EUSTIS, Fla.—Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies and surrounding law enforcement agencies broke up a large party Thursday night after receiving information from a law enforcement agency in a neighboring county, according to a report.
Around 10:20 p.m., Apopka Police Department (APD) shared information with LCSO it received about a large party of more than 200 teenagers who were reportedly coming from Aquatica in Orlando and headed to a party at a home at 34500 Tree Frog Lane in unincorporated Eustis. Some of that information included tips about weapons in multiple vehicles headed to the party that was promoted on social media, according to an LCSO report.
Deputies responded to Tree Frog Lane and nearby intersections and observed a heavy traffic back-up in the eastbound lane of State Road 44, attempting to turn onto Tree Frog Lane, the report states. LCSO’s watch commander requested help from surrounding agencies, and they responded, and assisted with traffic and crowd control on State Road 44 and nearby businesses.
While on scene, LCSO received a call from Donald Reagan, the owner of the home according to property tax records, requesting a well-being check on his wife, Kristen. Deputies confirmed she was OK, and she said gave a friend permission to host a “small party” of no more than 50 people; but partygoers told deputies the house was an Airbnb, and it was rented for the party, according to the report. The 6-bedroom, 5.5 bath house is currently listed for sale for nearly $1.2 million. Deputies and officers dispersed the crowd and stayed in the area until traffic was clear.
TAVARES, Fla.— The grandmother of two young women involved in the ambush of Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies last year has filed a claim on their life insurance policies, Inside Lake uncovered in a recent court filing.
According to a complaint for interpleader filed by the Gerber Life Insurance Company (GLIC,) Linda Jefferson, mother of Julie Sulpizio and grandmother of Cheyenne and Savannah Sulpizio, is attempting to collect a total of $50,000 on two life insurance policies — $30,000 for Cheyenne Sulpizio and $20,000 for Savannah Sulpizio.
An interpleader is a legal tool that allows someone involved in a lawsuit—usually the party holding disputed property or funds—to ask the court to decide who among multiple claimants is legally entitled to it.
Julie Sulpizio is accused of starting an altercation with her neighbors on Brookside Drive in unincorporated Eustis on Aug. 2, 2024. LCSO responded to the altercation and removed Julie Sulpizio from the scene under a Baker Act. After she made concerning statements, deputies performed well-being check at her home, just down the street from the original call, and during that check, they were ambushed by Julie Sulpizio’s husband, Michael and their daughters, Cheyenne and Savannah. Cheyenne and Savannah are the biological daughters of Julie Sulpizio and the adopted daughters of Michael. Master Deputy Bradley Link was shot and suffered fatal wounds, and K9 Master Deputy Howell was shot in the wrist. In a subsequent rescue attempt, Deputy Stefano Gargano was shot multiple times. Gargano returned to light duty earlier last month; Howell continues to recover from his injuries.
Evidence revealed Michael, Cheyenne and Savannah Sulpizio all participated in the attack and opened fire on the deputies; all three were found dead from self-inflicted gunshot wounds after LCSO’s SWAT Team entered the home, Sheriff Peyton Grinnell said last year. After Julie Sulpizio’s release from her Baker Act, she was arrested for principal to first degree murder of a law enforcement officer, conspiracy to commit first degree murder, three counts of principal to attempted first degree murder of a law enforcement officer, three counts of battery and one count of battery on a law enforcement officer.
The interpleader complaint, filed in Lake County, states, following Julie Sulpizio’s arrest, a Durable Financial Power of Attorney was executed on Aug. 26, 2024. The power of attorney appointed Jefferson as Julie Sulpizio’s agent, and on Sept.4 — one month and one day after the altercation that resulted in the murder of Link and the attempted murders of Howell and Gargano, Jefferson provided Gerber Life Insurance Company with a notice of death related to the life insurance policies.
In its filing, GLIC states it is at risk of facing multiple claims to the funds and is unable to determine who is legally entitled to the money and is asking the court to make the decision. According to the complaint, Jefferson has never been named a beneficiary to either policy, and GLIC is unsure if Julie Sulpizio was legally competent when she executed the power of attorney. She has been found incompetent to stand trial for her criminal charges twice this year.
GLIC also cites Florida’s slayer statute, which may prohibit Julie Sulpizio from receiving any proceeds due to her involvement in the tragic incident. The statute could also affect Michael Sulpizio’s estate, because he outlived both daughters, potentially entitling his estate to a claim. However, his involvement in the murder and attempted murders could disqualify his estate under the same statute.
