Umatilla

Scheduled Holiday Closings And Modified Garbage Pickup

LAKE COUNTY, Florida—Many local government offices are scheduled to close this week in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Lake County Government offices will be closed Thursday and Friday and county garbage pickup regularly scheduled for Thursday will be Friday and regularly scheduled pickup for Friday will be Saturday. This includes Altoona, Astor, Ferndale, Grand Island, Okahumpka, Paisley, Sorrento and Yalaha. For more information, visit  https://lakecountyfl.gov/trash-recycling.

Most city government and town halls will be closed Thursday and Friday; this includes Clermont, Eustis, Fruitland Park, Groveland, Howey-In-The-Hills, Leesburg, Mascotte, Mount Dora, Tavares and Umatilla. Astatula, Lady Lake and Minneola are scheduled to close just on Thursday. Aligning with the county garbage pickup modified schedule; garbage pickup for Thursday will be Friday and pickup for Friday will be Saturday for most cities, except Lady Lake, Leesburg and Tavares.

Lady Lake’s and Leesburg’s garbage pickup will resume Monday and Tavares will resume Tuesday. 

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Middle School Student Arrested After Snapchat Post

UMATILLA, Florida—A 13-year-old girl was arrested Wednesday just four days before her 14th birthday for threatening a school shooting on Snapchat in apparent retaliation for getting in trouble for selling nicotine for vapes.

The post stated, “Am shooting up umatilla (sic) middle scholl (sic) today bc all yopu (sic) 6, 7, and 8th graders are fake as (expletive) y’all (expletive) got me expelled for selling nic- – y’all (expletive)are going to pay on god.”

Thea Stiles was interviewed at Umatilla Middle School and admitted to making the threat and said she made the post on the bus because she was upset.

Stiles, a resident of a group home, according to her arrest affidavit, was arrested by a Lake County Sheriff’s Office school resource deputy for written threats to do violence.

The Sheriff’s Office and Lake County Schools maintain a zero tolerance for such threats. Just three days ago LCSO Sheriff Peyton Grinnell and LCS Superintendent Diane Kornegay released a video warning of the consequences of making threats to do violence, LCSO Lt. John Herrell said in a press release. 

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Umatilla Teen Keeps Buying Vehicles With Bum Checks — Two Lake Dealerships Hit

The following story was previously published on Lake Legal News.

EUSTIS, Florida — An unemployed Umatilla man scammed two local car dealerships with nearly $70,000 of worthless checks, and attempted to scam two more, according to a probable cause affidavit.

On April 16, Eustis Police Department responded to Advantage Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM, 18311 U.S. Highway 441 on a report of fraud. The general manager told police Prestin Scott Carroll, 19, purchased a 2021 Jeep Wrangler with a check written for $48,940.35 four days earlier. The check was returned the next day for insufficient funds; the manager contacted the bank and found the account the check was written on had been closed.

The responding officer called Carroll and Carroll told him he purchased the Jeep with an insurance settlement from a previous crash and did not know why the bank failed to honor the check. The manager requested Carroll bring in a cashier’s check or return the Jeep by the end of the day and Carroll agreed, according to the affidavit.

The following day an unidentified female left the Jeep in the parking lot.

Just a week later, on April 23, another EPD officer responded to Danny Len Buick GMC, 17605 U.S. Highway 441, also on a fraud complaint. An employee told EPD Carroll came to the dealership on April 17— the same day the Jeep was returned— and wrote a $5,000 check to hold a 2013 Ford F150. On April 19, Carroll returned to the dealership and finished paperwork and wrote a check for the remaining balance on the truck— $14,857.78. The checks were returned as unpaid four days later and the employee attempted to contact Carroll to no avail and then called police.

An EPD corporal contacted Carroll later that same afternoon and he said he had two accounts at the same bank, one of which is closed, and he “must have accidently written checks from the wrong account,” the affidavit states. Carroll later returned the truck.

Carroll’s criminal history showed a prior arrest in Winter Haven and EPD contacted Winter Haven Police Department and found that Carroll had purchased a 2019 Chevrolet Camaro from a dealership in Winter Haven, with a worthless check in the amount of $28,379.59 The report in that case mentioned a similar case in Pasco County and EPD contacted Pasco County Sheriff’s office and found that Carroll had purchased a 2020 Toyota Tacoma from a dealership there and then traded it in on a 2021 Jeep Rubicon. He is alleged to have written two checks for those vehicles totaling nearly $75,000.

Carroll also attempted to purchase a Ford F150 Platinum worth $74,000 from Prestige Ford, 17701 U.S. Highway 441, Eustis but was unsuccessful. Carroll was also unsuccessful at Phillips Buick GMC, 2160 U.S. 441/27, Fruitland Park. A warrant was issued for Carroll’s arrest on April 27 for two counts of grand theft auto and four counts of fraud.  He was nabbed on April 29 and is being held in the Lake County Jail on $35,000 bond.

