Tavares

Missing boy recovered safe, grandmother facing kidnapping and drug charges

TAVARES, Fla.—The 5-year-old boy kidnapped by his grandmother has been recovered safe and has a history of violence in his family, according to police and public records.

Less than two hours after the Florida Department of Law Enforcement pushed an Amber Alert for Jace Saunders, his grandmother, Kelly DaSilva, showed up at Lady Lake Police Department with the boy, who was healthy and unharmed.

Tavares Police Department detectives responded to Lady Lake and took DaSilva, 50, into custody, TPD Public Information Officer Courtney Sullivan said. She was transported to Tavares Police Department for questioning and Jace was turned over to the Department of Children and Families. After questioning, DaSilva was arrested for kidnapping and interference with child custody and upon being taken to the Lake County Jail, staff found methamphetamine on DaSilva as she was being booked and she is facing additional charges of possession of methamphetamine and introduction of contraband into a detention facility. Her booking information and mugshot were not available at press time.

TPD and DCF responded to a home on Tara Drive Sunday afternoon to remove Jace from a relative’s custody. When they arrived, Jace was not at the home and was reportedly on a golf cart ride with a family friend, Mitchell Morris. The relative called Morris and asked him to return Jace, but instead he met DaSilva at a nearby park and gave Jace to her, Sullivan said.

Morris was arrested for interference of child custody; Jace’s parents, Taylor Judy, 27, and Brandon Saunders, 39, were also arrested for interference of child custody for failing to cooperate with law enforcement. Judy and Saunders were both “verbally hostile” and stated Jace would not be turned over to DCF, Sullivan said in a Monday morning press conference.

Sullivan said TPD is familiar with Jace’s family and there is a history of domestic issues. According to an arrest affidavit, in 2020, Saunders was arrested for battery by strangulation for choking Judy two separate times and wrestling her phone away from her during an argument as she tried to leave with Jace when he was just a baby. Judy explained to Sullivan, who was the arresting officer in that case, Saunders had battered her on three separate occasions prior to that day. Those charges were reduced to a battery charge and Saunders pleaded no contest. He was sentenced to probation.

In 2022, Saunders was arrested twice, once in March and again in May, after being accused of battering Judy on both occasions. In the March case, Saunders pleaded no contest again and was again sentenced to probation. The charges in the May case were transferred to misdemeanor court, he pleaded no contest and was sentenced to 75 days in jail. In July 2023, he was arrested again for battering Judy and his bond was revoked. While he was in jail, he violated a no victim contact order using his own account and the accounts of other inmates to call Judy 303 times. He was arrested for 15 counts of violating pre-trial conditions and four counts of tampering with a witness. The tampering charges were dropped, and he pleaded no contest to all 15 counts of violating pre-trial and conditions and was sentenced to 364 days in jail with credit for 163 days, time served. He was released in May 2024.

This is the second familial kidnapping in Lake County this year; Dixie Williams is accused of kidnapping her two daughters, Tilli and Natalia from a Sorrento foster home Jan. 25. Williams was captured in Louisiana just a day later, and the girls were recovered safe. Williams’ case is still open and last week her attorney, Assistant Public Defender Mona Payne filed a motion for a court-appointed psychological evaluation.

Missing boy recovered safe, grandmother facing kidnapping and drug charges Read More »

Mount Dora double-slaying suspect competent to proceed, judge orders

TAVARES, Fla.—The suspect in a brutal 2022 Mount Dora double murder is now competent to proceed, according to an order signed by Lake Circuit Judge Cary Rada last month.

Vickie Lynn Williams, 51,  is accused of stabbing Darryl Getman, 83, and Sharon Getman, 80. The married couple was murdered in their Waterman Village home sometime between the hours of 11 p.m. Dec. 30, 2022, and 2 a.m. Dec. 31, 2022.

After allegedly murdering the couple, Williams stole their green Kia Soul and was still driving it when she was apprehended by a Savannah Police Department officer at a Georgia Amtrak station on Jan. 2, 2023. She was indicted later that month and prosecutors are seeking the death penalty in the case that shocked Lake County.

