PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ADVERTISEMENT CONTAINED WITHIN THIS ARTICLE IS NOT THE SAME COMPANY MENTIONED IN THE ARTICLE.
Have you contracted to have work done by North Florida Fence and Tree Service, LLC?
Did you make a deposit or provide payment and the services were not provided or not completed?
The company is operated by Jackson Thomas and investigators are looking for anyone who may have lost money or have projects that were not completed.
North Florida Fence and Tree Service, LLC has also had multiple complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau.
If you have been a victim of similar work conducted by this company and/or the listed subject, and have pertinent documentation related to the contracted work, please contact Detective J. Skelly at 352-367-4108.
A known panhandler, who is a convicted felon, was arrested after he reached into a vehicle and stole a wallet from a disabled victim.
Charles Benjamin Proctor, 31, was panhandling in the Silver Springs area when he approached a vehicle and asked the driver for money.
The victim told Proctor, “no, sorry.”
However, Proctor would not take no for an answer and continued to harass the victim.
According to reports, after the victim refused several times to give Proctor money, [he] became angry, reached into the vehicle, and snatched the victim’s wallet.
Proctor then fled the area on foot. He was captured at a convenience store a short time later.
Proctor, who has been arrested more than a dozen times, takes money from people so he can feed his methamphetamine addiction.
Upon searching Proctor, he was found to be in possession of a pipe used for smoking methamphetamine.
Proctor was charged with Burglary of an Occupied Vehicle, Felony Petit Theft (due to it being his third offense), Possession of Drug Equipment (x2), and Possession of Methamphetamine.
Andrew William Wiggins, 20, and Ashlynn M. Fox, 26
Two people were arrested and booked into the Marion County Jail on Halloween following an October 30, pursuit.
The two suspects, Andrew William Wiggins, 20, and Ashlynn M. Fox, 26, fled from deputies in the 12000 block of West Highway 40 following a traffic stop.
After a short pursuit, Wiggins crashed the vehicle, a 2002 Nissan, into a tree.
Both suspects were transported to a local hospital and treated for their injuries.
While at the hospital, an X-ray revealed that Fox had shoved something into her vagina. Fox stated that she was not hiding anything, however, when Fox requested to use the restroom two baggies fell out and onto the floor. The baggies allegedly contained heroin and Clonazepam (a seizure medication).
Inside the vehicle, deputies found a scale, 50 baggies, 11 Dilaudid pills, methamphetamine, cocaine, needles, heroin, Promethazine Hydrochloride (an anti-nausea medication), and a spoon.
Wiggins was charged with Fleeing and Eluding, Possession of Cocaine, Driving on a Suspended Driver’s License, Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, and Violation of Probation Grand Theft Auto.
Fox was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance without a Prescription, Possession of Heroin, Possession of Drug Equipment, and Possession of Promethazine without a Prescription.
Higgins and Fox are convicted felons with lengthy criminal records in various counties.
A fast-thinking 12-year-old boy saved his mom’s life by alerting neighbors to the fact that his mom was being battered by her boyfriend.
According to the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office, Benjamin Parrish Safer became involved in a verbal argument with his girlfriend over a cellphone.
During the argument, Safer became aggressive and punched the victim in the face multiple times.
The victim told police that she tried to get away from Safer but he forced her to leave in a vehicle with him. While they were out the victim was able to run toward a Chevron, at which point Safer caught up to her. Deputies said Safer then grabbed her by the arm and hair and forced her into the vehicle.
When they arrived home, the victim ignored Safer which infuriated him further.
According to reports, as the victim was laying on the bed, he forced himself on to her and demanded that she forgive him and “make out” with him.
The victim stated that Safer tried to kiss her and she turned her head. It was at that time that Safer bit her upper and lower lip and forced his tongue into her mouth. The victim then clamped down on Safer’s tongue with her teeth and screamed for help.
Deputies said Safer then grabbed a pillow and placed it over the victim’s face and stated: “stop screaming.”
