On Wednesday, July 2, 2025, a Citrus County jury found 42-year-old Chad Michael Beaver guilty of Burglary of a Dwelling and Petit Theft. The verdict was delivered in the courtroom of the Honorable Judge Joel D. Fritton, who immediately ordered Beaver into custody for a presentencing investigation.
Due to his status as a Prison Releasee Reoffender, Beaver faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years in prison.
The charges stem from an October 6, 2024, incident in which a Crystal River resident reported that personal items had been stolen from their home following a recent hurricane. A neighbor had contacted the victim five days earlier, asking if anyone had permission to be on the property. After the victim said no, the neighbor confronted Beaver and a female companion, informing them that the totes on the porch were not for taking.
Beaver claimed he believed the items were being discarded due to post-hurricane cleanup in the area. He and the woman returned some of the items before leaving.
Later, the victim identified unique belongings—two crystal lamps, a Wizard of Oz serving tray, and other memorabilia—at another nearby residence. Deputies questioned the occupants of that home, who stated that Beaver and a woman named April Lashanda Johnson had brought the items there.
Following further investigation, deputies determined that Beaver and Johnson had knowingly removed the items from the victim’s property after being explicitly told they were not discarded. Both were arrested.
The case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Kaitlyn Mannis and Tara Hartman.
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