In May, Williams was found incompetent to proceed and turned over to the Department of Children and Families (DCF.) While in its custody, Williams was evaluated and a “Competency Evaluation Report to the Court” completed in September and authored by Dr. Armando Collado Ph.D., was submitted to the Court and independently reviewed by Rada.

“The defendant’s appreciation of the charges, appreciation of the possible penalties, understanding of the adversarial nature of the legal process, capacity to disclose to counsel facts pertaining to the proceedings, capacity to manifest appropriate courtroom behavior, and capacity to testify relevantly are all acceptable,” Rada stated in his order. 

Williams next plea negotiation conference is scheduled for Tuesday.

 

Previous story: Suspect in Mount Dora slayings mentally incompetent, judge rules – Inside Lake 

Mount Dora double-slaying suspect competent to proceed, judge orders Read More »

Shot fired at LCSO sergeant in Tavares, suspect identified and arrested

TAVARES, Fla.—A man who allegedly fired a shot at a Lake County Sheriff’s Office sergeant’s patrol vehicle early Thursday morning and fled the scene has been identified and arrested.

Shortly before 2:15 a.m. Thursday, the LCSO sergeant was patrolling the area of Wells Avenue in Tavares when he was flagged down by a citizen who told him a black male on a bike was rummaging through vehicles in the area. The sergeant canvassed the area and found two males and a female in front of the Peninsular Masonic Lodge, 1234 Wells Avenue. One of the men was on a e-bike, according to a probable cause affidavit.

The man on the e-bike, later identified as Norman Dywan Gunn, 35, took off in a southern direction behind the Dora Canal shopping plaza and the sergeant activated his blue lights and attempted a traffic stop. Gunn took evasive actions, partially crossing State Road 19/Duncan Drive, returned back to the plaza then headed further south into the rear of Prime Time Food Store, 1248 Wells Avenue. The business has been closed for several years. The sergeant yelled at Gunn to “stop” through his open window and Gunn reportedly yelled something like “I’m scared,” and continued to flee.

The sergeant was unable to follow path of the e-bike and believing Gunn went to the front of the store, he approached the corner of the store, and a shot was fired at his marked patrol vehicle, the affidavit states. The sergeant took a tactical position and held the scene while backup arrived.

The DYU C3 e-bike was found abandoned and LCSO CSI collected it for evidence. Deputies and LCSO’s Eagle One searched for Gunn and were assisted by Tavares Police Department but they were unable to find him. Gunn lives just .2 miles from the store where the shooting occurred.

The entire incident was recorded by the sergeant’s dash cam and the gunshot is “clearly audible, but not visually observed,” according to an LCSO detective investigating the case.

Detectives canvassed the area and a video from Circle K, 439 South Duncan Drive, showed a black male on the same e-bike arriving at the store at 1:18 a.m. The man was wearing a Checkers uniform shirt and purchased a cigar from the store. The detective recognized the man as Gunn, who works at Checkers, 480 East Burleigh Boulevard, Tavares. A witness, the same man with Gunn when the sergeant first arrived, told LCSO the man was possibly “Lion,” and gave detectives the exact location of Gunn’s home.

A warrant was issued for Gunn’s arrest for aggravated assault with a firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and fleeing and eluding. He was arrested Thursday afternoon and transported to the Lake County Jail, where he is being held on no bond. Gunn’s neighbor, who wished to remain anonymous, told Inside Lake he was arrested and taken into custody at Checkers, and deputies searched his home on Maplewood Street early Thursday evening.

This incident comes just 3.5 months after LCSO deputies were ambushed in unincorporated Eustis Aug. 2. Master Deputy Bradley Link was killed and Master Deputy Harold Howell and Deputy Stefano Gargano both suffered gunshot wounds and are still recovering. Julie Sulpizio has been charged with multiple crimes in that case and is facing the death penalty.

