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Umatilla

No Arrests in Umatilla Murder Last Week, LCSO Developing Leads

UMATILLA Florida—The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is developing leads in the murder of a 31-year-old man Nov. 8, Lt. John Herrell told Inside Lake Wednesday. Antwain “Lil Daddy” Hart was found shot in front of a home at 38946 Merrell Avenue last week in the Southside area of unincorporated Umatilla. He was transported to AdventHealth Waterman in Tavares by Lake EMS, but died during transport, Herrell said. LCSO has not released many details in the case. Hart’s rental vehicle, a white 2022 Jeep Cherokee was stolen at the time he was shot and found about 12 hours later behind First […]

No Arrests in Umatilla Murder Last Week, LCSO Developing Leads Read More »

Eustis, Inside Scoop, Umatilla, Unincorporated Lake / By / November 17, 2022

Traffic Stop Leads to More than 100 Grams of Meth

UMATILLA, Florida—A painted taillight that caught the attention of a Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputy began a series of events that ended in a trip to jail for a DeLand man Friday night after he was found with more than 125 grams of methamphetamine. Shortly after 10 p.m. Friday, the deputy spotted a blue Mercedes with what the deputy thought was an inoperable taillight on State Road 19 south of Umatilla. As the deputy approached the car, it was apparent the lights were painted and the driver side taillight was painted darker, making it appear very dim, according to an

Traffic Stop Leads to More than 100 Grams of Meth Read More »

Eustis, Inside Scoop, Umatilla, Unincorporated Lake / By / November 15, 2022

Fiery Crash Kills Tavares Woman in Umatilla Thursday Night

UMATILLA, Florida—A 39-year-old woman was speeding before she crashed her car into a tree and it burst into flames in unincorporated Umatilla, witnesses told the Florida Highway Patrol. Around 9 p.m. Thursday, the Tavares woman was driving a 2009 Chevy Malibu northbound on West 4th Avenue approaching West 7th Street when she lost control, ran off the roadway and struck a tree, causing the car to become engulfed in flames, according to FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi. Witnesses told troopers the woman was speeding before the crash. She was transported to Central Florida Regional Medical Center in Sanford, where she later

Fiery Crash Kills Tavares Woman in Umatilla Thursday Night Read More »

Inside Scoop, Tavares, Umatilla, Unincorporated Lake / By / November 11, 2022

LCSO Identifies Man Killed Near Umatilla Tuesday

UMATILLA, Florida—The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has identified the man killed in unincorporated Umatilla Tuesday afternoon.  Antwain Jamar Hart, 31, aka “Lil Daddy” was found shot in front of a home at 38946 Merrell Avenue in the Southside area of unincorporated Umatilla around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to LCSO Lt. John Herrell. Hart was transported to the hospital, but died before he made it there, Herrell said Tuesday night. Hart’s rental vehicle, a white 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee was stolen during the incident and found in the early morning hours Wednesday at First Church of God-Eustis 1550 North Highway 19

LCSO Identifies Man Killed Near Umatilla Tuesday Read More »

Inside Scoop, Umatilla, Unincorporated Lake / By / November 9, 2022

Man Shot Near Umatilla Tuesday, Dies On the Way to the Hospital

UMATILLA, Florida—A man is dead following a shooting in unincorporated Umatilla Tuesday afternoon, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office Lt. John Herrell. LCSO responded to a report of shots fired at 3:25 p.m. Tuesday around Merrell Avenue in the area known as Southside, and when they arrived, they found a man shot at a home at 38946 Merrell Avenue. Paramedics transported the man, but he died on the way to the hospital, Herrell said. AdventHealth Waterman was placed on lockdown for a short amount of time, standard procedure when a shooting victim is brought to a hospital. The shooting also

Man Shot Near Umatilla Tuesday, Dies On the Way to the Hospital Read More »

Inside Scoop, Umatilla, Unincorporated Lake / By / November 8, 2022

Umatilla Teen Driving Mercedes Busted by Off Duty Deputy for Impersonating a Cop

EUSTIS, Florida—A teenager is being held on $6,000 bond after flipping on red and blue lights as he pulled over near a disabled vehicle Tuesday night—in front of a Lake County Sheriff’s Office detention deputy. Joshua Michael Mazenka, 18, of Umatilla, was driving a black 2011 Mercedes on State Road 19 in Eustis around 10 p.m. Tuesday when he saw a disabled vehicle, turned on his illegal red and blue lights and pulled over, according to an arrest affidavit. An LCSO detention deputy on his way home, saw the disabled vehicle and as he attempted to pull over, the Mercedes

