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(Citrus County, FL) This week, 50-year-old Robert Paul Kowanko was sentenced to 30 years in the Florida Department of Corrections after being found guilty by a jury back in March for trafficking illicit narcotics charges stemming from his 2023 arrest. Kowanko was convicted of Trafficking in Methamphetamine, Trafficking in Cocaine, Unlawful Use of a Two-way Communications Device, and Possession of Paraphernalia.

Kowanko was arrested in September 2023 after an investigation by the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit (SIU), which uncovered his involvement in the sale of large quantities of methamphetamine in Citrus County. Following a controlled buy, officers approached Kowanko and his co-defendant, Sean Thomas Joyce, who were exiting a wooded area near US 19 in Crystal River.

Law enforcement detained Kowanko and Joyce and searched their vehicle, finding a clear baggie with a white powder, a digital scale, and hypodermic needles. Kowanko had another baggie with a similar substance, while Joyce was also found with narcotics. Field tests confirmed the substances were fentanyl and methamphetamine. Kowanko later admitted to selling the drugs after being read his Miranda rights.

Co-defendant Joyce pleaded guilty earlier this year and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

The outcome of this case resulted from the diligent efforts of our law enforcement partners and Assistant State Attorneys Kaitlyn Mannis and Kevin Davis.

Published on 5/1/2025.

(Citrus County, FL) Today, State Attorney Bill Gladson announced the grand jury indictment of 43-year-old David Nemyier.

A grand jury was convened to determine whether there was sufficient evidence to charge Nemyier, son-in-law of the victim, for the senseless murder of 67-year-old Kyle Pazian. On April 9, 2025, Nemyier unlawfully and from a premeditated design murdered Kyle Pazian, by actually possessing and discharging a firearm, causing his death as a result of a firearm discharge. 

The grand jury returned a true bill of indictment for the following charges:

·MURDER IN THE FIRST DEGREE WITH A FIREARM– PREMEDITATED 782.04(1)(a)1, 775.087(2)(a)1, 775.087(2)(a)2 and 775.087(2)(a)3

Facts of the case revealed that on Friday, April 11, 2025, just shortly before 11 a.m., the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office received a call about a deceased male located inside a residence on Cherrywood Ct. in Crystal River. Officers on scene were able to identify the male as Kyle Pazian. Nemyier was arrested and charged with murder on April 13, 2025.

Nemyier remains in custody on no-bond status in a local detention facility.

Published on 04/30/2025.

(Lake County, FL) Tuesday, April 22, 2025, jurors returned a guilty verdict in the case against 55-year-old Darin Kirkpatrick Starks, who was charged with two counts of Battery on a Person 65 years of Age or Older. The victims were 70 and 72 years old. Starks was remanded into custody to await his sentencing hearing.

Back in April of 2024, an elderly victim contacted the Clermont Police Department and stated they had just been attacked by a friend, later identified as the defendant. The victim told authorities that Starks was homeless, and they allowed him to come to their home from time to time if there was inclement weather.

The victim further told deputies that when Starks would come over, they noticed items going missing. When the victim confronted the defendant about this, they began to argue. and Starks pushed the victim. During the physical altercation, a roommate of the victim attempted to intervene when Starks also began attacking them.

The physical confrontation moved out to the backyard, where Starks continued to hit and kick both victims. The first victim was able to run away and contact law enforcement. In doing so, Starks took off from the location with officers eventually locating him a short time later down the road.

When questioned about the battery on both victims, Starks stated he became upset after being accused of stealing and felt that the two victims were getting in his face. He admitted to pushing, punching, and kicking the victims.

This case was diligently prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys La Toya Jackson and Chelsey Omega.  

Published on 04/24/2025.

(Citrus County, FL) Earlier this month, the case against 20-year-old Demitri Hunter Nichols concluded when Nichols pled to charges of Carjacking with a Firearm, Shooting at, Within, or Into an Occupied Vehicle, Fleeing or Attempting to Elude, and Resisting a Law Enforcement Officer without Violence.

Nichols was sentenced to 20 years in the Florida Department of Corrections, which is a minimum-mandatory term. After his incarceration, Nichols will be placed on probation for 10 years.

In March of 2024, Citrus County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a location off Ft. Island Trail in reference to a physical disturbance. While enroute, Lieutenant Corbin observed a vehicle matching the description of the victim’s vehicle. He attempted to make a traffic stop on the vehicle when the driver, later identified as the defendant, started to accelerate at a high speed.

During the multi-mile pursuit, officers deployed tire deflation devices and successfully disabled the vehicle. Nichols ,who was then 19 years old, was detained and questioned. He stated to law enforcement that he and the victim got into an argument, and when it turned physical, he decided to leave in the victim’s vehicle.

