Marion County Sheriff

Copy of Legends of the fortSaturday, Sept. 30 | 6 – 9 PM | Ages 5+ | $10 per person

How does an entire command go missing on their way to Fort King? Who was really to blame for the attack in 1835? Hear from the legends who witnessed the event at Legends of the Fort.

This guided lantern tour takes you back in time at Ocala’s Seminole War historic site. Meet the legends and hear the tales of a time gone by during this unique event.

Tours last approximately one hour with groups starting every 30 minutes. Each group is limited to a maximum of 20 people per group.

Tickets MUST be purchased in advance so reserve your time slot today!

For additional information, please visit our website or call 352.368.5533.

First let’s talk a little bit about the Sheriff

Billy Woods was born and raised in Marion County. Sheriff Woods has devoted his life to serving his community. Prior to being Sheriff he was with the Ocala Police Department for 26 years. During that time he held various positions. Billy Woods years of service he received multiple commendations, including the Medal of Valor and Medal of Distinction.

At the breakfast Sheriff Woods explained the changes he has made and some of their successes busting the bad guys. The Ocala Business Leaders audience had a lot of questions and Sheriff Woods answered every one of them. The morning was a success.

Thank You Billy Woods for being the speaker.

SOUTH CAROLINA MAN ARRESTED FOR CREATING PORNOGRAPHY WITH MARION COUNTY TEENAGER

 

MARION COUNTY, Florida (October 31, 2017)- Detectives with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office

(MCSO) Major Crimes Unit arrested South Carolina resident John David Madura (DOB: 06/28/1979) after he had sexual intercourse on multiple occasions with a 15-year old female Marion County teenager. Madura was arrested in Minneapolis, Minnesota, for Possession of Child Pornography and during that investigation, Minneapolis detectives discovered videos on Madura’s phone of him having sex with the teenager and of her posed in lewd positions. An analysis of the videos revealed that they were taken at a residence in Marion County, initiating MCSO’s investigation. Continue reading

MARION COUNTY, FL (October 16, 2017)

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) will be participating in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take Back Initiative on Saturday, October 28, 2017, from 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.

According to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 6.4 million Americans abused controlled prescription drugs. The study shows that a majority of abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet. The National Prescription Drug Take Back Initiative is a safe, convenient and anonymous way of disposing of prescription drugs and preventing them from falling into the hands of those who might abuse them. This is a one-day event where Marion County citizens can bring in their unused or unwanted prescription medications to three MCSO locations. Continue reading

MARION COUNTY, Florida (October 11, 2017) – Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO)

Major Crimes detectives received information from the FBI Laboratory in Quantico, Virginia, positively identifying human skeletal remains that were discovered in the Florida Highlands in August 2016. The remains belong to Nicholas Shawn Tillis (DOB: 03/27/1985), who was reported missing to the MCSO by his family in October 2016. Tillis was known to check in with his family monthly, and they had not heard from him in three months. However, deputies could not find anything suspicious regarding his disappearance. Detectives notified his family of this new information Tuesday afternoon.

Continue reading

MARION COUNTY, Florida (October 11, 2017)- Marion County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes detectives have arrested Gabriel Bowen (DOB: 03/20/1999) for an Armed Home Invasion Robbery he committed in July 2017. In the early morning hours of Saturday, July 22, 2017, Bowen entered the victims’ home, battered and restrained them, and stole miscellaneous belongings along with their vehicle. Bowen was located several hours later driving the victims’ vehicle by the Holly Hill Police Department, where he was arrested for Auto Theft and Resisting Arrest charges. Furthermore, MCSO detectives discovered the victims’ stolen belongings in the back seat of the car Bowen was driving. Bowen was sentenced on the Holly Hill Police Department charges and was extradited back to Marion County to face our charges Monday evening.

The two 72-year old female victims told MCSO Major Crimes detectives that an unknown assailant, later identified as Bowen, unlawfully entered their home located on SE 3rd Court in Ocala while they were sleeping. One of the victims said she awoke to something being placed over her head and being physically dragged to the bathroom by her shirt. Continue reading

MAN ROBS DRUGSTORE, CAUGHT QUICKLY AFTER

MARION COUNTY, Florida (October 11, 2017) – On Tuesday, October 10, 2017, Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Timothy Aaron Hughes (DOB: 08/10/1984) for committing a robbery at the Sunshine Drugs store located at 3450 NE Jacksonville Road in Ocala. Hughes implied to the employee that he was carrying a weapon and demanded pills during the robbery.

At approximately 11:30 a.m., Tuesday morning, MCSO deputies responded to the incident location in reference to a robbery that had just occurred. An employee of the store told deputies that the robber, later identified as Hughes, approached him and said, “I don’t want any trouble. I just need opioids.” The victim stated that the suspect had his right hand in his pocket and looked down at his hand and then looked back at him, making the victim believe that Hughes was armed. The victim complied with the demands and gave Hughes a bottle of hydrocodone pills. Hughes then fled the scene. Continue reading

Marion County, Florida (June 30, 2017)- Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Major Crimes detectives and Cold Case team members have closed the homicide case of Margaret Mary Mohrenne (DOB: 08/11/1971) nearly 12 years after her death. Mohrenne was found deceased in her home, then located at the 3600th block of NE 22nd Street in Ocala in July of 2005. Mohrenne’s boyfriend, Allen Hodder (DOB: 01/16/1979) was the main suspect in the case but was not arrested.

After further investigation and consultation with the State Attorney’s Office (SAO), the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), the SAO began the process of seeking a Second Degree Murder indictment against Hodder. However, Hodder died on March 13, 2017, of a Fentanyl and Carfentanil overdose before the indictment could be brought against him, therefore closing the case. Continue reading

Marion County, Florida (June 10, 2017) – Late Friday evening, June 9, 2017, Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) deputies responded to a 911 call for a stabbing at 19400 SE Highway 42. When they arrived, deputies found a male victim suffering from what appeared to be stab wounds. Deputies rendered first aid until paramedics arrived.

During an argument with the victim, Catherine Melvyn (DOB: 11/20/1959), attacked the victim stabbing him with a knife and then later called 911. Initially, she told deputies that the victim had attempted suicide. After making several conflicting statements to MCSO detectives, she then confessed that she had, in fact, stabbed the victim to get him to stop arguing with her. Continue reading

Marion County, Florida (June 7, 2017) – On Tuesday, June 6, 2017, Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Property Crimes detectives arrested Wayne Frazier (DOB: 01/30/1992) after he committed an occupied burglary in Summerfield early Tuesday morning. Frazier was also charged for his involvement in another burglary case that occurred several days prior.

The investigation revealed that at approximately 2:00 a.m., Tuesday morning, Frazier entered a residence located at the 17000th block of SE 108th Terrace Road in Summerfield while the victims were asleep inside. Frazier stole over $500.00 in miscellaneous items from the victims’ garage and stole a 3-wheel motorcycle valued at approximately $27,000.00. Frazier caused $2,550.00 in damages to the two other vehicles parked in the garage while stealing the motorcycle. The victims discovered the burglary when they awoke Tuesday morning. While MCSO patrol deputies were on scene conducting their investigation, a MCSO sergeant conducting a search of the area found the stolen motorcycle outside of a home located at 17012 SE 108th Terrace, approximately five minutes away from the victims’ residence. Continue reading

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