Umatilla Teen Driving Mercedes Busted by Off Duty Deputy for Impersonating a Cop Read More »

Eustis, Inside Scoop, Umatilla / By / November 4, 2022

Tavares Police and LCSO Join Forces for Operation Aware

Operation Aware will provide wristbands and a database for first responders and the special needs community. TAVARES, Florida—Two law enforcement agencies have joined forces to provide a new tool to the community that will give first responders valuable information when responding to calls for service in the special needs community. Nearly a year in the making, Tavares Police Department began its Operation Aware initiative in November 2021 and has since teamed up with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office to provide wristbands to members of the community that may require a different response from law enforcement. “We are big on community

Tavares Police and LCSO Join Forces for Operation Aware Read More »

Around the County, Astatula, Clermont, Eustis, Features, Fruitland Park, Groveland, Howey-in-the-Hills, Inside Scoop, Lady Lake, Leesburg, Mascotte, Minneola, Montverde, Mount Dora, Tavares, Umatilla, Unincorporated Lake / By / September 22, 2022

Man Arrested in Attempted Murder of Security Guard Wednesday

UMATILLA, Florida—The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has made one in arrest in the attempted murder of a security guard during an armed robbery earlier this week. Travontae Shavar Harley, 33, of Mount Dora is accused of entering Hot Spot, 37415 State Road 19, Umatilla shortly before 6:30 p.m. Wednesday with an unidentified black male. The security guard of the internet gaming location, commonly known as “fish games” immediately engaged the pair and the security guard was shot. He was airlifted to a local hospital and his condition is unknown. The pair of robbers fled the scene in a dark-colored pickup

Man Arrested in Attempted Murder of Security Guard Wednesday Read More »

Eustis, Inside Scoop, Mount Dora, Umatilla, Unincorporated Lake / By / August 20, 2022

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

Story has been updated with 911 calls added. DONA VISTA, Florida—The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is searching for two black males who shot a security guard during an attempted robbery at an internet gaming location Wednesday night, according to newly-released information. Two black males entered Hot Spot, 37415 State Road 19, Eustis around 6:30 p.m. and fired an undisclosed number of shots, striking the security guard, LCSO Lt. Fred Jones said.  The victim was airlifted to a local hospital; his condition is unknown at this time.   The pair of would-be robbers, described only as black males, fled the scene

LCSO Searching for 2 Suspects After Security Guard was Shot in Attempted Robbery Wednesday Night Read More »

Eustis, Inside Scoop, Umatilla, Unincorporated Lake / By / August 18, 2022

One Person Shot in Attempted Armed Robbery

DONA VISTA, Florida—One person was shot Wednesday night during an attempted robbery at a popular internet gaming location, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Fred Jones. A black male entered Hot Spot, 37415 State Road 19, Eustis around 6:30 p.m. and fired an undisclosed number of shots, striking one person, Jones said.  The victim was airlifted to a local hospital. The suspect was not apprehended. LCSO, Eustis Police Department, Umatilla Police Department, and the Florida Highway Patrol all responded and a perimeter was set up; officers from several agencies were posted on State Road 19 and County Road 19A

One Person Shot in Attempted Armed Robbery Read More »

Eustis, Inside Scoop, Umatilla, Unincorporated Lake / By / August 17, 2022

LCSO Sergeant Paid Prostitute $80 for Trysts, Unsealed Court Documents Reveal

TAVARES, Florida—A Lake County Sheriff’s Office sergeant arrested last month for soliciting prostitution paid the person $80 per encounter, according to a probable cause affidavit unsealed by County Judge Sarah Jones earlier this month. LCSO was tipped off to Sgt. Scott Stone’s activities by a woman who told an LCSO captain and a detective her friend of four years confided in her that a “Sgt. Stone” with LCSO was paying the friend to have sex with him in public places. The friend is not named in the affidavit and is referred to as he/she or “the source” throughout the affidavit.

