Tavares Archives - Inside Lake

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

Eustis, Inside Scoop, Montverde, Tavares / By Marilyn M. Aciego

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 »

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 Marilyn M. Aciego

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 28^th 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 »

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 Marilyn M. Aciego

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 »

The Lake County Sheriff’s and the Florida Gaming Control Commission search an internet gaming facility in unincorporated Umatilla June 13. PHOTO: Marilyn M. Aciego/Inside Lake

Information finally released following search warrants executed on gaming facilities earlier this month

Inside Scoop, Tavares, Umatilla, Unincorporated Lake / By Marilyn M. Aciego

LAKE COUNTY, Fla.—Only Inside Lake was on the scene earlier this month as Lake County Sheriff’s Office detectives, in conjunction with the Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) searched an internet gaming facility in unincorporated Umatilla, and LCSO has finally released information regarding that search warrant and three more.

On June 13, 2024, four search warrants were executed at different illegal gaming establishments in Lake County. Detectives with the Leesburg, Clermont, Eustis, and Mount Dora police departments also assisted with the investigation that stemmed from continued concerns that illegal gambling throughout Lake County leads to an increase in law enforcement calls for service, criminal activity, and other threats to public safety, LCSO spokesperson Chanel Martin said.

The Umatilla location was the site of an attempted armed robbery in August 2022; in that a incident a security guard was shot. No arrests have been made in that case.

“Illegal gambling establishments operate outside the legal, regulated market to exploit vulnerable Floridians. They are usually associated with organized crime, do not generate state tax revenue, and do not provide the same consumer protections or safeguards as legal gaming operators,” said Lou Trombetta, FGCC Executive Director.

Detectives seized approximately 170 gaming machines and approximately $211,000 from the Hot Spot,11145 U.S HWY 441, Tavares; Hot Spot, 11203 U.S. HWY 441, Tavares. Cyber Monkey. 23505 State Road 40, Astor and Hot Spot II, 37415 SR 19, Umatilla, according to Martin.

Detectives seized all illegal gaming devices and issued misdemeanor notices to appear in lieu of physical arrests to six operating employees. The citations were issued with reference to Florida State Statue 849.01, which states it is illegal to keep or maintain a gambling house.

Previous stories: Law enforcement investigating internet gaming facilities in unincorporated Umatilla and Tavares – Inside Lake

LCSO Searching for 2 Suspects After Security Guard was Shot in Attempted Robbery Wednesday Night – Inside Lake

Information finally released following search warrants executed on gaming facilities earlier this month Read More »

Multiple Lake County Sheriff's Office units were spotted at Hotspot, 37415 State Road 19, Umatilla, Thursday morning. LCSO Lt. John Herrell told Inside Lake authorities were conducting an investigation but did not release any details. PHOTO: Marilyn M. Aciego/Inside Lake

Law enforcement investigating internet gaming facilities in unincorporated Umatilla and Tavares

Inside Scoop, Tavares, Umatilla, Unincorporated Lake / By Marilyn M. Aciego

LAKE COUNTY, Fla.—There is a large law enforcement presence at two internet gaming facilities, one in unincorporated Umatilla and one in unincorporated Tavares, Thursday morning and Inside Lake is working to find out why.

Inside Lake received multiple tips and was on the scene at Hotspot, 37415 State Road 19, Umatilla, briefly and witnessed several marked units from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office at the business around 9:30 a.m. A tipster also said there was a law enforcement presence at another Hotspot, located at 11203 U.S. Highway 441, Tavares, near County Road 473.

“We’re working an investigation regarding those gaming establishments, the details of which will be released at a later date,” LCSO Lt. John Herrell told Inside Lake.

Law enforcement investigating internet gaming facilities in unincorporated Umatilla and Tavares Read More »

Shots fired in Tavares condo complex Wednesday, knocks power out to multiple residences

Inside Scoop, Tavares / By Marilyn M. Aciego

TAVARES, Fla.—Tavares Police Department is investigating after multiple shots were fired in a condominium complex late Wednesday night.

Shortly before 10 p.m., TPD received multiple 911 calls in reference to numerous shots being fired in the Rosewood Condominiums, located off Dead River Road, Det. Courtney Sullivan said.

No one was injured, according to Sullivan, and two vehicles fled the complex; one may have been a gray Chevrolet Impala or a Dodge Dart.

Police believe there were multiple people involved in the incident and at least two shooters, due to evidence found at the scene. An electrical box was shot, leaving approximately 90 residents without power for nearly eight hours, Sullivan said.

“Investigators are working diligently to determine those involved and are urging witnesses to come forward to assist with the investigation,” Sullivan said. If you have information, call TPD at 352-343-2101, option 4.

Rosewood has been the site of multiple shootings over the past several years, including a murder in 2018. No arrests have been made in that case. In November 2023, police investigated two separate shootings just four days apart.

Previous story: Tavares Police Investigating After Receiving Multiple Calls of Shots Fired at Rosewood Condos Friday Night – Inside Lake

Shots fired in Tavares condo complex Wednesday, knocks power out to multiple residences Read More »

Lake County jury convicts man of shooting woman in Mount Dora last year

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

TAVARES, Fla.—A man accused of shooting a woman twice in Mount Dora last year was convicted by a Lake County jury Wednesday, according to the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office.

In March 2023, Mount Dora Police Department responded to the 1500 block of Pine Avenue on a report of a shooting and when they arrived, they found a woman in a 2010 Nissan passenger vehicle suffering from two gunshot wounds. The victim told police “Jason,” later identified as Jason Jameel Ganga shot her while she was attempting to leave, and he was inside. There were two bullet holes through her driver’s side window, an affidavit in the case states.