Because of the legal uncertainties, GLIC is asking the court to make a final determination regarding distribution of the insurance funds.
EUSTIS, Fla.—Eustis Police Department is working to identify a man who scooted through a drive-thru window—backside first—ate a raw potato and completed his meal with a hamburger bun topped with a variety of condiments early Saturday.
Around 3 a.m., after the restaurant closed for the night, the unidentified man broke into the drive-thru window at Wendy’s, 2817 South Bay Street, and entered the restaurant backside first, knocking over a stack of condiments near the window, according to EPD. He pocketed some of the condiments, disappeared from camera view and then reappeared with a single potato in his hand.
Eustis police are working to identify this man they say broke into a drive-thru window and snacked on a raw potato and a hamburger bun.
He ate about a third of the raw potato, occasionally dipping it in a sauce cup before throwing it out the drive-thru window, EPD said. The man then discovered a hamburger bun, topped it with honey mustard, mayonnaise and yellow mustard and went to the lobby to eat it. He left a mess on the table, exited through the front door and headed westbound on foot.
If you recognize the man, email Officer K. Maznaritz at kmaznaritz@eustis.org or call EPD at 352-483-5400.
TAVARES, Fla.—The woman accused of plotting to kill Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies last year has been found incompetent to proceed to trial for the second time in three months.
In an order by Circuit Judge Brian Welke, he states Julie Ann Sulpizio, “The Defendant is not competent to proceed due to Psychotic Spectrum Disorder and Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder, r/o Schizoaffective Disorder, Bipolar type.”
Sulpizio, 49, will be involuntarily committed to the Department of Children and Families, because she “…is manifestly incapable of surviving alone or with the help of willing and responsible family or friends, including available alternative services, and, without treatment, the Defendant is likely to suffer from neglect or refuse to care for herself and such neglect or refusal poses a real and present threat of substantial harm to the Defendant’s wellbeing; and, (2) There is a substantial likelihood that in the near future the Defendant will inflict serious bodily harm on herself or another person, as evidenced by recent behavior causing, attempting, or threatening such harm,” the order states.
Sulpizio was first declared incompetent in February to stand trial for charges stemming from the Aug. 2, 2024, ambush attack outside Eustis that killed LCSO Master Deputy Bradley Link and wounded K9 Master Deputy Harold Howell and Deputy Stefano Gargano. Sulpizio is accused of starting an altercation with her neighbors on Brookside Drive in unincorporated Eustis. LCSO responded to the altercation and during a well-being check at her home, just down the street from the original call, deputies were ambushed. Link was shot and suffered fatal wounds, and in an immediate rescue attempt of Link, Howell was shot in the wrist and in a subsequent rescue attempt, Gargano was shot multiple times. Gargano returned to light duty earlier this month; Howell continues to recover from his injuries.
Evidence revealed Julie’s husband, Michael, and daughters, Cheyenne and Savannah, all participated in the attack and opened fire on the deputies; all three were found dead from self-inflicted gunshot wounds after LCSO’s SWAT Team entered the home.
Julie Sulpizio, removed from the scene by deputies before the shootings occurred, was charged with a multitude of crimes. If found competent at a later date, she is facing charges of principal to first degree murder of a law enforcement officer, conspiracy to commit first degree murder, three counts of principal to attempted first degree murder of a law enforcement officer, three counts of battery and one count of battery on a law enforcement officer.
TAVARES, Fla.— A local cleaning company is continuing its mission of giving back to residents who are fighting cancer—and to them, the mission is personal.
For the third year running, Bright Side Services Inc. of Tavares has partnered with Cleaning for a Reason, a non-profit organization that pairs residents who are undergoing cancer treatment with local cleaning companies that donate two free house cleaning sessions. Founded by Debbie Sardone of Buckets & Bows Maid Service in Texas, cleaning companies from across the country participate, including Tavares-based Bright Side Services Inc., owned by Michelle and Mike Krueger. They have participated in the program since 2022 and the mission has a deep personal meaning to them, Michelle Krueger said.
Michelle and Mike Krueger
“This cause is close to my heart,” she said. “I clean in memory of two extraordinary individuals, Judy Weikel and John Brian Kaup—who showed me what strength and generosity really look like.”
Krueger shared why Weikel and Kaup are so important to her.