LCSO Sergeant Paid Prostitute $80 for Trysts, Unsealed Court Documents Reveal Read More »

Eustis, Fruitland Park, Inside Scoop, Lady Lake, Leesburg, Mount Dora, Tavares, Umatilla, Unincorporated Lake / By / August 16, 2022

Back to School Events Around Lake County

LAKE COUNTY, Florida—The first day of school, scheduled for Aug. 10 for Lake County Schools, is fast approaching and with increased prices for gas, food and many other essential items, many families are in need of back-to-school supplies or some fun to have with the kiddos before they hit the books. We have compiled of list of events around Lake County that include supply giveaways and fun and informative events for the kids. Cities are listed in alphabetical order, scroll down until you find an event near you. Clermont Saturday, July 30, 9 a.m. to noon. Project Kid Connect presented

Back to School Events Around Lake County Read More »

Clermont, Eustis, Fruitland Park, Groveland, Inside Scoop, Minneola, Mount Dora, Umatilla / By / July 23, 2022

Altoona Man Flees LCSO in Stolen Truck, Apprehended by K9

ALTOONA, Florida—A man released from prison just three months ago is back behind bars after fleeing from a Lake County Sheriff’s Office detective in a stolen truck Tuesday, according to an arrest affidavit. An LCSO detective went to a home on Lake King Road in Altoona Tuesday morning to interview Dennis James Imhoff, 36, about his involvement in a vehicle burglary. When the detective arrived, Imhoff was unloading items from a white Chevy truck, later determined to be stolen, the affidavit states. The detective identified himself and Imhoff got in the truck and backed through the yard in a “reckless

Altoona Man Flees LCSO in Stolen Truck, Apprehended by K9 Read More »

Inside Scoop, Umatilla, Unincorporated Lake / By / July 20, 2022

Man Accused of Pointing Gun at Trio, “I’m Going to Cap All 3 of Y’all!”

UMATILLA, Florida—A man who allegedly threatened a group of people with a gun scaring a woman so much she urinated on herself, is being held in the Lake County Jail on $26,000 bond. Jeremy Forest Mitchell, 29, is accused of accosting the woman about some money she allegedly owed him Saturday, according to an arrest affidavit. The woman told a Lake County Sheriff’s deputy she was riding her bicycle with her friend on State Road 19 Saturday night when Mitchell came up on his skateboard asking about the money. Her boyfriend apparently saw the altercation, approached Mitchell, and asked, “Why

Man Accused of Pointing Gun at Trio, “I’m Going to Cap All 3 of Y’all!” Read More »

Inside Scoop, Umatilla, Uncategorized, Unincorporated Lake / By / July 5, 2022

Umatilla Man Accused of Hugging and Trying to Kiss Girl, 11

UMATILLA, Florida—A Umatilla man has bonded out of jail on child abuse and battery charges after an 11-year-old girl accused him of hugging her, rubbing her legs and trying to kiss her, according to an arrest affidavit. Umatilla Police Department responded to a home Monday after the girl reported to her parents Hector Laguna-Ruiz, 47, touched her. She said Laguna-Ruiz hugged her and tried to kiss her several times and she pushed him away and told him to leave, when he came into her room around 1 a.m., the affidavit states. She said Laguna-Ruiz left and returned 20 minutes later

Umatilla Man Accused of Hugging and Trying to Kiss Girl, 11 Read More »

Inside Scoop, Umatilla / By / June 26, 2022

Motorcyclist Killed in Umatilla Saturday Morning

UMATILLA, Florida—A 64-year-old DeLand man was killed when he failed to negotiate a curve on County Road 450 Saturday morning, the Florida Highway patrol said Saturday. Shortly before 10:45 a.m., the man was traveling eastbound on a 2006 Harley Davidson motorcycle when he failed the negotiate a curve on County Road 450, also known as East Collins Street, near 9th Avenue, FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi said in a press release. The motorcycle left the roadway and overturned; the man was pronounced dead on the scene. He was not wearing a helmet. The crash remains under investigation.