Contact was made with the victim, who told deputies that Nichols began to have violent outbursts and fired a firearm outside the passenger window of the vehicle multiple times. The victim then pulled over and exited the vehicle along with three other witnesses. At this time, the victim told officials that they got into an argument with the defendant that escalated to Nichols striking the victim in the face multiple times. As the victim recounted what happened, deputies were able to observe obvious injuries to the victim’s face.

The victim further stated that after falling to the ground, the defendant stood over top of them and pointed the firearm at their head before leaving in the victim’s vehicle. The three other witnesses corroborated the victim’s statement.   

Thank you to our law enforcement partners and to Assistant State Attorney Patsey Jacobs for prosecuting this case.

Published on 04/22/2025.

(Marion County, FL) Yesterday, jurors deliberated briefly after hearing compelling witness testimony and observing irrefutable evidence before finding 33-year-old Christina Anne Adams guilty of Premeditated Murder in the First Degree and Attempted First Degree Murder with a Deadly Weapon.  

Adams was sentenced by Judge Timothy McCourt to two life sentences for the murder of 74-year-old Richard Langer and the attempted murder of another victim.

“Our fundamental duty is to seek justice, and in pursuing this goal, we strive to provide closure for the victims and their families while ensuring accountability for those responsible. Today, as difficult as it has been for the victims and their families, I believe we’ve gotten just that,” said Walter Forgie, Fifth Judicial Circuit Chief Assistant State Attorney

Back on September 16, 2022, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call for service in reference to a stabbing that had just occurred. Responding deputies entered a residence off SE 70^th Terrace in Ocala, where they located both victim one and victim two with multiple stab wounds.  

While rendering aid to both victims, victim one, who was later identified as Richard Langer, stated to officials that his daughter stabbed them. A law enforcement alert bulletin was issued and shortly later, a traffic stop was conducted on Adams’ vehicle, which was also occupied by her wife.

Both the defendant and her wife were taken into custody for questioning. The spouse relayed to law enforcement that she had just finished running a few errands before meeting the defendant at the grocery store. She indicated to detectives that she did not notice anything out of the norm for the defendant nor did the defendant mention any altercation prior.

When Adams was questioned by detectives, her series of events did not match up with the statements given by her spouse. Upon further questioning, Adams finally admitted to detectives that she attacked both victims after getting upset for being told she’d have to move out.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Toby Hunt and Amy Berndt.

Published on 04/17/2025.

(Hernando County, FL) Yesterday, State Attorney Bill Gladson announced the grand jury indictment of 16-year-old Cameron Ray Cubel, ex-boyfriend of the victim.

A grand jury was convened to determine whether there was sufficient evidence to charge Cubel for the tragic murder of 16-year-old Abbriella Faye Elliot. The grand jury returned a true bill of indictment for the following charges:

·MURDER IN THE FIRST DEGREE – PREMEDITATED 782.04(1)(a)1

On March 27, 2025, Cubel unlawfully and from a premeditated design murdered Abbriella Faye Elliott, by inflicting multiple sharp force injuries causing her to die.

Cubel remains in custody on no-bond status in a juvenile detention facility. He will later be transferred to Hernando County and tried as an adult.

Published on 04/17/2025.

(Sumter County, FL) Yesterday, 33-year-old Rodney Reshad Rose was found guilty of Trafficking in Methamphetamine, Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Methamphetamine within 1000ft of a Park, and Unlawful Use of a Two-way Communications Device.

Jurors deliberated for 75 minutes, after hearing the testimony of Detectives with the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Squad (SIS), 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 Mary P. Hatcher remanded Rose pending sentencing.

“Trafficking dangerous narcotics ruins lives and incites violence in our communities. We will continue to aggressively prosecute those who profit from addiction and poison our neighborhoods,” said Walter Forgie, Fifth Judicial Circuit Chief Assistant State Attorney.

Back in April of 2023, members of the Special Investigations Squad, during their undercover street-level narcotics operation, revealed that the defendant was involved in the sale and delivery of large quantities of methamphetamine in Sumter County.

Officials conducted a controlled buy with Rose, 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 29.02 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 Michael Kotsifakis and Elizabeth Hart.

Published on 04/11/2025.

(Fifth Judicial Circuit, FL) Recently, an Orlando media outlet reported that the Ninth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s non-arrest policy was influenced by the policy in the Fifth Judicial Circuit. To infer that their policy is comparable to mine is misleading. The policy utilized by our office was implemented during the height of Covid, following nearly a year of court closures. While there are some similarities between the two, this is an obvious and deliberate attempt by the State Attorney to provide cover after failing to collaborate with the law enforcement agencies in her circuit to arrive at a workable solution.

