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(Hernando, FL) In the courtroom of the Honorable Judge Daniel B. Merritt, jurors found 62-year-old Robert Daniel David Myers guilty of various sexual offenses committed on a child.

Myers was convicted of two counts of Sexual Battery upon a Child Under 12 Years of Age, two counts of Lewd and Lascivious Molestation of a Child, and two counts Sexual Battery on a Child by a Person in Familial or Custodial Authority.

Myers was arrested in January of 2024 following a Hernando County Sheriff’s Office investigation. Deputies were investigating another crime when they received a letter detailing sexual abuse of a minor child. Officials were able to identify the victim in the letter.

Law enforcement then contacted the victim who was reluctant at first but then advised of numerous incidents of sexual abuse committed by Myers.  Detectives launched a thorough investigation which revealed Myers had abused the victim since the victim was 6, with the Hernando crimes occurring when the victim was 11 years old. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Myers for sexual battery and lewd and lascivious behavior. Myers had previously been convicted of four counts of child molestation in another state prior to moving to Florida.    

“Any lead, any information, is always just one more step closer to justice,” said Chief Walter Forgie. “That’s exactly what happened in this case. After obtaining information that this abuse occurred, detectives worked swiftly to investigate and verify the accounts given. With that, we were able to build a solid case that unarguably proved the defendant committed these awful acts.”

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Angelina Rodeo despite the overwhelming challenges to secure a guilty verdict in a case where physical evidence could not be presented due to the extensive timeframe of when the crimes occurred and the delay in reporting.\

Published on 08/07/2026.

(Orange County, FL) Today, State Attorney Bill Gladson of the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office announces the Death sentence of 59-year-old DeMorris Andy Hunter for the 2002 murder of 38-year-old Theresa Ann Green. Hunter was sentenced to death by Judge Lisa T. Munyon, after jurors found the defendant guilty and recommended the death penalty earlier this year.     

“I see no other punishment fitting for this defendant who ruthlessly took the life of Theresa Green,” said Bill Gladson, the State Attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit. “While imposing this sentence, the court said may God have mercy upon this defendant. While the Court has rendered justice under the law, the final judgement does rests with God – and may he levy an even greater punishment knowing the defendant denied every measure of mercy to his victim.”

On May 26, 2002, Hunter and the victim were both guests at a party hosted by a couple in their apartment building. They left the party together, and witnesses saw them fall down the stairs before entering the victim’s apartment. Hours later, Hunter returned to the apartment and asked a neighbor for a favor. He gave the neighbor keys to a white van and requested that he follow him while he drove the victim’s car, dropping it off in a parking lot.

Officers with the Orlando Police Department received a missing persons report for Green. Shortly later, authorities with the Sanford Police Department located the victim’s car at a Walgreens and discovered her deceased body inside the trunk. The Medical Examiner’s Office determined the victim’s death to be a homicide by manual strangulation.

During the investigation, law enforcement was able to confirm the victim was last seen alive with the defendant. At the time they spoke to the defendant, Hunter was serving a 110-year sentence for another murder that occurred in Oakland, California.

The case was presented by Chief of Homicide Prosecution Richard Buxman and Assistant State Attorney Kenneth Nunnelley, who have worked tirelessly to pursue justice on behalf of the victims and the people of the great State of Florida.   

Published on 08/04/2026.

(Fifth Judicial Circuit, FL) State Attorney Bill Gladson of the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office (SAO) announces the release of his office’s first-ever Annual Report highlight a historic year of service and public safety.

The report reflects a year marked by significant courtroom successes, meaningful community engagement, and an unwavering commitment to protecting the citizens of the Fifth Judicial Circuit.

“Our mission has always been simple: seek justice, protect victims, and keep our communities safe,” said State Attorney Bill Gladson. “This report showcases the extraordinary work of our prosecutors, investigators, victim advocates, and professional staff who serve our communities every day. We believe transparency builds trust, and this report demonstrates our commitment to both.”

Among the report’s highlights, the office ranked No. 1 in the State of Florida for prison admissions, reflecting the office’s continued focus on holding violent and repeat offenders accountable and ensuring those who threaten public safety face appropriate consequences.