Motorcyclist Killed in Umatilla Saturday Morning Read More »

Inside Scoop, Umatilla, Unincorporated Lake / By / June 23, 2022

Umatilla Man Nabbed for Admittedly Smashing ATM

UMATILLA, Florida—A man who inconvenienced numerous people in Umatilla last month by admittedly breaking a Bank of America ATM, was picked up on a warrant for the crime Thursday, according to jail records. Several witnesses told Umatilla Police Department, a man, later identified as Michael Allen Connell, 31, punched and used pliers to hit the ATM located in the shopping center that includes Pizza Hut and Save-A-Lot on Central Avenue May 25. Connell broke the machine and caused more than $4,600 worth of damage, before he rode away on his bicycle, according to an arrest affidavit. Connell went to a

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Inside Scoop, Umatilla / By / June 14, 2022

Ray Bryant Jr., Community Leader and Volunteer, Passes Away Unexpectedly

UMATILLA, Florida—A well-known and well-loved community leader unexpectedly passed away last week. Social media posts began flooding Facebook, just a few hours after Ray “Ray Ray” Bryant, 55, died Wednesday. Bryant, of Altoona, was the owner and sensei of Central Florida Karate in Umatilla for more than 30 years and later, Central Florida Karate 2 in Mount Dora, according to his obituary. He impacted hundreds of children’s lives in the community through karate and founded Alee Academy in Eustis. Katie Mansfield, of Eustis, who trained with Bryant for five years when she was a child, told Inside Lake she was

Ray Bryant Jr., Community Leader and Volunteer, Passes Away Unexpectedly Read More »

Eustis, Inside Scoop, Mount Dora, Umatilla / By / June 6, 2022

Jewelry Store Employee Who Admitted Stealing Nearly $2,000 in Merchandise said She Took it Home By Accident

LEESBURG, Florida—A woman who wore stolen jewelry to work at the place she stole it from turned herself into Leesburg Police Department Thursday afternoon, according to an arrest affidavit. Payton Elaine Alexander, 25, of the Marion County portion of unincorporated Umatilla, stands accused of stealing jewelry from Piercing Pagoda, located inside Lake Square Mall, while she worked there from November 2021 through February, when the thefts were discovered. In February, Piercing Pagoda’s Senior Manager of Loss Prevention emailed a Leesburg Police Department detective and asked if there were any pawn hits on Alexander and there were none. The manager sent

Jewelry Store Employee Who Admitted Stealing Nearly $2,000 in Merchandise said She Took it Home By Accident Read More »

Inside Scoop, Leesburg, Umatilla / By / May 27, 2022

Lake County Sheriff’s Office Detective Fired Following Internal Investigation into 2 Off-Duty Traffic Stops

TAVARES, Florida—A Lake County Sheriff’s Office detective was fired earlier this month following an internal affairs investigation into two separate traffic stops by Eustis Police Department. Kejuan Monroe was a backseat passenger in a vehicle pulled over for speeding on Bay Street on Feb. 26, according to the internal affairs report. When the EPD officer activated her emergency lights, the car, being driven by a friend of Monroe’s failed to immediately stop and continued for nearly half of a mile before finally pulling over. When the EPD officer approached the car, Monroe stuck his LCSO identification card out of the

Lake County Sheriff’s Office Detective Fired Following Internal Investigation into 2 Off-Duty Traffic Stops Read More »

Astatula, Clermont, Eustis, Fruitland Park, Groveland, Howey-in-the-Hills, Inside Scoop, Lady Lake, Leesburg, Mascotte, Minneola, Montverde, Mount Dora, Tavares, Umatilla, Unincorporated Lake / By / May 25, 2022

Third Annual Back the Blue Walk Scheduled for Saturday

TAVARES, Florida—Hundreds of people are expected to attend the third annual Lake County Backs the Blue Walk scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday at Tavares’ Wooton Park. In its third year, the walk began in 2019 to show support for law enforcement during a time when the “defund the police” movement was making its way across the country, event organizer Shannon Cook told Inside Lake. Representatives from several law enforcement agencies and numerous public officials are expected to be in attendance. “The good ones needed to know they were appreciated,” Cook said. Cook has always had respect for law enforcement officers

Third Annual Back the Blue Walk Scheduled for Saturday Read More »

