Inside Scoop

Lady Lake Shooting Victim Identified

LADY LAKE, Florida—The young man shot and killed early Friday morning has been identified.

At 12:45 a.m. Friday, Lady Lake Police Department responded to a home in the 100 block of Caroline Street on a report of gunshots and found Bryson Leverette, 20, of Leesburg, with severe injuries from gunshot wounds, according to Elisha Pappacoda, Communications Director for the Town of Lady Lake.

Leverette was pronounced deceased on the scene and a second person suffering from gunshot wounds approached officers and was transported to an area hospital for treatment, Pappacoda said. No other information has been released. If you have information on the double shooting, call Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS.

Lady Lake Police Investigating Shooting that Killed One Person and Injured Another Early Friday

Lady Lake Shooting Victim Identified Read More »

Lady Lake Police Investigating Shooting that Killed One Person and Injured Another Early Friday

LADY LAKE, Florida—Lady Lake Police Department is investigating after one person was killed and another person was shot in early Friday morning.

At 12:45 a.m. Friday, LLPD quickly responded to a home in the 100 block of Caroline Street on a report of gunshots, according to Elisha Pappacoda, Communications Director for the Town of Lady Lake.

“Officers were on scene within minutes and located a subject with severe gunshot injuries. They attempted to give first aid while awaiting the arrival of EMS,” Pappacoda said in an email.

The individual was pronounced deceased on the scene. While securing the scene, a second individual suffering gunshot wounds approached officers and was transported to an area hospital for treatment, Pappacoda said. The names of both victims are not being released at this time.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office CSI and Criminal Investigations Bureau is assisting LLPD in its investigation, along with the State Attorney’s office and the Medical Examiner’s Office, according to Pappacoda.  Investigators are following leads and no suspect information was available at press time.

If you have information on the double shooting, call Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS.

Lady Lake Police Investigating Shooting that Killed One Person and Injured Another Early Friday Read More »

Man Suspected in Attacks on 3 Women Booked into Jail, Bond Set at $26,500

EUSTIS, Florida—The man suspected in the attacks of three women and trying to run over a Eustis Police officer has been booked into the Lake County Jail.

Jephson Seguin, 20, is accused trying to run a police officer over and attacking two women in the spring and a third woman Tuesday night after he followed her on foot and in the black Cadillac Escalade EXT he was driving, according to an arrest affidavit.

After following the victim both on foot and in the Escalade, a witness told an EPD detective Seguin was peeping through his kitchen window on Morningview Drive and he walked outside and confronted him. Seguin reportedly told the man he was looking for a friend’s house but unsure where he lived; he left and began following the victim for the third time. The victim told police she was walking around the neighborhood for about 40 minutes when Seguin came up behind her and began to grope her in a sexual manner and thrust his pelvis into her. He threw her to the ground and got on top of her, she screamed, and he jumped up and ran northbound on Morningview Drive. She called police and as she was speaking to dispatch, she heard gunshots and the Escalade EXT drove past her with damage along the side.

A still photo from surveillance video shows the black Escalade Jephson Seguin was driving Tuesday night. PHOTO: Eustis Police Department

While she was on the phone, two EPD officers responded to her battery complaint. The shift’s corporal spotted the Escalade parked on the side of Morningview Drive and he saw Seguin duck below the dash and gave him loud verbal commands to show his hands. He turned the truck on and began to rapidly accelerate towards the second officer, who was parked behind the corporal. That officer, Cody Schneider, who has been with EPD for nearly two years, fired three rounds at the Escalade and it continued to flee the scene. While fleeing, the truck struck a grey Nissan Altima and continued to flee. It was unknown at the time if any of the shots struck Seguin, but when EPD took him into custody Thursday afternoon, they found he had a gunshot wound to his shoulder, consistent with being shot at the time he accelerated toward Schneider.

Police began tracking down leads and searched the Driver And Vehicle Information Database (DAVID) for 2002 through 2006 black Cadillac Escalade EXTs and found 14 matches in Lake County. They found one registered to two owners, later found to be Seguin’s parents, on Marietta Lane, just a mile from the scene of the attack. Detectives spoke with Seguin’s father, and he told them he does own the truck and his son drives it. He said Seguin was at work at Waterman Village and was supposed to visit his grandmother in Orlando after he got off work. Detectives responded to Waterman Village, where Seguin was employed as a cook, and found he worked until 8 p.m. Tuesday and he called in on Wednesday, the affidavit states.

Waterman Village provided surveillance video showing Seguin driving the Escalade with an inoperable passenger side headlight. Officers on scene of the attack noted the same headlight was out when they arrived on the scene. EPD has since located the truck in Orange County.

