Eustis

Father of young girl found dead in Montverde last month arrested on unrelated charges

Eustis, Inside Scoop, Montverde, Tavares / By

TAVARES, Fla.—The father of a young girl found dead in Montverde last month was arrested last week on unrelated charges out of Polk County, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office online booking records.

Lojuan Jamario Sessions, 26, father of 9-year-old Jamaria Sessions, was picked up at his job in Eustis Wednesday by Eustis Police Department on two warrants for violating probation, stemming from a 2019 Polk County case.

In January 2019, Sessions was accused of fleeing from a Haines City Police Department officer after the officer found a bag of drugs, later determined to be amphetamine, in plain view in the vehicle Sessions was driving during a traffic stop, according to an arrest affidavit.

The officer put the bag of suspected drugs on the roof of Sessions’ vehicle, and asked Sessions to step out. Sessions put the vehicle in drive, took off, struck a vehicle being driven by an undercover Polk County deputy and then crashed into a palm tree. Sessions’ current girlfriend was in the passenger seat with a small unrestrained child in her lap, and three young girls were in the back seat—not wearing seatbelts.

Sessions was arrested for four counts of child neglect, possession of amphetamine with intent to sell, trafficking in amphetamine, possession of a vehicle while trafficking drugs, possession of marijuana, fleeing a law enforcement officer a at high speed, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving on a suspended license.

He later pleaded guilty, according to Polk County Clerk of Court records, and was sentenced to five years in prison followed by five years of probation. He is accused of violating his probation, but details of the violations were not available Monday evening.

Sessions was released from prison in August 2023, and according to Jamaria’s uncle, Joseph Robinson, Jamaria and her younger sister, 5, had been living with their father since October 2023. Before that, the sisters were living with their grandmother, Althea Chenault, following the death of their mother, Tadrina Dort. Dort died from congestive heart failure in 2022 after beating leukemia; she was just 24 years old.

Jamaria Sessions. Photo courtesy of Joseph Robinson and Althea Chenault

The girls began living with Sessions after he picked them up from school without Chenault’s knowledge or consent in October 2023 and they lived with him until Jamaria’s death on June 17. Jamaria’s 5-year-old sister, who Inside Lake is not naming, is staying with another family member.

No arrests have been made in Jamaria’s death and LCSO has released few details, only calling her death a “homicide investigation.”

“The death investigation is being treated as a homicide until the results are retrieved from the autopsy by the Medical Examiner’s office,” LCSO Cpl. Chanel Martin told Inside Lake last month.  “When the cause and manner are returned explaining the death, a determination will be made on proceeding forward.”

LCSO online records show Sessions was released from the Lake County Jail Monday and Martin told Inside Lake he was turned over to Polk County Sheriff’s Office. At press time, Sessions had not been booked into the Polk County Jail.

Previous stories: Death of 9-year-old girl being treated as a homicide investigation, maternal family says – Inside Lake

Child found deceased at Montverde home, Medical Examiner to determine cause of death – Inside Lake

Father of young girl found dead in Montverde last month arrested on unrelated charges Read More »

PHOTO: Florida Highway Patrol

Astatula man killed Friday morning after rear-ending dump truck in Orange County

Astatula, Eustis, Inside Scoop / By

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla.—A 30-year-old Astatula man was killed before daybreak Friday morning after he rear-ended a dump truck near Zellwood, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Shortly after 5:30 a.m., the Astatula man was driving a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado westbound on Jones Avenue near Jewel Foliage Road when he entered the eastbound lane, traveling above the posted speed limit, to pass another vehicle, FHP said.

He reentered the westbound lane, failed to slow down and rear-ended a 1985 dump truck being driven by a 38-year-old Eustis man. The Astatula man was transported to AdventHealth Apopka and pronounced deceased; the Eustis man was not injured.

Astatula man killed Friday morning after rear-ending dump truck in Orange County Read More »

Accused murderer back in Lake County

Eustis, Inside Scoop, Leesburg, Unincorporated Lake / By

TAVARES, Fla.—The man police believe is responsible for the murder of a Leesburg store owner was booked into the Lake County Jail Friday morning.

