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(Marion County, FL) This morning, 40-year-old Matthew Hand was sentenced to 15 years in the Florida Department of Corrections for his traveling to meet a minor conviction.

Last month, jurors found Hand guilty after less than one hour of deliberating. Hand was found guilty of Traveling to Meet a Minor and Soliciting a Child for Unlawful Sexual Conduct.

“Despite the defendant being informed numerous times of this decoy’s age, he still wasn’t deterred,” said Walter Forgie, Fifth Judicial Circuit Chief Assistant State Attorney. “Hopefully, this substantial sentence will help him think about his decision.”

Hand was originally arrested back in December of 2023, following an Ocala Police Department (OPD) investigation.

During an undercover operation, OPD Officer Boyd posed as a 12-year-old female child on an online account. Hand messaged the decoy user and after repeatedly being informed of the minor’s age, engaged in sexually explicit conversations with the child.

Hand would later request to meet with the child to engage in sexual activities. Officials then coordinated a time and location to meet Hand, where he was promptly arrested.   

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Shanae Pickens. Thank you to OPD Officer Boyd for developing this lead and Detective Blanton for extracting crucial evidence used during the trial.

Published on 12/20/2024.

(Marion County, FL) Yesterday, 46-year-old Anthony Earl Crim Jr. was found guilty of Trafficking in Cocaine and Trafficking Methamphetamine. Jurors deliberated for 20 minutes, after hearing expert testimony and examining evidence presented during the trial, before rendering their verdict.

After the verdict was read, the Honorable Judge Timothy T. McCourt sentenced Crim to 30 years in the Florida Department of Corrections. 

“Once again, a major drug trafficker has been removed from our streets thanks to the hard work of our law enforcement partners,” said Walter Forgie, Fifth Judicial Circuit Chief Assistant State Attorney. “And with a 30-year sentence, this defendant’s chance at reoffending is slim to none.”

Back in January of this year, Crim was arrested by members of the Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team (UDEST). UDEST, along with the assistance of the Ocala Police Department’s SWAT team, executed a search warrant at a residence off SW 5^th Street in Ocala, FL. Officials were aware of ongoing narcotics sales at the residence and obtained a narcotics search warrant.

Upon arrival at the residence, officials located Crim and another adult occupying the home. Prior to the execution of the search warrant, these individuals were safely detained. While securing Crim, officers noticed that his hands were wet.

During the search of the residence, law enforcement located various narcotics throughout the kitchen and hallway of the home – some of which were soaking wet. Additionally, agents found bags of drugs inside the bathroom, along with a similar bag used for packaging the narcotics located in the toilet bowl. A further search of a boat located on the property yielded additional bags of trafficking amounts of cocaine and methamphetamine.

Crim was arrested and charged accordingly. He was furthermore charged with Animal Cruelty for the dogs, who were in dire condition, that were found on the property during the search warrant. He was convicted of those charges, after a jury trial, earlier this year.

Assistant State Attorney Wynn Vickers successfully prosecuted this case.

Published on 12/19/2024.

(Sumter County, FL) On Tuesday, December 10, 2024, 70-year-old Donald Bass, who is a registered sexual offender, was found guilty of one Felony count of Battery on a Person 65 Years of Age or Older.

Officers with the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) responded to a 9-1-1 call around 5 a.m. on September 3, 2023.  The caller, a female victim, indicated they had been battered by an individual, later identified as Bass.

“Battering anyone is a senseless act of violence,” said Walter Forgie, Fifth Judicial Circuit Chief Assistant State Attorney. “I am grateful for our law enforcement partners and prosecuting attorneys who sought justice for this victim.”

The victim was visibly upset and told law enforcement that they had been in a physical altercation with Bass. The victim indicated Bass had kicked her and after telling him to stop, he became irate before choking her.

Officers observed visible marks consistent with the victim’s recount of events. After speaking with the victim, deputies questioned Bass who denied any physical altercation with the victim.

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Elizabeth Hart and Scott Ragan despite the victim being unable to attend and testify during the trial.

Published on 12/13/2024.

(Lake County, FL) In the courtroom of the Honorable Judge Cary F. Rada, jurors found 56-year-old Miguel Mendoza Ortiz guilty of Lewd and Lascivious Molestation of a Child less than 12 years of age and Giving Obscene Material to a Minor.  Right after his conviction, Ortiz was sentenced to Life in prison.   

Ortiz was arrested in July of 2020 following a Tavares Police Department (TPD) investigation after an individual reported to law enforcement that the juvenile victim had disclosed being sexually abused by Ortiz.

