Office of The State Attorney, Fifth Judicial Circuit, Florida
Serving the Citizens of Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion, and Sumter Counties
Office of The State Attorney, Fifth Judicial Circuit, Florida
Serving the Citizens of Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion, and Sumter Counties

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GUZMAN INDICTED FOR MURDER OF 11-WEEK-OLD CHILD

(Citrus County, FL) On Friday, June 27, 2025, prosecutors with the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office presented the grand jury indictment of 18-year-old Hector Jose Rios Guzman IV.   

A grand jury was convened to determine whether there was probable cause to charge Guzman for his role in the September 23, 2024, death of 11-week-old Ezrial Lazaro Rios McCallister. The grand jury issued an indictment for the following charge:

·MURDER IN THE FIRST DEGREE (FELONY MURDER) 782.04(1)(a)2

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

Published on 07/02/2025.

HERNANDO COUNTY MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE FOR AGGRAVATED BATTERY INVOLVING A DEADLY WEAPON

(Hernando County, FL) Last week, Judge Daniel B. Merritt, Jr. sentenced 41-year-old Jerae Crussell to Life in Prison after being found guilty during his jury trial earlier this year. Crussell was convicted of Aggravated Battery with Great Bodily Harm with a Firearm (possession, discharge, and great bodily harm).

Crussell’s case stems from his 2022 arrest after officials with the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shooting that occurred in the parking lot of the Mermaid’s Lounge in Spring Hill, Florida.  On scene, law enforcement located the victim who had multiple apparent gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to a local trauma center for treatment. Authorities learned the defendant had fled the scene.

Detectives with the Major Case Unit began their investigation into the events leading up to the shooting. Forensic Specialists examined the incident area and collected vital evidence, including numerous spent shell casings. Surveillance footage, which contained video evidence of the altercation, was collected from a business located in the same plaza.

Through the evidence collected and from speaking with witnesses, the defendant was developed as the suspect. A warrant was issued for his arrest.

The Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force received intel that Crussell was working down in Pasco County, Florida. The task force was able to locate Crussell and take him into custody without further incident.

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Ben Larison and Angelina Rodeo.

Published on 06/23/2025.

BELLEVIEW MAN FOUND GUILTY OF AGGRAVATED STALKING AFTER CALLING VICTIM OVER 160 TIMES

(Marion County, FL) After the conclusion of his jury trial yesterday, 37-year-old Brian Joseph Jankowski was found guilty of Aggravated Stalking, Violation of Domestic Injunction with Two Prior Convictions, and Resisting Law Enforcement without Violence. Having reviewed the defendant’s criminal history spanning over twenty years, Judge Peter M. Brigham sentenced Jankowski to 10 years in the Florida Department of Corrections on this conviction.

Back on June 21, 2024, deputies with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call for service in reference to a violation of a domestic violence injunction. The victim advised that Jankowski made repeated attempts to contact them in violation of an active injunction for protection against the defendant.

The victim further stated to law enforcement that Jankowski had been showing up at their residence multiple times over the past few days, as well as continuously calling and leaving voicemails. The victim was able to show officials their cell phone call log, which showed calls from a blocked number with several voicemails left by the defendant. Many of the voicemails pleaded with the victim to answer the phone, and other harassing messages were sent.

Law enforcement obtained an address for the defendant and attempted to make contact to further investigate.  Upon arriving at Jankowski’s residence, the defendant attempted to flee on foot out the back door of the home. He was eventually taken into custody. During a post-Miranda interview, Jankowski admitted to having knowledge of the active injunction against him and further admitted to contacting the victim. He was placed under arrest and charged.

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Lillian Rozsa and Certified Legal Intern Sandra Edwards.

Published on 06/19/2025.

TAVARES MAN FOUND GUILTY BY JURY OF TRAFFICKING NARCOTICS

(Lake County, FL) Friday, June 13, 2025, 44-year-old Michael Allen Reams, a registered Sexual Predator, was adjudicated guilty of Trafficking in Heroin 28 grams or more, Conspiracy to Traffic in Fentanyl 28 grams or more, Possession of Fentanyl with Intent to Sell, Possession of a Place for Trafficking/Sale of a Controlled Substance, Child Neglect, Unlawful Use of a Two-way Device, and Possession of Paraphernalia.  

