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33 men accused of seeking sex with children in Marion County online sting operation
Read full article: 33 men accused of seeking sex with children in Marion County online sting operationThe Marion County Sheriff’s Office along with other organizations conducted an online sting operation that led to the arrest of 33 men accused of seeking sex with children.
Ocala school principal arrested after video showed him hitting student, putting them in chokehold: MCSO
Read full article: Ocala school principal arrested after video showed him hitting student, putting them in chokehold: MCSOThe Marion County Sheriff’s Office arrested a school principal for aggravated child abuse and false imprisonment of a child under 13 years old.
‘Owe him each day that I’m here’: Handler of Marion County K9 killed in line of duty speaks on coping with his loss
Read full article: ‘Owe him each day that I’m here’: Handler of Marion County K9 killed in line of duty speaks on coping with his lossK9s United held a fundraising event Saturday in St. Augustine that will benefit four-legged law enforcement throughout Northeast Florida and beyond.
Former Marion County school resource officer arrested, accused of lewd, lascivious battery of minor
Read full article: Former Marion County school resource officer arrested, accused of lewd, lascivious battery of minorOn Monday, Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) detectives arrested 34-year-old Christian Linan for lewd and lascivious battery on a juvenile victim, according to a release.
Indiana sheriff's deputy killed in dog attack that left her son, 8, wounded
Read full article: Indiana sheriff's deputy killed in dog attack that left her son, 8, woundedAuthorities say a sheriff’s deputy died after being attacked in her Indianapolis home by a dog that also bit and wounded her 8-year-old son.
Human remains found in Ocala National Forest identified
Read full article: Human remains found in Ocala National Forest identifiedMarion County Sheriff's OfficeMARION COUNTY, Fla. - Days after a hunter dug up human remains near a road in the Ocala National Forest, the Marion County Sheriff's Office identified the remains as an Ocala man. Detectives on Wednesday released that the remains were those of Daniel Allen Jones, 48, of Ocala (pictured). Deputies and a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officer responded Sunday to the area of Forest Road 5 after the remains were discovered. The man said he cleared the brush, started digging and found something that "smelled really bad like death," the incident report stated. To remain anonymous, submit tips to Crime Stoppers by calling 352-368-STOP (7867) or by visiting ocalacrimestoppers.com.
Deputies: With bodies of wife, kids in his van, killer drove to Jacksonville
Read full article: Deputies: With bodies of wife, kids in his van, killer drove to JacksonvilleMichael Jones is escorted by Marion County deputies after his first appearance on five counts of murder. After killing his wife and four young children, Michael Jones drove to Jacksonville with their bodies in his van -- possibly to visit his ex-wife -- before driving on to Georgia, a Marion County deputy told News4Jax on Tuesday. His wife's body was found in his van after Jones crashed in a ditch in Brantley County, Georgia. The Marion County Sheriff's Office said it's believed that Jones killed them in Florida weeks ago and stored their bodies until he drove them into south Georgia. When Brantley County deputies arrived at the scene where Jones crashed, they reported smelling a foul odor coming from his van.
Husband returned to Florida after bodies of wife, kids found
Read full article: Husband returned to Florida after bodies of wife, kids foundMarion County Sheriff's OfficeMARION COUNTY, Fla. - A man charged with second-degree murder in the death of his wife and suspected in the death of her four children was returned Wednesday from Georgia to Florida, the Marion County Sheriff's Office said. Michael Jones Jr., 38, was booked about 12:15 p.m. into the Marion County jail, according to online jail records. His first appearance will be Thursday morning, the Sheriff's Office said. Michael Jones (pictured in a Marion County Sheriff's Office booking photo) is charged with second-degree murder in the case, though additional charges are anticipated. The Sheriff's Office said it will be a lengthy process.
Bodies of Florida mother, 4 children found in SE Georgia
Read full article: Bodies of Florida mother, 4 children found in SE GeorgiaJones' body was found near Brantley County(CNN) - Levi Strickland was picking berries in Brantley County, Georgia, on Sunday night when he heard what sounded like an explosion. He was arrested by Brantley County authorities on charges of driving with a suspended/revoked license, weaving over a roadway and being a fugitive of justice. Marion County, Florida, officials said a warrant for second-degree murder charges has been issued for Jones' arrest. The Marion County Sheriff's Office said it's believed that Jones killed them in Florida weeks ago, and then stored their bodies and drove them into southern Georgia. Michael Jones also admitted to concealing the death of other bodies just prior to the traffic accident, the Brantley County Sheriff's Office said.
Bodies of Florida mother, 4 children found
Read full article: Bodies of Florida mother, 4 children foundMarion County, Florida, officials said a warrant for second-degree murder charges has been issued for Jones' arrest. Bodies driven from FloridaCasei Jones and her four children -- Cameron Bowers, 10, Preston Bowers, 5, Mercalli Jones, 2, and Aiyana Jones, 1 -- were last seen about six weeks ago near Ocala, Florida, the sheriff's office said. The Marion County Sheriff's Office said it's believed that Jones killed them in Florida weeks ago, and then stored their bodies and drove them into southern Georgia. Michael Jones also admitted to concealing the death of other bodies just prior to the traffic accident, the Brantley County Sheriff's Office said. The bodies, believed to be of the four children, were found in a wooded area off the highway in Charlton County.
Husband charged after bodies of missing wife, kids found
Read full article: Husband charged after bodies of missing wife, kids foundStatements made by her husband led to the discovery of the bodies of the couple's four children in the woods in nearby Charlton County. "Unfortunately, true evil has poked its head up here in Marion County," Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods told reporters at a Monday news conference. Michael Wayne Jones Jr., 38, is charged with second-degree murder in the case, though additional charges are anticipated. "As far as I am concerned, as the sheriff of this county, underneath the jail ain't good enough," Woods said. About 30 minutes away, Trisha Garren lived next door to the last known home of the Jones family.
Florida mother, her 4 kids found dead
Read full article: Florida mother, her 4 kids found deadCasei Jones, 32, and her children, who range in age from 1 to 10, were last seen about six weeks ago in the Ocala, Florida, area, the sheriff's office said. On Sunday, Michael Jones crashed his van near Brantley County in southeast Georgia, about 150 miles north of Jones' last known Florida address. Deputies "smelled a foul odor" coming from Michael Jones' van, according to a Brantley County Sheriff's Office press release. Marion County officials said a warrant for second-degree murder charges has been issued for Jones' arrest. "True evil poked its head up here in Marion County," Sheriff Billy Woods said.