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(Marion County, FL) Yesterday, June 18, 2026, jurors delivered their verdict in the 2024 murder case of 24-year-old Derrick Lysander Brown Jr. After reviewing compelling evidence and listening to expert testimony presented by the prosecution team, jurors found 23-year-old Blayze Jurrien White guilty of Premeditated First-Degree Murder with a Firearm. Following the verdict, White was sentenced to Life in prison.

“This verdict and sentence reflect the relentless efforts of law enforcement, our prosecution team, and all those committed to seeking justice for Derrick and the Brown family,” said Bill Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney. “While no sentence can undo this tragic loss, this outcome ensures that the defendant will be held accountable for taking a young man’s life.”

Nearly two years ago, on June 23, 2024, officers with the Ocala Police Department (OPD) were dispatched to a shooting that had just occurred off Northeast 8th Terrace in Ocala. Upon arrival, officers were informed that the victim, Derrick Lysander Brown, was unresponsive on the couch with a gunshot wound to his head. Emergency medical personnel transported Brown to HCA Ocala Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.

A witness at the scene reported that while lying in bed, they heard what sounded like gunshots. They then clearly heard a second round of gunshots, followed by footsteps outside their bedroom window. After jumping out of bed and getting two small children to safety, the witness crawled to check on other family members inside the home. Upon entering the living room, they observed the victim on the couch, lifeless, with a gunshot wound to the head.

Officials observed the living room window of the apartment had been shot through multiple times and located spent shell casings outside the apartment below the window. While collecting the casings for evidence, crime scene technicians also observed multiple shoe prints. The prints were preserved for evidence, along with vehicle tire treads located in the grassy area behind the apartment.

Surveillance footage collected during the investigation showed a Hyundai Elantra speeding out of the apartment complex area shortly after the shooting occurred. License plate reader information was obtained, and it revealed the vehicle had been rented by the defendant using the TURO servicing platform. The vehicle was equipped with GPS technology which collected vital information, including trip routes, speed information, and rapid accelerations/braking. A search warrant was conducted on a residence off Anthony Road, where the car had traveled to before and after the night of the murder. At the home, law enforcement located a firearm matching the caliber of the spent shell casings and bullets recovered.

During their investigation, officials learned that the victim was loosely connected to a local gang that was in rivalry with the defendant’s gang. Investigators further discovered that multiple individuals were involved in the planned shooting of the victim. White and two co-defendants were arrested and charged in connection with Brown’s murder.

The cases against the remaining defendants charged in connection with Brown’s death remain pending.

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Amy Berndt and Richard Buxman. The State Attorney’s Office also recognizes the dedicated work of the Ocala Police Department and the victim advocates who supported the Brown family throughout the judicial process.

Published on 06/19/2026.

(Sumter County, FL) On Tuesday, June 16, 2026, 20-year-old Clarence Patterson III was sentenced by Judge Mary P. Hatcher to Life in prison. Patterson, who was 15 years old at the time of the offense, was charged with two counts of Premeditated First-Degree Murder with a Firearm for the 2021 deaths of two Sumter County teens, 17-year-old Isaiah Nelson and 16-year-old Prestin Nixon. He was sentenced to Life with a 25-year review on each count of murder, to be served consecutively, followed by 15 years on each subsequent charge, also to be served consecutively.

Back on June 4, 2025, Patterson entered an open plea to the Court before Judge Mary P. Hatcher midway through his trial after jurors heard the defendant’s recorded statement to law enforcement. Patterson was convicted of two counts of Murder in the First Degree with a Firearm, Discharging a Firearm in Public from a Vehicle, and Possession of a Firearm by a Delinquent.

“No doubt this case has had a resounding impact on our quaint and calm community here in Sumter County,” said Bill Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney. “The tragic deaths of the two murdered teenagers are profoundly upsetting; however, it is particularly disconcerting that they were due to the actions of another adolescent. This aspect adds a troubling dimension to the complexity of a case of this magnitude.”

In the early morning hours of May 12, 2021, the communications center with the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office received a call in reference to two unidentified male bodies lying on the side of the road. When deputies arrived, they spoke with the complainant, who indicated that while going about his normal garbage route, he had passed by the two bodies. The witness further stated he then exited the garbage truck to make sure everything was all right when he noticed blood on both individuals and called 9-1-1.

