TAVARES, Fla.—There’s a new pup strutting his stuff through Lake County, sniffing out electronics and working economic crimes, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
Electric Detection K9 Code—pronounced “Cody” — a 2-year-old Labrador retriever, will be working alongside his handler, Investigator Dunn, in the Economic Crime Unit, specializing in cryptocurrency investigations, LCSO Public Information Officer Deputy Stephanie Earley said.
“With a strong background in criminal investigations, Investigator Dunn took on the unique role of working with K9 Code,” Earley said. “Together, Investigator Dunn and K9 Code completed an intensive certification process, spending hundreds of hours side by side.”
PHOTO: Lake County Sheriff’s Office
At 18 months old, Code and Dunn participated in an intensive 5-month training program in Indiana, enduring long hours and no days off. During that training, Code mastered locating electronic devices, including cell phones, hard drives and SIM cards, essential evidence in a variety of offenses such as child pornography, fraud and financial crimes. Earning a perfect score during certification, Code successfully detected items underwater and in ceiling tiles. He is also trained to search vehicles, open fields, and even people, Earley said.
In his off time, Code enjoys relaxing with a blanket on the couch and playing with his favorite ball.
UMATILLA, Fla.—The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a single-car crash that killed one man and seriously injured another man Friday night.
A 10 p.m., a 28-year-old Belleview man was driving a 2020 Chevrolet Corvette northbound on County Road 439 approaching Live Oak Ranch Road when he ran off the road for unknown reasons, FHP said. The Corvette went airborne and struck a tree, killing the driver and seriously injuring his passenger, a 29-year-old Crestview man.
The Belleview man was pronounced deceased on the scene, and the Crestview man was transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center for treatment. The crash remains under investigation.
EUSTIS, Fla.—A Eustis man was arrested Friday, accused of exposing himself, and this isn’t the first time.
Around 7:30 a.m. Eustis Police Department responded to 326 Glover Street on a report of a naked man standing outside the home. An officer spotted Mark Ronald Banks, 56, who was fully exposed, standing both inside and outside his front door. The officer yelled at Banks to put clothes on as he approached the home and Banks went inside and refused to open the door, according to an arrest affidavit.
Police spoke to the complainant who said his teenaged daughters told him they saw Banks standing outside his home naked. The father told his girls to look away while he confirmed what they believed they saw. He told police Banks was naked and bent over outside of his residence and he could see his sexual organs from the roadway as he drove by. The father said he recognized Banks from driving by his house twice a day while transporting his daughters back and forth to school, and from a previous job he had, the affidavit states.
About an hour later, the arresting officer was driving back down Glover Street, and he saw Banks walking south on Glover Street near Orange Avenue. Banks was taken into custody and was told he was being arrested because the officer observed him standing outside naked. Banks reportedly said he was, “placing clothing outside to dry because his house smelled.” Banks was arrested for two counts of lewd and lascivious exhibition, two counts of exposure of sexual organs – prior conviction and one count of resisting arrest for refusing to open his door when the officer knocked on his door. He was transported to the Lake County Jail, where he was being held on no bond at press time.
Banks was arrested for a similar incident in August 2022. In that case, a neighbor accused Banks of standing at his doorway naked and masturbating while facing Glover Street on numerous occasions. The neighbor told police he observed Banks masturbating naked two to three times a week at 7 a.m. for six months, according to an arrest affidavit in that case.
A maintenance man for a nearby apartment complex told EPD he installed a fence panel to try to block Banks from view and the maintenance man said while he had never seen Banks masturbate, he had seen him stand naked in his doorway several times a week. When officers located Banks, they explained there were some complaints about his sexual behavior, and he immediately said, “I don’t do that,” the affidavit states. He appeared nervous and again said, “I don’t do that.” He was questioned about both standing at his door naked and masturbating and repeated, “I don’t do that.”
He was arrested and bonded out the same day. He failed to appear in court for that charge, and a warrant was issued for his arrest in September 2022. He spent a little over two months in jail, pleaded no contest and was sentenced to time served.
