MEDIA RELEASE - RECENT LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY

The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office is providing the following summary of several significant incidents and investigations that have occurred throughout Hernando County in recent weeks.

09-08-2026: Robbery Suspect Taken Into Custody

On 09-08-2026, at approximately 2:20 a.m., deputies responded to a reported robbery in the City of Brooksville involving a taxi/rideshare driver. The suspect, Matthew Knowles, fled the area on foot and was last seen near Ponce De Leon Avenue and Fort Dade Avenue. Deputies immediately began searching the area.

Knowles was taken into custody later that morning at approximately 8:45 a.m. on charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, grand theft of a motor vehicle, and robbery.

09-10-2026: Deputies Shot While Executing Search Warrant

On 09-10-2026, at approximately 5 a.m., Hernando County Sheriff’s Office deputies and SWAT personnel responded to a residence to execute a search warrant related to the sale of illegal narcotics.

As deputies prepared to enter the residence, they announced themselves as law enforcement. Marked law enforcement vehicles, emergency lights, and the SWAT Bearcat were visible at the scene. Despite these indications, the suspect, Anthony Cusati, fired multiple rounds through the door as deputies attempted to make entry. Two deputies were struck by gunfire.

Both deputies were transported to the hospital and have since been released and are expected to be okay. Cusati was taken into custody and faces numerous felony charges, including two counts of first-degree premeditated murder, possession of a weapon or ammunition by a convicted felon, shooting a missile into a dwelling, vehicle, building, or aircraft, resisting an officer with violence, and destruction, alteration, concealment, or removal of physical evidence.

Cusati also faces numerous narcotics related charges, including possession of cocaine with intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver; cocaine sales; possession of cocaine; possession of marijuana with intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver; marijuana sales; possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana; possession or use of drug equipment; and possession of a structure or vehicle with knowledge that it was being used to produce controlled substances.

Additionally, Cusati faces charges for using a two-way communication device to facilitate felony offenses.

09-11-2026: Sexual Offender Violation Arrest

On 09-11-2026, deputies arrested Jose Luis Ortiz in Weeki Wachee in connection with an alleged violation of Florida’s sexual offender registration requirements. Ortiz was charged with failure to re-register bi-annually as a sexual offender, a third-degree felony.

09-14-2026: Sexual Offender Violation Arrest

On 09-14-2026, deputies arrested Vongarret David Wilson in Ridge Manor following an investigation into alleged violations of Florida’s sexual offender registration requirements.

Wilson faces charges for failure to register internet identifiers within the required timeframe and failure to register a change of telephone number. The charges are third degree felonies.

09-16-2026: Narcotics Investigation Leads to Arrest

On 09-16-2026, deputies executed a search warrant as part of an ongoing narcotics investigation.
Jarrod Saulnier was arrested following the investigation. The charges include cocaine trafficking, possession of cocaine with intent to sell or deliver, cocaine sales, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a structure or vehicle for the production or trafficking of controlled substances, and use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.

The investigation and related prosecution remain ongoing.

09-17-2026: 3 Arrested in Homicide Investigation

On 09-17-2026, SWAT personnel assisted detectives with the execution of search warrants in connection with the Landover Boulevard and Chalmer Street homicide investigation.

Two additional suspects were taken into custody, bringing the total number of arrests in the case to three. Those arrested include Giovanni DiBenedetto, Gilberto Torres, and Garrett Chapman. Charges include homicide, with additional charges filed against certain individuals in connection with being an accessory after the fact.

The investigation remains ongoing, and detectives continue to follow leads and collect evidence.

09-17-2026: Convicted Felon Arrested After Pointing Firearm at Firefighters

On 09-17-2026, Hernando County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit deputies responded to a traffic crash involving injuries at County Line Road and the Suncoast Parkway.

While Hernando County Fire Rescue personnel were attempting to assess those involved in the crash, the driver of one vehicle produced a handgun and pointed it at two firefighters. The firefighters immediately retreated, and deputies ordered the driver out of the vehicle. The suspect complied and was taken into custody without further incident. A handgun and ammunition were recovered.

The suspect was identified as Daniel Thomas Hall Jr., a convicted felon whose firearm rights had not been restored. Hall was charged with two counts of aggravated assault on a firefighter or paramedic, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, and providing a false name to law enforcement. He is being held without bond.

Fortunately, no firefighters, deputies, or the suspect were injured during the incident.

09-18-2026: Shooting at Weeki Wachee RV Park

On 09-18-2026, at approximately 9:06 p.m., Hernando County Dispatch received a 911 call reporting a shooting at an RV park in Weeki Wachee.

Deputies responded in large numbers and located evidence indicating multiple shots had been fired at a pavilion within the park. The suspect, Jeremy James Beaudry, was identified during the investigation. Deputies surrounded his camper and attempted to establish contact with him. Major Case detectives and SWAT personnel responded to assist.

Deputies ultimately made contact with Beaudry, who exited the camper and was taken into custody. SWAT personnel cleared the camper for officer safety. Investigators recovered multiple pieces of evidence from the scene, including spent shell casings and projectiles. A search warrant was also executed at Beaudry’s camper, where investigators recovered ammunition, magazines, clothing, and other evidence.

Hernando County Sheriff’s Office K 9 Skyy was utilized during the investigation and located a firearm in brush approximately one quarter mile from the crime scene. Beaudry was medically cleared and subsequently transported to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office. He was arrested on two counts of attempted homicide. The investigation remains ongoing.

09-21-2026: Sexual Offender Violation Arrest

On 09-21-2026, deputies arrested Arthur Le Roy Morrow Jr. in Spring Hill following an investigation into alleged violations of Florida’s sexual offender registration requirements.

Morrow faces charges for failure to register an internet identifier within the required timeframe and knowingly providing false registration information by act or omission. Both charges are third degree felonies.

09-21-2026: Shooting Investigation Remains Ongoing

On 09-21-2026, at approximately 11:46 p.m., deputies responded to a reported shooting in the area of Saint Andrews Boulevard in The Heather community. Deputies located a firearm at a nearby business and recovered shell casings and live ammunition from the area where the shooting reportedly occurred. Investigators reviewed available surveillance footage and conducted an extensive search of the surrounding area.

The individual believed to have been involved in the shooting was later located by deputies. No charges have been filed at this time. This remains an ongoing investigation.

The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate these incidents and will provide additional information when appropriate and as it becomes available.

The Sheriff’s Office thanks the community for its continued cooperation and encourages anyone with information, surveillance footage, or other evidence related to an active investigation to contact law enforcement.