Both individuals, later identified as 17-year-old Isaiah Nelson and 16-year-old Prestin Nixon, were pronounced deceased on scene from apparent gunshot wounds. A neighborhood canvas was completed while Crime Scene Investigators collected evidence from the scene. A few hours later, officials responded to a call in reference to a vehicle parked behind a church with visible bullet holes, a shattered window, and blood inside. Detectives made contact with the vehicle owner, who advised that his grandson, Nelson, had used the vehicle the night prior.

When investigators spoke with Nelson’s brother, they learned that both victims were last seen in the vehicle in the company of the defendant, Clarence Patterson III, who was randomly shooting a firearm out the window of the vehicle that night. When Patterson was taken into custody for questioning, he confirmed to detectives that he was with both victims earlier that night but never admitted any involvement in their deaths. Patterson later changed his statement, admitting to shooting both victims, claiming self-defense.

Assistant State Attorneys Blake Shore and Donald McCathran ensured the successful prosecution of this case.

Published on 06/17/2026.

(Citrus County, FL) Yesterday, 76-year-old Michael Francis Coburn was sentenced to 215 years in the Florida Department of Corrections. Coburn was charged with ten felony counts of Possession of Child Pornography (10 or more Images), three counts of Possession of Child Pornography, and ten counts of Transmission of Child Pornography by Electronic Device.

Coburn was arrested back in October of 2024, following an extensive investigation led by Detective Patrick Martin of the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office High Tech Crimes Unit (HTCU), in collaboration with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.

The investigation began when Detective Martin received a report from NCMEC indicating the presence of potential child pornography linked to a residence in Citrus County. Utilizing advanced investigative techniques, he confirmed that Coburn possessed numerous images and videos of child sexual abuse material.

Following these findings, Detective Martin and the CCSO Criminal Investigations Division (CID) executed a search warrant at Coburn’s residence. Several digital storage devices were seized as evidence during the search. Coburn was arrested and booked into the Citrus County Detention Facility.

“I commend the detective in this case for following up on this report and apprehending the defendant,” said Bill Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney. “Officials collected 37.4 gigabytes of child porn during their investigation. That’s a massive amount of this illicit content. To put this into perspective, if you were to use this much data on a cellular plan, it would allow you to browse the web for nearly 4,000 hours.”

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Kaitlyn Mannis.

Published on 06/17/2026.

(Lake County, FL) Today, after a myriad of victim impact statements were delivered before the court, followed by both the state and defense presenting final arguments, Judge Cary F. Rada sentenced 35-year-old Alexander Aguilar to Life in prison without the possibility of parole for the death of 35-year-old Juan Ramon Cruz.

“I did something no mother should have done that night, and that was see my son for the very last time, in a body bag,” said Aide Cruz, the mother of the victim. “His death devastated our family, and now my two young granddaughters, his daughters, will have to grow up without their dad.”

Back on April 22, 2026, a jury found Aguilar guilty of Second-Degree Murder with a Firearm and Aggravated Battery with a Firearm. Aguilar was sentenced to Life on the first count, followed by a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years on the second count.

The charges stem from an incident back in June of 2019, in which Mascotte Police Department officers responded to a call for service regarding a shooting that had occurred. When officials arrived on scene, they located the first victim, Juan Ramon Cruz, lying on the street unresponsive. Cruz was pronounced deceased on scene.

Officers also identified another victim, who had a gunshot wound to the knee. Emergency medical personnel began treatment of the victim’s injuries. While being treated, the victim informed law enforcement that Aguilar had fired shots at both victims before leaving the scene in a black Ford F-350 pickup truck.

Another witness on scene stated to detectives that several friends were at the location drinking when the defendant and his friends arrived. During that time, the defendant and the victim got into a physical argument, which was broken up by another witness. The Defendant and his friends walked back to the front yard where the Defendant then armed himself and fired in the direction of both victims. Aguilar then fled the area.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) was called out to assist with the investigation. LCSO officials sent out an alert for the vehicle, and deputies with the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) observed the truck in their jurisdiction and conducted a traffic stop.

SCSO deputies noticed bullet holes on the side of the vehicle and had both occupants exit. Aguilar was identified as the passenger of the vehicle and detained for questioning. After being read his Miranda Warnings Aguilar admitted to pulling out a firearm and shooting both victims. Aguilar claimed it was self-defense. The jury rejected this argument and found the Defendant guilty.

Assistant State Attorney Edward Moffitt successfully prosecuted the case.

Published on 06/15/2026.