Earlier that month, officials with TPD made contact with the child who advised of numerous sex offenses committed by Ortiz.  Detectives launched a thorough investigation which revealed Ortiz had abused the victim multiple times. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Ortiz for lewd and lascivious behavior and giving obscene material to a minor.

“I commend this citizen for stepping up to help protect this child,” said Walter Forgie, Fifth Judicial Circuit Chief Assistant State Attorney. “They contacted law enforcement who were able to get the victim to a safe place, investigate, and apprehend this offender.”

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Kati Cosden and Chelsey Omega.

Published on 12/13/2024.

(Marion County, FL) Last week, in the Honorable Judge Willard Pope’s courtroom, 55-year-old James E. Brown and one of his associates, 57-year-old Sammy L. Welcome Sr., were found guilty by a jury on charges related to their illicit narcotics arrests back in 2019 and 2020.

Brown was convicted of felony Conspiracy to Commit Trafficking in Heroin, Conspiracy to Commit Trafficking in Methamphetamine, Conspiracy to Commit Trafficking in Cocaine, Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device to Facilitate a Felony, Trafficking in Methamphetamine, Trafficking in Heroin, Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Sell or Deliver, Possession of MDMA with Intent to Sell or Deliver, Possession of Oxycodone with Intent to Sell or Deliver, Possession of Alprazolam, Possession of a Place for Trafficking or Sale of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of Paraphernalia.

Welcome was convicted of Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device to Facilitate a Felony, Possession of Heroin, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Cannabis over 20 Grams, and Possession of Methamphetamine.

Beginning in late 2019 and continuing through January of 2020, members of the Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team (UDEST) conducted an investigation of James Brown and his associates, including Sammy Welcome. As part of the investigation, law enforcement obtained court approval for the interception of phone calls and text messages, commonly known as a wiretap. Based on information and evidence obtained during the investigation, UDEST obtained search warrants for multiple locations that were executed on January 15, 2020.

“Large-scale operations like this take time for law enforcement to investigate, make an arrest, and for our office to prosecute,” said Bill Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney.  “In this case, multiple arrests were made, including the two defendants, that removed these dangerous drug traffickers from our community. I am proud that my office was able to secure these guilty verdicts.”

During the execution of the search warrants, officials found various amounts of illicit narcotics and drug paraphernalia.  Both Brown and Welcome were subsequently arrested and charged accordingly.

Brown and Welcome’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 30, 2024, at 10 a.m.

The outcome of this case was a result of the diligent efforts of the Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team (UDEST), Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Ocala Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Agency, and Assistant State Attorney Samuel Armstrong.

Published on 12/12/2024.

(Hernando County, FL) The Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office announces a significant development in the case against 42-year-old John Anthony Hancock, following a fatal physical altercation on June 15, 2021, that took the life of 84-year-old Theresa Evelyn Bogue.

Earlier today, in the courtroom of the Honorable Judge Stephen E. Toner, Hancock entered a plea of guilty of Manslaughter. Hancock was sentenced to 10 years in prison, followed by 5 years of probation.

“The evidence in this case was irrefutable and left no doubt about the defendant’s responsibility for this tragic loss of life,” said Walter Forgie, Fifth Judicial Circuit Chief Assistant State Attorney. “By pleading guilty, the defendant has accepted responsibility for his actions and we hope this brings some measure of closure to the victim’s family.”

On June 15, 2021, deputies from the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) responded to a business off Commercial Way in Spring Hill in reference to a battery that had just occurred.

When officials arrived, they made contact with Theresa, the victim, who informed them a male had just struck her with his fist, causing her to fall backward and hit her head. The victim’s account was corroborated by a witness. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment, where it was determined she had a brain bleed.

During their investigation, officials were able to identify the male as Hancock, from surveillance footage and a motel transaction. It was learned that Hancock had traveled back home, to his state of Virginia. Authorities there were contacted and informed of the incident. After responding to Hancock’s home and questioning him, he initially denied being in the state, but later admitted he was involved in the altercation.

HCSO detectives drafted an arrest warrant and Hancock was subsequently extradited back to Florida. On April 2, 2022, the victim passed away and medical examiners determined her cause of death to be complications of blunt trauma inflicted during the June attack.

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Robert Lewis and Kasey Whitson. 

Published 12/05/2024.

(Lake County, FL) Today, the Honorable Judge Cary F. Rada, sentenced 41-year-old Laurie Leigh Shaver to Life after being convicted of murdering her husband, Michael Douglas Shaver.

“We hope the defendant’s life sentence brings some measure of closure and peace to the victim’s loved ones,” said Bill Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney.

