An Alachua County Sheriff’s deputy is out of a job after his arrest in Dixie County on allegations that he assaulted multiple women and threatened to shoot people at a home in Cross City. Officials identified the deputy as 28-year-old Leviticus Murray and said the agency acted quickly once word of the arrest reached them. Investigators say Murray faces aggravated assault and battery-related counts tied to the incident.
Arrest And Alleged Violence
According to WCJB, Dixie County deputies responded around 3:37 a.m. to a home on Northeast 234th Avenue in Cross City after reports of a verbal disturbance. Witnesses quoted in the arrest report said Murray became aggressive after leaving a bar in Fanning Springs earlier in the night. Several women told deputies he grabbed, struck and shoved victims and at one point threatened to "shoot everyone."
The Sheriff’s Response
Sheriff Chad D. Scott said in a news release that the agency terminated Murray "in fewer than 12 hours" after learning of the arrest, adding, "We strengthen the trust of our community by holding accountable anyone who dishonors the badge." The firing and the sheriff’s statement were reported by News4JAX.
ACSO Statement And Employment History
An earlier statement from the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, republished by the Alachua Chronicle, said Murray had been hired on Dec. 15, 2025, and that he would first be placed on administrative leave while an internal investigation got underway. That release also noted that the arrest report had not yet appeared on Dixie County’s court website at the time the statement went out.
Details From The Arrest Report
Investigators used a K-9 to search the area and reported that no firearm was found. Murray told deputies he had been attacked and that his guns were secured at home, according to WCJB. The arrest report documented injuries and listed charges that include aggravated assault and battery tied to alleged choking, threats and blows to multiple victims. Authorities took Murray to the Dixie County Jail following the arrest.
What Happens Next
The Dixie County Sheriff’s Office is leading the criminal investigation, and prosecutors will decide whether to file formal charges, according to local reporting. The Alachua Chronicle’s posting of the sheriff’s statement also noted that booking photos for law enforcement officers are exempt from Florida public records rules while an internal investigation is in progress.
