam footage obtained by Inside Lake in 2023 of the apprehension of Jephson Seguin on June 29, 2023. The video contains some graphic language and images of Seguin’s bullet wounds. Viewer discretion is advised.

 

Previous stories:

Charges Upgraded in Case Against Man Accused of Attacking Woman and Trying to Run Down Eustis Cop – Inside Lake

Body Cam Footage Released of Capture of Suspect in Eustis Jogger Attacks – Inside Lake

Man Accused of Attacking Women and Trying To Run Down Cop Released on Bond   – Inside Lake

Man Suspected in Attacks on 3 Women Booked into Jail, Bond Set at $26,500 – Inside Lake

Man Accused of Attacking 3 Women in Eustis in Custody, Now Being Treated for Gunshot Wound – Inside Lake

Man accused of terrorizing Eustis female joggers and attempting to run down cop pleads guilty Read More »

PHOTO: City of Eustis

Major traffic shift for this year’s Eustis Georgefest Parade

Eustis, Inside Scoop / By

EUSTIS, Fla.—Motorists will experience a new traffic shift during the City of Eustis Georgfest Parade scheduled for Feb. 22.

Beginning at 9 a.m. Feb. 22, State Road 19 (Bay Street) southbound will be shut down between County 44 and Herrick Avenue and travelers will be diverted onto either westbound or eastbound County Road 44, at the intersection that includes 7-Eleven, Burger King, Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy, Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri told Inside Lake. Northbound traffic on State Road 19 (Grove Street) will not be affected. Drivers should expect delays and plan an alternate route, Capri said.

This is a major shift from year’s past when the city shut down Bay Street for the parade and both northbound and southbound traffic traversed on Grove Street for the duration of the parade.

“For the safety and security of all those attending the event, we implemented a new traffic pattern; I know some people may be unhappy, but this is necessary,” Capri said. “It’s a minor inconvenience for a few hours, but public safety is paramount.”

Capri said the road construction downtown also played a role in the decision.

Businesses on State Road 19 between County Road 44 and North County Road 452 will be open, and EPD will allow vehicles to access those businesses. The parade begins at 10 a.m. at the intersection of Bay Street and Norton Avenue and travels northbound on Bay Street until its conclusion at Bates Avenue; it’s expected to end around noon, and once parade participants have cleared the area, Bay Street will reopen, Capri said.

Major traffic shift for this year’s Eustis Georgefest Parade Read More »

LCSO investigates the murder of Antwain "Lil Daddy" Hart in Umatilla Nov. 8, 2022. PHOTO: Marilyn M. Aciego/Inside Lake

Orlando man convicted of Umatilla murder, sentenced to life in prison

Eustis, Inside Scoop, Tavares, Umatilla / By

TAVARES, Fla.—One of the men accused of murdering a Umatilla man in 2022 will spend the rest of his life in prison, according to Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Bill Gladson’s Office.

“The actions of this defendant were calculated, deliberate, and devoid of remorse,” said Walter Forgie, Chief Assistant State Attorney. “Justice demands accountability for such actions.”

Antwain “Lil Daddy” Hart was murdered in Umatilla in 2022. One of three men suspected of his murder was convicted Thursday and sentenced to life in prison. PHOTO: Hart Family

Undray Benson, 53, of Orlando was found guilty in the first-degree murder of Antwain “Lil Daddy” Hart, 31, Thursday following a bench trial, and he was sentenced to life in prison by Judge James Baxley. Only Inside Lake was on the scene Nov. 8. 2022 after Hart was found shot multiple times in his mother’s front yard on Merrell Avenue in Umatilla. Hart died during transport to AdventHealth Waterman in Tavares, Lake County Sheriff’s Office Lt. John Herrell told Inside Lake the day of the murder.

Hart’s rental vehicle, a 2022 white Jeep Cherokee, was stolen at the time of his murder and found about 12 hours later behind the First Church of God Eustis, 1550 North Highway 19, by Eustis Police Department officers. The church is just 3.7 miles from the murder scene. The investigation revealed an unknown white Mercedes was spotted near Merrell Avenue and LCSO detectives obtained surveillance footage that showed a rented white Mercedes linked to Marvin Ellison, near the murder scene and Hart’s dumped rental vehicle. Phone records also indicated a route consistent with the crime scene and the victim’s vehicle’s location.

