Newsroom

(Marion County, FL) Last week, 52-year-old Ronald Cyril Ganser and 60-year-old Mark J. Cambre were found guilty of Principal to Kidnapping, Burglary of a Dwelling with Assault, and Principal to Robbery with a Firearm. After the verdict was rendered, Judge Peter M. Brigham sentenced both defendants to Life in prison.   

The case began on February 21, 2022, when Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) deputies responded to a 9-1-1 call at a rural Micanopy home regarding an armed robbery in progress. The caller indicated they were able to escape from the house after seeing masked, armed assailants inside the residence.

The victim told officials they had exited the shower and heard their dogs barking. After getting dressed, they made their way down the hallway and saw multiple armed men standing inside the home and yelling at the two other victims held captive. Seeing the intruders, the victim fled the home, making their way to a neighbor’s house, where they were able to contact authorities.

The armed men, who stole various items from the residence, were attempting to make their escape in one of the victim’s cars when deputies arrived on scene. In their attempt to flee, the suspects crashed the stolen vehicle into a tree before taking off on foot. MCSO deployed its Aviation Unit to help locate the fleeing suspects in the heavily wooded area.

Additional deputies made their way to the house, where they heard one of the two victims yelling for help. The first victim was located inside a bathroom of the home, bound with tape. Officials were able to find the second victim, who was initially held captive in the home, but later escaped and hid from the suspects after faking a medical emergency. The victim told deputies the suspects appeared inside the home, where they bound the two victims, before beating one of them and asking for the combination to a safe located inside the residence.

Using aviation’s heat detection system, law enforcement located defendant Ganser and apprehended him. Responders observed Ganser to have remnants of latex gloves around his wrist. During the officials’ continuing investigation, Cambre was later developed as a suspect and taken into custody as well.

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Janine Nixon.

Published on 11/25/2025.

(Marion County, FL) This morning, 57-year-old Robert Leroy Connor II was sentenced to Life in prison. Connor was found guilty on all charges during his jury trial in September of this year. He was convicted of Robbery with a Weapon, two counts of False Imprisonment While Armed, and Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle. Concurrent to his life sentence, Connor was also sentenced to 30 years for each count of false imprisonment and 10 years for the grand theft charge.

Connor’s convictions stem from a robbery that occurred on June 12, 2023, at a residence in the Villages, Florida. Around 10 a.m., the defendant rang the doorbell at the victim’s home, asking to have a water bottle refilled. Believing the man was in dire need of water due to his flushed appearance, the victim invited Connor into the residence while the second victim gave him a glass of water. Once inside, Connor asked to use the phone to make a call, but when handed the phone, he did not use it.

At that time, the defendant demanded money from both victims. When the cash they provided was not enough, Connor began demanding more, eventually demanding both victims’ bank account information. At one point during his crime, Connor stood behind the first victim and pointed a gun to their head. He then proceeded to bind and tie both victims’ arms and hands.

After incapacitating both victims, Connor began entering different rooms of the home and rummaging through the victims’ belongings, to include a jewelry box. Connor then stole the keys to the victims’ vehicle and exited the residence door to the garage. At that time, one of the victims was able to reach the door to lock it, as well as the front door. Noticing this, Connor attempted to kick in the front door of the home before fleeing in the stolen vehicle.

The stolen car was later recovered, along with surveillance video of Connor exiting the vehicle where he abandoned it. The car and house were later swabbed for DNA evidence. Law enforcement found multiple traces of Connor’s DNA, leading to his apprehension.

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Tucker O’Neill and Shanae Pickens.

Published on 11/19/2025.

(Hernando County, FL) Friday afternoon, jurors delivered their verdict in the 2023 murder of 75-year-old Dabanee Cook-Resca, finding 46-year-old R W Resca Jr. guilty of Second-Degree Murder and Possession of a Firearm by a Felon.

On November 19, 2023, Hernando County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) deputies were called to an area off Cortez Boulevard after a caller indicated they had found a human body. Upon arrival, the complainant informed law enforcement that they observed what appeared to be a deceased person in a storm drain located off a dead-end road. First responders approached the storm drain and confirmed that inside was a human body in the early stages of decomposition.

