Filter posts by category

Inside Scoop

Former Mount Dora Police Officer Arrested For Stalking Local Woman

EUSTIS, Florida—A former Mount Dora Police Officer and current Palm Beach Garden Police detective has been arrested for aggravated stalking and cyberstalking, according to a probable cause affidavit. Bryan Craig Broehm, 53, is accused of stalking a woman who he was in a recent relationship with and worked with more than 20 years ago at MDPD, according to the affidavit. The woman was a dispatcher at the time, the affidavit states and according to Broehm’s Linked In account, he was a road patrol corporal and worked for the agency for 2.5 years. A Lake County Sheriff’s deputy went to the […]

Former Mount Dora Police Officer Arrested For Stalking Local Woman Read More »

Early Morning Eustis Search Warrant Nets One Arrest

EUSTIS, Florida—In response to complaints about drug activity, Eustis Police Department, along with Mid Florida SWAT served a search warrant at a home on Woodward Avenue early Friday morning, according to EPD Chief Craig Capri. “We needed to get out there and take care of it,” Capri told Inside Lake. Two people were in the home at 357 W. Woodward Avenue Apartment B, including Antwan T. Cross, 34, and an elderly woman. Cross, who turns 35 Saturday, was charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of paraphernalia and violation of probation. The woman is not facing any charges. 

Early Morning Eustis Search Warrant Nets One Arrest Read More »

Coworker Tells Police Man Threatened Him With Makeshift Hatchet

LEESBURG, Florida—A man with a history of threatening people is back in the Lake County Jail, this time accused of threatening a man at his former job with a makeshift hatchet. Leesburg Police responded to a business on Thomas Avenue on a weapons complaint shortly before 9:45 a.m. Monday. The victim told LPD when he arrived at work, he found Preston Wade Greenlee, 50, of Fruitland Park inside the building. Greenlee is a former employee, but had been terminated around 10 years ago, according to the arrest affidavit. The victim said Greenlee spoke to him, but he kept the conversation

Coworker Tells Police Man Threatened Him With Makeshift Hatchet Read More »

Clermont Teenager Accused of Killing Family Dog With Sword

CLERMONT, Florida—A 17-year-old boy with a “history of violence” is accused of killing the family dog with a sword Saturday and leaving it in the woods near his house. Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a home in unincorporated Clermont over the weekend on a report that Avery Featherston, 17, had killed the family dog with a sword and buried it in the woods. Deputies found a sword in the boy’s bedroom that still had animal hair on it, according to an arrest affidavit.  The boy’s stepfather showed deputies where he believed the dog may be and they found

Clermont Teenager Accused of Killing Family Dog With Sword Read More »

Man Arrested After Bragging He Shot At His Neighbor

LEESBURG, Florida—A warrant was issued for a man Monday after he bragged about a shooting incident involving his neighbor last month, according to a probable cause affidavit.   Charles Derek Fueri, 49, is alleged to have driven his Dodge Ram and followed his neighbor as he rode his bicycle down the street on Oct. 28 in Bassville Park near Leesburg. Fueri passed the man and parked; as the man neared his home, Fueri turned his headlights on and accelerated toward the victim. As Fueri approached the victim, he reportedly yelled, “Do you want to die tonight,” displayed a gun and

Man Arrested After Bragging He Shot At His Neighbor Read More »

Accused Church Burglar Captured By Eustis Police After Foot Chase

EUSTIS, Florida—A man is facing drug and burglary charges after a witness saw him break into a local church and run from police last week. A nearby business owner spotted Chabazz Rionte Belle, 20, throw a bag onto the roof and enter Gethsemane Baptist Church, 505 S. Bay Street, around 8 a.m. Wednesday and he called Eustis Police Department, according to an arrest affidavit. EPD responded and attempted to get in the building but found all the doors were locked. A church official responded to the scene with a key and officers announced themselves, causing Belle to flee the building.