Shot fired at LCSO sergeant in Tavares, suspect identified and arrested Read More »

Tipster, “alarmed” by threats against officers, alerts Tavares police

TAVARES, Fla.—A transient Mount Dora woman is in the Lake County Jail on no bond after making multiple threats against three Tavares Police Department officers and one Mount Dora Police Department officer on Facebook Wednesday.

A tipster reached out to TPD on its Facebook page just before 9:45 p.m. Wednesday and stated, “Someone I know has made some alarming threats against your officers on Facebook. I would like to remain anonymous, but here are the threats on Facebook. Her name is Ernesta Presy.” The tipster followed the message with 11 screenshots from Presy’s Facebook page. A tip also came into Crimeline not long after, according to a report.

TPD notified MDPD of the threat against its officer and the department said it was familiar with Presy from previous contacts and confirmed she is a “homeless transient” in their area, the report states.

Presy, 27, is apparently upset about a March incident involving TPD; the type of incident is redacted from TPD’s report, but according to a lawsuit Presy filed against TPD, she was taken into custody under a Baker Act. Presy is   representing herself “pro se,” without the assistance of an attorney. “Pro se” is a Latin term meaning “for oneself” or “on one’s own behalf.”  Presy is also representing herself in a lawsuit against Lifestream.

Inside Lake obtained copies of the Facebook posts and the posts included a sticky note with the names and identification numbers of three TPD officers. The note was provided to Presy by an on-duty road patrol officer when she stopped by the department on Tuesday to inquire about the names of the officers involved in her Baker Act in March. In addition to the sticky note with the officer’s names, she posted one TPD officer’s photo three times, including updating her profile photo to a photo of the officer and on another post, she provided a link to the officer’s personal Facebook page. Presy posted numerous threats and concerning statements including:

“I don’t know about y’all but only I can die standing up for my rights! I said what’s up and what it’s gone be..”

“If Hitler went to heaven so will I for killing these mutha (expletive) who unlawfully arrested me –as soon this case shut down I’m turning off the tracker.”

“I’m getting a gun, and it will be used for those who unlawfully arrested me in March and those who held me hostage. I have to stop caring so much.”

“5 people will die.”

“After I shoot her I will stab u multiple times for all the times you made me cry and plead!!!”

“if ur innocent and you get in the way u will die too.”

               

Screenshots taken from Ernest Presy’s Facebook page. 

TPD searched Facebook for Presy’s page and confirmed the posts that were sent in by the tipsters. A warrant was issued for her arrest for written or electronic threats to kill, and she was picked up by MDPD Thursday morning. She was transported to LCJ, where she is being held on no bond.

Presy was arrested in 2020 after being accused of striking her child’s father with a vehicle and driving through Eustis with him hanging onto the hood. He was able to jump off when Presy stopped at a traffic light. That charge was later dropped due to video evidence in the case creating reasonable doubt.

Previous story: Victim tells Eustis Police his child’s mother took him on a wild ride on the hood of her car – Inside Lake 

Tipster, “alarmed” by threats against officers, alerts Tavares police Read More »

Accused Montverde child murderer appears in court Thursday

TAVARES, Fla.—The woman accused of brutally torturing and murdering her boyfriend’s daughter appeared in court Thursday.

Only Inside Lake was in the courtroom as Circuit Judge Heidi Davis questioned Tyshael Martin, 35, about retaining an attorney. Martin, who still does not have an attorney of record, more than two months after her arrest, told Davis she has retained Sean Landers, but he has not filed a notice of appearance yet due to him being out of town.

Assistant State Attorney Thomas Wieczorek asked the court to keep Martin’s case on the docket for November for both a pre-trial conference to ensure she has retained an attorney, and a plea negotiation conference. He also asked the record reflect the state filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty in Martin’s case.

“Oct. 8, the same date that notice was filed with the court, defendant Martin was also personally served with that notice at the Lake County Jail,” Wieczorek said.

