66.6 F
The Villages
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Leesburg police nab two men on hefty drug and weapons charges

Jovante DeShawn Hall

Two men were jailed Tuesday night after Leesburg Police received a call about the passenger in a vehicle brandishing a gun while smoking narcotics near an unsecured toddler.

Officers from the Crime Suppression Unit responded and located the vehicle in the Carver Heights area of Leesburg as it pulled into a residence on Mispah Avenue. An officer observed narcotics in plain sight as the passenger, 19-year-old Jovante DeShawn Hall, was removed from the vehicle, a report states.

Hall was found to be in possession of a trafficking amount of methamphetamine (46.5 grams) in one bag and another three grams in a separate bag. After a loaded .45-caliber Ruger 345 semi-auto handgun was located in at his feet, everyone in the vehicle was detained, the report says.

Malcolm Lamont Taylor

A K-9 officer was requested to assist with searching the vehicle and another large bag containing 56.2 grams of methamphetamine was located in the passenger-side door pocket.

Officers searched the driver’s side of the vehicle and found another loaded, semi-automatic SCCY 9mm pistol that had been reported stolen. A bag of suspected heroin was located in the center console and a small amount of marijuana was recovered, which resulted in the arrest of the driver, 24-year-old Malcolm Lamont Taylor.

Both Hall and Taylor were taken to the police department for booking and then transferred to the Marion County Jail. Hall, who lives at 13378 SE 102nd Ct. in Belleview and was wearing a ski mask rolled up on his head when he was arrested, was charged with:

  • Carrying a concealed unlicensed firearm;
  • Use/display of a firearm during a felony;
  • Trafficking methamphetamine (14 grams or more);
  • Possession of a controlled substance without a prescription (heroin);
  • Possession of marijuana (not more than 20 grams); and
  • Probation violations on previous charges of trafficking amphetamine, possession of methamphetamine and possession of cocaine.

Hall is being held on $152,000 bond on the new charges and no bond on the probation violations and is due in court June 15 at 8:30 a.m.
Taylor, who lives at 1403 Braebury Dr. in Leesburg, was charged with:

  • Larceny/grand theft of a firearm;
  • Carrying a concealed unlicensed firearm;
  • Possession of a weapon or ammunition by a convicted felon;
  • Use/display of a firearm during a felony;
  • Possession of marijuana (not more than 20 grams);
  • Possession of a controlled substance without a prescription (heroin); and
  • Knowingly driving while license suspended.

Taylor was being held on $30,000 bond and is due in court June 15 at 8:30 a.m. to answer to the charges.

Hall and a woman who worked at Taco Bell in The Villages were arrested last year after a Lake County sheriff’s deputy stopped their vehicle and discovered cocaine, a large amount of cash and a loaded gun. Hall was arrested on drug charges, driving without a license and for having an improper tag on the vehicle. He was also cited for speeding 54 miles per hour in a 35-mph zone.

Neglect of golf course maintenance now costing us millions of dollars

In a Letter to the Editor, a Village of St. Charles resident argues that neglect of golf course maintenance is now costing residents millions of dollars.

Karen says her intent has been misinterpreted

A Village of Belle Aire resident who stirred quite a discussion with a previous Letter to the Editor, follows up to say that her intent was misinterpreted.

Our amenities are being used by families with kids

In a Letter to the Editor, a Village of Citrus Grove resident says she is not happy about families with kids using amenities paid for by residents.

Finally allocating funds to the golf courses!

A Village of Hadley resident said he is happy that more money is being allocated to the golf courses. Read his Letter to the Editor.

Trump is unfit for any office

A Village of Osceola Hills resident, in a Letter to the Editor, details why he thinks former President Trump is unfit to hold any office.