Astatula, Clermont, Eustis, Fruitland Park, Groveland, Howey-in-the-Hills, Inside Scoop, Lady Lake, Leesburg, Mascotte, Minneola, Montverde, Mount Dora, Tavares, Umatilla, Unincorporated Lake / By / May 6, 2022

Naked Stroll through Umatilla Lands Man in Jail

UMATILLA, Florida—A nice leisurely naked stroll through Umatilla resulted in a trip to jail for a Fort Lauderdale man Thursday night. Stephen Robert Fauteux, 47, was arrested when he was found standing naked in front of Umatilla Police Department around 6: 10 p.m. Thursday. An officer was responding to a naked man walking in the area of State Road 19 and Golden Gem drive and as he left the department to respond, he was flagged down by two off-duty Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies who said the man was standing out front, according to an arrest affidavit. The officer went

Naked Stroll through Umatilla Lands Man in Jail Read More »

Inside Scoop, Umatilla / By / May 19, 2022

Sorrento Woman Killed in Eustis Motorcycle Crash

EUSTIS, Florida—A weekend that saw many motorcycles on the roads, especially in Eustis and Leesburg ended tragically Sunday afternoon with the death of a 28-year-old Sorrento woman. Rebekah Jo Towner was the passenger on 2006 Harley Davidson being ridden by 64-year-old Edgar Wesley Tello, of Umatilla, northbound on Grove Street, when he struck a construction sign near Pendleton Avenue, a Eustis Police spokesperson told Inside Lake—the only media on the scene. The impact threw Tello and Towner from the motorcycle and she slid with the motorcycle more than 100 feet, coming to rest at a fence in front of a

Sorrento Woman Killed in Eustis Motorcycle Crash Read More »

Eustis, Inside Scoop, Umatilla / By / May 19, 2022

Free Sealing and Expungement Clinic Scheduled for Saturday

TAVARES, Florida—Lake County residents with minor criminal histories have a unique opportunity to quickly and efficiently expunge or seal their record Saturday if they qualify, at the first-ever Sealing and Expungement clinic offered here. Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida is teaming up with the Lake County Bar Association and Lake Young Lawyers Division to offer this free 4-hour clinic scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Lake County Courthouse, 550 West Main Street, Tavares. Lawyers and representatives from numerous government agencies will be on hand to help participants navigate through the process, which often can be difficult

Free Sealing and Expungement Clinic Scheduled for Saturday Read More »

Astatula, Clermont, Eustis, Fruitland Park, Groveland, Howey-in-the-Hills, Inside Scoop, Lady Lake, Leesburg, Mascotte, Minneola, Montverde, Mount Dora, Tavares, Umatilla, Unincorporated Lake / By / April 17, 2022

Umatilla Man Accused of $20K Theft from Electrical Substation

UMATILLA, Florida—A Umatilla man who was already in the Lake County Jail on theft charges was served with another warrant accusing him of stealing $20,000 worth of copper materials from Duke Energy and then selling them to a recycling plant, according to an arrest affidavit. Luchious Myron Clayton, 64, of Umatilla, was arrested April 2 at his home on a warrant accusing of him of burglary and grand theft—and the victim was his cousin. In that case, the victim, Clayton’s cousin, left for work on March 28, and got an alert from his home surveillance system. He began watching the

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Inside Scoop, Umatilla, Unincorporated Lake / By / April 14, 2022

Man Flees Eustis Traffic Stop, Crashes

EUSTIS, Florida—A man accused of fleeing a traffic stop did not get very far when he crashed the vehicle, he was driving just a few blocks later, according to an arrest affidavit. Eustis Police attempted to stop 2005 silver Honda without a front or rear bumper for running a stop sign at Park Avenue and Eustis Street shortly before 1 p.m. Tuesday. The car, being driven by Erin Tryon Dobson, 18, accelerated and fled the area when an EPD officer activated his lights and sirens, running several stop signs. The officer then terminated the stop, due to department policy, the

Man Flees Eustis Traffic Stop, Crashes Read More »

