Mount Dora

Name of Motorcyclist Killed in Mount Dora Thursday Night Crash Released

MOUNT DORA, Fla.—Mount Dora Police Department has released more information about a crash that killed a motorcyclist Thursday night.

Just after 8:30 p.m. Thursday, MDPD responded to a crash involving a motorcycle and a pickup truck at County Road 19A and Azalea Drive, MDPD spokesperson Brittany Haller said.

Tyler Matthew Head, 23, was riding a 2003 Buell Lightning motorcycle northbound on County Road 19A when he collided with a 2004 GMC Sierra being driven by Geary Shane Martin, 47, who was attempting to turn into a Dollar General from Azaela Drive, according to Haller.

“The impact caused the motorcycle to catch on fire, which subsequently ignited the pickup truck,” Haller said.

Head suffered life-threatening injuries and died while being transported to AdventHealth Waterman in Tavares; Martin was not injured and is cooperating with the investigation.

Previous story: BREAKING NEWS: Mount Dora Police on Scene of Fiery Wreck – Inside Lake

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BREAKING NEWS: Mount Dora Police on Scene of Fiery Wreck

MOUNT DORA, Fla.—For the second time Thursday, Mount Dora Police Department is investigating a crash that seriously injured someone.

Around 8:45 p.m., MDPD responded to the crash involving a white pickup truck and a motorcycle at County Road 19A and Azaela Drive. The truck became engulfed in flames following the collision, MDPD Spokesperson Misty Sommer told Inside Lake.

Video courtesy of Tori Vines 

The driver of the truck was not injured, and the motorcyclist was transported by ground to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. How the crash occurred was still under investigation at press time.

April Conde was the first to call 911 following the crash, she told Inside Lake. She said while she was on the phone with a dispatcher, multiple people called in about the fiery crash.

This is a developing story.

 

Previous story: 2-Vehicle Crash Resulting in Multiple Injuries Snarls Traffic in Mount Dora Thursday Afternoon – Inside Lake

BREAKING NEWS: Mount Dora Police on Scene of Fiery Wreck Read More »

2-Vehicle Crash Resulting in Multiple Injuries Snarls Traffic in Mount Dora Thursday Afternoon

MOUNT DORA, Fla.—Mount Dora Police Department is investigating a crash that injured multiple people and closed a major intersection Thursday.

Details were limited at press time, because MDPD was still on scene, but the crash involves two vehicles and occurred around 3:30 p.m. at the intersection of U.S. Highway 441 and Eudora Road.  One person with severe injuries was airlifted and two people were transported to the hospital by ground, MDPD Spokesperson Misty Sommer told Inside Lake.

Motorists are being asked to avoid the area.

2-Vehicle Crash Resulting in Multiple Injuries Snarls Traffic in Mount Dora Thursday Afternoon Read More »

Fentanyl, Cocaine, Marijuana, Stolen Gun Found During Umatilla Search Warrant, Trio Arrested

UMATILLA, Fla.—Three people are behind bars and $50,000 worth of drugs are off the streets following a search warrant at a Umatilla home early Wednesday, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

Acting on Crimeline tips and complaints, LCSO’s SWAT team, along with detectives from LCSO, Clermont Police Department, Eustis Police Department, Leesburg Police Department, Mount Dora Police Department and the Department of Homeland Security wrapped up a six-month long investigation Wednesday with the execution of the search warrant at 38945 Pine St., in unincorporated Umatilla.

Law enforcement detained three people found inside the home, Robert Donaldson, 46, Joana Silva, 22, and Lashonda Gaston, 44. Donaldson and Silva are engaged, according to LCSO.

Upon searching the home, law enforcement found a large amount of powder and crack cocaine, weighing about 1.5 pounds, along with an ounce of fentanyl in pill form and 7 pounds of marijuana, with a combined street value of $50,000. The fentanyl pills were stamped with a handicap symbol, LCSO said; a stolen gun and $10,000 in cash were also found.

PHOTOS: Lake County Sheriff’s Office

Donaldson, who was already on probation for possession of drugs and resisting arrest in a 2021 case, was arrested for trafficking in cocaine, trafficking in fentanyl, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, manufacturing cocaine into a cocaine base, possession of drug paraphernalia, and ownership, lease, rental, or possession of a residence for trafficking in or manufacturing a controlled substance; he is being held in the Lake County Jail on no bond.

Silva, who was caught trying to flush crack down the toilet, was arrested for tampering with evidence, trafficking in cocaine, trafficking in fentanyl, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, manufacturing cocaine into a cocaine base, possession of drug paraphernalia and ownership, lease, rental, or possession of a residence for trafficking in or manufacturing a controlled substance; she is being held in LCJ on $561,000 bond.

Gaston was arrested for trafficking in fentanyl and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; she is being held In LCJ on $20,000 bond.