Laurie Shaver was arrested in 2020 by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) after an investigation into her husband Michael’s 2015 disappearance. The inquiry began in February 2018 when a childhood friend reported Michael missing. When authorities conducted a welfare check, Laurie was evasive about his whereabouts and officials observed a newly poured concrete slab in the backyard.

Further investigation revealed suspicious social media activity on Michael’s accounts, which continued for nearly two years after his disappearance, despite no financial transactions since late 2015. The LCSO obtained a search warrant for the Shaver residence, where they found human remains under the concrete slab. The medical examiner confirmed the remains were Michael’s and determined he died from a gunshot wound to the back of the head.

The State Attorney’s Office would like to commend the work of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, as well as Assistant State Attorneys Nick Camuccio and Rich Buxman, for their dedication throughout the investigation and prosecution of this case.

Published on 11/26/2024.

(Marion County, FL) The State Attorney’s Office of the Fifth Judicial Circuit announces the sentence issued by the court in the case of State of Florida v. Susan Lorincz, following a week-long trial in August. 59-year-old Susan Louise Lorincz was sentenced to 25 years in the Florida Department of Corrections in the case involving the death of her neighbor, 35-year-old Ajike “AJ” Owens.

Earlier this year, on August 16, 2024, jurors found Lorincz guilty of Manslaughter by Use of a Firearm after hearing the evidence and facts of the case presented during the trial.

“The outcome of this trial reflects our commitment to justice and the integrity of our legal system,” said Bill Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney. “While we understand that many cases can attract diverse opinions, our office will always focus on the facts and the law. This conviction is a testament to the hard work of our team and our dedication to standing up for victims.”

The State Attorney’s Office also wants to recognize the jurors for their diligence in this case, and the hard work of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, which has one of the best major crimes divisions in the State.

Additionally, our office would like to commend Assistant State Attorneys Richard Buxman and Adam Smith for successfully prosecuting this case on behalf of the victim.

Published on 11/25/2024.

(Marion County, FL) In the courtroom of the Honorable Judge Timothy T. McCourt, jurors found 40-year-old Matthew Hand guilty after less than one hour of deliberating. Hand was convicted of Traveling to Meet a Minor and Soliciting a Child for Unlawful Sexual Conduct.

Hand was arrested in December of 2023, following an Ocala Police Department (OPD) investigation.

During an undercover operation, OPD Officer Boyd posed as a 12-year-old female child on an online account. Hand messaged the decoy user and after repeatedly being informed of the minor’s age, engaged in sexually explicit conversations with the child.

Hand would later request to meet with the child to engage in sexual activities. Officials then coordinated a time and location to meet Hand, where he was promptly arrested.   

“There is nothing more vile than those who seek to exploit and harm our children,” said Walter Forgie, Fifth Judicial Circuit Chief Assistant State Attorney. “It’s not only morally reprehensible but it’s illegal and carries hefty consequences.”

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Shanae Pickens. Thank you to OPD Officer Boyd for developing this lead and Detective Blanton for extracting crucial evidence used during the trial.

Published on 11/21/2024.

Javarre Latrell Johnson to Life and 21-year-old Ba’Karri Juan’Ya Williams to 50 Years in the Florida Department of Corrections. 

Back on August 16, 2024, jurors delivered their verdict, finding both Johnson and Williams guilty of First-Degree Murder in the 2020 murder case of 19-year-old David Bartholomew Lyons. Johnson and Williams were also found guilty of one count of Armed Robbery, and one count of Possession of Cannabis.

“Acts of violence like this will be met by the full force of the law,” said Walter Forgie, Fifth Judicial Circuit Chief Assistant State Attorney. “Holding these defendants accountable for the immense pain and suffering they have inflicted is not just a legal necessity; it is a vital step towards bringing a sense of justice and closure to the Lyons family.”

On  April 20, 2020, officials with the Wildwood Police Department responded to a call for service in reference to a shooting that had just occurred within the city limits of Wildwood. Upon arrival, officers observed three males standing by a vehicle and another male, the victim, later identified as David Lyons, lying on the ground. The victim was pronounced deceased on the scene.

From the information obtained, detectives discovered that the defendants had met up with the victim, who was in the back passenger seat of the vehicle, with the intention of robbing him. During the transaction, the victim was subsequently shot. All three defendants were placed under arrest.

The third Co-defendant Terell Shamar Lynum pleaded guilty earlier this year and was sentenced to 25 years.

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Joseph Church and Sonny McCathran.

Published on 11/21/2024.