The report also highlights several noteworthy prosecutions from 2025, including:

• High-profile homicides and violent crime convictions;
• Successful prosecutions of child predators and offenders who preyed upon vulnerable victims;
• Major narcotics trafficking and organized crime cases;
• Significant DUI manslaughter, sexual battery, and repeat violent offender prosecutions that resulted in landmark sentences.

Beyond the courtroom, the report illustrates the office’s commitment to prevention and public service through extensive community outreach. Throughout 2025, members of the office participated in educational programs, crime prevention initiatives, victim advocacy events, youth engagement programs, and senior safety presentation, as well as partnered with various law enforcement agencies, schools, and community organizations across the circuit.   

The inaugural Annual Report was entirely developed in-house and serves as a reflection of the office’s dedication to transparency, accountability, and public service.

The full 2025 Annual Report is available on the SAO’s website at sao5.org, under the Community tab, click Annual Report.

Published on 08/03/2026.

(Marion County, FL) Yesterday morning, 31-year-old Julio Cesar Bautista entered a no contest plea before Judge Barbara Kissner-Kwatkosky just shortly after his jury trial began.  Bautista, who invoked speedy trial, was adjudicated guilty on all counts.

Bautista was convicted of Aggravated Battery causing Great Bodily Harm with a Firearm, two counts of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, and Possession of a Firearm by a Felon. Following his conviction, Judge Kissner-Kwatkosky sentenced Bautista to 13 years in the Florida Department of Corrections with a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years.

On March 9, 2025, law enforcement officers with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Amex Food Mart located off Nort West 110^th Avenue in Ocala for a battery that had just occurred. Responding deputies learned from witnesses on scene that the defendant, Bautista, had just fled the scene after attacking two victims.

Law enforcement learned that while one victim was cleaning up the facility after a party, Bautista approached the victim and began getting into an argument. Bautista was then seen grabbing the victim by the neck and pushing the victim into the wall before pulling out a firearm and striking the victim over the head. The victim had a laceration above the eye and first responders observed blood in the corner of the room where the battery occurred.

During the battery, a second victim who observed Bautista attack the first victim, attempted to intervene. While attempting to break up the fight, Bautista’s firearm was knocked out of his hand onto the floor. The defendant then picked up the firearm and pointed it at both victims as they exited the building.

Bautista was later located during a traffic stop and arrested in this case.

Assistant State Attorney Janine Nixon ensured the successful prosecution of this case.

Published on 07/30/2026.

(Fifth Judicial Circuit, FL) “Today marks the final chapter in a case that has spanned decades. While no legal proceeding can restore the life that was taken, this execution represents the final administration of justice for the young victim and her family, who have endured years of unimaginable loss while waiting for this case to reach its lawful conclusion,” stated State Attorney Bill Gladson.

Despite her current state today, Dorothy Tula, mother of Teresa McAbee, said this, “I’d like to thank everyone who has worked on this case for everything they have done. My family and I are glad this day is finally here- because it’s about justice for my daughter and remembering her, not the man who stole her future.”

In May of 1987, James Aren Duckett, a Mascotte Police Officer, raped and murdered 11-year-old Teresa Mae McAbee. On the night of the crime, Duckett, a 29-year-old rookie officer at the time, was the only patrol officer on duty when the child victim disappeared.  Teresa had walked to a nearby convenience store to purchase a pencil. Her body was found in a lake less than a mile from the convenience store. According to three independent witnesses, she was last seen alive getting into Duckett’s patrol car.

The medical examiner’s report determined Teresa had been sexually battered, strangled, and drowned. Distinctive tire tracks near the scene where her body had been located matched the tires on Duckett’s patrol car. Forensic examiners located Teresa’s fingerprints on the hood of Duckett’s patrol car indicating that she had been sitting backwards on the hood and had scooted up the car.

On May 10, 1988, Duckett was found guilty after his jury trial and sentenced to death. Despite the overwhelming evidence linking Duckett to the crime, and a jury finding him guilty, his defense team filed multiple motions and appeals to vacate his sentence. Throughout the appellate process, our office and the prosecutors in the office of the Attorney General, remained committed to ensuring that every filing and every legal claim was thoroughly reviewed and appropriately addressed. The appellate system exists to safeguard the integrity of our justice system, and our prosecutors worked diligently to respond to each claim presented while advocating on behalf of the victim, her family, and the people of Florida.