While recovering the remains, officials quickly identified the decedent as Cook-Resca. The decedent was only wearing a bathrobe, with her debit card found in a pocket. HCSO Forensic Science technicians, along with the medical examiner, observed a gunshot wound to the chest of the victim.  During the initial investigation, it was discovered that the victim resided in a house nearby with her adult son, later determined to be the defendant.

Major Crimes detectives made contact with the defendant at their shared residence to inquire if he had any knowledge of his mother’s whereabouts. While questioning Resca, detectives observed the defendant become increasingly nervous and sweat profusely. Resca indicated that he had not seen his mother for a few days. This piqued detectives’ interest as the victim resided in the same home as Resca, and it was out of character for her not to come home, according to the defendant.

During the interview, detectives informed Resca that they had located his mother, deceased, just a short distance away from their home. Officials informed Resca that they were investigating her death as a homicide. Upon further questioning, Resca finally confessed to murdering his mother and disposing of her body.

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Lori Ellingsworth and Benjamin Larison.

Published on 11/17/2025.

(Marion County, FL) This morning, 33-year-old Leslie Boileau Jr. was sentenced for the fatal shooting of his girlfriend, 25-year-old Polina Wright. Weighing both Boileau’s previous background as a law enforcement officer and victim impact statements given by Wright’s family, Judge Timothy McCourt sentenced Boileau to 25 years, 8 months, and 20 days in prison. The unique sentence was rendered in thoughtful homage to the victim, who was exactly 25 years, 8 months, and 20 days old the night she was killed.

Last month, Boileau was found guilty by jurors, after a multi-day trial, of Manslaughter by Use of a Firearm –  a conviction that could have resulted in a maximum sentence of 30 years, as allowed by law.

“This case reiterates the very real consequences of negligence and reckless actions,” said Bill Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney. “I cannot think of a more just sentence to hold this offender accountable and pay respects to the victim and her grieving family.”

On September 19, 2024, around 11 p.m., the dispatch center of the Ocala Police Department (OPD) received a 9-1-1 call from the defendant claiming that his girlfriend, later identified as Wright, was shot in the head while cleaning guns. First responders arrived at the home located off SE 32^nd Ave. in Ocala, FL. Upon their arrival, they observed Boileau standing behind a chair in which the victim sat, holding the victim. Emergency medical services personnel began rendering aid to the victim, who, unfortunately, was promptly pronounced deceased on scene.

During initial questioning, Boileau, a law enforcement officer at the time, stated he and his girlfriend had gone out to dinner earlier that night and consumed a few alcoholic beverages. Once they arrived back home, Boileau stated the victim wanted him to teach her about cleaning and using the firearms. During this, Boileau claimed he had cleared the weapon the victim was handling before she pointed it at him and dry-fired. At that time, he picked up a semi-automatic rifle before pointing it at the victim and firing the weapon. Boileau stated the gun was dry-fired the first time, before shooting an actual round, fatally injuring the victim.

After collecting evidence from the scene, conducting a trajectory analysis of the crime, coupled with the defendant’s own admissions, Boileau was arrested and charged.

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Tucker O’Neill and Richard Buxman.

Published on 11/4/2025.

(Citrus County, FL) Today, Judge Joel D. Fritton sentenced 45-year-old Christopher James Cassidy to Life in prison, with an additional 15-year sentence for his convictions.

Last month, jurors found Cassidy guilty as charged for two counts of Lewd and Lascivious Molestation of a Child less than 12 years of age and two counts of Lewd and Lascivious Molestation of a Child less than 16 years of age.

In May of 2024, Deputy Levi Garrison of the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) responded to the Emergency Operations Center in Lecanto, FL, in reference to a complaint of a past sexual assault of a child. 

Upon arrival, Deputy Garrison learned from the complainant that a 12-year-old victim had been molested by the defendant. The complainant stated that the night prior, while having dinner with the defendant, he became visibly upset and left the dining room table. When the complainant asked what was wrong, Cassidy informed the complainant that he had touched the victim’s private area in a sexual manner. The defendant divulged a detailed account of the incident.  

