Dwight Billings, of Hendry County, has been sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of Battery, Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle, Kidnapping, and Robbery. Billings was sentenced as a Prison Releasee Reoffender and a Habitual Felony Offender due to his prior criminal history. The violent crimes occurred inContinue Reading
Heather Hogan has been sentenced to 10 years in Florida state prison after being convicted of Child Neglect and Aggravated Child Abuse. The sentencing follows an extensive investigation by the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit, which uncovered evidence of abuse dating back to January 2024. The child underContinue Reading
On Monday, March 17, 2025, 27-year-old Margaret Elizabeth Lehman and 30-year-old Mark Edward Brittian Jr. were sentenced in connection with the 2021 death of their 11-month-old daughter, Marcelyn Brittian. Judge Cary F. Rada sentenced Lehman to 13 years in prison and Brittian to 13.25 years. Both Lehman and Brittian hadContinue Reading
Acting United States Attorney Sara C. Sweeney announced the filing of a criminal complaint charging Phillip Johnson, 21, of Cocoa, with conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, robbery, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. If convicted on all charges, Johnson faces a minimum sentence of 10 years,Continue Reading
United States District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced Rudy Salazar, 37, of Dade City, to 15 years in federal prison for conspiring to distribute and possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine. Salazar pleaded guilty to the charges on December 3, 2024. According to the pleaContinue Reading
53-year-old man who intentionally ran over a woman with his vehicle, killing her after a domestic dispute in 2022, has been sentenced to life in prison. On Monday, March 10, 2025, Collier County Circuit Judge Elizabeth Krier sentenced Donald Lee Whitaker to life in prison. A jury found Whitaker guiltyContinue Reading
A Duval County jury has found Jaelin Leroy guilty of Manslaughter with a Firearm, Florida State Attorney Melissa Nelson announced. Leroy now faces up to 30 years in Florida State Prison, with sentencing to be determined by Judge London Kite at a later date. The incident occurred on October 28,Continue Reading
A Collier County jury found 21-year-old Luigi Roca guilty on Tuesday of supplying fentanyl that led to a 15-year-old’s non-fatal overdose in 2023. Roca, a convicted felon, faces up to 15 years in prison at his sentencing on April 17. He was convicted of conspiracy to sell/deliver a controlled substanceContinue Reading
Ty’quez Cobb has been found guilty by a Duval County jury on multiple charges, including armed burglary, kidnapping with a firearm, and aggravated fleeing or eluding a law enforcement officer, State Attorney Melissa Nelson announced. The verdict also included convictions for aggravated battery, two counts of aggravated assault, twoContinue Reading
Florida State Attorney Melissa Nelson announced that a Duval County jury has found 33-year-old Brandon Paul Ricketson guilty of two counts of Attempted Second-Degree Murder and Shooting or Throwing Deadly Missiles. With this verdict, Ricketson faces up to 30 years in Florida State Prison. The Honorable London Kite will determineContinue Reading