Fentanyl, Cocaine, Marijuana, Stolen Gun Found During Umatilla Search Warrant, Trio Arrested Read More »

BREAKING NEWS: Santa Claus is Coming to Town

LAKE COUNTY, Fla.—At press time Christmas Eve, the jolly fellow best known as Santa Claus was last spotted in Greenland and had delivered more than 5 billion gifts, according to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD.)

Little boys and girls (who should be in bed) can track the big guy’s movements online as he makes his way across the world with his trusty reindeer crew, by visiting NORAD Tracks Santa.

NORAD began tracking Santa in 1958 after taking over the duty from the U.S. Air Force.

BREAKING NEWS: Santa Claus is Coming to Town Read More »

Man Accused of Exposing Himself in Mount Dora Store Tackled and Arrested

MOUNT DORA, Fla.—A Sanford man already on probation for upskirting women at a Sanford Walmart last year is accused of masturbating in a busy Mount Dora store, fleeing and being tackled in the parking lot by Mount Dora Police Department Sunday afternoon.

According to an arrest affidavit, MDPD responded to Dollar Tree, 16930 U.S. Highway 441, around 4:45 p.m. on a report of a man exposing himself. The victim told an officer she saw a man, later identified as Jensen Alexander, 35, exposing himself and recording himself masturbating as she stood in the background reaching for items on a shelf. She said Alexander was still in the store and described the clothes he was wearing, including a black knit hat.

The officer began looking through the store and as he approached the checkout, customers began telling him Alexander ran and pointed to the west side of the store. The officer walked toward that side of the store and spotted the “top of a tall person’s head over the aisle shelving, which was black in color like a knit hat,” the affidavit states. According to booking records, Alexander is 6 feet, 4 inches tall.

The officer told Alexander he was being detained and as he tried to secure Alexander, he began resisting, broke free and “sprinted” toward the exit. The officer struggled with Alexander as they went through the door, and he tackled Alexander in the parking lot. They continued to struggle, and a second officer pulled up and assisted the first officer with getting Alexander cuffed, according to the affidavit.

After being taken into custody, Alexander told the victim he “was just trying to pee,” and she reportedly said, “That’s what you get for showing me your penis,” the affidavit states.

Both Alexander and the responding officer were treated for their injuries at a local emergency room and after Alexander was cleared, he was transported to the Lake County Jail, where he is being held on $10,000 bond.

In August 2022, Alexander was arrested by Sanford Police Department after Walmart video surveillance captured Alexander upskirting women in two different areas of the store. In January of this year, he pleaded guilty to video voyeurism and was sentenced to 18 months probation, a psycho-sexual evaluation and recommended treatment, and 50 hours of community service. He also agreed to allow probation to search any electronic device he has access to at any time, without a warrant, according to Seminole County Clerk of Court online records.

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Feds: More than 2 Dozen Child Porn Images and Videos Found on Phone Seized in Missing Mount Dora Mom Case; Husband Planned to Move to North Carolina

OCALA, Fla.—A cell phone seized from Brett Baldwin in the case of his missing wife Nicole Baldwin contained 31 images and videos of naked children and children being sexually abused, according to a federal criminal complaint obtained by Inside Lake.

Neighbors awoke to the sound of flashbangs before daybreak Thursday morning as authorities swooped in on his mother’s house on County Road 134B near Wildwood in Sumter County and took him into custody on a federal warrant for possession of child pornography. He was later booked into the Marion County Jail, where he is being held on no bond.

Marion County Sheriff’s Office

According to the complaint, “On November 28, 2023, detectives with the Mount Dora Police Department seized an iPhone 14 cell phone…from the person of its owner Brett Baldwin while executing a search warrant at his residence in Mount Dora, Lake County, Florida. The phone was seized in furtherance of a missing person investigation.”

Numerous agencies have been involved in the case of Baldwin’s missing wife, including Mount Dora Police Department (MDPD), Lake County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO,) Seminole County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE.)

Upon searching the phone, FDLE found 31 files containing child pornography that included children described as “less than 2 years old and less than 3 years old.” DHS took over the case and warrant for Baldwin’s arrest was issued.

MDPD has not commented on Baldwin’s arrest and has remained tight-lipped about its investigation into Nicole Baldwin’s disappearance. DHS believes he was preparing to flee Florida.

The DHS complaint states, “Baldwin has made it known that he is moving to Waynesville, North Carolina in the very near future. Baldwin has recently moved from Mount Dora, FL to his mother’s home in Wildwood, FL with his 11-year-old daughter and his 13-year-old son. He has yet to enroll his children in a school making it evident that this move out of the state of Florida will take place.”

Nicole Baldwin, 41, was last seen Nov. 2 and reported missing Nov. 5 from her home in Mount Dora. She is considered “missing endangered” and is described as a white female, 5 feet, 5 inches tall, 135 pounds, with brown and (dyed) blonde hair, and hazel eyes. If you have information on Baldwin’s disappearance, call Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS. Crimeline callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward.

