Sexual predator arrested in Bronson - stolen items, firearms and drugs found
Photos courtesy of LCSO, left to right: Collins, Gomara, Hernandez, 90 lb. of drugs and firearms.
The Levy County Sheriff's Officee (LCSO) Criminal Investigations Division (CID) recently received a flyer from the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office that requested their assistance in identifying a vehicle involved in the theft of a dump trailer stolen from Homosassa, Florida.
LCSO detectives recognized the truck pictured in the flyer as a vehicle they had encountered many times in the Bronson, Florida area. Knowing this truck was frequently seen at a home located next to a local daycare, detectives began conducting surveillance.
Members of the surveillance teams noticed that a trailer located at 945 E. Hathaway Ave. in Bronson matched the description of the trailer stolen from Citrus County. Detectives also discovered that a sexual predator, 42 year-old Michael G. Hernandez, was living at this location - which confirmed the complaints the agency had recently received from several citizens. Detectives obtained a search warrant for the address and executed the warrant late during the late afternoon of Feb. 8.
As detectives and crime scene personnel arrived on scene to serve the search warrant, Hernandez was inside a vehicle, leaving the property. He was immediately taken into custody. A four year old child was inside in the vehicle with him. Detectives also discovered more than eight and a half ounces of marijuana on the seat, next to the child. As detectives were handcuffing him, Herdendez dropped methamphetamine onto the ground and attempted to grind it into the dirt, according to Lt. Scott Tummond.
Hernandez’s girlfriend, 27 year-old Alexandra Gomara, was located on the property. Gomara was found to be in possession of narcotics, said Lt. Tummond, and she was taken into custody.
Kristie Collins, 49, was also located on the property. Detectives learned that she was wanted for failure to appear in court for a pending drug case.
LCSO detectives filed for and were granted an amendment to the search warrant; they located 14 guns - several that were loaded and within reach of the child who was living at this home with Hernandez and Gomara - along with approximately 90 pounds of drugs - marijuana, with fentanyl and methamphetamine.
The dump trailer located on the property was confirmed as the trailer stolen from Citrus County. Other stolen items were recovered from the property during the search.
Mr. Hernandez was charged with a violation of sexual predator registration requirements, child neglect, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of methamphetamine, evidence tampering. and possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond was set at $266,000.
Ms. Gomara was charged with child neglect, and possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute. Her bond was set at $155,000.
Ms. Collins was charged with two counts of failure to appear failure to appear in court. Her bond was set at $300.
Detectives are continuing this investigation and ask that anyone who has information related to this or other cases contact the Levy County Sheriff’s Office at 352-486-5111. Additional charges could result as the investigation continues.