MDPD found Ganga, who showed signs of alcohol intoxication, underneath a bed. Officers grabbed his legs and pulled him out, and as they pulled him out, they saw he was holding a .40 caliber semi-automatic Smith & Wesson handgun to his temple and actively pulling the trigger; the gun did not have a magazine. The gun was secured, and Ganga was taken into custody. He refused to cooperate with MDPD’s questioning and a search of the home revealed multiple firearms, including handguns and rifles, with ammunition scattered throughout the premises. He was arrested on multiple charges and has been held in the Lake County Jail since his arrest.

Ganga was found guilty of attempted second-degree murder, shooting into an occupied vehicle, and aggravated battery. He was represented by Spencer Rhodes of Orlando and prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Gabriel Lozano and Eddie Moffitt. He will be sentenced at a later date.

Previous story: Mount Dora Police Arrest Armed Man Accused of Shooting Woman Twice Sunday Night – Inside Lake

Lake County jury convicts man of shooting woman in Mount Dora last year Read More »

Tavares police thwart man’s plans to kill his father and beat him with a stick Wednesday

Inside Scoop, Tavares / By Marilyn M. Aciego

TAVARES, Fla.—A 27-year-old man is behind bars, accused of violating a New York injunction that prohibits him from possessing a firearm, after Tavares Police Department found him with a loaded 9mm he planned to use to “put all of the bullets into his father,” according to an arrest affidavit.

Tavares Police Department responded to a home on a request that Tyekwon A. Neal be evaluated because he was “acting crazy,” as he left the home on foot shortly before 1:30 pm. Wednesday. Neal’s father told officers Neal said he was going to make him pay for his mistakes and he did not care about anything, including himself, the affidavit states.

Officers began searching the area for Neal and found him at Disston Avenue and Esther Street, about a block away from the home. Neal appeared “agitated,” and was moving away from an officer when another officer pulled up and repeatedly asked Neal what was wrong and asked him to speak with her, the affidavit states.

He finally agreed to speak with officers in a “triangle formation” but continued to move away from them as they spoke; due to the statements Neal made, he was detained. As officers cuffed Neal, he told them he had his father’s loaded 9mm in the front pocket of his hoodie and gave them details on how he planned to kill his father, telling officers he was going to use the gun to “put all of the bullets in his father.” Officers found another loaded magazine in the front right pocket of his pants and a 4-foot-long stick in Neal’s left pant leg, he told police he also planned to use on his father. Neal, who said he was on medication for two mental health disorders but had only taken a partial dose Wednesday, was placed in the back of a patrol vehicle while the arresting officer ran a criminal history check.

She found Neal had been served an injunction in New York in 2020 that prohibited him from possessing a weapon, including a firearm. She confirmed he had to abide by the conditions of the injunction in Florida and he was arrested for violating an injunction. She also found multiple arrests in Buffalo, N.Y. It was unclear if Neal was convicted of any of his felony arrests, so he was not arrested for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was not charged with any offenses related to the threats made to his father because his father was unsure if he had the firearm when he made the threats, TPD told Inside Lake.

Neal was transported to the Lake County Jail, where he pointed his finger in the shape of a gun at jail staff and threatened to shoot them while the officer completed her paperwork. He is being held on no bond.

Tavares police thwart man’s plans to kill his father and beat him with a stick Wednesday Read More »

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 Staff Report

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 »

Nine of the 13 recipients of the Lake County Golden Triangle Rotary scholarships left to right, Richard Guckenberger, club president; scholarship awardees Reyna Green, Bryan Schutte, Shepard Smith, Sierra Funderburk, Aeyden Bedard, Trinity Mathie, Alex Mancilla, Paris Chambliss and Hunter Taylor; Janet Westlake, youth services chair. PHOTO: Vickie Mackler Stockglausner.

Lake County Golden Triangle Rotary awards scholarships for 2024-25 school year

Eustis, Mount Dora, News Briefs, Tavares / By Staff Report

MOUNT DORA—The Rotary Club of Lake County Golden Triangle awarded $26,000 in scholarships to 13 central Florida residents who are pursuing higher education degrees in the 2024-25 academic year.

The awards are based on criteria including scholastic ability, responsibility toward education and financial need with a special emphasis on community service

Morris W. Dunbar established a Nursing Scholarship in honor of his wife. The recipient is Reyna Green, a Mount Dora High School graduate, studying at the University of South Florida.

The Richard Earhart Endowment provides a scholarship to students from Mount Dora. The recipient is Kari Martinez, a Mount Dora High School graduate attending Advent Health University.

The Norma Jean Schloot Endowment funds a scholarship for students in education and agriculture. It is awarded to Hunter Taylor, a Eustis High School graduate studying at the University of Florida (UF.)

The Bill Bland Rotary Scholarship Fund helps students in finance and business, law enforcement, agriculture and technical training. College students receiving scholarships are Alysia Fritzke, University of Central Florida (UCF) and Shelby Mulholland, UF.

Eight graduating seniors also received Bland scholarships: Eustis High School graduates Reagan Baker, Auburn University; Aeyden Bedard, Florida State University and Sierra Funderburk, UCF. Mount Dora High School graduates Alex Mancilla, Lake Technical College (LTC); Trinity Mathie, UCF and Marissa Williams at LTC; Mount Dora Christian Academy graduate Bryan Schutte, Florida Institute of Technology and Hampton Dubose Academy graduate Shepard Smith, Brigham Young University.

The club funded scholarship was awarded to Paris Chambliss, a computer animation major at Ringling College of Art and Design.

“Rotary enjoys supporting our local students. Not only are they future leaders, but they are also making significant contributions in their schools and in our local community,” said Janet Porfilio Westlake, chair of the organization’s Youth Services Committee. “Observing their passion gives us hope.”

Lake County Golden Triangle Rotary awards scholarships for 2024-25 school year Read More »