(Citrus County, FL) Wednesday, July 2, 2025, jurors rendered a guilty verdict in the courtroom of the Honorable Judge Joel D. Fritton during the trial of 42-year-old Chad Michael Beaver. Beaver was found guilty as charged for the offenses of Burglary of a Dwelling and Petit Theft.
After jurors delivered their verdict to the court, Judge Fritton ordered Beaver into custody to conduct a presentencing investigation. Beaver faces a minimum mandatory of 15 years in prison due to his Prison Releasee Reoffender status.
On October 6, 2024, the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) dispatch received a call from the victim indicating some of the items from their home had been stolen and were observed at another residence in the neighborhood.
Responding deputies learned that just five days prior, a neighbor of the victim had contacted them to see if anyone was supposed to be at the victim’s residence collecting items. The victim indicated no, and the neighbor informed the two people observed at the home, later identified as the defendant, and a female subject, that all the items stored in totes on the porch were not for taking.
Beaver attempted to tell the neighbor that he thought the items were discarded since many individuals in the area were putting out items for trash after the recent hurricane had flooded the homes. After putting some items back, Beaver and a female left the residence.
The victim further stated to police that they didn’t know if anything was stolen as all their items were packed in totes due to the hurricane clean-up efforts. However, after going to check on another property they owned, the victim passed by a nearby home that had two unique crystal lamps, a Wizard of Oz theme serving tray, and other unique memorabilia that the victim clearly identified as theirs.
Officers arrived at the residence in question, located off West Bayshore Drive in Crystal River. On scene, they questioned the homeowner about the stolen items on the property. The owner indicated that a female by the name of April Lashanda Johnson and the defendant had brought the items with them to the home. After speaking with the female, deputies were able to determine that both she and Beaver had knowingly removed the items from the victim’s home after being told the items were not discarded property.
Beaver and co-defendant Johnson were subsequently arrested.
Assistant State Attorneys Kaitlyn Mannis and Tara Hartman successfully prosecuted this case.
Published on 07/08/2025.