Less than two months ago, Banks was arrested again for petit theft, fleeing and eluding and resisting arrest stemming from a shoplifting incident at Dollar Tree, 1800 North State Road 19, Eustis on July 17. EPD responded to Dollar Tree on a shoplifting complaint and the accused thief had already left when officers arrived. Using the description provided by employees, an officer found the suspect, identified as Banks, driving his blue motorized scooter along the sidewalk on Grove Street near East Wilt Avenue. An officer ordered him to stop and he kept traveling on his scooter, ignoring the officer’s commands. As Banks approached East Bates Avenue, he was tased but still continued to ride away. He was tased again, fell from his scooter and was taken into custody. He was transported to LCJ, where he remained until pleading no contest to two of the three charges on Aug. 28, and was sentenced to time served, according to Lake County Clerk of Court online records. The fleeing and eluding charge was dropped.
TAVARES, Fla.—An arrest warrant has been obtained for the brother-in-law of a Eustis woman found murdered in May.
Monica Islam, 44, was found shot to death near Scenic Hills Drive and Wolf Branch Road outside of Mount Dora around 7:30 a.m. May 2 after vanishing from Shell, 1701 South Bay Street, Eustis around 6 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. May 2. 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.
Eustis Police Department investigates after Monica Islam was reported missing May 2, 2025, Courtesy photo
Islam was found in Lake County Sheriff’s Office jurisdiction; deputies responded to the scene and detectives took over the investigation. Through its investigation, LCSO found that Monica Islam had been the victim of a domestic violence committed by her husband, Rashedul Islam, and his brother Shahidul Islam in December 2024, in Eustis, LCSO Capt. John Herrell said in a press release.
In that incident, Rashedul Islam reportedly struck his wife and stole jewelry and paperwork related to a property in Bangladesh. Shahidul Islam pointed a gun at his sister-in-law and told her not to call 911, Herrell said. It was reported to EPD and Rashedul Islam fled the country before he was arrested.
Detectives also uncovered Shahidul Islam had previously been deported and had an immigration warrant for illegally reentering the United states, Herrell said.
Using information from license plate readers (LPR,) detectives connected Shahidul Islam to a home in Sanford and later found out he fled to New York in a rental car. U.S. Marshals located him, he was taken into custody on the federal immigration warrant and has remained in federal custody since May 6, according to Herrell.
“He will be served the homicide warrant and extradited back to Lake County once all the federal requirements related to his immigration status have been satisfied,” Herrell said.
LEESBURG, Fla.—A report of person who was possibly armed locked down an elementary school and a middle school in Leesburg Thursday morning, according to Leesburg Police Department.
Around 8:30 a.m., someone reported seeing an individual who was possibly armed near Leesburg Elementary School (LES) on South Street and officers were immediately dispatched to LES and nearby Oak Park Middle School, LPD said. Both schools were placed on lockdown and LPD and Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies conducted a thorough search of school grounds and the surrounding area, on foot and with the assistance of drones and LCSO’s helicopter, Eagle One. No one was found on school grounds. Officers located an individual on Lone Oak Drive in possession of an airsoft gun, and that individual is still under investigation, LPD said.
LEESBURG, Florida—Wednesday marks 19 years since Trenton Duckett was reported missing and his family once again will hold a candlelight vigil in his honor.
The vigil is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Leesburg Town Square, 500 West Main Street, hosted by Trenton’s father Joshua, and his grandmother Carla Fort.
Nineteen years ago, Leesburg and Lake County drew national attention when a mother embroiled in a divorce and custody dispute reported her toddler missing. In the two weeks after Trenton Duckett was reported missing, the case took dramatic turns as police found sonogram photos in a dumpster, accused his father of involvement, and investigated his mother’s suicide following an appearance on CNN’s Nancy Grace.
Trenton and Melinda Duckett are seen here in this undated photo.
Joshua Duckett was a young father going through a nasty divorce with Trenton’s mom, Melinda Duckett. After Melinda hacked Josh’s Myspace account and sent herself a threatening message, Melinda was granted an injunction, and all custody and visitation rights were stolen from Josh. He took Trenton swimming just before the message was sent and never imagined that would be the last he saw his smiling little boy who was learning to use the bathroom on his own. And now the tiny toddler, residents of Lake County and people all around the country prayed for, is a 21-year-old man if he is still alive.