Accused Church Burglar Captured By Eustis Police After Foot Chase Read More »

Clermont Teenager Killed in Head-On Crash

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Florida—A head-on crash claimed the lives of two teenage boys Wednesday and sent a 27-year-old woman to the hospital, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.  Around 4:30 p.m., a 17-year-old Clermont boy was driving a sedan northbound on Pleasant Hill Road near Kissimmee, when he overcorrected and traveled into the southbound lane, striking another sedan head-on, FHP Lt. Kim Montes said in a press release. The first vehicle then hit a pole.  The boy was killed, along with his passenger, also a 17-year-old boy, of Kissimmee. Both boys were wearing their seatbelts. The driver of the second car,

Clermont Teenager Killed in Head-On Crash Read More »

Beer Can Helps Nab Eustis Man For ’96 Cold Case Murder

EUSTIS, Florida—A discarded beer can helped solve a quarter-century old brutal murder earlier this week, and resulted in the arrest of a Eustis man, according to an Orange County probable cause affidavit. Kenneth Robert Stough, 54, of Eustis was arrested Tuesday for first degree murder and armed robbery by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. In 1996, Terrence Paquette, 31, was found stabbed multiple times in the bathroom of Lil’ Champ, 4510 Clarcona Ocoee Road, Orlando. The location is now a Kwik Stop, according to Google Maps. Paquette was found by OCSO deputies after receiving a call that the store was

Beer Can Helps Nab Eustis Man For ’96 Cold Case Murder Read More »

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,

Middle School Student Arrested After Snapchat Post Read More »

Eustis Woman Slaps Child Over Drink, Arrested For Child Abuse

DeLAND, Florida—An altercation between a group of children and adults over a drink landed a Eustis woman in jail on a child abuse charge Tuesday night. Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a report of a gun complaint around 6:30 p.m. on Beech Avenue in the DeLand area of Lake County, according to an arrest affidavit. The complainant told deputies approximately 20 people were outside his home and they went back to their residence nearby. He said the argument was over a drink and when they went to check the mail, the altercation began. No gun was found. Deputies

Eustis Woman Slaps Child Over Drink, Arrested For Child Abuse Read More »

8-Month-Old Baby’s Leg Broken, Dad Arrested

MOUNT DORA, Florida—A Mount Dora man was arrested Monday for aggravated child abuse after he was accused of breaking his 8-month-old daughter’s leg, bruising several ribs and failing to get her immediate medical attention. According to a heavily redacted arrest affidavit, the infant was picked up from a home in Eustis around 5 p.m. Wednesday by her father, Dominic Tyler Ralston, 22, after spending the night of Oct. 26 and most of the day Wednesday with two individuals whose names were redacted. The baby had no visible injuries, except for a bruised forehead that was explained by the baby’s parents,

8-Month-Old Baby’s Leg Broken, Dad Arrested Read More »

Fruitland Park Man Facing Molestation Charge After Girl Comes Forward

LEESBURG, Florida—A Fruitland Park man was arrested on a warrant for lewd and lascivious molestation Friday after a girl came forward and told about the abuse she suffered more than three years ago, according to a probable cause affidavit. In early October, the victim told a Leesburg Police Officer, David Carl Hall, 50, put his hands between her legs while she shared a bed with him and two other people whose names are redacted from the affidavit, 3.5 years ago.  The victim, whose exact age is also redacted, was under 12 when the molestation is alleged to have occurred. She

Fruitland Park Man Facing Molestation Charge After Girl Comes Forward Read More »

Paisley Woman Jailed After Argument Over Beer

PAISLEY, Florida—A Paisley woman has been released from jail after she was accused of pointing a rifle at her live-in boyfriend in front of Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies late Friday night just 30 minutes after deputies told the pair to separate for the night. LCSO responded to Loudermilk Drive around 11:45 p.m. Friday on a reported domestic disturbance. When they arrived, they found Amanda Christine Foster, 33, and her boyfriend standing near a driveway and shed. As a deputy approached, the victim reportedly said, “What are you going to do, shoot me?” The deputy then saw Foster standing in

Paisley Woman Jailed After Argument Over Beer Read More »

Leesburg Man Killed In Early Morning Shooting

LEESBURG, Florida—Leesburg Police Department is investigating after a man was shot in his home early Monday morning with four young children inside, according to LPD Capt. Joe Iozzi. Damien L. Shiver, 19, suffered at least one gunshot when multiple rounds were fired into the home from outside in the 1600 block of Center Street at 1:24 a.m. Monday. Six additional people were in the home, including four young children, Iozzi said in a press release. Shiver was transported to UF Health Leesburg, where he later died. LPD detectives are investigating to determine a motive and who is responsible, Iozzi said.