Reams was ordered to remain in custody to await his sentencing hearing, which is set for August 18, 2025. Both the trafficking and conspiracy charges hold a minimum mandatory sentence of 25 years under Florida law, but the defendant is facing Life in prison as a Habitual Felony Offender.

On August 3, 2021, detectives with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit executed a search warrant at a residence off 1st Bass Street in Tavares, Florida, following an investigation into narcotics sales linked to a traffic stop on July 13, 2021, which involved five ounces of Fentanyl. Officers with the Tavares Police Department and Leesburg Police Department assisted the Lake County Sheriff’s Office with this investigation.

Upon searching the home, officials located the defendant inside, along with a female and an 8-year-old child. Reams told officials that he resides in one of the bedrooms in the home and that some of the vehicles on the property were his. While searching the property, authorities located various amounts of illicit narcotics, numerous cellphones, as well as narcotics paraphernalia and containers consistent with the packaging and distribution for sale of the drugs.

During a search of the defendant’s room, detectives located a safe that contained items connected to the proceeds of illicit narcotics. A search of an Oldsmobile on the property, which was delivered and controlled by Reams, contained a cooler with multiple items inside, including over 28 grams of heroin. Reams was arrested and booked into the Lake County Jail.

During the defendant’s trial, in which he chose to represent himself, Forensic Analysts testified that Reams’ DNA was present on the evidence collected by law enforcement in this case. It was also stated during court that Reams would utilize the young child to carry bags containing the illicit narcotics, including deadly Fentanyl.  

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Kristalle Smoller.

Published on 06/18/2025.

HERNANDO MAN PLEADS GUILTY ON MULTIPLE COUNTS OF CHILD SEX ABUSE MATERIAL

(Hernando County, FL) Last week, 34-year-old Mark Anthony Mazur pleaded guilty to sixteen counts of Possession of Child Pornography and one count of Unlawful Use of a Two-way Communications Device. Judge Stephen E. Toner sentenced the defendant to 15 years in the Florida Department of Corrections, followed by 10 years of Sexual Offender Probation.

On December 23, 2024, detectives with the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) executed a search warrant for the home where Mazur was residing. Officials obtained the warrant after receiving a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that an account registered to the defendant contained illicit material involving minor children.

During the execution of the search warrant, Mazur stated he had resided at the home and confirmed ownership of the social media account in question. He further advised that he was aware of the sexual abuse material content located on his account. When questioned about what electronic device he would use to access the material, Mazur indicated he would use his cell phone to log in to the social media account and save the illicit material.

While forensically examining the defendant’s cell phone, officials located additional videos of child sexual abuse material. Mazur was subsequently arrested.

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Kasey Whitson.

Published on 06/16/2025.

SEDA WAYS FOUND GUILTY OF TRAFFICKING IN NARCOTICS

(Citrus County, FL) Today, 31-year-old Angel Alberto Seda Ways was adjudicated guilty on all charges. Jurors found Seda Ways guilty of Trafficking in Cocaine with Actual Possession of a Firearm, Conspiracy to Commit Trafficking in Cocaine, and Possession of Paraphernalia.

Jurors began deliberating yesterday afternoon but were forced to reconvene today after the defendant was transported out of the courtroom for medical treatment. Seda Ways will remain in the Lecanto Detention Facility to await his sentencing hearing on July 21, 2025, at 1 p.m.

Back in September of 2022, after several months of investigation, Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) detectives ended a large-scale cocaine trafficking operation. 

CCSO officials were notified by federal partners of packages containing illicit narcotics being mailed to a property in Citrus County. Working with the United States Postal Service and Homeland Security, CCSO officers intercepted packages containing multiple kilos of cocaine being sent to the address.

After conducting additional surveillance, narcotics investigators secured a search warrant for the property located off South Kensington Ave. in Lecanto, FL. During the execution of the warrant, they located multiple kilograms of cocaine, an extensive amount of cash, firearms, a narcotics ledger, scales, packaging equipment, and a money counter.

Three individuals were arrested and charged accordingly, one of which was defendant Seda Ways.

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Tara Hartman and Kevin Davis.