“Judy was one of my earliest supporters, always lifting me up and sharing my business with others. I remember confiding in her once about a slow week on the schedule, and she simply said, ‘There will come a day when you wish for a day off.’ She was right—and her faith in me carried me through.”
“John is a fellow cleaning business owner whose positivity is unmatched. Even after being diagnosed with cancer, he continued to serve others with grace and grit. His resilience is a reminder of why this work matters. Thankfully, he has since recovered, and I’m honored to recognize his journey through this effort.”
Serving the community since 2007, Bright Side Services Inc. donates two cleanings for each cancer patient, and donates services to two patients each month. This service is available to residents fighting cancer in Tavares, Mount Dora, Eustis, Leesburg, Howey in the Hills, and Yalaha. Anyone undergoing cancer treatment—regardless of age, gender, or cancer type—can apply for free house cleaning services. To date, 30 cancer patients have received free cleanings from Bright Side Services Inc. Krueger said. Patients in need of services can apply here.
“Cleaning for a Reason understands the impact that a clean home has on a cancer patient’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. When cancer makes life at home difficult, our network of residential cleaners and volunteers support are here to support you or your loved ones battling cancer,” according to its website.
“When someone you care about is facing cancer, you want to do something—anything—to help,” said Krueger. “Offering a clean, peaceful home is one small way we can lighten their load. It’s a heartfelt tribute to Judy and John, and a promise to keep showing up for those who need it most.”
FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla.—A Eustis teenager has been arrested for kidnapping and lying to cops in the Panhandle, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) said Wednesday.
Kaylynn Corsi, 17, was arrested Monday, along with Lennys Cotto, 30, and Joe Trejo, 27, both of Ocala, for their roles in the kidnapping of a man who was beaten multiple times before escaping his captors early Monday morning.
According OCSO, a group of masked, armed individuals entered a home on Mooney Road near Fort Walton Beach around 2:45 a.m. The intruders beat and pepper sprayed one of the occupants and then forced him into a car. They took the victim to a trailer on Carlos Drive and beat him again before he escaped and ran to a convenience store on Racetrack Road.
Deputies arrived at the store and found the victim bleeding and bruised, and he was transported to a local hospital for treatment. He told deputies the suspects said they were looking for someone, but he did not have answers to their questions, OCSO said.
While deputies were investigating the incident at the Mooney Road home, Corsi, Cotto and Trejo returned to the home and were taken into custody. Cotto and Trejo were arrested for armed burglary and kidnapping, and Corsi was arrested for kidnapping and giving a false name to law enforcement.
Corsi was reported as missing/runaway late last year. Corsi and Melianis Cardona-Cruz, age unavailable, were last seen walking eastbound on Orange Avenue in Eustis Nov. 30, 2024. If you have information on Cardona-Cruz’ whereabouts, call Eustis Police Department at 352-483-5400.
EUSTIS, Fla.—The community is scheduled to come together Friday night to remember Monica Islam, the woman who was found murdered near Mount Dora last week.
Islam, 44, was found shot to death near Scenic Hills Drive and Wolf Branch around 7:30 a.m. May 2 after vanishing from Shell, 1701 South Bay Street, Eustis approximately 6:10 a.m. the same morning.
According to the missing person report obtained by Inside Lake, Islam’s daughter, Rimi Islam, reported her mother missing around 8:30 a.m. Friday. She told Eustis Police Department they left their home around 5:30 a.m. and arrived at Shell shortly after. She said her mom helped her with opening the store and then she went outside to take a walk around the parking lot, which was normal behavior. Rimi Islam told police she got busy and lost track of where her mom was. Another employee told Rimi Islam she saw Monica Islam in the parking lot as she arrived at work, around 6:10 a.m. Rimi Islam tried calling her mom, who had left her purse behind at the store, and was unable to reach her. After going back to the home they shared and looking for Monica Islam and checking security cameras for her with no success, Rimi Islam reported her missing to EPD.
While investigating Monica’s disappearance, EPD was made aware of a body found near Mount Dora; later identified as Monica Islam. LCSO has been tight-lipped about its investigation, releasing very little information over the past week. LCSO Cpl. Chanel Martin said detectives do not believe Monica Islam’s murder was a random act, and said earlier this week, they were following up on potential leads.
A large photo of Monica Islam is posted on the window next to the front door of Shell, asking anyone with information to call Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS.