Moments later, as Safer still had the pillow over the victim’s face, the victim’s son stormed out of the house to alert the neighbors. The sound of the boy exiting the house caused Safer to stop and search for the boy.
According to t the arrest affidavit, the woman could not breathe and was seconds away from losing consciousness.
As Safer looked for the boy, the victim mustered up enough strength and ran from the residence.
Moments later, a deputy pulled up into the driveway and saw the victim running toward the patrol car.
Deputies noted that the victim had blood coming from her nose and had multiple scratches on her face and lips.
Safer denied any involvement. He told deputies that the victim had blood on her face because she had bitten his tongue.
Safer was arrested and charged with Felony Domestic Battery by Strangulation.
Authorities said that if the boy had not run to neighbors the victim would have probably been suffocated to death.
Crystal River — A Crystal River man was arrested after deputies say he threatened his girlfriend and had the means to carry out that threat.
Deputies were dispatched to a residence in the vicinity of North Gulf Avenue and West Goldenleaf Lane after a caller reported a domestic disturbance.
Upon arrival, the deputy made contact with the suspect, later identified as Archie Brass, and the victim. While speaking with the victim, deputies say Brass became hostile due to the fact that he didn’t like the type of questions the deputy was asking.
Brass then began to walk back to the residence when the deputy instructed him to stop. Brass refused and continued to walk away.
According to reports, the deputy then deployed her Tazer, which did not phase Brass.
Brass fled on foot and was later located in a neighbors yard.
During questioning, the victim stated that Brass was angry because she had taken too long at the grocery store. She stated that Brass “was irate” so she decided to leave.
According to the arrest affidavit, Brass stopped the victim from leaving. He then tossed her luggage, which was filled with clothing, into a fire pit. After dousing it with gasoline he set it on fire.
Brass then charged after the victim and hit her. The victim told deputies that she feared for her life.
Brass, who refused to cooperate, was arrested and charged with Unlawful Threat by Word or Act to do Violence to Another, Criminal Mischief, and Resisting Arrest.
Marion County is continuing to see an increase in cases of hepatitis A locally and is encouraging residents to get vaccinated for the virus. To help, the Department of Health in Marion County is holding its second drive-through hepatitis A vaccination event on Saturday, Nov. 2, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its Ocala office (1801 SE 32nd Ave.). Anyone who would like to receive the hepatitis A vaccine can come to the event to get the shot for free.
The department recommends vaccination if you:
Use illicit recreational drugs—injected or not.
Have come into direct contact with others who have the virus.
Are homeless or your housing is unstable.
Want protection (immunity) from the virus.
Are 60 or older and have a serious underlying medical condition.
Have chronic or long-term liver disease, including hepatitis B or C.
Have a clotting-factor disorder.
Are a man who has sex with other men.
Have adopted or care for a child who comes from a country where hepatitis A is common.
Have traveled to or will travel to countries where the virus is common—visit the CDC’s Traveler’s Health.
The hepatitis A vaccine is a two-series shot, with each dose given six months apart. The first shot provides 95 percent protection, but both shots are needed to provide long-term protection. This means individuals who obtained their first hepatitis A shot at the department’s April drive-through event should come to the Nov. 2 event to complete the shot series.
The Department of Health in Marion County has tracked more than 140 total cases of the virus in the county since the start of January. The department has been offering free hepatitis A vaccinations since early 2019 to help combat the increase in cases locally. State Surgeon General Scott Rivkees, M.D., declared a public health emergency on Aug. 1 in response to the hepatitis A outbreak in Florida.
Hepatitis A is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable illness that attacks the liver and can cause symptoms of abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, dark urine, and yellow skin and eyes. Symptoms typically last less than two months but can last up to six months. Individuals are contagious with the virus for up to two weeks before showing symptoms. Not everyone who becomes ill with the virus shows symptoms.