Alex Lopez, 25, is facing charges of premeditated murder, armed robbery and two other weapons offenses, and is being held on no bond.

Lopez was on the run for nearly a month, while Leesburg Police Department worked with state, federal and local agencies to track him down and finally located him at a motel in Kissimmee around 7 p.m. Wednesday, Leesburg Police Department Sgt. Shannon Walsh said. He was taken into custody by the FDLE/Orlando – Violent Crime Task Force.

“We located him using collaborative investigative measures,” Walsh told Inside Lake.

Lopez is accused of gunning down father of five, Raied “Ray” Shihadeh, 51, at Fast Stop Superette, 3702 Picciola Road, on May 30 during an armed robbery of the store. LPD will not confirm how much money was taken in the robbery, but a post created by Shihadeh’s wife, Monique, on a fundraising platform states it was less than $100. In the same post, Monique also stated her husband was killed on their daughter’s 16th birthday, making an already tragic situation much more heartbreaking.

Raied “Ray” Shihadeh. Photo courtesy of Monique Shihadeh

Inside Lake spoke with Monique by text Thursday and she said, “Our family is happy about his capture. We are preparing for this continuous and long journey that we will be on but praying for strength.”

Monique posted about her husband in numerous Facebook groups throughout the last few weeks asking for help locating Lopez and informing the public of a reward offered by Crimeline, in addition to money raised and added to the reward by her family.

Lopez grew up in Eustis and Sorrento, several sources have told Inside Lake. His next court date is scheduled for July 22.

Previous story: Leesburg murder suspect captured in Kissimmee – Inside Lake

Photos courtesy of Monique Shihadeh

Accused murderer back in Lake County Read More »

Edgar Wesley Tello (inset) pleaded no contest to DUI manslaughter in death of Rebekah Jo Towner earlier this month. Eustis Police Department and Eustis Fire Department respond to a fatal motorcycle crash that killed Rebekah Jo Towner on April 24, 2022 (background.) PHOTO: Marilyn M. Aciego/Inside Lake

Umatilla man pleads no contest to ’22 DUI manslaughter crash that killed Sorrento woman, sentenced to more than 11 years in prison

Eustis, Inside Scoop, Tavares, Unincorporated Lake / By

TAVARES, Fla.—A man accused of operating his motorcycle drunk and killing a woman riding on the back in April 2022 has pleaded no contest to DUI manslaughter and was sentenced to more than 11 years in prison.

Edgar Wesley Tello, 66, of Umatilla, has been in the Lake County Jail since his arrest in February 2023, nearly a year after the crash that killed Rebekah Jo Towner less than two weeks after her 28th birthday.

On April 24, 2022, Towner, of Sorrento, was a passenger on 2006 Harley Davidson being controlled by Tello, northbound on Grove Street in Eustis, when he struck a curb, rode on the grass and then struck a construction sign near Pendleton Avenue, causing the motorcycle to slide on its left side. The motorcycle tires then struck the curb again and it flipped to its right side.

Rebekah Jo Towner was killed in a motorcycle crash in April 2022. Edgar Tello pleaded no contest to DUI manslaughter and was sentenced to more than 11 years in prison earlier this month. PHOTO: Towner Family

Police believe Towner’s head struck the sign, and the impact ejected her and Tello off the bike. The motorcycle slid nearly 200 feet before coming to its final resting place with Tello next to it, suffering head and neck injuries. Towner struck a guardrail in front of a home on Grove Street, causing blunt force trauma to her head, which resulted in her death. Medical records showed Towner was also drunk and had several controlled substances in her system.

Tello, was airlifted to an area hospital due to injuries, but was well enough to be interviewed the next day. He told a Eustis Police Department traffic homicide investigator he was in a motorcycle show during Leesburg’s Bikefest, the day of the crash, where he had one beer. After the show he went to a Tavares restaurant where he met Towner, and they had drinks together. They left Tavares and traveled to a downtown Eustis restaurant just a half of a mile from the crash scene and had more beer. Tello could not remember how much beer they had at either restaurant, according to the affidavit.

