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Witness accused of lying to jury
By SUZANNAH GONZALES LECANTO -- A Dunnellon man stands accused of perjury and releasing grand jury testimony in connection with a murder case. Earlier this month, Ronald D. Geltch testified before the grand jury that handed up a first-degree murder indictment against James Allen Head. Head also was charged with possession of a firearm by a felon. At the time, Geltch was incarcerated at the Citrus County jail. Geltch perjured himself during his grand jury testimony and later illegally revealed testimony during phone calls made from the jail, Assistant State Attorney Don Scaglione has alleged. Scaglione, who presented the murder case to the grand jury, on Thursday said there were "a number of phone calls made a number of times." All the calls were recorded by the jail and then monitored by officials from the Citrus County Sheriff's Office. The prosecutor would not say what authorities believe Geltch lied about, nor would he release details of Geltch's testimony. As for the charge of releasing the testimony: According to state law, it is unlawful, except under special circumstances, to reveal testimony presented to a grand jury. Violation of the law would constitute a first-degree misdemeanor. Head is accused of fatally shooting Donald Craig Caducci, whose body was discovered in Old Homosassa two months ago. Armed with a warrant, a sheriff's official arrested Geltch on Thursday at the jail. Geltch, 44, 6440 N Pueblo Ter., already was being held on a charge of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Bail for the new charges is $30,000. Scaglione would not disclose the relationship between Geltch and Head. Authorities previously have said that Head and Caducci were "known associates." Like Caducci and Head, Geltch has a lengthy arrest history: Since 1980, he had been arrested 36 times on various charges, including possession of marijuana, carrying a concealed weapon and larceny, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. -- Suzannah Gonzales can be reached at 860-7312 or sgonzales@sptimes.com.
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