Former Deputy Sentenced to Probation for Three Battery Charges
DIXIE COUNTY - Leviticus “Levi” Leon Murray Jr., 28, a former deputy with the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO), has received a probation sentence in his criminal case.
On May 29, Dixie County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Murray and charged him with two counts of battery (misdemeanor) and four counts of aggravated assault (felony).
It’s difficult to confirm which actions Murray inflicted on which individuals due to the redactions in the incident report.
Based on the incident report, Murray approached a woman and flirted with her despite being married. She was not receptive to his advances and her boyfriend confronted him, leading to an explosive reaction from Sims, who attacked the boyfriend, battered a woman who tried to break up the fight, punched another woman when she told him to stop, and reportedly made shooting threats to the involved parties. He fled the scene after he was informed that 911 was called.
The victims reportedly knew about Murray's employment as a deputy and believed he was armed. No firearms were found on Murray's person. Murray told Dixie County deputies that he was "attacked" but did not say who attacked him. He further told Dixie County deputies that he was employed with ACSO.
ACSO terminated Murray shortly after his arrest.
Following his arrest, Murray appeared before Judge Jennifer Johnson. She set the total bond at $8,000.
Prosecutors went on to formally file three counts of misdemeanor battery against Murray and declined to prosecute the felony charges. Two of the battery charges were filed as domestic violence.
On August 7, the case was resolved through a negotiated plea agreement. Murray pleaded guilty to the three battery charges and prosecutors recommended a probation sentence that was invoked by Judge Mark Feagle.
Murray was sentenced to a year of probation but the plea form indicates he can get it terminated early after six months.
Murray is required to take anger management.
The Dixie County Sheriff's Office is unable to provide body-camera footage from their investigation into this incident because their deputies do not utilize body cameras, Sergeant Amy Cannon wrote in an email.