On Thursday, detectives obtained video footage of an individual wearing the same hoodie and black pants approaching the front door of a home on a nearby street on June 17. Later Thursday, just before 2:45 p.m., Seguin’s parents called EPD and said their son was at home and had just left through the back door. EPD arrived and found Seguin walking on the sidewalk on another street in his neighborhood and they took him into custody. They found he had been shot in the shoulder and he was transported to HCA Lake Monroe Hospital for treatment and later booked into LCJ, where he is being held on $26,500 bond. He is facing several charges, including aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, fleeing and eluding, stalking, battery and leaving the scene of a crash.

Man Accused of Attacking 3 Women in Eustis in Custody, Now Being Treated for Gunshot Wound

Man Suspected in Attacks on 3 Women Booked into Jail, Bond Set at $26,500 Read More »

Man Accused of Attacking 3 Women in Eustis in Custody, Now Being Treated for Gunshot Wound

EUSTIS, Florida—The man accused of attacking three women in Eustis since April is in custody.

Jephson Seguin, 20, was apprehended Thursday afternoon around 3 p.m. as he ran out the back door of his parents’ house in the 800 block of Marietta Lane in the Hillcrest at Lake Nettie subdivision, Eustis Police Department Capt. Jon Fahning said. Inside Lake was the first media organization to break Seguin was in custody, the only media on the scene of the latest incident Tuesday night on Morningview Drive and the only media on scene at Seguin’s house after he was captured.

Eustis Police officers stand outside the home where Jephson Seguin was captured Thursday.

Two EPD officers responded to Morningview Drive after a woman was attacked shortly before 9 p.m. Tuesday and the suspect attempted to run an officer over just after he exited his patrol unit. The officer opened fire on the black, early 2000s Cadillac Escalade EXT and it was discovered Thursday that Seguin had been struck in the shoulder by at least one bullet. The officer was not injured and is on paid administrative leave—department policy—while the Florida Department of Law Enforcement completes its investigation, which is standard in officer-involved shootings. EPD released body cam footage of the shooting Wednesday afternoon.

EPD identified Seguin quickly after Tuesday’s attack and officers were unable to locate him but stayed in close contact with his parents. On Thursday Seguin spoke with EPD through an attorney and was supposed to turn himself in at the department at 2 p.m. but failed to do so. His mother called EPD around 3 p.m. and asked officers to respond to her home and as they arrived, Seguin fled out the back door of the home and was captured, Fahning said.

He was transported by ground to HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital, a level II trauma center, for treatment of the gunshot wound to his shoulder.

The vehicle used to try to run the officer over Tuesday has not been found. The Escalade is not registered to Seguin, but is registered to one of his family members, Fahning said. Seguin is facing charges of lewd or lascivious molestation, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, reckless driving, fleeing to elude law enforcement, resisting arrest with violence, leaving the scene of a crash with property damage and stalking. EPD is asking he be held on no bond.

Area law enforcement agencies assisted in the investigation, Fahning said, including the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Mount Dora Police Department, Leesburg Police Department and Apopka Police Department.

“It takes all of us to work together, we can’t do it by ourselves,” Fahning said, “without their help, we’re not here today.”

Suspect in Eustis Tuesday Night Attack Believed to be Responsible for April Attacks, Body Cam Released, $5k Reward Offered
Photos Released in Search for Man Who Attacked Woman in Eustis Tuesday Night

Man Accused of Attacking 3 Women in Eustis in Custody, Now Being Treated for Gunshot Wound Read More »

Detention Deputy Accused of Leaving Vape Cartridges in Trash Can at Jail

TAVARES, Florida—A Lake County Sheriff’s Office detention deputy was booked into the very jail he worked at, accused of leaving vape cartridges in a trash can accessible to inmates.

Acting on a tip, LCSO began investigating Bailey Levi Lennon, 25, at the end of May and interviewed inmates and employees and found a cartridge that had been left by Lennon, according to a press release.

Lennon denied leaving the vape cartridges for inmates but admitted he knew the trash can was accessible to them. A warrant was issued for his arrest for introducing contraband into a correctional facility Tuesday afternoon and he turned himself in at the jail Tuesday night, where he was released on $2,000 bond. Lennon has been employed as a detention deputy since 2019 and is on suspension, pending termination.

Detention Deputy Accused of Leaving Vape Cartridges in Trash Can at Jail Read More »

Suspect in Eustis Tuesday Night Attack Believed to be Responsible for April Attacks, Body Cam Released, $5k Reward Offered

EUSTIS, Florida—The man who grabbed a woman, groped her and threw her to the ground before trying to run over a Eustis Police officer is believed to be responsible for two attacks in April, according to EPD Capt. Jon Fahning.