State Attorney Bill Gladson continued, “From the beginning of this case, the evidence established the defendant’s guilt. The physical evidence recovered, together with the facts developed during the investigation and presented in court, left no reasonable doubt as to James Duckett’s responsibility for this horrific crime. That evidence was repeatedly examined through years of judicial review and withstood extensive scrutiny.

We recognize that this case has been followed closely by our community for the past 39-years and that many citizens have long awaited its conclusion. Our office reaffirms our commitment to seeking justice with integrity, supporting victims and their families, and ensuring that the rule of law is faithfully upheld in every case we prosecute. Our thoughts remain with the victim’s loved ones as they continue to carry the loss of a young life taken far too soon.” 

Published on 07/28/2026.

(Marion County, FL) Yesterday, 61-year-old Terry Franklin Pennington was sentenced to four consecutive life sentences after being found guilty, back in June, 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.

“Children deserve to be protected, not exploited. This multiple consecutive life sentence sends a clear message that those who victimize our children will face the most severe consequences the law allows. Justice was served with this sentence,” said Bill Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney.

The case against Pennington began on July 22, 2025, when 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 07/17/2026.

(Lake County, FL) Today, State Attorney Bill Gladson of the Fifth Judicial Circuit, alongside Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia and Lake County Sheriff Peyton Grinnell, announces the grand jury indictment of 44-year-old Shahidul Islam.

A grand jury was convened earlier today to determine whether there was sufficient evidence to charge Shahidul Islam. The grand jury returned a true bill of indictment for Premeditated First-Degree Murder with a Firearm, F.S.S. 782.04(1)(a)1, 775.087(1), 775.087(2)(a)1, 775.087(2)(a)2, and 775.087(2)(a)3.

“We appreciate the outstanding work of the investigating agencies and our federal partners whose cooperation ultimately led to the defendant’s apprehension and transfer to face justice here in Lake County,” said Bill Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney. “While no prosecution can restore the life that was taken or erase the pain experienced by Monica’s family, we can pursue justice on their behalf and hold this offender accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”

On May 2, 2025, Shahidual Islam did unlawfully, with premeditation, murder Monica Islam, and during the commission of the offense, Shahidul Islam actually possessed and discharged a firearm.

“No family should ever have to endure the pain of such a senseless and horrific act of violence as this one. Shahidul Islam illegally entered our country after being deported, committed this heinous crime, and then fled to a sanctuary city,” remarked Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia. “Florida will continue to stand firm against violent crime, sanctuary cities and illegal immigration and we will never apologize for putting the safety of law-abiding families first. I commend State Attorney Bill Gladson, Sheriff Payton Grinnell, and every law enforcement officer and investigator whose tireless work ensured this suspect was brought to justice. This sends a clear message: if you commit a violent crime in Florida, we will find you, we will prosecute you, and we will pursue the fullest extent of the law.”

After being sentenced for his most recent criminal case for his unlawful entry into the United States, Shahidul Islam was extradited back to Lake County pursuant to his arrest warrant for first degree murder, where he remains in custody and is held without bond at the Lake County Detention Facility.

“The murder of Monica Islam is yet another example in an ever-growing list of senseless, violent crimes committed by those who are in our country illegally. I’m extremely proud of the hard work of our detectives and the interagency cooperation that led to Islam’s arrest. We hope this brings a good measure of peace and closure to Monica’s family,” stated Lake County Sheriff Peyton Grinnell.

Given the severity of the crime as reflected in the legislature’s enactment of Florida Statute 921.1426 and the crime’s impact on the victim’s family, the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office is seeking the death penalty pursuant to Florida Statute 921.1426.

Assistant State Attorney Thomas Wieczorek is prosecuting the case.

Published on 07/08/2026.

(Marion County, FL) Today, 43-year-old Melissa Waiman Schroer was sentenced to the maximum punishment of 30 years in prison for the 2019 death of 2-month-old Wailan Roy Schroer. Back in May of this year, jurors delivered their verdict finding Schroer guilty of Aggravated Manslaughter of a Child.

“Here we have a case where one young child senselessly dies, and two other children are forever impacted by their sibling’s death,” state Chief Walter Forgie of the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office. “Given this and other contributing circumstances, our Assistant State Attorneys asked for the maximum sentence possible for Schroer and were successful in obtaining the just sentence.”

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 06/29/2026.

(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.