Published on 06/05/2025.

THOMPSON FOUND GUILTY OF TODDLER’S MURDER

(Marion County, FL) Yesterday evening, jurors delivered their verdict in the 2022 murder case of 2-year-old Jacklyn Schwingel. After a nearly two-hour deliberation, jurors found 27-year-old Travis Ray Thompson guilty of First Degree Murder. Following the verdict, Judge Barbara Kissner sentenced Thompson to Life in prison.

“This monster stole the life of an innocent child, and today, the justice system made sure he will never walk free again. Life in prison is too good for this kind of evil,” said Bill Gladson, State Attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit.

Back on May 3, 2022, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) received a report of child abuse from AdventHealth Waterman in Tavares, Florida, regarding a toddler being transported to the Emergency Room in critical condition. After medical personnel attempted life-saving measures, the 2-year-old toddler, later identified as Jacklyn Schwingel, was pronounced deceased.

“I’m incredibly proud of my Major Crimes detectives for their relentless work on this heartbreaking case. Their dedication helped secure justice for an innocent child. I also want to thank State Attorney Bill Gladson and his team for delivering a guilty verdict. In Marion County, we protect our children – and we hold those who harm them accountable,” said Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods. 

The MCSO’s Major Crimes unit responded to the hospital and began their investigation into the child’s death. While speaking with the mother of the child, Detective King learned that the child’s mother had left the victim in the care of Thompson earlier that morning to go to work. Twenty-five minutes after leaving, the mother received a phone call from Thompson, indicating something was wrong with the child, as she was unresponsive.

The mother further advised that when she arrived, Jacklyn was lifeless, with a shallow pulse and a distended abdomen. Both the mother and Thompson then got into a vehicle to take the child to a nearby hospital when the mother stated the child had stopped breathing. At that time, the mother instructed Thompson to contact 9-1-1, with emergency medical services personnel meeting the pair at a nearby business to transport the child for medical treatment.

The medical team at the hospital suspected the child had suffered internal bleeding and reported potential child abuse to the MCSO and the Department of Children and Families. When detectives interviewed Thompson, he claimed that he and the victim were in separate rooms when he heard a loud noise and then located the victim unresponsive and not breathing. Despite being the only person left with the victim, Thompson claimed he did not know how the victim became injured.

After all testing was completed, on September 1, 2022, the Medical Examiner’s Office determined the cause of death was traumatic injuries to the victim’s torso with a severing of her spine and internal bleeding behind her abdomen. Based on the severity and nature of the break, it was determined that Thompson applied significant, gradual force to the victim’s upper and lower body and bent her backward beyond her natural range of motion until her back broke.

Thompson was subsequently arrested and charged.

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Amy Berndt and Sasha Kidney. Thank you to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and the medical professionals for their diligent work in this case.

Published on 06/05/2025.

FIGUEROA-TIRADO PLEADS GUILTY TO MURDER

(Marion County, FL) On Monday morning, June 2, 2025, the trial for the murder of 19-year-old Tylique Le’John Christie reached a significant turning point when 21-year-old Luis Alexander Figueroa-Tirado pleaded guilty to Second Degree Murder with a Firearm.

The plea came just as jury selection for Figueroa-Tirado’s trial was set to begin that morning. The defendant was sentenced by Judge Timothy McCourt to 40 years in the Florida Department of Corrections.

In a tragic incident that occurred in the early afternoon of June 19, 2023, Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) deputies arrived at a residence off of Northwest 22nd Avenue in Ocala after reports of multiple gunshots. Upon arrival, officials located multiple spent shell casings in the area, along with bullet holes in the doors and windows of neighboring homes.

Shortly afterward, officials were notified of a gunshot-wounded patient who was transported to a local hospital by two individuals. The victim, Tylique Christie, had an apparent gunshot wound to his head and would later succumb to his injuries. Both individuals who were present with the victim at the time of the incident gave witness statements to law enforcement.

Through their investigation, detectives learned that Christie had arranged to meet Tirado’s co-defendant, 17-year-old Davinci Cheesman Dawson, for a drug transaction that turned violent, where a number of masked gunmen, including Tirado, opened fire on the victim. After gathering forensic evidence from the scene, conducting a neighborhood canvass, and collecting witness statements, detectives were able to confirm both Figueroa-Tirado’s and Dawson’s involvement in the murder of Christie.