Antwain Hart was shot and killed in his mother’s yard on Merrell Avenue in Umatilla Nov. 8, 2022.  PHOTO: Marilyn M. Aciego/Inside Lake

Detectives also obtained video of three individuals unloading the white Mercedes into an apartment leased by a family member of Benson, associated with “Dray’s Spot Detailing,” and an additional suspect, Deandre Anderson, was identified through that footage. Drugs and a 9mm handgun, which matched the weapon used to kill Hart were found during the search of the apartment. Detectives determined through evidence and their investigation, Undray, Anderson and Ellison collaborated to murder Hart, possibly motivated by the presence of illegal narcotics in the victim’s vehicle, according to Gladson’s office.

Lake County Sheriff’s Office detectives arrested Benson about five months after Hart’s murder and by July 2023, Anderson and Ellison were also in custody. Assistant State Attorneys Gabe Lozano and Nicholas Camuccio prosecuted Benson and he was represented by Attorney Jeffrey Pfister of Tavares. Anderson and Ellison are scheduled to stand trial next week.

Orlando man convicted of Umatilla murder, sentenced to life in prison Read More »

Courtesy photo

CR 439 shut down near Eustis as FHP investigates fatal crash involving dump truck

Eustis, Inside Scoop, Leesburg, Unincorporated Lake / By

EUSTIS, Fla.—An Altoona woman was killed Tuesday morning after a dump truck veered into her lane and slammed into her head-on outside of Eustis, shutting down County Road 439.

Just before 8:30 a.m., a 1994 dump truck was northbound on County Road 439, when the driver, a 28-year-old Leesburg man, attempted to brake for traffic stopped ahead near County Road 44A. He veered into the southbound lane and hit a 2019 Toyota Corolla head-on. The driver of the Toyota, a 23-year-old Altoona woman, was transported to AdventHealth Waterman in Tavares, where she was pronounced deceased. The Leesburg man was not injured.

A witness, who wished to remain anonymous, told Inside Lake she saw the crash and stayed with the woman until first responders arrived, “I wish I could have done something,” she said. “I just wanted her family to know I stayed with her the whole time. She wasn’t alone.”

 

CR 439 shut down near Eustis as FHP investigates fatal crash involving dump truck Read More »

Man accused of syphoning gas in Eustis gets free ride to Tavares Thursday night

Eustis, Inside Scoop, Tavares, Unincorporated Lake / By

EUSTIS, Fla.—A boat owner timed a trip to get dinner just right when he spotted a man syphoning gas out of his boat as he drove by a Eustis storage facility Thursday night.

Around 5:15 p.m. Thursday, the boat owner was driving by Campus Storage, 36622 County Road 19A when he saw a man at the rear of his boat syphoning gas. He circled back around to the storage facility and the man was gone, he told Eustis Police Department. He checked his boat and found the motor cover lifted and the fuel line removed and dripping gas, according to an arrest affidavit.

The victim pulled out of the storage facility and spotted the man walking on County Road 19A, snapped his photo and called police. EPD arrived on scene and began looking for the suspect and found a tan Toyota Camry pulled off on the side of the road with its hazard lights and a handwritten tag that stated, “LOST TAG” and had some letters, numbers and a name on it. An officer spoke with a woman sitting in the passenger seat and she agreed to answer his questions, according to the affidavit.

The officer asked the woman about the syphoned gas and she told the officer she did not steal the gas and a man named “John,” later identified as John James Kerr, 45, had brought gas to her car after they ran out and then started walking toward 7-Eleven, at the corner of State Road 19 and County Road 44. She said John was her neighbor in Marion County and she would give him rides to the “scrapyard,” the affidavit states.

EPD set up a perimeter in the area with the assistance of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and spent more than an hour searching for Kerr. While searching, they received a call about a suspicious male attempting to flag down vehicles near Raintree Boulevard and County Road 452. EPD responded to the area, found Kerr, took him into custody. Kerr, of Bellview, is facing charges of burglary, criminal mischief and petit theft. His mugshot and bond information were not available at press time.

Man accused of syphoning gas in Eustis gets free ride to Tavares Thursday night Read More »

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