Umatilla Teen Keeps Buying Vehicles With Bum Checks — Two Lake Dealerships Hit Read More »

Bond Set At $1.75 Million For Alleged Umatilla Shooter, Now In Custody

The following story was previously published on Lake Legal News.

UMATILLA, Florida – The man who the Lake County Sheriff’s Office was looking for in connection with a shooting in Umatilla earlier this month is in custody.

Jack Lamarbenn Brown II, 34, is accused of shooting the victim at a home on Highland Street shortly before 11:30 a.m. Jan. 20. The victim was taken to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Brown, of Eustis, is facing an attempted first degree murder charge and a charge of shooting into an occupied dwelling. He is being held in the Lake County Jail on $1.75 million bond. His next court date is scheduled for Feb. 22.

The shooting caused both Umatilla Middle School and Umatilla High School to be locked down for a short period of time, Lake County Schools said the day of the incident.

Investigators have not released a motive for the shooting.

Bond Set At $1.75 Million For Alleged Umatilla Shooter, Now In Custody Read More »

Wanted Man’s Name And Photo Released, In Connection With Umatilla Shooting

The following story was previously published on Lake Legal News.

UMATILLA, Florida — The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has released the name and photo of a man wanted for a shooting in Umatilla on Jan. 20.

Jack Lamarbenn Brown II, 34, is accused of shooting the victim at a home on Highland Street shortly before 11:30 a.m. Jan. 20. The victim was taken to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Jack Lamarbenn Brown II PHOTO: Lake County Sheriff’s Office

The shooting caused both Umatilla Middle School and Umatilla High School to be locked down for a short period of time, Lake County Schools said the day of the incident.

Brown is believed to be driving a dark-colored BMW with possible license plate KGMR68. If you see Brown, or his car, LCSO urges you not to approach him, as he may be armed; call LCSO Det. Watkins at 352-343-2101 or Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS.

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LCSO Seeking Suspect In Umatilla Shooting — Crimeline Callers May Be Eligible For Reward

The following story was previously published on Lake Legal News.

UMATILLA, Florida — A suspect is on the loose after someone was shot at their home in Umatilla Wednesday morning.

According to a press release from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, a black male with shoulder-length dreadlocks shot the victim at the victim’s home at 51 Highland Avenue at 11:20 a.m. The suspect fled the scene in a dark-colored sedan with tinted windows, LCSO Lt. John Herrell said.

The victim, whose identity has not been released, was transported to an area hospital in critical condition.

The shooting caused both Umatilla Middle School and Umatilla High School to be placed on lockdown for a short period of time, according to Lake County Schools.

If you have information on Wednesday’s shooting, call LCSO at 352-343-2101 or Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS. Crimeline callers may be eligible for a reward.

LCSO Seeking Suspect In Umatilla Shooting — Crimeline Callers May Be Eligible For Reward Read More »

Tomorrow’s Broadcast: Dr. Phil Features Lake County’s ‘Murder-For-Hire Plot’ Cheerleader

The following story was previously published on Lake Legal News.

UMATILLA, Florida — A local case that received national attention last September will be in the national spotlight again on Thursday.

The parents of Alyssa Hatcher, the former Umatilla High School cheerleader who tried to hire two people to murder them, are scheduled to appear on Dr. Phil Thursday, according to the show’s website, drphil.com.

In September 2019, the murder-for-hire plot was foiled after a witness came forward and told the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Hatcher paid two different people to murder her parents — one of them a Clermont Police officer. Hatcher stole her mother’s debit card, spent some of the money on cocaine and the rest on would-be hitmen.   Lake County Sheriff’s detectives arrested Hatcher and charged her with criminal solicitation of murder.

According to drphil.com, the show airs at noon and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday on WOFL Fox 35.

Read our original article here: https://www.lakelegalnews.com/article/lake-juveniles-plot-to-kill-parents-foiled/

Tomorrow’s Broadcast: Dr. Phil Features Lake County’s ‘Murder-For-Hire Plot’ Cheerleader Read More »

Lake Juvenile’s Plot to Kill Parents Foiled

The following story was previously published on Lake Legal News.

[09/11/19 1:44 p.m.] UMATILLA, Florida – In a story that has now gained national attention, LLN was the very first to report that one of the the Umatilla High School cheerleader’s intended murder victims – her stepfather – is a Clermont law enforcement officer. Now LLN is the very first to report that this same 17-year-old girl who is accused of plotting to have her mother and stepfather killed is no stranger to the law. LLN was tipped off late Tuesday that Alyssa Hatcher’s stepfather’s guns were stolen last year during one of multiple house parties thrown by Hatcher. The parties were thrown while her mother and stepfather, Clermont Police Lt. Michael Scheller were out of town.