Every day, I am grateful for the close working relationships we have with the municipal agencies and sheriff’s offices throughout our circuit.  We work closely with our law enforcement agencies, not against them.  Our non-arrest policy is significantly more expansive than in the Ninth Judicial Circuit.  This is particularly true when it comes to gun and violent crimes.  More important than the scope of the policies, is the unreported fact that our policy specifically provides that if a law enforcement officer has any non-arrest case that they would like reviewed by our office, they are encouraged to contact our office. We do not turn down requests by law enforcement to review cases.

We also have on call prosecutors in all five of our counties, that are available to both citizens and law enforcement.  These prosecutors are available to law enforcement 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.  This assures that we are available night or day to assist law enforcement with arrests, search warrants and many other types of legal matters.  This is for all crimes, whether it be a second-degree misdemeanor or homicide.

Citizens in the Fifth Circuit also have a complaint form they can access on our website, making it possible to report a crime directly to our office, ensuring that there are no barriers, artificial or otherwise, that prevent our constituents from accessing our office. These complaints are reviewed by a prosecutor and entered in our case management system regardless of the severity of the alleged crime. 

“Having a State Attorney who is tough on crime and committed to justice makes our job easier. It’s a true partnership. Our State Attorney’s office is available 24/7 to provide our deputies with any assistance they need. This kind of working relationship is how we keep our communities safer.” 

-Lake County Sheriff Peyton Grinnell.

“My deputies work hand in hand with our State Attorney to keep the people of Marion County safe because we recognize that, while we may not always agree, we share the common goal of public safety.  Our relationship is grounded in trust and a desire to seek justice on behalf of the victims of crime.”

-Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods

We recognize that many who enter the criminal justice system do so only briefly, often for non-violent offenses. In those cases, we have a myriad of diversion opportunities that provide offenders with a second chance when appropriate, while still holding them accountable. However, every day we see repeat and violent offenders, with no desire to change their ways, who victimize our citizens and take advantage of the system. In the Fifth Circuit, we actively guard against that. From 2021 through 2023 we saw our total prison admissions rise from fourth in the state in 2021, third in the state in 2022, and second in the state in 2023.  For the month of February, 2025, we were first in prison admissions for the entire state.

This office wins cases in court on behalf of our citizens and the state of Florida. If you are a repeat offender or a violent criminal, it is our obligation to remove you from society and send you to prison.

See below for a copy of our policy:

Published on 04/09/2025.

(Sumter County, FL) Yesterday, State Attorney Bill Gladson announced the grand jury indictment of 47-year-old Brian William Decot, paramour of the victim.

A grand jury was convened to determine whether there was sufficient evidence to charge Decot for his role in the death of 54-year-old Tracy Jean Miller. The grand jury returned a true bill of indictment for the following charges:

·DEATH CAUSED BY THE UNLAWFUL DISTRIBUTION OF COCAINE 782.04(1)(a)3

On or about October 31, 2024, Decot did, being a person 18 years of age or older, to-wit: unlawfully distribute cocaine or a mixture containing cocaine, and that substance or mixture was proven to have caused, or is proven to have been a substantial factor in producing the death of Tracy Jean Miller, a human being, in violation of Florida Statute 782.04(1)(a)3.

Decot remains in custody on no-bond status in an area detention facility.

Published on 04/04/2025.

(Lake County, FL) Yesterday, State Attorney Bill Gladson announced the grand jury indictment of 37-year-old Kimberly Mills, mother of the victim, and 36-year-old Andre Walker, paramour of Mills.

A grand jury was convened to determine whether there was sufficient evidence to charge both Mills and Walker for their roles in the death of 10-year-old Xavier Williams. The grand jury returned a true bill of indictment for the following charges:

·PRINCIPAL TO MURDER IN THE FIRST DEGREE (FELONY MURDER) 782.04(1)(a)2 and 777.011

· PRINICIPAL TO AGGRAVATED CHILD ABUSE – AGGRAVATED BATTERY 827.03 (1)(A), 827.03(2)(A) and 777.011

·AGGRAVATED CHILD ABUSE – MALICIOUSLY PUNISH 827.03(1)(a), 827.03(2)(a) and 777.011

·PRINCIPAL TO AGGRAVATED CHILD ABUSE – AGGRAVATED BATTERY 827.03(1)(a) and 777.011

·PRINCIPAL TO AGGRAVATED CHILD ABUSE – MALICIOUSLY PUNISH 827.03(1)(a), 827.03(2)(a) and 777.011

Both Mills and Walker remain in custody on no-bond status in an area detention facility.

Published on 04/04/2025.