Sheriff`s Corner

Hi everyone and welcome to this week's Sheriff's Corner. I'd like to report that we still have bicycle helmets that we are giving away. We appreciate everyone who has gotten a helmet but we can still pretty much get you what you need. For the most part, the helmets are small and medium. To arrange to get these helmets, you can get in touch with us here at the Sheriff's Office or contact one of our School Resource Officers at 352-486-5111.

Next, I feel that I need to talk about the Andrew/Leon Wiggins situation. For those of you who haven't been informed, this is one of the nightmare situations a law enforcement agency can face. That is convicting an innocent man. Andrew Wiggins was recently convicted of dealing in drugs. He was sentenced to 60 months with credit for 216 days. This trial was with a jury.

At the end of the trial, several of our employees looked at the video entered into the trial and thought that the person in the video looked like Andrew's brother Leon Wiggins. Admittedly, the video was not the whole prosecution and was of less than perfect quality. But the question was asked and we had to find an answer.

At this time we are investigating to make sure the right person is responsible. Our State Attorney is supportive of this investigation. The defense has asked for a hearing to have a new trial.

This is a new position for us. We are not thinking about the prosecution but we are deeply concerned in making sure we don't send an innocent person to prison.

I hope everyone has a great week. Take care.