HOMOSASSA SPRINGS, Florida (CNN) -- Authorities have sealed off the Homosassa Springs, Florida, home where convicted sex offender John Evander Couey was staying when 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford disappeared three weeks ago.
The home is across the street from the Lunsfords' home where Jessica was last seen in her bedroom February 23.
Helicopters are flying overhead. Yellow crime scene tape is stretched around the property. Police are searching the grounds and nearby wooded area.
A member of the Lunsford family told CNN that police have said a search warrant has been issued to search the property.
The Citrus County Sheriff's Office said there has been a "major development" in the case and a news conference is expected shortly.
Except for an unlocked front door, the Lunsford home was undisturbed, with no signs of a struggle. She lived with her father -- Mark Lunsford -- and her grandparents.
Lunsford said he had never seen Couey before or heard his name. He had earlier told reporters he was not convinced that Couey was involved.
Couey was arrested on parole violation charges at a homeless shelter in Augusta, Georgia on Thursday and questioned in the disappearance, law enforcement sources said.
Richmond County Sheriff Ronnie Strength described Couey as "cooperative."
"He was taken without incident. He did not try to hide who he was," the sheriff said. "He told us who he was. And we had no problem whatsoever with him."
Investigators from Citrus County, Florida -- the lead team on the investigation -- and the FBI are questioning Couey.
The 46-year-old is registered in Citrus County as a sex offender but wasn't living at the address he had given authorities, sheriff's department spokeswoman Ronda Hemminger Evan said.
Authorities had already searched Couey's residence and removed several items from it, Sheriff Jeff Dawsy said.
Jessica is 4 feet 10 inches tall, weighs 70 pounds, has light brown hair and was last reported wearing a pink nightgown.
Dawsy said that Couey's name came up when authorities were investigating sexual offenders in the area.
Warrant issued after address change
Under Florida law, a convicted sex offender must register his change of address, and a warrant was issued, according to the sheriff.
Dawsy said detectives have been concerned about Couey because of his criminal history spanning more than three decades and 24 arrests, including burglary, carrying a concealed weapon, indecent exposure, disorderly conduct, larceny and drug charges.
Couey pleaded guilty to 1991 felony charges of sex offense against a child, fondling a child under 16, and lewd and lascivious conduct in Kissimmee, Florida. He was convicted of indecent exposure in 1987, according to records from the sheriff's office.
During a 1978 burglary for which he was convicted, Couey was accused of grabbing a girl in her bedroom, placing his hand over her mouth and kissing her, Dawsy said.
Police: Couey confesses to kidnapping, killing girl
Friday, March 18, 2005 Posted: 7:04 PM EST (0004 GMT)
Authorities: John Evander Couey admits killing Jessica Lunsford Criminal history: Source: Citrus County Sheriff's Office YOUR E-MAIL ALERTS Florida Jessica Lunsford or Create your own Manage alerts | What is this?
HOMOSASSA SPRINGS, Florida (CNN) -- Convicted sex offender John Evander Couey has confessed to abducting and killing 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford, authorities in Homosassa Springs, Florida said Friday.
Citrus County Sheriff Jeff Dawsy said that Couey had taken a polygraph test today, then at the end told officials, "'You don't need to tell me the results. I already know what they are.'"
Dawsy added, "John Couey admitted to abducting Jessica and subsequently taking her life."
The announcement came after authorities sealed off the Homosassa Springs home where Couey was staying when Lunsford disappeared three weeks ago.
The two homes are across the street from each other.
Helicopters are flying overhead. Yellow crime scene tape is stretched around the property. Police are searching the grounds and nearby wooded area.
Except for an unlocked front door, the Lunsford home was undisturbed, with no signs of a struggle. She lived with her father -- Mark Lunsford -- and her grandparents.
Lunsford said he had never seen Couey before or heard his name. He had earlier told reporters he was not convinced that Couey was involved.
Couey was arrested on parole violation charges at a homeless shelter in Augusta, Georgia on Thursday and questioned in the disappearance, law enforcement sources said.
Richmond County Sheriff Ronnie Strength described Couey as "cooperative."
"He was taken without incident. He did not try to hide who he was," the sheriff said. "He told us who he was. And we had no problem whatsoever with him."
Investigators from Citrus County, Florida -- the lead team on the investigation -- and the FBI are questioning Couey.