On September 18, 2023, a grand jury returned true indictments, charging both defendants with First Degree Murder. Subsequently, Figueroa-Tirado and Dawson were arrested and charged.

Co-defendant Dawson pleaded guilty last week and was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

Assistant State Attorneys Toby Hunt and Richard Buxman handled the prosecution of this case.  

Published on 06/04/2025.

GOMEZ CONVICTED OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING A CHILD

(Lake County, FL) Earlier today, State Attorney Bill Gladson was joined by Attorney General James Uthmeier and Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri during a press conference to make an important announcement regarding a recent conviction. Last week, May 28, 2025, a jury found 31-year-old Jose Gomez, guilty of Human Trafficking of a Child for Commercial Sexual Activity and three counts of Lewd or Lascivious Battery. Judge Cary F. Rada presided over the trial and sentenced the Defendant to LIFE in prison, as required by law.

“This conviction signifies a crucial milestone in our ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking. Furthermore, it serves as a clear message: we maintain a zero-tolerance stance toward human trafficking and the exploitation of children in our community,” said Bill Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney.

On July 15, 2024, officers with the Eustis Police Department were dispatched to a 9-1-1 hang-up call originating from an apartment off North Prescott Street in Eustis, FL. Law enforcement attempted to call back the phone number with no success. However, shortly after, nearby officers were flagged down by a person in distress.

The person, later identified as the victim, indicated to officers that they were dropped off at an apartment to meet with the defendant, later identified as Gomez. Once inside Gomez’s residence, the victim was offered money and drugs in exchange for sex. Gomez then proceeded to sexually batter the victim, who then yelled for him to stop. After kicking the defendant, the victim was able to escape, calling 9-1-1 and eventually fleeing the apartment before flagging down the officers. The victim was transported to a hospital for medical treatment.

While on scene, officers attempted to locate Gomez, and upon sight of law enforcement, Gomez barricaded himself inside his apartment. After several hours, Gomez was apprehended by a police canine and taken into custody. During a post-Miranda interview, Gomez told officers he was approached by an individual who offered to facilitate sex acts involving the victim for money. After arrangements were made for the victim to be taken to his apartment, Gomez paid $100 to engage in sexual activity with the victim. During the interview, officers observed visible signs of a physical altercation, with scratches on his body, consistent with the victim’s statements.

Law enforcement conducted a search warrant of the Defendant’s apartment to gather evidence. Additionally, a search of the Defendant’s cell phone was conducted with the assistance of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, which led to key evidence used in the prosecution. This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Eddie Moffitt with the assistance of Victim Advocate Brittany Adkins and Assistant State Attorney Kati Cosden.

Published on 06/03/2025.

KALEY SENTENCED TO 84 MONTHS IN BURGLARY AND BATTERY CASE

(Lake County, FL) Monday, May 19, 2025, a Lake County Jury found 35-year-old Travis Lee Kaley guilty of one count of Burglary of a Conveyance with a Battery. Kaley, who has a notable violent criminal history, was sentenced by Judge James R. Baxley to seven years in prison.

The case against Kaley stems from a Mascotte Police Department investigation in April of last year, when officers responded to a call for service regarding a battery that had just occurred. The witness informed law enforcement that an acquaintance of hers, identified as Kaley, was messaging prior, asking about her whereabouts and who her companion was.

The witness further informed law enforcement that upon arriving back home, with the victim driving and her in the passenger seat, they observed a pickup truck parked in the middle of the road with the defendant behind the wheel. Kaley, who appeared frustrated, exited the vehicle and approached the witness, who had previously exited the vehicle to defuse the situation.

After the witness briefly spoke with the defendant, the defendant turned and began walking back to his truck. When the witness got back inside the victim’s vehicle, Kaley charged back towards them and began shouting. During this verbal altercation, Kaley opened the passenger’s side door, entered the vehicle, and struck the victim in the face repeatedly. The defendant then fled the incident location.

Kaley was subsequently arrested and charged.

Assistant State Attorney Dustan Geurin prosecuted this case.

Published on 05/22/2025.