A manager at the Tavares restaurant later told police Tello and Towner met at her restaurant and, “it was obvious they did not know each other,” the affidavit states. The manager said the pair had two drinks and then they were asked to leave.

At the Eustis restaurant, a manager told police Tello and Towner were at the establishment about an hour and shared a pitcher of beer. Tello started getting aggressive with staff, paid the bill and surveillance video showed Tello left on his bike with Towner on the back.

Less than half a mile later, Tello would crash the motorcycle, leaving Towner dead. A witness told Inside Lake the day of the crash, “I heard a squeal, like it hit the curb and then there were two booms,” he said. “He (Tello) was going faster than 30 (miles per hour.)” The posted speed limit in that area is 30 miles per hour and there is an electronic speed monitor reminding motorists of their speed and to slow down.

A Eustis Police Department traffic homicide investigator is seen here collecting evidence near a mangled sign following a fatal motorcycle crash April 24, 2022. Rebekah Jo Towner was killed in the crash.
PHOTO: Marilyn M. Aciego/Inside Lake

Tello originally pleaded not guilty to DUI manslaughter but changed his plea to “no contest” earlier this month. In addition to 135 months in prison, Tello will lose his driver license for life and will serve one year of probation following his release from state prison.

Previous stories: Umatilla Man Arrested for DUI Manslaughter in Death of Sorrento Woman Last Year – Inside Lake

Sorrento Woman Killed in Eustis Motorcycle Crash – Inside Lake

Umatilla man pleads no contest to ’22 DUI manslaughter crash that killed Sorrento woman, sentenced to more than 11 years in prison Read More »

Courtesy photo

Ham Radio Field Day set for this weekend

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

TAVARES, Fla.—Each June, more than 40,000 amateur radio operators, known as “hams” set up temporary transmitting stations in public places  throughout North America to demonstrate ham radio’s science, skill, and service to our communities and nation. It combines public service, emergency preparedness, community outreach, and technical skills in a single event. Field Day has been an annual event since 1933 and remains the most popular event in ham radio. The competitive aspect of Field Day is to contact as many other amateur stations as possible between 2 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

The public is invited to attend the event in Tavares this weekend that will showcase mobile command vehicles from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and the Lake Amateur Radio Association (LARA.) It will be held at the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Training Bureau and Lake Tech Institute of Public Safety Weapons and Driving Range, 13000 Frankies Road, Tavares.

LARA consistently wins top honors each year in Florida and North America. The club was established in 1952 by a local group of radio amateurs and now has a membership of over 150 “Hams.” LARA’s vast radio systems enable worldwide communications, amplifying the club’s impact and reach. For their life-saving work, hams worldwide have received commendations and international praise.

 

Ham Radio Field Day set for this weekend Read More »

Raied “Ray” Shihadeh

Driver who caused crash that shut down Grove Street Monday night arrested for DUI

Eustis, Inside Scoop / By

EUSTS, Fla.—The driver of the truck that took out an electrical pole, a fire hydrant, and shut down Grove Street for more than 10 hours Monday has been arrested for DUI.

Tyler G. Cook, 29, of Eustis, was arrested early Tuesday morning after being released from the hospital, where he refused a blood draw, according to an arrest affidavit.

Around 6:30 p.m. Monday, EPD responded to a crash one Grove Street near North Eustis Street and found a power pole lying across the road, a fire hydrant spewing water and a blue Chevy truck on its roof, with an open 18-pack of Bud Light hanging out of the rear window. An officer spoke with Cook, who admitted he was driving the truck, and he said he did not remember what happened while struggling to keep his balance and slurring his words with the smell of alcohol on his breath, the affidavit states.

As police photographed the scene, an officer observed the 18-pack of Bud Light and it only contained 11 beers, still cold to the touch. The other seven beers missing from the 18-pack were not found, but two unopened cans of Corona Extra were found in the truck.

