2 arrested after drug debt collection attempt results in gunfire, south of Chiefland, FL
Left: Christian Cannon; Right: Tommie "Yogi" Neal.
Levy County, Florida - On Thursday, October 22, 2020, the Levy County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) responded to a residence south of Chiefland, due to the report of a shooting. After an extensive investigation using more than a dozen deputies, detectives and crime scene tecnhnicians, two men were arrested: Tommie ("Yogi") Durrell Neal, 35, of Bronson, and Christian Miles Cannon, 32, of Trenton. Both were transported to the Levy County Jail in Bronson.
Evidence shows, that during the afternoon hours of October 22, Neal and Cannon traveled to the victims’ residence, south of Chiefland, for Neal to collect money owed to him for the sale of illegal drugs. Neal forced his way into the victims’ residence and pointed a handgun at a woman, then got into a struggle with a man, who forced Neal out of the residence. Neal then fired several rounds into the residence and into the victims’ vehicle before leaving the residence in a vehicle driven by Miles Cannon.
Numerous items of physical evidence were located, which included shell casings, live rounds of annunition, and the firearm that was allegedly used in the incident. Witnesses identified Neal as the perpetrator.
Neal was located at a residence in Bronson, several hours after the incident, and he was taken into custody, charged with aggravated assault with a firearm, firing into a dwelling, 2 counts of possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon, criminal mischief, and burglary of a dwelling (no bond).
Cannon was arrested during a traffic stop, charged with driving with a suspended driver's license ($15,000 bond) and violation of probation (no bond).
Mr. Neal has an extensive criminal history, with 10 previous felony convictions. He was arrested, earlier in the month (Oct. 1), on 7 felony charges by the Citrus County (FL) Sheriff's Office, when the agency served a search warrant at a Floral City residence. Neal was released from the Citrus County Detention Facility after his $47,000 bond was paid, Oct. 3.
"Unfortunately, this case demonstrates the problems that illegal drugs and repeat offenders continue to cause in our communities," said Levy County Sheriff Bobby McCallum.
Anyone with information regarding illegal drug activity in Levy County is encouraged to contact the LCSO by phone at 352-486-5111, or to dial 9-1-1 within Levy County, or to CrimeStoppers of Levy County at 1-877-349-8477, to remain anonymous.