LADY LAKE – The Lake County Sheriff’s SWAT team Wednesday swooped in and arrested a Lady Lake man on drug charges and possessing firearms as a convicted felon.
“The investigation began in August after detectives received numerous citizen complaints regarding drug activity at the residence, which is located at 2900 Temple Hill Road in Lady Lake,” according to a sheriff’s press release.
Deputies spotted Shane Diamond, 34, standing in front of a sliding glass door and arrested him when he stepped outside, according to the probable cause affidavit.
They reported finding a bag of crystal methamphetamine weighing 25 grams in a hall closet and glass pipe with burn marks.
Leesburg commission to take up Silver Lake Drive rezoning Monday
Frank Stanfield
LEESBURG – Leesburg city commissioners Monday will take up the controversial, proposed 265-home development that will butt up against million-dollar homes on scenic Silver Lake Drive.
“This, to me, is bad development,” said resident Dr. Richard Bosshardt at one of the city meetings in September.
A large crowd is expected to gather for the 5:30 p.m. meeting at the Venetian Community Center on Dozier Circle.
Residents have voiced concerns over traffic and fears of decreasing property values. The proposal is for 83.5 acres east of County Road 44 and south of Clark Street.
Murder charges dropped for man involved in 2017 shooting
Frank Stanfield
TAVARES – A man who was once facing attempted first-degree murder and second-degree felony murder charges in a shootout inside a car has been sentenced to three years in prison, with credit for time served in jail, after prosecutors decided to drop all but one charge against him.
On Wednesday, Davante R. Wilcoxson was convicted of the one charge remaining against him: being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Assistant State Attorney Jonathan Olson said that prosecutors agreed to drop Wilcoxson s more serious charges after reviewing the case and his claims.
Misdemeanor trials to start again Monday
Frank Stanfield
TAVARES Order in the court: Trials are scheduled to begin Monday for the first time since March when COVID-19 restrictions barred the doors of jury rooms in Lake County.
Lake County Judges Emily Curington and Jason Nimeth, and trial attorneys are expected to start picking groups of six from a pool of up to 50 prospective jurors for misdemeanor trials.
“I’m glad to see that,” said Assistant State Attorney Jonathan Olson.
Olson, who is in charge of Lake’s prosecutors, has been looking at a growing number of cases stacking up on his desk.
911 call after T & N market shooting released
Frank Stanfield
MOUNT DORA – “Ma’am please, ma’am please,” the woman pleaded on the 911 call.
The woman and her “old man,” as she described him, were shocked, horrified, and afraid by what he saw inside the T & N Market on Grandview Street.
“The man inside is dead,” she said, after giving her location.
“Oh my God!” the man said.
But Khiem “Ken” Ba Trinh was not dead – not yet. He would die three days after the Nov. 30 armed robbery. His wife, Mihn “Tina” Nguyen, 46, was dead of her multiple gunshot wounds.
Mount Dora released the 911 call Tuesday. The operator can hear the fear and the frenzied conversation of the couple as she tried to figure out what was happening.