Marion County
In an effort to comfort victims of violent or sensitive crimes, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) has obtained a therapy dog to assist deputies and detectives during criminal investigations. Lily, a five year old female Beagle/Corgi mix, was rescued from a euthanasia shelter and enrolled in the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office’s “Paws & Stripes College.” During this 8-week course, the dogs learn basic obedience skills, and selected graduates move into the advanced training program to serve as PTSD dogs, therapy dogs and child victim advocate dogs. Lily graduated from the program’s Law Enforcement Investigative Therapy Dog Course and she was given to the MCSO at no cost. Since she came to the MCSO in May 2017, Lily has received full certification as a therapy dog and is out working in our community.
Lily’s handler is MCSO’s Department of Children and Families (DCF) Investigative Liaison, Detective Janeen Henley-Freeman. Detective Henley-Freeman and Lily will focus on adult and children DCF investigations, missing persons, sex crimes, child abductions and child exploitation internet crimes assisting the victims of these crimes. Our goal is for Lily to help victims feel more at ease while speaking about their situation(s).
The Lady Lake Police Department cannot function effectively without the assistance of concerned, responsible residents. We are depending on YOU to call and tell us whenever you see suspicious persons or activity.
Some residents fail to call the police simply because they are not aware of what seemingly innocent activities should be considered suspicious. Others may recognize suspicious activity and be hesitant to call for fear of being thought of as the neighborhood “busy-body.” Yet others simply assume that someone else has already called the police. Continue reading
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.
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
One of the things I enjoy most about my job is getting to speak to different groups. Big groups or small, business people or social groups, it really does not matter. I love talking about our community and the role of the CEP. Regardless of the size of the group, the nature of the questions is often the same – “What is the new building going up . . .” and “When will get a . . .” Usually, I know the answer or at least can proffer an educated guess. In this issue, I would like to highlight some of the most frequently asked new building questions.
What are those building going up near FedEx?
If you have not taken a moment and driven down NW 35th Ave into the Ocala-Marion County Commerce Park, I would encourage you to do so. Just past the new FedEx Ground Hub one can see two large buildings under construction. The building to the east is the new AutoZone Distribution Center. This facility is covers more than 440,000 sq. ft. and will serve AutoZone stores in Florida and Puerto Rico. The facility to the north or just past FedEx is the new Chewy.com Fulfillment Center. This building will encompass 620,000 sq. ft. Combined both facilities represent nearly 1.1 MILLION sq. ft. of new space. Eventually these three companies will employ approximately 1,500 workers. Continue reading
At the CEP, things are always changing. We are looking for ways to provide an ever greater return on investment for our partners and for the community. We are excited to announce a new program to encourage entrepreneurs and two new team members who have recently join us.
1 Million Cups-Ocala
Ocala soon will be the newest home of a national program to engage, educate and connect local entrepreneurs. 1 Million Cups — based on the notion that entrepreneurs network and discover solutions over a million cups of coffee — is a free, weekly gathering that helps to build startup communities on a grassroots level.
Beginning Wednesday, September 20, 2017, entrepreneurs, innovators, funders and other interested community members are invited to attend each Wednesday from 9:30am to 10:30 a.m. at the CEP’s Power Plant Business Incubator – 2nd Floor, located at 405 SE Osceola Ave. Ocala. Continue reading
We are #1 (or at least a finalist)! I am very excited to share that the Ocala/Marion County Chamber & Economic Partnership (CEP) has been named a finalist for the 2017 Chamber of the Year award, presented by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. The CEP along with the other three finalists for the award will be celebrated at a special event on Tuesday, July 18, in Nashville, Tenn., with the winner to be announced that evening.
This is an incredible testament to the success of our partners and leadership in implementing their vision with our Moving Forward campaign. We are excited for this recognition and to shine a light on the great work being done in this community.
Chamber of the Year is the nation’s only award recognizing the leadership role chambers have in their communities. Those honored with the Chamber of the Year designation have demonstrated organizational strength and made an impact on key community priorities, such as education, transportation, business development and quality of life.
Chambers of commerce interested in competing for the award must first qualify by participating in a vigorous, multi-stage process. Organizations entering the Chamber of the Year competition must meet minimum thresholds in at least three of five key performance areas, including net revenue, net assets, membership account retention, and membership dollar retention. Continue reading