(Marion County, FL) Wednesday, a jury found 61-year-old Terry Franklin Pennington guilty of three counts of Lewd and Lascivious Battery of a Child 12 Years of Age but less than 16 Years of Age and one count of Lewd and Lascivious Molestation of a Child 12 Years of Age but less than 16 Years of Age.

Pennington was taken into custody to await his sentencing hearing, which will take place on July 16th at 1 p.m.

On July 22, 2025, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) received a report from the Department of Children and Family Services regarding a sexual offense against a juvenile victim. MCSO Special Victims Unit Sergeant Larocque was assigned the case and began her investigation into the alleged offense.

In reviewing the initial report, Sergeant Larocque learned that the 14-year-old victim had been sexually battered by the defendant, Pennington, over the course of a month. Prior to the incidents, Pennington would supply marijuana to the minor child for consumption. Afterward, he would engage in illicit sexual activities with the child.

A forensic interview was set up with the child victim at Kimberly’s Center for Child Protection. During the recorded Child Protection Team (CPT) interview, the victim detailed various sexual incidents committed by Pennington and provided critical corroborating information to support the evidence collected.

On August 1, 2025, investigators conducted an interview with the defendant. While questioning Pennington regarding the incident involving the victim, the defendant confirmed several of the facts the victim disclosed during their CPT interview. However, Pennington denied having sexual intercourse with the child.

DNA evidence collected from both the victim and defendant was submitted to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for analysis. The returned laboratory report confirmed DNA collected from the victim’s person matched that of the DNA collected from Pennington.

Assistant State Attorneys Madison Kirkland and Madison Bryan successfully prosecuted this case.

Published on 06/12/2026.

(Lake County, FL) Yesterday, in the courtroom of Judge James R. Baxley, jurors found 36-year-old John Tharan Knotts guilty on all charges. Knotts was charged with 19 felony counts of Possession of Child Pornography (10 or more images).

“With this conviction, we take another child predator off our streets,” said Chief Assistant State Attorney Walter Forgie, of the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office. “We have no tolerance for those who possess child pornography or commit any other crimes against children.”

Knotts was arrested in February of 2022 following a Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) investigation after officials received a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children indicating an online user had uploaded files containing child sexual abuse material.

While investigating the tip, FDLE Agent Torres obtained an IP address from the account used to upload and distribute the illicit material. After issuing an investigative subpoena to the internet servicer, Agent Torres learned the account owner was Knotts, with a registered address off Barksdale Drive in Leesburg, FL.

Officials responded to Knotts’s residence, where they seized various electronic devices for forensic examination. After locating numerous files of child pornography, an arrest warrant was issued for Knotts, who was incarcerated at the time on other child pornography charges.

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Kati Cosden and Eduardo Faria.

Published on 06/11/2026.

(Marion County, FL) In the courtroom of Judge Peter M. Brigham, jurors found 56-year-old Dermon Kenneth Thomas guilty after deliberating yesterday. Thomas was convicted of Traveling to Meet a Minor, Soliciting a Child for Unlawful Sexual Conduct, and Using a Two-Way Communication Device to Commit a Felony.

Thomas was arrested in July of 2025, following a Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) investigation.

On July 21, 2025, members of the MCSO, along with the assistance of several other law enforcement agencies, conducted an online investigation targeting persons who use the internet to sexually exploit children.

During an undercover operation, MCSO Detective Lowder posed as a 14-year-old female child on an online account. Thomas messaged the decoy user and, after repeatedly being informed of the minor’s age, still attempted to solicit sex from the child.

Thomas would later request to meet with the child to engage in sexual activities. The next day, officials coordinated a time and location to meet Thomas, where he was promptly arrested. Initially, Thomas denied knowing the age of the decoy, but later admitted to knowing she was 14-years-old.

“With every covert operation like this, our law enforcement partners further protect our children from dangerous individuals like this defendant,” said Walter Forgie, Fifth Judicial Circuit Chief Assistant State Attorney. “One more predator is off the streets, helping to keep our community safer than it was before.”

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Janine Nixon. Thank you to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office for conducting these covert operations to remove offenders from our streets before they can victimize the children in our community.

Published on 06/05/2026.

(Lake County, FL) Today, State Attorney Bill Gladson of the Fifth Judicial Circuit announces the grand jury indictment of 41-year-old Schubert Navarroza Macarat for crimes against a minor child. Given the severity of the crime and its impact on the victim, the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office has filed a notice that it intends to seek the death penalty pursuant to Florida Statutes 794.011(2)(a) and 921.1425.