Eustis, Inside Scoop, Umatilla / By / April 7, 2022

Women Arrested for Burglary After Being Found Naked In Homeowner’s Bathtub

UMATILLA, Florida—A Umatilla woman was arrested by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office after being found naked in a whirlpool tub by the owner of the home around 1:15 a.m. Tuesday. The victim told LCSO she awoke to find lights on in her kitchen and heard her whirlpool tub running at her home on Lake Smith Road in unincorporated Umatilla early Tuesday morning. She opened the door to her bathroom and found Amanda Nicole Toler, 32, naked, inside her bathtub. The victim asked Toler who she was and what she was doing and she reportedly said, “I’m Amanda, I have nowhere

Women Arrested for Burglary After Being Found Naked In Homeowner’s Bathtub Read More »

Inside Scoop, Umatilla, Unincorporated Lake / By / April 5, 2022

Man Out On Bond For Child Molestation Arrested After Firing Two Shots Near Woman Who Did Not Want Him Around Her Daughter

UMATILLA, Florida—A man out on bond for molesting a 5-year-old girl in 2020, was arrested Saturday after firing two shots near a woman who did not want him around her daughter, according to an arrest affidavit. Around 9 p.m. Saturday, Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the Tropical Whisper mobile home park in unincorporated Umatilla in reference to a battery. The victim told LCSO she went to her neighbor’s house to retrieve her daughter, who was with Joshua “Boops” Leon Redmond Dudley, 28, and his girlfriend. Dudley is facing several sex-related charges involving a minor;  the victim’s daughter’s age

Man Out On Bond For Child Molestation Arrested After Firing Two Shots Near Woman Who Did Not Want Him Around Her Daughter Read More »

Inside Scoop, Umatilla, Unincorporated Lake / By / March 14, 2022

Teen Arrested For Throwing Brick Through Vehicle Window At Umatilla Police Department

UMATILLA, Florida—A Umatilla High School was student was arrested last week for throwing a brick through the window of a police officer’s personal vehicle In January. According to a probable cause affidavit, Umatilla Police responded to the area of Kentucky Avenue and Mitchner Street in reference to a subject matching the description of a retail theft suspect on Jan. 21. Police approached a juvenile who matched the description of the thief, and he told the officer he stole a pack of cigarettes and a lighter from a Umatilla convenience store because he wanted to go to jail. The store refused

Teen Arrested For Throwing Brick Through Vehicle Window At Umatilla Police Department Read More »

Inside Scoop, Umatilla / By / February 28, 2022

Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed Against Domino’s and Delivery Driver In 2020 Death Of Pedestrian

TAVARES, Florida—A lawsuit has been filed in the death of a pedestrian who was killed while walking with her boyfriend down State Road 19 in Umatilla in 2020. Rebecca “Becky” Lynn Carpenter, 39, was walking northbound along the shoulder of State Road 19 on the south end of Umatilla near the Dollar General that had recently opened with her boyfriend, Russell “Rusty” Gibbons, when she was struck by a sedan, also traveling northbound around 8 p.m. May 30, 2020.  The sedan was being driven by Frederick Martin Cole, of Eustis who was 29 and working for Domino’s, 1936 North State

Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed Against Domino’s and Delivery Driver In 2020 Death Of Pedestrian Read More »

Inside Scoop, Tavares, Umatilla / By / February 8, 2022

Man Arrested Exiting Forklift He Stole From Popular Church Construction Site

UMATILLA, Florida—A Umatilla man is accused of stealing a forklift from a popular church that is under construction Sunday, but he only made it across the street, according to an arrest affidavit. Jordan Arthur Meadors, 25, was busted by Umatilla Police getting out of the forklift that was stolen from First Baptist Church Umatilla (FBCU,) just after 2:30 a.m. after someone reported a suspicious incident. Meadors told UPD he was just moving the forklift after a “guy that he had just met told him he was allowed to drive the forklift and park it across the street,’ the affidavit states.