Leesburg Man Killed In Early Morning Shooting Read More »

Mount Dora Man Killed In Wednesday Night Crash

MOUNT PLYMOUTH, Florida–A 44-year-old Mount Dora man died in a single-vehicle crash late Wednesday night, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.  Shortly before midnight, the man was traveling eastbound on State Road 46 near Carroll Street when the SUV he was driving left the roadway for an unknown reason, FHP Lt. Kim Montes said in a press release. The SUV overturned and the man, who was not wearing his seatbelt, was ejected. He was pronounced dead on the scene.  The crash remains under investigation.

Mount Dora Man Killed In Wednesday Night Crash Read More »

Multiple Shots Fired on Busy Leesburg Road Friday Night, Mount Dora Man Behind Bars

LEESBURG, Florida—A Mount Dora man is facing a litany of charges after he was accused of shooting at a vehicle on North Boulevard Friday night. Leesburg Police received a complaint about a burgundy Ford Expedition driving recklessly in the area of Citizens Boulevard and North Boulevard at 8:21 p.m. Friday. The complainant provided dispatch with updated locations and about two minutes into the call the complainant said they heard what sounded like four to five gunshots, according to an arrest affidavit. The SUV then pulled into a business on U.S. Highway 441. One minute later, a second complainant reported the

Multiple Shots Fired on Busy Leesburg Road Friday Night, Mount Dora Man Behind Bars Read More »

Paisley Man Dead After Couple Fights, Struggles Over Gun

PAISLEY, Florida—The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a struggle over a gun resulted in a man’s death. LCSO responded 27631 Veva Avenue around 9 p.m. Friday and found 31-year-old Chris Smith dead from a single gunshot wound. Smith’s wife, Marina McDonald told deputies the couple had a physical altercation and Smith pointed a gun at her, LCSO Lt. John Herrell said in a press release. McDonald and Smith struggled over the gun and Smith was apparently shot; McDonald had injuries consistent with an altercation. This is an ongoing investigation, Herrell said.  

Paisley Man Dead After Couple Fights, Struggles Over Gun Read More »

Plea Negotiation Conference Scheduled For Former EMT Facing Child Pornography Charges

TAVARES, Florida—A former Lake EMS EMT who was arrested by Florida Department of Law Enforcement agents in June for four counts of possessing child pornography and four counts of transmitting child pornography is now facing a total of 17 felony charges. Acting on a CyberTip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), FDLE agents met James Bryan Hamrick, 30, in his Eustis driveway the morning of June 11 and took possession of his phone after obtaining a search warrant, according to an affidavit. NCMEC’s CyberTipline Report included copies of the four videos Hamrick is accused of direct

Plea Negotiation Conference Scheduled For Former EMT Facing Child Pornography Charges Read More »

Man Dies Following Medical Episode, Crash Near Leesburg

LAKE COUNTY, Florida—A Tallahassee man is dead following a medical episode and single-vehicle crash Thursday, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Shortly after 2:30 p.m. Thursday, the 74-year-old man was traveling eastbound in a 2017 Dodge Ram on State Road 44 near Executive Boulevard, in the Leesburg area, FHP Lt. Kim Montes said in a press release. The man suffered a medical episode, left the roadway and struck a tree. His passenger, a 39-year-old man from The Villages was not injured; both men were wearing their seatbelts. The driver was transported to UF Health Leesburg, where he later died. The

Man Dies Following Medical Episode, Crash Near Leesburg Read More »

Man Caught With Pants Down, Pair Accused Of Having Sex, Possessing Meth in Eustis Restaurant Bathroom