The 46-year-old is registered in Citrus County as a sex offender but wasn't living at the address he had given authorities, sheriff's department spokeswoman Ronda Hemminger Evan said.
Authorities had already searched Couey's residence and removed several items from it, Sheriff Jeff Dawsy said.
Jessica is 4 feet 10 inches tall, weighs 70 pounds, has light brown hair and was last reported wearing a pink nightgown.
Dawsy said that Couey's name came up when authorities were investigating sexual offenders in the area. Warrant issued after address change
Under Florida law, a convicted sex offender must register his change of address, and a warrant was issued, according to the sheriff.
Dawsy said detectives have been concerned about Couey because of his criminal history spanning more than three decades and 24 arrests, including burglary, carrying a concealed weapon, indecent exposure, disorderly conduct, larceny and drug charges.
Couey pleaded guilty to 1991 felony charges of sex offense against a child, fondling a child under 16, and lewd and lascivious conduct in Kissimmee, Florida. He was convicted of indecent exposure in 1987, according to records from the sheriff's office.
During a 1978 burglary for which he was convicted, Couey was accused of grabbing a girl in her bedroom, placing his hand over her mouth and kissing her, Dawsy said.
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2004 12:35 am Posts: 1311 Location: Lexington
Just to give a bit of insight, this is one of the closest things to a "hometown" that I have, as I never lived in the city limits of any metropolitan area as a child. I cannot believe that this happend in a town with a population of perhaps 800 people.
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punkdavid wrote:
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Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2004 12:35 am Posts: 1311 Location: Lexington
towelie wrote:
I can't believe that the father didn't know a convicted sex offender with this kind of record was living right across the street.
I was back in the area last week, whats truly odd is the Citrus County Chronicle stated that there were something to the effect of 30 registered sex offenders within 2 miles of her home, and thats how the search started.
_________________
punkdavid wrote:
Make sure to bring a bottle of vitriol. And wear a condom so you don't insinuate her.
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2004 6:44 am Posts: 14671 Location: Baton Rouge Gender: Male
deathbyflannel wrote:
towelie wrote:
I can't believe that the father didn't know a convicted sex offender with this kind of record was living right across the street.
I was back in the area last week, whats truly odd is the Citrus County Chronicle stated that there were something to the effect of 30 registered sex offenders within 2 miles of her home, and thats how the search started.
that seems like an abnormally high number of sex offenders.
just a side question: could the authorities have made him take a polygraph?
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2004 12:35 am Posts: 1311 Location: Lexington
Mitchell613 wrote:
deathbyflannel wrote:
towelie wrote:
I can't believe that the father didn't know a convicted sex offender with this kind of record was living right across the street.
I was back in the area last week, whats truly odd is the Citrus County Chronicle stated that there were something to the effect of 30 registered sex offenders within 2 miles of her home, and thats how the search started.
that seems like an abnormally high number of sex offenders.
just a side question: could the authorities have made him take a polygraph?
Not necessarily, but even if they had forced him to the results would not be admissable in court.
_________________
punkdavid wrote:
Make sure to bring a bottle of vitriol. And wear a condom so you don't insinuate her.
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2004 7:19 pm Posts: 39068 Location: Chapel Hill, NC, USA Gender: Male
Mitchell613 wrote:
just a side question: could the authorities have made him take a polygraph?
Quote:
Citrus County Sheriff Jeff Dawsy said that Couey had taken a polygraph test today, then at the end told officials, "'You don't need to tell me the results. I already know what they are.'"
_________________ "Though some may think there should be a separation between art/music and politics, it should be reinforced that art can be a form of nonviolent protest." - e.v.
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2004 6:44 am Posts: 14671 Location: Baton Rouge Gender: Male
just_b wrote:
Mitchell613 wrote:
just a side question: could the authorities have made him take a polygraph?
Quote:
Citrus County Sheriff Jeff Dawsy said that Couey had taken a polygraph test today, then at the end told officials, "'You don't need to tell me the results. I already know what they are.'"
yeah, i saw that; which is why i asked the question.
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2004 11:40 pm Posts: 1145 Location: Topeka,Kansas
this is just horrid.honestly i dont think the father will make it.he appeared very attached to his daughter.this is very sad and i just want to wish the best to the family of the little girl.
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