A photo of Monica Islam posted next to the front door of Shell, 1701 South Bay Street, Eustis. PHOTO: Marilyn M. Aciego/Inside Lake
The candlelight vigil, organized in-part by family friend, Alisha Curtin, is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday at Shell, 1701 South Bay Street, Eustis. Overflow parking is available across Bay Street from Shell at First Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ, 1724 South Bay Street, Eustis; parking will not be available at Harden-Pauli Funeral Home, 1617 South Bay Street due to a previously scheduled, unrelated service.
“This (candlelight vigil) is not being organized by just one person,” Curtin told Inside Lake. “There is a village of people that are contributing to the memory of Monica, including local businesses, such as Publix.”
Amanda Hall, a Lake County native who works nearby, has also assisted with planning the candlelight vigil. Hall lost her own mother three years ago and knows the pain of losing a parent all too well. “(I know how Rimi feels) right now…lost without Mommy.”
Hall said the tight-knit community of Eustis wants “justice for Monica and our hearts and prayers are with Rimi.”
“When something like this happens in our community, we here in Eustis show our support and gather round the ones that need us most,” Curtin said. “A good person was taken from this Earth, and an amazing friend lost her best friend and mother. This is being organized to show our love and kindness throughout this community.”
MOUNT DORA, Fla.—The woman found dead Friday was shot to death and detectives believe it was not a “random act,” according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the area of Scenic Hills Drive and Wolf Branch Road Friday morning after someone reported they found a woman’s body. Deputies responded and found the woman, later identified as Monica Islam, 44, who was reported missing from Eustis, Eustis Police Department Chief Craig Capri told Inside Lake Friday.
According to the missing person report obtained by Inside Lake, Islam’s daughter, Rimi Islam, reported her mother missing around 8:30 a.m. Friday. She told EPD they left their home around 5:30 a.m. and arrived at Shell, 1701 South Bay Street, shortly after. She said her mom helped her with opening the store and then she walked outside to take a walk around the parking lot, which was normal behavior.
Rimi Islam said she got busy and lost track of where her mom was and asked another employee if she had seen her, the report states. The employee said she saw Monica Islam walking in the parking lot as she arrived at work, around 6:10 a.m. Rimi Islam tried calling her mom and was unable to reach her, and she went home to look for her. After checking her security cameras, she confirmed Monica Islam did not go back home. She called her mom multiple times, and was unable to reach her, so she called police.
EPD canvassed the area looking for Monica Islam and and went to the home she shares with her daughter. After officers were unable to find her, she was entered as a missing person and a BOLO (be on the lookout) was generated in an effort to find her.
An EPD officer soon spoke with an LCSO sergeant who said they were working a case involving a deceased female found on the roadside. The sergeant gave EPD details that matched the description of Monica Islam and LCSO responded to Islam’s home, along with EPD detectives, to speak with her daughter. The body was positively identified as Monica Islam later the same day.
An autopsy was performed by the Medical Examiner’s Office, and on Tuesday, LCSO Cpl. Chanel Martin said Monica Islam’s cause of death was a gunshot wound, and the manner of death is homicide.
“Detectives believe that this was not a random act, and we expect to release additional details as they continue to follow up on potential leads” Martin said.
If you have information on Islam’s murder, call Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS.
TAVARES, Fla.—The mom accused of kidnapping her two daughters from a Sorrento foster home in January 2024 pleaded no contest last month to her charges and was sentenced to three years in prison, followed by five years of probation, according to Lake County Clerk of Court online records.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office detectives began investigating the case after Tilli and Natalia Williams’ foster mother reported them missing around 7 a.m. Jan. 25, 2024. Authorities quickly named their mother, Dixie K. Williams, as a suspect and issued an Amber Alert. They were found the next day in Lincoln Parish, Louisiana after Louisiana State Police (LSP) received information from LCSO that Williams may be traveling on Interstate 20 in a silver Nissan Rogue. Troopers spotted the Rogue and initiated a traffic stop, just before 12:15 p.m. local time. Williams came to a brief stop on Interstate 20 westbound, east of LA-145 and then fled from troopers, according to LSP.
After a brief pursuit by LSP and Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies, a “tire deflation device” was deployed and Williams came to a stop, LSP said.
Williams was taken into custody and Tilli and Natalia were safely recovered by law enforcement. Williams spent more than eight months in a Louisiana jail and was extradited back to Lake County in October 2024.