Previous stories: Husband of Missing Mount Dora Mom Being Held on Federal Charges – Inside Lake

                               Husband of Missing Mount Dora Woman Taken into Custody Thursday Morning – Inside Lake

Nicole Baldwin

 

Feds: More than 2 Dozen Child Porn Images and Videos Found on Phone Seized in Missing Mount Dora Mom Case; Husband Planned to Move to North Carolina Read More »

Husband of Missing Mount Dora Mom Being Held on Federal Charges

WILDWOOD, Fla.—The husband of missing Mount Dora mom Nicole Baldwin is in the Marion County Jail on a federal hold, according to information obtained by Inside Lake.

Brett Baldwin, 43, was booked into the Marion County Jail at 12:19 p.m. Thursday on a federal hold for possessing obscene material and is being held on no bond. Inside Lake is working on getting details about his charges.

Baldwin’s wife, Nicole, has been missing for more than a month and it is unclear if these charges are related to her disappearance; Mount Dora Police Department has not commented on the arrest.

Brett Baldwin was taken into custody early Thursday morning after a search warrant was executed at his mother’s house near Wildwood, sources told Inside Lake. Sumter County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Michelle Keszey told Inside Lake SCSO assisted Mount Dora Police Department and the Department of Homeland Security with a search warrant Thursday morning, but it was not SCSO’s case.

Law enforcement converged at a home on County Road 134B, Wildwood before daybreak Thursday and three flash bangs could be heard along with the announcement of the search warrant, according to sources. Brett Baldwin was taken from the scene in handcuffs and later booked into the Marion County Jail.

This is a developing story.  

Husband of Missing Mount Dora Mom Being Held on Federal Charges Read More »

Husband of Missing Mount Dora Woman Taken into Custody Thursday Morning

WILDWOOD, Fla.—The husband of missing Mount Dora woman Nicole Baldwin was taken into custody early Thursday morning after a search warrant was executed at his mother’s house near Wildwood, sources told Inside Lake.

Sumter County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Michelle Keszey told Inside Lake SCSO assisted Mount Dora Police Department and the Department of Homeland Security with a search warrant Thursday morning, but it was not SCSO’s case.

Sources told Inside Lake law enforcement converged at a home on County Road 134B, Wildwood before daybreak Thursday and three flash bangs could be heard along with the announcement of the search warrant. A busted window at the home could be seen from the street following the search. Sources also said Brett Baldwin was taken from the scene in handcuffs.

It is unclear if he has been arrested or if this search warrant is related to his missing wife. At press time, he was not booked into the Lake County Jail or the Sumter County Jail.

This is a developing story.  

Husband of Missing Mount Dora Woman Taken into Custody Thursday Morning Read More »

Reward Offered for Information Leading to the Whereabouts of Missing Mount Dora Mother

MOUNT DORA, Fla.—A reward is now being offered for information leading to the whereabouts of missing mother Nicole Baldwin.

Mount Dora Police Department announced the reward of up to $5,000 on its social media pages Tuesday morning; Baldwin, 41, was reported missing Nov. 5 and was last seen Nov. 2 at her home on Strathmore Circle in Lancaster at Loch Leven in Mount Dora. MDPD detectives have remained guarded about their investigation into the disappearance of the mom of three, but there has been a flurry of law enforcement activity at the home since Nov. 28. MDPD detectives, uniformed officers and Lake County Sheriff’s Office crime scene investigators have been at the home several times removing items and multiple sources have told Inside Lake vehicles and electronics have also been taken as possible evidence in the case. The Baldwin family has since moved out of the home, because their lease was up, Baldwin’s oldest daughter, Alisha told Inside Lake.

Two community searches, spearheaded by Terri Rogers, have been conducted since Baldwin went missing, but neither search turned up anything, Rogers told Inside Lake. The most recent search was Sunday afternoon, followed by a candlelight vigil. Only Inside Lake has been covering the case for nearly a month and was the first to interview Alisha nearly a month ago. Alisha attended both searches and the vigil Sunday and told Inside Lake she just wants her mom home.

Alisha Baldwin, right, preparing candles for a vigil held for her mother, Nicole Baldwin, 41, Sunday. Baldwin has been missing since Nov. 2. PHOTO: Marilyn M. Aciego/Inside Lake

Baldwin, 41, is considered “missing endangered” and is described as a white female, 5 feet, 5 inches tall, 135 pounds, with brown and (dyed) blonde hair, and hazel eyes. If you have information on Baldwin’s disappearance, call Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS. Crimeline callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for the reward.

Previous stories: Community Search and Vigil Planned for Mount Dora Mom Missing a Month – Inside Lake

Major Law Enforcement Activity at Mount Dora Home of Missing Mom

3 Weeks and Still No Sign of Missing Mom

Mount Dora Woman Missing a Week, Daughter Wants Answers

 

Reward Offered for Information Leading to the Whereabouts of Missing Mount Dora Mother Read More »

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