EUSTIS, Florida—A couple picked the wrong place to have sex and use methamphetamine Saturday and ended up in the Lake County Jail. Eustis Police responded to Sonic Drive-In, 15125 U.S. Highway 441, just before 5:45 p.m. Saturday in reference to a suspicious person being locked in the bathroom for 30 minutes. When officers arrived, they heard a male voice in the bathroom and ordered the occupant to step out. Scott David Suttie, 31, of Eustis, stepped out and said, “Who us,” as he pulled his pants up, the arrest affidavit states.  Suttie was accompanied by a female, identified as Morgan

Man Caught With Pants Down, Pair Accused Of Having Sex, Possessing Meth in Eustis Restaurant Bathroom Read More »

Day 4: Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri Tour De Force NY 9/11 Memorial Bike Ride

Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri finished his memorial ride to Ground Zero Tuesday and again shared photos exclusively with Inside Lake. Capri cycled for four days, leaving from Boston with Tour De Force NY to honor those lost Sept. 11, 2001. These photos are from the final leg of the trip; the group rode 46 miles from Melville, New York and ended their journey at Ground Zero. “Never forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice,” Capri said. 

Day 4: Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri Tour De Force NY 9/11 Memorial Bike Ride Read More »

Day 3: Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri Tour De Force NY 9/11 Memorial Bike Ride

Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri shared photos exclusively for the third day with Inside Lake from the 9/11 memorial bicycle ride with Tour De Force NY from Boston to New York City to honor those lost Sept. 11, 2001. These photos are from his third leg of the trip; he cycled 79 miles from Orient Point, New York to Melville, New York. 

Day 3: Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri Tour De Force NY 9/11 Memorial Bike Ride Read More »

Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri Tour De Force NY 9/11 Memorial Bike Ride: Day 2

Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri shared photos exclusively with Inside Lake from the 9/11 memorial bicycle ride with Tour De Force NY from Boston to New York City to honor those lost Sept. 11, 2001. These photos are from his second leg of the trip; he traveled 84 miles from Warwick, Rhode Island to Foxwoods, Connecticut. 

Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri Tour De Force NY 9/11 Memorial Bike Ride: Day 2 Read More »

Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri Tour De Force NY 9/11 Memorial Bike Ride: Day 1

Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri shared photos from his first day of the memorial bicycle ride from Boston to New York City to honor those lost Sept. 11, 2001. Capri battled many hills during his 64-mile ride on the first segment of his journey Saturday, he told Inside Lake.

Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri Tour De Force NY 9/11 Memorial Bike Ride: Day 1 Read More »

Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri To Honor His Fallen Brothers And Sisters On Sept. 11th

EUSTIS, Florida— Honoring his fallen brothers and sisters in blue is something that is close to Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri’s heart and on Saturday he will ride his bicycle with Tour de Force from Boston to New York City to pay his respects to the nearly 3,000 people lost in the terrorist attacks two decades ago. Capri, an avid cyclist, joined the group nine years ago and has participated in numerous rides, he told Inside Lake. “It raises awareness for (law enforcement officers) killed in the line of duty.” Along with increasing awareness, the nonprofit organization also raises money for families

Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri To Honor His Fallen Brothers And Sisters On Sept. 11th Read More »

Breaking The Glass: LCSO Makes History With First Female Captain

The following story was published under a different headline in another publication.   LEESBURG, Florida — History was made Wednesday as longtime Lake County Sheriff’s deputy Christie Mysinger was appointed as the first-ever female captain at LCSO at a ceremony at Leesburg High School. LCSO Sheriff Peyton Grinnell is the first sheriff to appoint a woman to his command staff. “It’s history in the making, “ Grinnell told Lake Legal News. He said he chose Mysinger for a number of reasons, including her college education and her ability to think outside the box. “She has excelled in everything she has been assigned to,” he

Breaking The Glass: LCSO Makes History With First Female Captain Read More »

Victims In Fruitland Park Barricade Themselves Until Police Arrive — Man Had Machete, Yelling Religious Chants