Shortly before 9 p.m. Tuesday, the suspect, described as a black male, late teens to early 20s, approximately 6 feet tall, with a thin build and wearing a grey hoodie, black pants and a surgical mask, grabbed a woman jogging on Morningview Drive near Eustis High School, groped her and threw her to the ground.  She was not injured and is cooperating with the investigation.

It is unclear who called in the attack, but two officers responded to the call and the suspect attempted to run an officer over just after he exited his patrol unit. The officer opened fire on the black, early 2000s Cadillac Escalade EXT; it is unknown if the suspect was struck by gunfire. The officer was not injured and is on paid administrative leave—department policy—while the Florida Department of Law Enforcement completes its investigation, which is standard in officer-involved shootings. EPD released body cam footage of the shooting Wednesday afternoon.

Body cam footage shows the moment a Eustis Police officer opens fire on a suspect who nearly ran him over.

The Escalade EXT fled the scene and struck a grey Nissan sedan causing heavy damage to the car and police believe the Escalade suffered extensive damage as well, Fahning said. The suspect escaped.

EPD has followed up on numerous leads and is looking for the man they suspect is responsible, and when he is captured he will be facing a “slew of charges,” Fahning said. The department is also offering a $5,000 reward in the case.

In April, a woman was jogging northbound on Country Club Road midmorning when the man came up behind her and grabbed her in a “bear hug” and thrust his hips into her in an aggressive and sexual manner, Fahning told Inside Lake in April.

The victim hit the unidentified man with a water bottle, and he fled southbound on Country Club Road. The woman was not injured, Fahning said. That suspect was described as a black male, approximately 6 feet tall, wearing all black, including a black hoodie and a black and blue mask—very similar to the man who attacked the woman Tuesday night. Several days later, the man attempted to attack another female jogger, but she was able to get away.  

EPD is asking anyone with information about the suspect or the vehicle to call EPD at 352-357-4121 or Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS; Crimeline callers may be eligible for a reward.

Previous stories

Photos Released in Search for Man Who Attacked Woman in Eustis Tuesday Night
Female Jogger Fights Off Attacker with Water Bottle in Eustis Friday Morning

Suspect in Eustis Tuesday Night Attack Believed to be Responsible for April Attacks, Body Cam Released, $5k Reward Offered Read More »

Photos Released in Search for Man Who Attacked Woman in Eustis Tuesday Night

EUSTIS, Florida—Eustis Police Department has released still photos taken from surveillance videos that captured the suspect and his vehicle in the attack of a female jogger Tuesday night.

The suspect is described as a black male with a thin build, approximately 6 feet tall and was wearing a grey hoodie, black pants and a surgical mask, according to EPD Capt. Jon Fahning.

The man ran up behind a woman around 9 p.m. on Morningview Drive, near Eustis High School, grabbed her, groped her and threw her to the ground. It is unclear who called in the attack, but two officers responded to the call and the suspect attempted to run an officer over as he approached the black early 2000s Escalade EXT.

The officer opened fire on the vehicle but is unknown if he was struck by gunfire. The suspect fled the scene in the truck, crashed into another vehicle, continued to flee and escaped. The front passenger side of the Escalade has heavy damage, and its passenger side headlight was out prior to the crash, Fahning told Inside Lake.

Police are looking into the possibility the suspect from Tuesday night is the same suspect who attacked a woman in April. The woman was jogging northbound around 10:30 a.m. April 21 on Country Club Road when the man came up behind her and grabbed her in a “bear hug” and thrust his hips into her in an aggressive and sexual manner, Fahning told Inside Lake in April.

The victim hit the unidentified man with a water bottle, and he fled southbound on Country Club Road. The woman was not injured, Fahning said. That suspect was described as a black male, approximately 6 feet tall, wearing all black, including a black hoodie and a black and blue mask—very similar to the man who attacked the woman Tuesday night. A press conference is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.

EPD is asking anyone with information about the suspect or the vehicle to call EPD at 352-357-4121.

Suspect in Officer-Involved Shooting Attacked Woman Prior to Call, Police Say
Eustis Police Officer Shoots at Suspect Accused of Driving Toward Him Tuesday Night
Female Jogger Fights Off Attacker with Water Bottle in Eustis Friday Morning

Photos Released in Search for Man Who Attacked Woman in Eustis Tuesday Night Read More »

Suspect in Officer-Involved Shooting Attacked Woman Prior to Call, Police Say

EUSTIS, Florida—More details were released in the Eustis Police Department officer-involved shooting shortly after midnight Wednesday morning.

The suspect, described as a black male with a thin build, approximately 6 feet tall and was wearing a grey hoodie, black pants and a surgical mask, according to EPD Capt. Jon Fahning.