The complainant told Deputy Garrison that, upon learning this, Cassidy was asked to leave the residence. The complainant was then able to speak with the victim, who disclosed the sexual abuse committed by the defendant. The victim also stated to the complainant that Cassidy had instructed the victim not to say anything about the incident.  

Detective Jason Cook with CCSO’s Special Victims Unit was assigned the case. A Child Protective Team interview was conducted at Jessie’s Place, where the victim recounted the same details as initially reported by the complainant. Contact was then made with the defendant and a recorded interview was completed. While speaking with officials, Cassidy made several admissions about molesting the victim and was subsequently arrested.   

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Kevin Davis and Kaitlyn Mannis.  

Published on 11/12/2025.

(Sumter County, FL) On November 4, 2025, in a Sumter County courtroom, jurors found 33-year-old Colton Steven Colyer guilty of three counts of Sexual Battery upon a Person under Twelve Years of Age and one count of Lewd and Lascivious Molestation of a Child.

Colyer was taken into custody after the rendering of the verdict, where he will remain until his sentencing hearing, which will be scheduled at a later date.  

Back in February of 2024, officials from Snohomish County in Washington contacted investigators in Sumter County regarding a crime that was committed within the jurisdiction of Sumter County, Florida.

Officials from Washington indicated that while investigating a local crime, they became aware of another crime involving the defendant.  Law enforcement then provided recorded interviews of Colyer, along with screen captures and written statements to SCSO detectives.   

Inspector Pamela Warren interviewed the victim who revealed that Colyer had sexually battered them in Sumter County when they were around 6-8 years old. The victim recounted the events in detail, providing a critical timeline that was corroborated by a witness.  The victim was also able to provide copies of messages confronting the defendant approximately 10 years after the crimes occurred, in which Colyer apologized to the victim.

An arrest warrant was issued, and Colyer was eventually arrested in Washington, where he was later transported back to Sumter County to face local charges.

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Shelby Senn and Michael Kotsifakis. A sincere thank you to the Mill Creek Police Department in Snohomish County, Washington, for reporting this heinous crime on behalf of the victim, and to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office for their continued investigation into this case.

Published on 11/07/2025.

(Hernando County, FL) On October 23, 2025, 34-year-old Corey Andrews French was found guilty by a jury of two counts of Vehicular Homicide, one count of Possession of a Firearm by Felon, and one count of Violation of Domestic Violence Injunction by Possessing a Firearm.

Judge Daniel Merritt sentenced the defendant to 30 years in prison.

On January 10, 2022, French was driving south along U.S.19 in Brooksville, FL, when he sped past a red light and drove over a median into the northbound lanes. The victim, 35-year-old Amber West, was turning when the defendant’s car struck her vehicle. West was pronounced deceased on scene by first responders. West’s six-month-old infant, Kody Burbage, died less than an hour later from injuries sustained from the crash.

The defendant was transported to a local hospital for minor injuries he sustained during the crash. While officials were clearing the crash scene, they conducted a tow inventory of the defendant’s vehicle, where they located a firearm in the center console. French, a convicted felon with a domestic violence injunction, is prohibited from possessing a firearm. The defendant was initially arrested on this charge pending the outcome of the crash investigation.

During the Florida Highway Patrol’s investigation, witnesses recounted seeing the defendant driving erratically, striking a stationary car, and damaging the vehicle just prior to the fatal accident. A review of dash cam video evidence provided by one witness showed the defendant travelling at high speeds during the time of impact.  

After reviewing the evidence presented and the witness’s statements, French was arrested and charged accordingly.

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney D. Robert Lewis.

Published on 11/05/2025.

(Marion County, FL) On October 24, 2025, 37-year-old Mitchel Andrew Searle was found guilty of Burglary with Battery, two counts of Burglary of a Dwelling, Burglary of a Structure, and three counts of Criminal Mischief. Judge Peter Brigham sentenced Searle to life in prison, followed by two concurrent fifteen-year sentences and a five-year concurrent sentence.

