LEVY COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – On May 30, 2024 Justin Bryant, 37. of Morriston embarked on a drug fueled mission of murder.

In a short time frame, he brutally stabbed and cut four people in a normally quiet Morriston neighborhood. No clear-cut motive for this crime was ever established. Thankfully, no life was lost but these victims have lived with the scars he caused, both physically and mentally.

Bryant has been held in the Levy County Detention Center awaiting trial since his arrest. Recently, he entered an open plea of guilty to Eighth Judicial Circuit Judge William E. Davis, hoping for leniency in his sentence. Due to the brutality of this crime, little leniency was granted. Judge Davis sentenced Bryant to 40 years in the Florida Department of Corrections on Aug. 14.

This case saw a massive response from law enforcement. At the time the Levy County 911 system began flooding with emergency calls while Bryant was still at large and potentially injuring other innocent people.

All on duty available Levy County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded. Williston Police Department sent all of their available officers. The manhunt was intense, and Bryant was quickly located by a Williston Police Officer and a Levy County Sheriff’s Office Deputy.

The extraordinary cooperative work between our agencies allowed for this quick apprehension potentially saving more lives. So, a special thank you is warranted to Williston Police Chief Mike Rolls and all the officers at the Williston Police Department for their unwavering commitment to keeping the Levy County community safe.