The man ran up behind a woman around 9 p.m. on Morningview Drive, near Eustis High School, grabbed her, groped her and threw her to the ground. It is unclear who called EPD, but two officers responded and as one officer pulled up, the suspect returned to his vehicle and got inside; a second officer arrived and was outside of his patrol unit approaching the suspect when he ducked below the steering wheel and then accelerated toward the officer who was on foot and the officer opened fire, Fahning said. It is unknown if the suspect was shot.  

The male suspect fled the scene in a black early 2000s Cadillac Escalade EXT, crashed into another vehicle, continued to flee and escaped. The front passenger side of the Escalade has heavy damage, and its passenger side headlight was out prior to the crash, Fahning said. The Escalade EXT looks like a pickup truck, not an SUV and Inside Lake is working on getting still images from videos that captured both the suspect and the vehicle.

PHOTO: Marilyn M. Aciego/Inside Lake

Police are looking into the possibility the suspect from Tuesday night is the same suspect who attacked a woman in April. The woman was jogging northbound around 10:30 a.m. April 21 on Country Club Road when the man came up behind her and grabbed her in a “bear hug” and thrust his hips into her in an aggressive and sexual manner, Fahning told Inside Lake in April.

The victim hit the unidentified man with a water bottle, and he fled southbound on Country Club Road. The woman was not injured, Fahning said. That suspect was described as a black male, approximately 6 feet tall, wearing all black, including a black hoodie and a black and blue mask—very similar to the man who attacked the woman Tuesday night.

EPD is urging anyone with information about the suspect or the vehicle to call EPD at 352-357-4121.

Female Jogger Fights Off Attacker with Water Bottle in Eustis Friday Morning

Suspect in Officer-Involved Shooting Attacked Woman Prior to Call, Police Say Read More »

Eustis Police Officer Shoots at Suspect Accused of Driving Toward Him Tuesday Night

EUSTIS, Florida—Only Inside Lake was on the scene of an officer-involved shooting late Tuesday night.

EPD responded to Morningview Drive near Eustis High School on a report of a fight between a male and a female around 9 p.m., EPD. Capt. Jon Fahning said on scene. As one officer pulled up, the suspect returned to his vehicle and got inside; a second officer arrived and was outside of his patrol unit approaching the suspect when he ducked below the steering wheel and then accelerated toward the officer who was on foot. The officer opened fire, Fahning said. It is unknown if the suspect was shot.

“He definitely drove toward the officer,” Fahning told Inside Lake.

PHOTO: Jolie Fowler/Inside Lake

The male suspect fled the scene in his vehicle, crashed into another vehicle, continued to flee and escaped apprehension. There is a large law enforcement presence in the area, including road patrol officers and the department’s other captain, Ken Toler.

Police are not releasing any other details at this time, including a vehicle description. EPD has reached out to the surrounding law enforcement agencies in its hunt for the suspect.

“We are actively pursuing leads,” Fahning said.

Eustis Police Officer Shoots at Suspect Accused of Driving Toward Him Tuesday Night Read More »

Leesburg Man Accused of Torching Masonic Lodge Facing More Charges  

LEESBURG, Florida—A man who admitted setting the Leesburg Masonic Lodge ablaze is now facing more charges.

Luke Pratt, 22, of Leesburg is facing five counts of manufacturing an explosive device with intent to harm after the devices were found in his home on Casteen Road, according to an arrest affidavit.

Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies and the Hazardous Devices Team responded to the home after Pratt’s mother reported finding the devices. Pratt, who was already a suspect in the arson and has since been arrested for the crime, is accused of making five devices from plastic, ammonium nitrate. aluminum powder and large fireworks that were “sufficient to cause great bodily harm,” an LCSO certified bomb technician stated in the affidavit.

Pratt reportedly confessed to the arson and told investigators he considered using the explosive devices to destroy the Masonic Lodge but determined it was “too dangerous.”   During questioning, he told an investigator with the Department of Financial Services, Division of Investigative and Forensic Services, Bureau of Fire, Arson and Explosive Investigations he was mad at what the lodge stands for and he believed “they” were following him, according to a probable cause affidavit in the arson case.

PHOTO: Leesburg Fire Rescue

He said he sat in the parking lot of a nearby bowling alley with binoculars and waited until everyone exited the building before smashing the front door with a baseball bat and dousing the entire building with gasoline before setting it ablaze with matches. The crime was captured on video and Pratt was identified as the perpetrator in the video by several people, according to the affidavit.

A warrant for arson and burglary was issued for Pratt’s arrest Thursday and he turned himself in at the Lake County Jail just before midnight Friday. On Sunday, the five charges for the explosive devices were added, increasing his total bond to $65,000.  

Leesburg Man Accused of Torching Masonic Lodge Facing More Charges   Read More »

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