 

 

According to a probable cause affidavit, Martin is accused of killing 9-year-old Jamaria “Mari” Sessions in June after abusing and torturing her for nearly eight months after her father, Lojuan Sessions, picked her up from school in October 2023. Sessions took Jamaria and her little sister, Jaliah, from school that day without permission or notice to the girls’ grandmother Althea Chenault. Chenault had been helping care for the girls throughout their mother, Tadrina Dort’s fight against leukemia, and after her death from congestive heart failure in 2022. Chenault is also listed as Jamaria’s next of kin in Martin’s case and Martin was ordered not to have any contact with Chenault at an earlier court appearance.

Chenault and her son, Trane Chenault and daughter, Laquanda Beacham, were in attendance for Thursday’s hearing and the family plans to attend each time Martin or Sessions appears in court.

Previous story: State to seek death penalty for accused Montverde child killer – Inside Lake

Accused Montverde child murderer appears in court Thursday Read More »

Motorcyclist killed in Eustis crash Monday

EUSTIS, Fla.—Eustis Police Department is investigating a crash that killed a motorcyclist before daybreak Monday.

The motorcyclist was riding a 2001 Suzuki motorcycle northbound on U.S. Highway 441, north of David Walker Drive around 6:30 a.m. when he was struck by a black GMC pickup truck attempting to make a left turn into Eustis Village shopping plaza, EPD Capt. Ken Toler told Inside Lake. The plaza contains Publix, Sonic and numerous other restaurants and retail businesses.

The motorcyclist was pronounced deceased on the scene; his name has not been released, pending notification of next of kin. The driver of the truck was not injured. Tavares Police Department assisted with traffic control and the crash closed a portion of U.S.  Highway 441 for more than three hours.

Motorcyclist killed in Eustis crash Monday Read More »

Tragic discovery: Tavares couple found dead of suspected carbon monoxide poisoning from generator following Hurricane Milton

TAVARES, Fla.—Tavares Police Department is investigating after a man and woman were found dead of suspected carbon monoxide poisoning in their home Tuesday, and police believe a generator is to blame.

TPD received a call requesting a well-being check around 1:45 p.m. on Perry Leintz, 67, and Constance Albrecht, 87, at their home at 24 Holly Drive in the Tiki Village Mobile Park off Dead River Road, TPD Public Information Officer Courtney Sullivan said. Road patrol officers responded to the home and found the couple deceased, and a generator in their shed that was connected to the home.

PHOTO: Tavares Police Department

“There were no indications of foul play,” Sullivan said.

The medical examiner responded to the scene and both Leintz and Albrecht showed signs of carbon monoxide poisoning, but TPD will have to await the conclusion of their autopsies to confirm, Sullivan said.

Two different neighbors told police they expressed concerns to Leintz about the generator being so close to the home, fearing carbon monoxide may leak into the home, Sullivan said. The couple lost power during Hurricane Milton, and neighbors last spoke to them Thursday.

The American Red Cross suggests these safety tips while using a generator:

• Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning devices inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace or any partially enclosed area.

• Keep these devices outdoors, away from doors, windows and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors.
• Opening doors and windows or using fans will not prevent CO buildup in the home. Although CO can’t be seen or smelled, it can rapidly lead to full incapacitation and death. Even if you cannot smell exhaust fumes, you may still be exposed to CO. If you start to feel sick, dizzy, or weak while using a generator, get to fresh air RIGHT AWAY – DO NOT DELAY.

• Install CO alarms in central locations on every level of your home and outside sleeping areas to provide early warning of accumulating carbon monoxide. Test the batteries frequently and replace when needed.

• If the carbon monoxide alarm sounds, move quickly to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door. Call for help from the fresh air location and remain there until emergency personnel arrive to assist you.

Tragic discovery: Tavares couple found dead of suspected carbon monoxide poisoning from generator following Hurricane Milton Read More »

State to seek death penalty in August ambush attack on deputies

TAVARES, Fla.—The woman accused of helping mastermind an ambush attack on Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies may pay for her crimes with her life.