“This kind of criminal depravity demands only one response from the State. Today, I filed Notice of Intent to Seek the Death Penalty in the event the defendant is found guilty,” said Bill Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney. “We are seeking to prematurely end this defendant’s life because the crimes he committed are so heinous that no other punishment is fitting.”

On March 22, 2026, in the early evening hours, Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a call for service regarding a past sexual offense. Upon arrival, law enforcement officers spoke with the caller, who reported that a child had just disclosed long-term, ongoing sexual abuse.

During a forensic interview with the child, the child confirmed the abuse. Additional information was also obtained, leading to the collection of more evidence. Detectives recovered a 4-terabyte hard drive with at least 3,000 videos – 700 of which have been confirmed to be child sexual abuse material.

A grand jury was convened yesterday to determine whether there was sufficient evidence to charge Macarat. The grand jury returned a true bill of indictment for a total of 47 separate felonies, including 12 counts of Sexual Battery upon a Child less than 12 years of age.

Macarat was arrested and remains in custody on no-bond status at the Lake County Detention Facility.

Assistant State Attorney Shannon Schlarf is prosecuting the case.

Published on 5/27/2026.

(Hernando County, FL) On Monday, May 18, 2026, 56-year-old Thomas Roger Chrystie was found guilty of Trafficking in Methamphetamine and Possession of Paraphernalia.

Jurors deliberated for 14 minutes, after hearing the testimony of law enforcement with the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO), expert testimony from analysts with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and examining evidence presented during the trial, before rendering their verdict.

After the verdict was read, Judge Stephen E. Toner remanded Chrystie into custody to await his sentencing.

Back in December of 2023, members of HCSO’s Vice and Narcotics Unit, during their undercover street-level narcotics operation, discovered that the defendant was involved in the sale and delivery of large quantities of methamphetamine in Hernando County.

Officials conducted a controlled buy with Chrystie, who provided law enforcement with illicit narcotics. After collecting the crystalline substance, officers conducted a presumptive test, which yielded a positive result of methamphetamine with a total packed weight of 28.9 grams. The substance was then sent off to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Crime Laboratory for further confirmation.

The outcome of this case was a result of the diligent efforts of our law enforcement partners, as well as Assistant State Attorneys Lyndsey Pruett and Kasey Whitson.

Published on 05/20/2026.

(Marion County, FL) Yesterday, May 14, 2026, jurors delivered their verdict in the 2019 death of 2-month-old Wailan Roy Schroer. After reviewing irrefutable evidence and listening to expert testimony, jurors found 43-year-old Melissa Waiman Schroer guilty of Aggravated Manslaughter of a Child. Schroer will be sentenced on June 29, 2026, by Judge Barbara Kissner.

“It’s heartbreaking to learn of the conditions this young, vulnerable, and innocent infant was exposed to,” said Bill Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney. “His short life was selfishly taken away because of the decision of this degenerate defendant who chose to use illicit narcotics instead of concerning herself with the well-being of her own child.”

On December 11, 2019, law enforcement officers were dispatched to the Villages Hospital in reference to a deceased infant. Upon arrival, officers were informed that the infant was found unresponsive at a
residence located off Southeast 36th Avenue in Ocala, Florida, prior to being driven to the hospital.

Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the home, where the defendant advised that she had put the infant to sleep while she took a nap. Schroer was awakened by another child in the residence who indicated the victim was not breathing. At the time, Schroer informed her husband, Jeffery Schroer, that Wailan was not breathing. J. Schroer then grabbed the infant and drove him to the Villages hospital. The victim was pronounced deceased upon arrival by medical personnel.

Major Crimes Detectives separately interviewed both defendant Schroer and her husband, who gave varying accounts of events leading up to the victim’s death. On February 5, 2020, the Medical Examiner’s Office concluded its autopsy of the victim and determined the cause of death to be methamphetamine toxicity with contributing conditions of dehydration and inanition. The victim’s death was subsequently ruled a homicide. Based upon this information and a lengthy investigation, probable cause was established for the defendant and her husband’s arrest.

Authorities attempted to make contact with defendant Schroer and J. Schroer but were unsuccessful. It was later learned that the couple had fled the state and were now living in Florence, Kentucky. Both the defendant and J. Schroer were apprehended on December 10, 2021, by the Boone County Sheriff’s Office and extradited to Florida.

The defendant’s husband, J. Schroer, was charged with the same crime and is pending prosecution.

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Marissa Meyer and Katrina Self.

Published on 05/15/2026.