Pair arrested after allegedly taking child at gunpoint

Staff report

BRADFORD COUNTY, Fla. – Leilani Rayneisha Cheevers, 21, of Chiefland, and Le’marcus Da’cory Rayford, 21, of Gainesville, were arrested early this morning and charged with interfering in the custody of a child after allegedly taking Rayford’s son from his mother at gunpoint.

At about 8:30 p.m. last night, Bradford County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a call from a woman who said Rayford and Cheevers had come to her home, then Rayford got out of the car with a gun and yelled for her son to go with him. When the child did not go, Rayford allegedly grabbed him and put him in the car. As they drove away, Rayford allegedly fired a single shot from the window of the car toward the home. Cheevers was allegedly driving the car throughout the incident.

The child’s mother reportedly has full custody of the child, and Rayford had no authority to take the child. Rayford allegedly found the mother and child by tracking the mother on Snapchat.

Rayford has one felony conviction for carrying a concealed firearm without a permit and is on probation after adjudication of guilt was withheld in the case. Judge Walter Green set bail at $10,000.

Cheevers has one felony conviction for felony theft and is on probation in that case. She was charged with two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon after allegedly trying to hit Rayford and another person with a car in August 2022; the charges were later dropped. Judge Walter Green set bail at $10,000.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.