Fifth Judicial Circuit Assistant State Attorney Kenneth Nunnelley filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty late Tuesday afternoon in the case against Julie Sulpizio.

Sulpizio, 48, is accused of starting an altercation with her neighbors on Brookside Drive in unincorporated Eustis on Aug. 2. LCSO responded to the altercation and during a well-being check at her home, just down the street from the original call, Master Deputy Bradley Link was shot and suffered fatal wounds. In an immediate rescue attempt of Link, K9 Master Deputy Harold Howell was shot in the wrist and in a subsequent rescue attempt, Deputy Stefano Gargano was shot multiple times. Howell and Gargano have since been released from the hospital and continue to recover from their injuries.

Evidence at the scene revealed Julie’s husband, Michael, and daughters, Cheyenne and Savannah, opened fire on the deputies and all three were found dead from self-inflicted gunshot wounds after LCSO’s SWAT made entry to the home.

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.

Sulpizio is being held on no bond at an undisclosed detention center and has pleaded not guilty.

State to seek death penalty in August ambush attack on deputies Read More »

Lake County prepares for Helene

Publisher’s note: This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

LAKE COUNTY, Fla.— Tropical Storm Helene, expected to make landfall Thursday as Hurricane Helene, is expected to bring wind and rain to Lake County and residents should finish storm preparations by Wednesday afternoon. How to get information and sandbags, along with closures are listed below.

 

Citizens Information line: 352-253-9999

AlertLake Notification System: sign up at https://alertlake.com/ or text ALERTLAKE to 888777

 

Closures:

Butler Street Boat Ramp, 55400 Butler Street, Astor, 5 a.m. Wednesday

City of Eustis, Thursday

City of Groveland, Thursday

Lake County Board of County Commissioners, Thursday

Lake County Schools, Thursday

Lake-Sumter State College, Thursday

Pearl Street Boat Ramp, 25140 E. Pearl Street, Astor, 5 a.m. Wednesday

Sandbag locations

All locations are self-service, bring your own shovel.  

Clermont

(Former public services facility, adjacent to West Park,) 400 12th St., Clermont, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday

Eustis

Eustis Fire Station 22, 100 West Norton Ave., Eustis, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday

Groveland

Lot next to 310 Crittenden St., Groveland, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday

Leesburg

Susan Street Complex, 940 Susan St., Leesburg, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday

Mascotte

161 Knight St., Mascotte, 8 a.m., to 5 p.m. Wednesday

Mount Dora

Frank Brown Sports Complex, 1245 East Pine Ave., Mount Dora, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., weather permitting

Unincorporated Lake County

All locations open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, weather permitting

East Lake Sports and Community Complex, 24809 Wallick Rd. Sorrento

North Lake Regional Park. 40730 Roger Giles Rd., Umatilla

Astor Fire Station 10.23023 State Road 40, Astor

Minneola Athletic Complex, 1300 Fosgate Rd. (13930 Education Ave.) Minneola

PEAR Gateway Park (Front Entrance,) 26701 U.S. Highway 27, Leesburg

Four Corners Fire Station 112, 16240 CR 474, Clermont

Hickory Point Recreation Complex, 27315 State Road 19, Tavares

 

 

Waste collection

Groveland, Thursday pickup will shift to Friday, Friday pickup will shift to Saturday

Montverde, pickups are canceled Thursday and will resume Monday.

Lake County Office of Solid Waste, Thursday pickup will shift to Friday, Friday pickup will shift to Saturday

 

 

 

 

Lake County prepares for Helene Read More »

BREAKING NEWS: Lake County Schools closed Thursday

TAVARES, Fla.- Lake County public schools will be closed Thursday due to Tropical Storm Helene, which is expected to be a hurricane when it makes landfall, according to Lake County Schools.

After-school activities on Wednesday are not cancelled and a decision will be made about Friday following Wednesday’s mid-day briefing, LCS said.

BREAKING NEWS: Lake County Schools closed Thursday Read More »

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