PHOTO: Facebook

According to the report taken by Umatilla Police Department and obtained exclusive by LLN, Scheller arrived home from vacation in September 2018 to find that the keys to his gun safe were missing. He later found them in Hatcher’s room. Once he opened the safe, he found that his department-issued Glock 22, a Para Ordinance 45 and a Ruger 357 revolver were missing.  His duty belt, handcuffs and flashlight were also missing. (The Clermont Police Department is also listed as a named-victim in the police report.)

When asked why she had the safe keys, Hatcher advised police she took the keys the mow the yard as her parents had requested. She also told police three unknown males attended the party and she saw them in the hallway, but “never thought anything of it and just thought they were going to the restroom.”

Umatilla Police investigated and interviewed numerous juvenile witnesses, but the guns were never found.

[09/10/19 2:13 p.m.] UMATILLA, Florida – LCSO Sgt. Fred Jones confirmed to LLN that Hatcher’s stepfather is a law enforcement officer. Outside sources and social media confirm that her stepfather is Clermont Police Lt. Michael Scheller. Hatcher is a former Umatilla High School cheerleader.

[Original Breaking Story] UMATILLA, Florida – A 17-year-old girl is facing murder solicitation charges after detectives say she paid two different people to murder her parents. LLN is actively working to confirm whether one of the alleged intended victims — the girl’s stepfather, is a Clermont, police officer.

An unidentified juvenile made contact with a Lake County Sheriff’s Office school resource deputy and told the deputy the suspect had given her friend “a lot of money” to kill her parents, according to the arrest affidavit. An investigation found that Alyssa Hatcher stole her parents’ debit card and completed two transactions, totaling more than $1,400. She was arrested by Umatilla Police Department on theft charges.

LCSO Det. David Causey interviewed the suspect’s boyfriend who told him he saw his girlfriend at a “known drug house” early Monday morning and she told him she wanted to kill her parents. Causey interviewed Hatcher, who admitted she stole the debit card and wanted her parents dead. She said she spent $100 on cocaine and gave $400 to the unidentified friend. The friend never carried out the murder plot, so Hatcher gave $900 to a black male to complete the job. The plot was foiled when the witness came forward. The victims, Hatcher’s parents, advised they wanted to prosecute and the girl was charged with criminal solicitation of murder.

This is a developing story.

Lake Juvenile’s Plot to Kill Parents Foiled Read More »

Inappropriate Teacher-Video Leaks Out To Lake County Students

The following story was previously published on Lake Legal News.

[09/06/19 9:45 p.m.] UMATILLA, Florida – Due to the nature of its content, LLN is declining to publish the video itself, to avoid further mental harm to students. However, even a cropped screenshot excerpt of the leaked video reveals that the unnamed woman appeared shocked at the salacious language being used, which is the subject of the ongoing investigation by Lake County Schools.

[09/06/19 4:56 p.m.] UMATILLA, Florida – Lt. John Herrell has informed LLN that the LCSO took a report, investigated the matter, and having determined that no criminal violation exists, has referred the matter to Lake County Schools.

09/06/19 2:45 p.m.] UMATILLA, Florida – A Umatilla Middle School teacher is under investigation by Lake County Schools after several social media videos went viral during the hurricane break.

Todd Erdman, employed since 2007, shared numerous videos on the social media platform TikTok, containing sexually explicit statements. The videos were spotted by a student who then shared them with friends and they spread throughout the community in a matter of hours. The videos were sent to LLN Thursday, by a concerned parent. The school district was made aware of the videos after a parent complained about the videos early Thursday morning.

Imani Williams, multi-media specialist and assistant public information officer for Lake County Schools told LLN that Erdman called in sick Thursday and Friday, but is under an active investigation. When he returns to work, he will be placed in a no-student contact position, Williams said. “We urge all of our teachers to operate with integrity.”

Geoff Rose, whose children were taught by Erdman, is appalled. “I find it disgusting. As a parent and youth coach, doing things like this is highly unacceptable,” Rose said. Rose has coached youth sports for 20 years.

Erdman has no prior disciplinary action, according to Williams. What happens next will be determined by outcome of the investigation. “We are working our hardest to do the most thorough investigation we can,“  Williams said. “We are here to do the best job possible.” Williams said the Lake County Sheriff’s Office also investigated. A call to LCSO was not returned by press time.

[Original Breaking Story] TAVARES, Florida – Sources are telling LLN that a Lake County middle school teacher is under investigation after inappropriate videos shared on the social media platform TikTok were viewed by numerous students during the hurricane break. A student stumbled upon the video and shared it with friends and it spread on social media in a matter of hours.  

A concerned parent emailed two of the videos to LLN Thursday. One video, 16 seconds in length shows the teacher having a verbal exchange with an unknown female. The conversation has graphic sexual connotations that most would consider vulgar. The second video, just eight seconds, shows the teacher in a bathtub making another graphic sexual remark.

No one could be reached at Lake County Schools after hours.

This is a developing story.

Inappropriate Teacher-Video Leaks Out To Lake County Students Read More »

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