In April, she pleaded no contest to the two kidnapping charges and was sentenced to three years in prison with credit for 184 days, time served. She will be on probation for five years following her release from prison. Williams was also facing several traffic-related charges stemming from traffic stop by Eustis Police Department in 2022. On that traffic stop, Williams told the arresting officer she was “traveling” and “did not need a license,” a phrase commonly used by self-proclaimed sovereign citizens. She pleaded no contest to three of those charges and the other two were dropped. She was sentenced to time served in February.
TAVARES, Fla.—Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Stefano Gargano returned to temporary light duty Monday, a little more than nine months after he was shot multiple times.
On Aug. 2, 2024, Gargano was shot, suffering traumatic injuries, during a rescue attempt of Master Deputy Bradley Link. Link and K9 Master Deputy Harold Howell, along with several other deputies, were performing a well-being check at the home Julie and Michael Sulpizio shared with their adult daughters, Savannah and Cheyenne Sulpizio, located 38144 Brookside Drive in unincorporated Eustis, following a Baker Act of Julie Sulpizio. After finding two dead dogs in the yard, a window with a broken screen and multiple announcements made by Link over his PA system, shortly after 9 p.m., Link, Howell and three other deputies attempted to enter the Sulpizio home. They entered through the rear door near the driveway that opens to a small laundry room and leads into a hallway that goes left and right.
Link approached the hallway and announced he was going left and indicated Howell should go right. As Link walked into the hallway, his bodycam picked up several frames of what appeared to be a male wearing a black shirt or body armor, with a rifle, positioned on the arm of a couch, ready to ambush deputies. Link did not see the man because he was looking left down the hallway, and the bodycam was facing forward, Sheriff Peyton Grinnell said last year.
Link entered the hallway and the suspect, believed to be Michael Sulpizio, opened fire, shooting Link in the back several times, and Howell was shot in the arm. Howell and the other deputies were forced to retreat out of the residence and Link was immobilized, suffering multiple gunshot wounds. He attempted to crawl on his back to cover but was unsuccessful. Link emptied his duty weapon of all rounds, Grinnell said, and moved his hand in what appeared to be an attempt to answer his radio as his ID number was called out but was also unsuccessful. He was shot several more times.
Link’s bodycam continued to record audio and video and was pointed toward the ceiling, and at 9:24 p.m., a female yelled, “My king kill all of you. You are Lucifer’s children,” in response to deputies asking for Link’s release.
Two minutes later the Street Crimes team, comprised of Deputy Corey LaBrecque, Deputy Matthew Green, Cpl. Tyler Palmer and Gargano entered the home, with Gargano in the lead with a ballistic shield as cover. It was later revealed Gargano insisted he go first because he was the only member of the team who did not have children. As he approached the threshold of the hallway, Gargano was shot through the wall multiple times, by high-caliber rounds, causing him to become incapacitated. The team returned fire and extracted Gargano. LaBrecque immediately began assessing and treating Gargano’s injuries, and accompanied Gargano in the ambulance as he was transported to HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital as a trauma alert.
Just after 11 p.m. deputies heard two rapid gunshots and a third shot a few minutes later and LCSO’s SWAT Team ripped a wall off the residence and extracted Link. He was rushed to a waiting ambulance for transport to a landing zone so he could be flown out for treatment. While en route, the decision was made to transport him to AdventHealth Waterman in Tavares, where he was ultimately pronounced deceased.
As the SWAT Team cleared the home, they found two deceased females on the couch, dead from what appeared to be self-inflicted gunshot wounds to the head. Michael Sulpizio was found on the couch with a gunshot wound and a faint pulse. He was transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased.
A search of the home revealed a stockpile of 20 firearms placed strategically around the home. Ammunition, food and water, medical bags and bugout bags, in addition to anti-government propaganda were also found. No illegal drugs were found in the home.
Top: Deputy Stefano Gargano; Deputy Corey LaBrecque Bottom: Deputy Matthew Green; Cpl. Tyler Palmer PHOTOS: Lake County Sheriff’s Office
In March, the Street Crimes team and Howell, along with many others, were honored by LCSO for their actions that tragic evening. Gargano, LaBrecque, Green and Palmer were each awarded the Medal of Honor; LaBrecque was awarded the Lifesaving Medal, Howell was awarded the Medal of Valor; and both Gargano and Howell were awarded the Purple Heart, at the ceremony in Leesburg. The three deputies who entered the home with Link and Howell, Master Deputy Christopher Kessinger, Deputy Stephen Snow, and Sgt. Christopher Stevens, were each awarded the Medal of Valor. Link was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
Gargano returned to temporary light duty Monday and Howell continues to recover from his injuries.