The virus spreads through the feces of people who have the virus. If a person with the virus doesn’t wash their hands well after going to the bathroom, traces of feces can get on their hands and can transfer to objects, food, and drinks. When these things are shared or touched and then people touch their mouths, other people can unknowingly swallow the virus. If a person who has the virus comes in close contact or touches other people—this includes sex—the virus can also spread. This virus is hardy and can live on surfaces for more than a month.
The best way to prevent hepatitis A infection is through vaccination with the hepatitis A vaccine. It’s also important to practice good hand hygiene, including thoroughly washing hands with soap and water after using the bathroom, changing diapers, and before preparing or eating food, and to avoid sharing food, drinks, drugs or cigarettes. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer does not kill the hepatitis A virus. a
Health care providers should immediately report all cases of hepatitis A to their local health department to ensure a quick public health intervention and prevent the spread of the disease among close contacts of the person sick with the virus.
Ocala Fire Rescue (OFR) and the Department of Health in Marion County (DoHMC) have partnered to combat the hepatitis A outbreak affecting our community. Encouraging vaccination against the highly contagious illness – which has affected more than 138 individuals in Marion County during 2019 alone – OFR will be offering hepatitis A vaccines at select locations.
The Hepatitis A vaccination clinics will be free and open to the public. Clinics will be held on Wednesdays and Saturdays at Fire Station 3 (737 SW MLK Jr., Ocala) and Fire Station 7 (885 SE 31st St., Ocala). Vaccinations will be administered on Wednesdays from 7 – 10 a.m. and from 3 – 6 p.m., and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Due to the high occurrence of reported hepatitis A cases this year, not only in Marion County but in the state of Florida, OFR and the DoHMC recommend that individuals with high risk for contracting the virus get vaccinated. High-risk populations include, but are not limited to, anyone coming into direct contact with others who have the virus, anyone using or working with individuals who use illicit drugs, as well as individuals experiencing homelessness.
Although hepatitis A can be spread through sexual contact, it is most commonly acquired when a person unknowingly ingests the virus from a contaminated surface containing traces of infected fecal matter. The best way to prevent the spread of hepatitis A is through vaccination, followed by good hygiene practices. Washing your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds before preparing or eating food, and after using the restroom, changing a diaper, coughing or sneezing, are ways in which you can prevent the spread of the hepatitis A virus.
“The hepatitis A virus can live on surfaces for more than 30 days and is immune to alcohol-based hand sanitizer,” said Ocala Fire Rescue Captain Jesse Blaire. “If those facts aren’t scary enough to make you want to run to a vaccination clinic, I hope that the idea of getting immunized to keep your loved ones safe from this vaccine-preventable virus is.”
Authorities are now investigating a double homicide after two men who were shot inside a vehicle on Thursday died.
According to reports, a passenger drove the victims to AdventHealth Ocala.
The suspected shooter, who is still on the loose, fled from the vehicle after the driver who had been shot stopped the vehicle.
Investigators say the dashboard of the vehicle was riddled with bullet holes.
Both victims later died from their injuries.
The shooting occurred in the 3000 block of Southeast 52nd Street.
Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact MCSO at 352-732-9111, or please call Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP (7867). Tipsters can also visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com. Anonymity is guaranteed.
Two people are dead after a place that had mechanical issues crashed in Ocala.
The Ocala Police Department is currently investigating a plane crash that occurred in the area of SW College Road and SR 200 between 60th Avenue and 43rd Street.
This is near Market Street and Heath Brook.
All north and southbound lanes will be closed until further notice.
Police say the cleanup and investigation will take several hours.
The Florida Highway Patrol is assisting OPD with rerouting traffic.
All drivers are urged to avoid the area and use an alternate route.
Kelcie B. Bickford, Lindsay Wilson, Romel A. Scott, and Reuben V. Washington
Ocala — Four drug dealers were arrested following tips that led to a drug raid at 950 NW Martin Luther King Ave, Ocala.
The home is located less than 1000 feet from Howard Middle School.
The Ocala Police Department stated that the Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team (UDEST) served the warrant at the residence on October 17.