A witness told police he noticed the blue Chevy truck swerving in and out of traffic prior to the crash. The truck cut him off and then he saw the truck having a verbal altercation with another vehicle near City Hall at Grove Street and Orange Avenue; a second witness said he observed the truck drifting around the corner near Wilt Avenue and saw the truck lose control at a “high rate of speed.” The speed limit in that area is 30 miles per hour.

Lake EMS arrived on scene and transported Cook, and his passenger, Chase Rimes, to AdventHealth Waterman in Tavares for treatment. While at the hospital, Cook was “combative” with staff and officers while handcuffed to a bed and he refused a blood draw, the affidavit states. Officers informed Cook they were conducting a DUI investigation and he refused to answer questions while trying to “entice” an officer into a verbal altercation. He spilled a cup of urine and continued to slur his words while being combative.

Rimes, his passenger, told police Cook popped the clutch on the truck and “took off.” He lost control and struck the curb while trying to correct the vehicle. He said he did not believe Cook was drunk at the time of the crash, but it was unusual for him to slur his words and be combative, and agreed that he was driving carelessly, the affidavit states.

Cook was released from AdventHealth Waterman and transported to the Lake County Jail, where he refused a breath test. The officer who was attempting to conduct the breath test noted he could still smell alcohol on his breath, nearly eight hours after the crash.

Cook was arrested for DUI with property damage and released on $1,000 bond late Tuesday morning.

Previous story: Truck takes out electrical pole, fire hydrant, flips over and shuts down Grove Street in Eustis Monday night – Inside Lake

Driver who caused crash that shut down Grove Street Monday night arrested for DUI Read More »

Courtesy photo

Truck takes out electrical pole, fire hydrant, flips over and shuts down Grove Street in Eustis Monday night

Eustis, Inside Scoop / By

EUSTS, Fla.—A state road is shut down Monday night after a speeding truck took out an electrical pole, a fire hydrant, and flipped over; and the driver may have been drunk, according to Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri.

An adult male, who has not been publicly identified, was traveling northbound on Grove Street near North Eustis Street at a “high rate of speed” in a pickup truck around 6:30 p.m. when he lost control, hit the pole, the fire hydrant and flipped over, Capri told Inside Lake.

The driver and his passenger were transported to AdventHealth Waterman in Tavares with non-life-threatening injuries, Capri said.

“Based on evidence found at the scene, this is a possible DUI investigation,” Capri said.

The fire hydrant spewed water all over Grove Street also known as State Road 19, and a sinkhole has possibly formed, Capri said. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is on the way to the scene to assess the damage. Grove Street will be shut down indefinitely until authorities make their assessments and repair the damage, Capri said.

 

Truck takes out electrical pole, fire hydrant, flips over and shuts down Grove Street in Eustis Monday night Read More »

Fire crews battle a mobile home fire on Old Chisholm Trail in unincorporated Eustis just after midnight Monday. The family dog died in the fire and the home was a total loss.

Eustis family trying to rebuild their lives after loss of home and dog to devastating fire

Eustis, Inside Scoop, Unincorporated Lake / By

EUSTIS, Fla.—A Eustis family is trying to rebuild their lives after losing their home and beloved dog to a devastating fire around midnight Monday.

Amanda and Joe Mitchem and their son, Joey, 16, were able to escape the blaze, but lost everything they owned and their pup “Bitty Dog,” in the fire. Their daughter, Joni, 18, did not live at the home but was storing most of her belongings there, Amanda told Inside Lake.  The Mitchem family does not have insurance.

 

Joe and Amanda heard their breaker box making a “buzzing” sound late Sunday night and when Joe opened the box to inspect it, “It burst into flames,” Amanda said.

Joe used two fire extinguishers in an attempt to put out the fire at the mobile home on Old Chisholm Trail, but they were no match for the blaze. Authorities confirmed to the Mitchem family it was an electrical fire that started in the breaker box, she said.

The Mitchem family.