Earlier this month, Josh celebrated Trenton’s 21st birthday and stated in a social media post accompanied by these two photos, “Hard to believe today you’re 21 years old! Not a day goes by that I don’t think of you and miss you so much!!! I hope wherever you are you have the best birthday and know that I am always thinking of you and hoping that one day you will be back home where you belong! Happy Birthday Trenton, I love you and miss you so much!!!!”
Over the years, law enforcement, family, friends, and armchair detectives have floated countless theories, but no evidence has ever confirmed that Trenton is deceased. “There is no verifiable proof he is dead,” Leesburg Police Chief Joe Iozzi told Inside Lake in 2022 when he was a captain, serving as the department’s public information officer.
On Aug. 27, 2006, 2-year-old Trenton was reported missing by his mother, Melinda. She told authorities she put him down for bed around 6 p.m. and after watching a movie, “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels,” with two male friends, she checked on him and he was gone, the screen in his bedroom window slashed open. She soon became a suspect – police found discarded sonogram photos in the dumpster of her apartment complex, and they didn’t buy her story about the cut screen. LPD soon began tracking her movements in the days before the boy went missing.
Information Melinda gave the police did not match evidence found through surveillance videos and witness accounts, and the case was propelled into the national spotlight.
The boy’s disappearance was covered by Nancy Grace, Greta Van Susteren and Dr. Phil to name a few, and less than two weeks after reporting her son missing, Melinda took her own life, and took all the answers with her. The suicide happened just one day after a fist-pounding interview by Nancy Grace. Melinda’s adoptive parents later sued and agreed to a $250,000 settlement.
Each year, on Aug. 27, Josh holds a candlelight vigil to mark Trenton’s disappearance at Leesburg’s Town Square. Even now, so many years later, there are often more than two dozen people in attendance for a short speech by Josh, followed by candles at nightfall.
“We have never given up,” Josh told Inside Lake. “We continue to fight. Hopefully, we can bring him home where he belongs.”
If you have information on Trenton’s disappearance, call LPD at 352-787-2121.
MOUNT DORA, Fla. — A Tennessee man who police say hit three vehicles, two AC units and house while taking a drunken ride through Mount Dora and Eustis, has been released from the Lake County Jail on $9,000 bond.
Shortly after 5 p.m. Sunday, Mount Dora Police Department responded to a hit-and-run that reportedly occurred at 4th Avenue and Donnelly Street in downtown Mount Dora. The victim in that crash told police the front of a grey Polaris Slingshot struck the corner of the front bumper of his truck, causing approximately $2,000 in damage. The victim said the Slingshot sped off and almost hit another vehicle, according to an arrest affidavit.
While investigating that crash, dispatch received two more calls about hit-and-run crashes, one at State Road 44 and County Road 44B, near Circle K, where a vehicle was rear-ended and the third crash, 1.5 miles away at Eleven Oaks Circle and State Road 44, where another vehicle was rear-ended. The Slingshot took off down Eleven Oaks Circle until finally it crashed into two outdoor AC units and a home at 66 Eleven Oaks Circle, Eustis, causing an estimated $12,000 in damage, the affidavit states. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Eustis Police Department assisted MDPD with the incident.
Law enforcement officers from Mount Dora Police Department, Eustis Police Department and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office line the street near 66 Eleven Oaks Circle in Eustis. Courtesy photo
The driver, identified as Canon Thomas Cofrancesco, 38, of Chattanooga Tenn., fled the scene on foot and jumped a fence before he was apprehended by an LCSO deputy. Cofrancesco, who had a strong odor of alcohol emitting from his breath, was detained and placed into the back of an LCSO patrol car. An MDPD officer later assisted Cofrancesco out of the patrol car while he reportedly slurred his words and stated, “These are my friends,” and said an officer has “very pretty eyes,” according to the affidavit.