Man Arrested Exiting Forklift He Stole From Popular Church Construction Site Read More »

Inside Scoop, Umatilla / By / February 2, 2022

Friends and Colleagues Remember Judge T. Michael Johnson

TAVARES, Florida— “A friend for the ages, for a lot of people.” That is how retired Public Defender Howard “Skip” Babb describes his longtime best friend and former coworker T. Michael Johnson, who passed away Monday after suffering a heart attack. Well known and well-respected, Johnson, who served as a circuit judge was appointed to the bench in 1995 by then-Gov. Lawton Chiles, and served until his retirement in 2011, and was a senior judge at the time of his passing. He presided over many trials in Lake County, including the first murder trial this reporter covered at the beginning

Friends and Colleagues Remember Judge T. Michael Johnson Read More »

Astatula, Clermont, Eustis, Fruitland Park, Groveland, Howey-in-the-Hills, Inside Scoop, Lady Lake, Leesburg, Mascotte, Minneola, Montverde, Mount Dora, Tavares, Umatilla / By / February 1, 2022

Umatilla Man Busted For Buying Vehicles With Bum Checks in 2021, Tries Again With Stolen Credit Card

CLERMONT, Florida— A man arrested last year for scamming two local automobile dealerships has been arrested again for attempting a similar scam. Prestin S. Carroll, 20, of Umatilla was arrested on warrant issued by Clermont Police Department Wednesday after a man complained his credit card was used fraudulently to charge $2,500 towards the purchase of a new vehicle, at Napleton Clermont Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM , 15859 State Road 50, Clermont, according to a probable cause affidavit. CPD investigated and found that Carroll, who was employed at the dealership as a detailer, was captured on video using the card to

Umatilla Man Busted For Buying Vehicles With Bum Checks in 2021, Tries Again With Stolen Credit Card Read More »

Clermont, Eustis, Fruitland Park, Inside Scoop, Umatilla / By / January 23, 2022

Umatilla Man Killed in New Year ATV Crash

UMATILLA, Florida—The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal ATV crash that occurred just 30 minutes into the new year Saturday morning. A 36-year-old Umatilla man was riding an ATV westbound on Lakeview Street near Lakeshore Avenue in the area of Lake Umatilla, when he lost control around 12:30 a.m., FHP Lt. Kim Montes said in a press release. The ATV overturned and landed on top of the man. The man, who was not wearing a helmet, was transported to AdventHealth Waterman in Tavares, where he later died. The crash remains under investigation.

Umatilla Man Killed in New Year ATV Crash Read More »

Inside Scoop, Umatilla / By / January 23, 2022

Umatilla Man Bonds Out On Child Pornography Charges

UMATILLA, Florida—A Umatilla man bonded out of jail just a day after Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) agents arrested him at his Umatilla home for four counts of possession of child pornography Thursday. Working on a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) FDLE began investigating two images of child pornography that were reportedly found in a DropBox account in July. User nighthawkinflight64200@gmail.com uploaded two sexually explicit images of two little girls who appear to be 6 years old and 10 years old with adult men, on July 18, according to a probable cause affidavit. Through its

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Umatilla, Unincorporated Lake / By / January 23, 2022

Lasting Effects 2 Years After Ambush Attack On Eustis Police Captain

EUSTIS, Florida–Two years ago Sunday, it was a normal Thursday for Gary and Stephenie Winheim; a warm December day, just six days before Christmas. Little did they know, their lives would never be the same. It is a struggle every day, Stephenie Winheim told Inside Lake earlier this week. One crazy afternoon and their lives forever changed, she said. Below is an exclusive interview with the Winheims and Inside Lake Publisher Marilyn. M. Aciego that previously published on Lake Legal News on Dec. 22, 2019. Eustis Police Captain Gary Winheim is grateful to be alive and grateful to the community

Lasting Effects 2 Years After Ambush Attack On Eustis Police Captain Read More »

Eustis, Features, Umatilla, Unincorporated Lake / By / January 23, 2022

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

Scheduled Holiday Closings And Modified Garbage Pickup Read More »

Astatula, Clermont, Eustis, Fruitland Park, Groveland, Howey-in-the-Hills, Inside Scoop, Lady Lake, Leesburg, Mascotte, Minneola, Mount Dora, Tavares, Umatilla, Unincorporated Lake / By / December 2, 2021

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,

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Inside Scoop, Umatilla, Uncategorized / By / November 3, 2021

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

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Eustis, Umatilla / By / November 16, 2021

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

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Umatilla / By / January 9, 2022

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. 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.

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Umatilla / By / January 9, 2022

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

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Umatilla / By / January 9, 2022

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

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Umatilla / By / November 14, 2023

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

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Umatilla / By / November 14, 2023

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

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Inside Scoop, Umatilla / By / January 23, 2022
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