Losing “Bitty Dog” has left the family heartbroken. They adopted him when he was just 6 weeks old and he was part of the Mitchem family for more than five years, “He was our everything!” Amanda said. Joe desperately tried to save the pup, running into the fire three times to rescue him and severely burning his hands, Amanda said.

The Mitchems are currently staying with family while they try to rebuild their lives and move forward. Since the family did not have insurance, they have to replace everything they lost on their own. They have started a fundraising campaign to help with expenses; to donate to the Mitchem family, click here.

Eustis family trying to rebuild their lives after loss of home and dog to devastating fire Read More »

File photo

FWC: License-free freshwater fishing this weekend

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

FLORIDA—The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is hosting a license-free freshwater fishing weekend Saturday and Sunday

Florida residents and visitors of all ages and skill levels are encouraged to try recreational fishing this weekend and FWC has helpful resources for new anglers to get started.

Largemouth bass are Florida’s most popular freshwater fish and if you catch one 8 pounds or heavier, submit it to TrophyCatch. There is a special promotion this season where pink-tagged bass are swimming and worth extra prizes in five waterbodies across the state. Try your luck and you could even win sunglasses just for fishing in these five waters!

All other rules, such as seasons, bag and size limits apply during license-free fishing weekend.

Keep the fun going all year and buy a recreational freshwater fishing license, to renew or purchase a fishing license, visit GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.

FWC: License-free freshwater fishing this weekend Read More »

File photo

Sorrento man accused of taunting friend after running him over last week in Eustis, victim airlifted

Eustis, Inside Scoop / By

EUSTIS, Fla.—A man was airlifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center last week after his friend ran him over—and Eustis Police say it was intentional.

Around 6:30 p.m. May 19, EPD responded to the intersection of Clay Boulevard and Pine Grove Road on a report of someone being hit by a vehicle and when they arrived, they found Frederick Correll lying on the ground, bleeding, with road rash all over his body. His injuries were so severe he was airlifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center, according to an arrest affidavit. His condition at press time was unknown.

Correll’s friend was on the scene and told police he knew what happened but did not want anyone to get in trouble. He explained to police he, Correll and Derek Lamas, 35, of Sorrento, were having a boat day and when Lamas and Correll were putting the boat back onto the trailer, Correll accidently hurt Lamas’ hand. The pair argued as they traveled down the road and Lamas stopped at the intersection of Clay Boulevard and Pine Grove Road, prompting Correll to exit the truck.

Correll began walking down Clay Boulevard and as Lamas turned onto Pine Grove Road, he struck Correll, knocking him to the ground, the friend told EPD. The friend asked Lamas if he hit Correll, and Lamas reportedly said, “Yes, I ran him over!”

Lamas stopped the truck and they both ran over to Correll and Lamas began taunting him while he was lying on the ground, the friend told police. The friend yelled for Lamas to call law enforcement and Lamas allegedly said, “(Expletive) no,” and the friend struck Lamas, which resulted in a physical altercation, the affidavit states.

The friend “stressed” he did not have his phone because he dropped it in the lake and Correll’s phone was in the truck, and Lamas said he would call the police and he left the scene, according to the affidavit.

It is unclear from the information included in the affidavit, who called the police to that location, because while at the scene, EPD received a call regarding a battery from Lamas, who was several miles away at a restaurant on Orange Avenue. Additional officers responded to the restaurant and Lamas told police Correll hurt his hand while loading the boat onto the trailer and it caused a heated argument. He said Correll then jumped out of the truck at the intersection of Clay Boulevard and Pine Grove Road and was run over by the boat trailer. Lamas said their friend then began hitting him and he left the area for safety and went to the restaurant on Orange Avenue, more than 3 miles away. Eustis Police Department is located between the incident location and the restaurant.

Lamas was arrested for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and leaving the scene of a crash with injuries; he was released from the Lake County Jail on $15,000 bond.

 

Sorrento man accused of taunting friend after running him over last week in Eustis, victim airlifted Read More »

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