An MDPD officer assisted Cofrancesco out of the LCSO patrol car and read him his rights. He refused to pay attention, refused field sobriety exercises and could not stand still, the officer noted. He was placed into an MDPD patrol unit for transport to LCJ and kicked the officer’s door. When they arrived at LCJ, Cofrancesco allegedly said he would kill law enforcement, the affidavit states.
While at the jail, the arresting officer conducted a 20-minute observation on Cofrancesco and then a breath test was conducted. More than 1.5 hours after the initial crash, Cofrancesco blew a .291 at 6:39 p.m. and .285 and 6:43 p.m., according to the affidavit—both samples more than three times the legal limit.
Cofrancesco was arrested for DUI (second offense,) DUI with property damage, reckless driving with property damage and three counts of leaving the scene of a crash.
UMATILLA, Fla.—The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a crash that killed a man Sunday.
Shortly after 1:15 a.m., a 51-year-old Astatula man was driving a 2000 Ford F-250 westbound on County Road 450 near Babb Road when he failed to negotiate a curve, FHP said.
He ran off the road into the tree line, the truck rotated, and the right side struck a tree. He was not wearing a seatbelt and was partially ejected, according to FHP. He was pronounced deceased on the scene.
LEESBURG, Fla.— A elderly Leesburg man is dead, and another Leesburg man is facing charges in his death after a hit-and-run on Radio Road Monday night, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Around 9:10 p.m., Kevin Custer, 37, was driving a 2012 Toyota Tacoma northbound on Radio Road, approaching Patrick Drive, when he struck a 75-year-old man walking on Radio Road. Custer fled the scene, and the pedestrian was transported to UF Health Leesburg Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased, FHP said.
Custer was returned to the scene by a family member and arrested for hit-and-run involving death and DUI manslaughter. He was transported to the Lake County Jail, where he is being held on $40,000 bond.
TAVARES, Fla.—A suspected dog fighter arrested last month has lost ownership of the 29 dogs taken from him during a search at his home in east Lake County, after a Lake County judge granted an injunction Thursday, filed by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
Jason Biggers, 48, is facing 29 counts of animal cruelty and 29 counts baiting and fighting animals after a search warrant at his home in the DeLand area of Lake County by the Lake County Sheriff’s office Agriculture and Marine Unit July 23.
Deputies arrived at the home at 31938 3rd Avenue in the DeLand area of Lake County shortly after 4:45 a.m. and found 29 dogs chained up and in kennels, LCSO Deputy Stephanie Earley told Inside Lake. The majority of them had scarring consistent with dog fighting and were in various stages of healing, she said. The dogs have been held at the Lake County Animal Shelter since they were seized and Judge Carla Pepperman’s order gives LCAS custody of the dogs that range in age from puppies to 8 years old.
According to Pepperman’s order, after being examined, the dogs were found with ”healed and active wounds consistent with organized fighting, dental alterations consistent with bait dog use, environmental and hygienic neglect, flea infestation, lymph node reactivity, as well as overheating and elevated body temperatures. The maladies were attributed to chronic environmental neglect, prolonged exposure to unsanitary and inhumane living conditions, intentional trauma consistent with organized dog fighting, and systematic physical alterations (dental) consistent with baiting practices.”
PHOTO: Lake County Animal Shelter
Pepperman stated, “(Biggers) failed to meet his burden to demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that he is able and fit to have custody of and adequately provide for the Dogs. Indeed, besides (Biggers’) self-serving testimony,(Biggers) called no witnesses and presented no evidence.”
Along with the dog-related charges, Biggers, 48, is facing a tampering with evidence charge and a charge of possession of marijuana more than 20 grams; he is being held at the Lake County Jail on $150,000 bond.
“Despite what these dogs may have endured, they have warmly received affection and are largely in good spirits,” LCAS said in a social media post last month.
You can support these pups by donating treats, toys, or peanut butter via LCAS’ Amazon Wish List at https://ow.ly/nZ2x50VPtCr or by dropping off supplies at the shelter. For more information on fostering or adopting, visit: https://lakecountyfl.gov/animal-shelter