Agents arrested Lindsay Wilson, Reuben V. Washington, Romel A. Scott, and Kelcie B. Bickford.
Wilson was found to have a crack pipe and brillo pieces in her bra and was in possession of crack cocaine. She was arrested and charged with Possession of Crack Cocaine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Washington was found to be in possession of a .22 caliber AR-15 style rifle, Alprazolam, and plastic baggies. He was charged with Possession of a Weapon by a Convicted Felon, Possession of Ammunition by a Convicted Felon, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of a Controlled Substance without a prescription. He has a lengthy criminal record.
Scott was in possession of MDMA and marijuana. Both had been prepackaged in plastic baggies for resale. He was arrested and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute less than 1000 Feet from a School. He is a convicted felon who has been arrested more than 20 times.
Bickford was arrested and charged with Possession of Crack Cocaine, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Powder Cocaine, and Violation of Probation. She, too, is a convicted felon.
All four suspects are currently being held at the Marion County Jail.
Ocala — A man, who should have never been behind the wheel of a car, was arrested Monday after Ocala police say he caused a traffic crash in the 100 block of SW 33 Ave.
According to reports, Officer Wright was investigating the crash when he discovered that the driver who caused the accident, David Wayne Wilson, 28, had a suspended driver’s license and no insurance.
Wilson’s license was suspended for one year for accruing 24 points in a 36-month period and for failure to carry insurance.
The officer also discovered that Wilson had been arrested five other times for driving on a suspended drivers license. Three of those times adjudication was withheld.
Wilson was arrested and charged with Driving on a Suspended Drivers License 3rd Offense.
The human remains discovered by a deer hunter in the Ocala National Forest have been identified as being Daniel Allen Jones.
The Medical Examiner’s Office has completed an autopsy, however, the results are not being released.
Marion County Sheriff’s Office detectives are investigating after a deer hunter reported finding human remains Sunday in the area of Forest Road 5 in Umatilla.
The body was reported to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. FWC then contacted MCSO.
The hunter stated that the air smelled “like death.” A short time later he found a decomposing body, which was covered with brush.
According to reports, on October 15, the hunter and his friends were in the area placing a deer stand. When the men returned to the area on Sunday, one of the hunters said that an area where he thought he heard a deer scratching looked suspicious. The hunter then asked one of the other men to grab a shovel, at which time he began digging and discovered the body.
The death investigation is ongoing.
Information will be released as it becomes available.
Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact MCSO at 352-732-9111, or please call Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP. Tipsters can also visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com. Anonymity is guaranteed.
A Deltona man arrested on charges of burning a 3-year-old girl in 2018, has been arrested again after he poured boiling water on a different child — a 3-year-old boy.
Terry May, 47, was taken into custody Wednesday morning after a judge issued a warrant for his arrest last week.
The investigation began on Sept. 27, after the victim’s daycare instructors noticed a burn mark on the child’s back. The investigation revealed that May poured boiling water onto the child after the child accidentally urinated on the floor.
May’s previous child abuse charge in 2018, in DeLand, resulted in the charges being dropped due to a “lack of information.”
May is charged with Aggravated Child Abuse with Great Bodily Harm. He is being held on a $250,000.
Additionally, Prescilla Williams, the primary caregiver for the 3-year-old boy, was arrested and charged with Child Neglect.
According to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, Williams didn’t seek medical treatment for the child’s injury and told detectives that the burn was from a trampoline injury.
Williams was arrested Tuesday evening and later released after posting $5,000 bail.
Sheriff Mike Chitwood designated May as the “SCUMBAG of the Week.”
The human remains discovered by a deer hunter in the Ocala National Forest are those of a white male — between 45 to 55 — he was approximately 6 foot 2 to 6 foot 5 tall.
The Medical Examiner’s Office has completed an autopsy, however, the results are not being released.
Marion County Sheriff’s Office detectives are investigating after a deer hunter reported finding human remains Sunday in the area of Forest Road 5 in Umatilla.