FRUITLAND PARK, Florida — A man who has been booked into the Lake County Jail 17 times since 2012 was arrested again Monday after allegedly yelling religious chants at a pair of brothers while pacing around them with a machete. Shortly before 3:30 p.m. Monday, Fruitland Park Police responded to Finch’s U Store-It, 2281 U.S. Highway 27-441, Fruitland Park and found Preston Wade Greenlee, 50, walking around his truck, talking to himself, according to an arrest affidavit. An FPPD officer patted Greenlee down and did not find any weapons on Greenlee’s person, but when asked if he had a machete;

Victims In Fruitland Park Barricade Themselves Until Police Arrive — Man Had Machete, Yelling Religious Chants Read More »

Mount Dora Traffic Fatality: Wife And Children Open Up About Losing A Man Who Was “Just Amazing”

The following story was previously published on Lake Legal News.  EUSTIS, Florida — Seventeen years ago Adrick Rojas pushed his best friend’s sister down on a bed and kissed her. And there began a love story spanning nearly two decades that included the couple moving to Lake County and bringing four children into this world who are loved dearly. “Our first kiss! We were sitting in my brother’s room and my brother walked out for whatever reason. Adrick pushed me down on the bed and kissed me! Then [he] looked at me and yelled, ‘You kissed me!” “I didn’t kiss you! You kissed me!”

Mount Dora Traffic Fatality: Wife And Children Open Up About Losing A Man Who Was “Just Amazing” Read More »

Man Ejected, Dies, In Mount Dora SUV Rollover — Witness Reports Failed Attempt To Pass Another Vehicle

The following story was previously published on Lake Legal News. MOUNT DORA, Florida — A single-vehicle crash that shut down a popular roadway for several hours Sunday night claimed the life of a 36-year-old man, according to Mount Dora Public Information Officer Lisa McDonald. Witnesses told Mount Dora Police Adrick Rojas, was driving southbound around 80 miles per hour, near 4150 Highway 19A in a 2001 black Ford Expedition around 6:45 p.m. Sunday when he attempted to pass another driver. He crossed over the double line, lost control and rolled the SUV three times, McDonald said in a press release.

Man Ejected, Dies, In Mount Dora SUV Rollover — Witness Reports Failed Attempt To Pass Another Vehicle Read More »

Clermont van driver under investigation for crash near Mount Dora, Tavares motorcyclist dies

Editor’s note: This article originally appeared on Lake Legal News on March 18, 2020.  MOUNT DORA, Florida — A motorcyclist was killed Tuesday after a van ran a stop sign, near the Lake County and Orange County line, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Steven Winters, 38, of Tavares was riding a 2020 Harley Davidson motorcycle southbound on U.S. Highway 441 when a 2002 Ford van being driven by Daniel Meeks, 55, of Clermont ran a stop sign while attempting to make a left turn to travel westbound onto to Old U.S. Highway 441. The front of the motorcycle struck

Clermont van driver under investigation for crash near Mount Dora, Tavares motorcyclist dies Read More »

Exclusive: Wounded Eustis Police Captain Says, “I Want My Story To Be Told By Me.”

The following story was previously published on Lake Legal News. EUSTIS, Florida — Eustis Police Captain Gary Winheim is grateful to be alive and grateful to the community he serves. “I am humbled by the outpouring of support from the community. [I have] enormous respect for all the fire, medical and law enforcement professionals in the incident. Our community is truly strong.” Just two days after being shot in the neck by an ex-con with a violent history, Winheim, his wife, Stephenie, and their beloved dog Laike sat down in their home with Lake Legal News for an exclusive interview Saturday. “This

Exclusive: Wounded Eustis Police Captain Says, “I Want My Story To Be Told By Me.” Read More »

Sheriff Chris Daniels

This Article was First Published in Lake Legal News in August 2016 — Issue No. 27. LAKE LEGAL NEWS EDITOR’S PROLOGUE: Our LLN associate editor, Marilyn M. Aciego, worked for a local newspaper in 2006. Just a few months after she was promoted to the Lake County, Florida, police beat, the county experienced a year its citizens would never forget. On an August day in 2006, Marilyn found out she was pregnant with her only child on the very same day that little Trenton Duckett was reported missing. Marilyn would become a frequent guest on Nancy Grace to discuss the nationwide story and just a

Sheriff Chris Daniels 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

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

Scroll to Top