DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – A Volusia County man has been sentenced to 45 years in prison after attacking a 13-year-old boy with a box cutter near the Daytona Beach Boardwalk, leaving the child with a neck wound that required 13 stitches.
44-year-old Jermaine Lynn Long received the sentence Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026, after entering no contest pleas to aggravated battery and attempted second-degree murder, along with six additional charges stemming from three other criminal cases.
According to the State Attorney’s Office, Long’s sentence includes 30 years as a Prison Releasee Reoffender under Florida law.
Surveillance Video Captured Attack on 13-Year-Old Boy
The attack occurred Feb. 14, 2026, near the Daytona Beach Boardwalk, a popular destination for residents and tourists.
According to prosecutors, the 13-year-old victim was in the area when Long approached him from behind.
Surveillance footage captured Long circling behind the boy before attacking him with a box cutter and fleeing the scene.
The child suffered a slash wound across his neck.
Emergency medical personnel transported the victim to a hospital, where he received 13 stitches to close the wound.
Authorities did not disclose a motive for the attack or indicate whether Long knew the victim.
Daytona Beach Police Arrest Suspect Near Crime Scene
Daytona Beach police officers responded to the incident and began searching for the attacker.
Officers located Long nearby shortly after the assault and took him into custody.
During the arrest, police recovered two edged weapons from Long: a box cutter and a knife.
Investigators also obtained surveillance footage documenting the attack, which became evidence in the criminal case.
Defendant Pleads No Contest to Attempted Murder and Other Charges
During an Oct. 15 hearing, Long entered no contest pleas to aggravated battery and attempted second-degree murder in connection with the attack on the child.
He also entered no contest pleas to six additional charges in three separate cases.
The State Attorney’s Office did not specify the nature of those additional offenses.
A no contest plea allows a defendant to accept a criminal conviction and sentence without formally admitting guilt.
Circuit Judge Christian Miller accepted the pleas and sentenced Long to a combined 45 years in prison.
Of that sentence, 30 years were imposed under Florida’s Prison Releasee Reoffender provisions, which establish mandatory sentencing requirements for qualifying repeat offenders who commit certain crimes after release from prison.
State Attorney Reacts to 45-Year Sentence
State Attorney R.J. Larizza issued a statement following the sentencing.
“An extremely dangerous individual is now off the streets for 45 years,” Larizza said. “Hopefully, he will not survive his incarceration.”
The Daytona Beach Police Department investigated the attack.
Assistant State Attorney Ashley Terwilleger prosecuted the case on behalf of the State of Florida, and Judge Christian Miller imposed the sentence.