The body was reported to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. FWC then contacted MCSO.
The hunter stated that the air smelled “like death.” A short time later he found a decomposing body, which was covered with brush.
According to reports, on October 15, the hunter and his friends were in the area placing a deer stand. When the men returned to the area on Sunday, one of the hunters said that an area where he thought he heard a deer scratching looked suspicious. The hunter then asked one of the other men to grab a shovel, at which time he began digging and discovered the body.
The death investigation is ongoing.
Information will be released as it becomes available.
Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact MCSO at 352-732-9111, or please call Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP, or text 274637 using keyword 368-STOP. Tipsters can also visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com. Anonymity is guaranteed.
It is with my deepest regret that I announce the death of Firefighter/EMT Emilio Rivera.
Firefighter Rivera, a proud United States Marine Corps veteran, and firefighter for over five years, was loved and respected by all. His drive, determination, and work ethic inspired all who he came into contact with. He was assigned to Friendship Fire Station #21, Operations Station #33, and most recently the Villages of Marion Station #10.
During our mourning period, let us support one another. Please reach out to someone you feel comfortable with if you need to talk. We have a great asset with Chaplin Joe LaCognata. Please utilize him as he is available 24/7. Your department’s senior staff is here to support you as well. We will get through this trying time together.
Effective immediately, U.S. flags at all county buildings will be flown at half-mast. Flags are to remain at half-mast until sundown on the day of interment.
Badge covers are authorized to be worn for the next thirty calendar days.
Class “A” uniforms are to be worn by all sworn personnel attending any related services. (Black ties as applicable.)
The Departmental Funeral Contingency Plan has been implemented and all planning shall proceed through proper channels. As information is made available, the public information officer will update the department.
Ocala — Ocala police are searching for a woman they say stole a purse from an 84-year-old woman while shopping at Walmart.
According to a press release, the suspect took the purse from the elderly lady as she bent over to pick up a package. She then concealed the victim’s purse inside her own.
The suspect then exited the store. She got away with $50 cash and credit and debit cards.
A second woman, who was shopping at a Publix on East SR 40 on Tuesday, reported a similar incident. In this incident, the victim stated that her purse was snatched from her shopping cart. The victim screamed, at which point she got her purse back and the suspect fled the store. The victim stated that the suspect spoke with a Spanish accent.
If you have any information about these incidents, you are urged to call the Ocala Police Department at 352-369-7000, Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP, or text 274637 using keyword 368-STOP. Tipsters can also visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com. Anonymity is guaranteed.
Marion County Sheriff’s Office detectives are investigating after a deer hunter reported finding human remains Sunday in the area of Forest Road 5 in Umatilla.
The body was reported to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. FWC then contacted MCSO.
The hunter stated that the air smelled “like death.” A short time later he found a decomposing body, which was covered with brush.
According to reports, on October 15, the hunter and his friends were in the area placing a deer stand. When the men returned to the area on Sunday, one of the hunters said that an area where he thought he heard a deer scratching looked suspicious. The hunter then asked one of the other men to grab a shovel, at which time he began digging and discovered the body.
At this time, detectives are not releasing any information about the body.
The investigation is ongoing.
Information will be released as it becomes available.
Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact MCSO at 352-732-9111, or please call Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP, or text 274637 using keyword 368-STOP. Tipsters can also visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com. Anonymity is guaranteed.
Ocala Post introduces two new sections to its publication; the Marketplace (classifieds) and Obituaries.
The market place on Ocala Post makes it easy to list classifieds. There, you can buy, sell, or trade just about anything. Unlike other liberal marketplaces, the marketplace on Ocala Post also allows for the sale of firearms and other weapons.
Additionally, you can list your event or business and service ad.
All listings will also appear in Google search, which will greatly increase exposure.
Obituaries on Ocala Post is the place where people come to embrace the power of a life lived. Every single life can provide an extraordinary story.
This is just two of several expansions to be revealed in upcoming months.