On the night of December 11, 2024, Corporal Harrington of the Belleview Police Department responded to a burglary in progress at Shepherd’s Lighthouse, where several victims were residing. Upon arriving at the establishment, Cpl. Harrington noticed the front door ajar, but before he could investigate further, the law enforcement officer heard yelling from an individual across the street at a residence.

Approaching the front of the residence, Cpl. Harrington observed the front door of the home had been kicked in. The individual, later identified as a victim, stated that while they were inside with their spouse and infant child, the front door of their residence was kicked in. The victim stated they armed themselves with a firearm and pointed it at the suspect as he started coming through the threshold of the door.

While speaking with the victims, Cpl. Harrington learned that the suspect had also kicked in the front door to the next-door neighbor’s house, causing another victim to flee out the back door of the home to safety. The suspect in all three incidents was described as a white male, wearing a black hoodie.

Responding Marion County Sheriff’s Deputy Michaelides was patrolling the area when the deputy observed a subject matching the suspect’s description running towards a nearby McDonald’s. As the deputy tried to stop the individual, later identified as Searle, the defendant ran up to an occupied vehicle in the drive-through. He opened the passenger door, where a victim was seated, and struck her with his elbow. Searle was taken into custody.

After reviewing the security footage from Shepherd’s Lighthouse and confirming with eyewitnesses, Searle was positively identified as the burglar and arrested.

Assistant State Attorney James Moody successfully prosecuted this case.

Published on 10/30/2025.

(Marion County, FL) In the courtroom of the Honorable Judge Timothy McCourt, jurors found 44-year-old Howard Lee Whiteted III guilty on all counts:

• 4 counts of Capital Sexual Battery upon a Person Under 12 Years of Age
• 2 counts of Sexual Battery upon a Person 12-16 Years of Age
• Lewd and Lascivious Molestation of a Child, Victim less than 12 Years of Age
• Lewd and Lascivious Molestation of a Child, Victim Twelve or older but less than 16 Years of Age
• 2 counts of Lewd and Lascivious Conduct/Touch
• False Imprisonment

Following Whiteted’s conviction, Judge McCourt sentenced him to 11 consecutive life sentences. 

Whiteted was arrested in December of 2022 following a Marion County Sheriff’s Office investigation after a 14-year-old victim told a trusted adult about the sexual battery that Whiteted committed the night prior. The complainant contacted authorities to report the crime., The victim was eventually interviewed and recounted crucial details of the sexual abuse committed by Whiteted. The victim further informed officials that the defendant blocked the victim from leaving the bedroom multiple times. Major Crimes Detective Hartigan conducted an investigation into the allegations, finding probable cause to arrest the defendant.

After the initial investigation involving victim one, it was learned that a second victim, age 13, disclosed they too had been inappropriately touched by the defendant on multiple occasions, with the earliest reported occurrence being when the victim was only 10 years old. Victim two also informed detectives that despite trying to escape from Whiteted, he refused to let them leave and even made threats to continue harming the victim. The defendant was questioned about the allegations made by this second victim and was subsequently rearrested.

Officials then made contact with a third child victim who came forth after hearing of Whiteted’s arrest, who advised of numerous incidents of sexual abuse committed by the defendant.  Detectives launched a thorough investigation into this case, which revealed Whiteted had been abusing the victim since the victim was 4 years old. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Whiteted for sexual battery.

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Shanae Pickens.

Published on 10/28/2025.

(Lake County, FL) On Friday, October 17, 2025, a jury rendered its verdict, finding 32-year-old Darion Dontae McGee, of Leesburg, guilty of First-Degree Murder for the death of 38-year-old Mustafa Hasan Connelly. McGee faces a mandatory life sentence on his conviction.

On December 17, 2021, deputies with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded to a vacant lot off Veech Road in Leesburg, FL, in reference to a caller advising a person had been shot and set on fire. The caller advised they had heard gunshots in the area earlier that day.

When law enforcement arrived on scene, they observed an unidentified male lying face down, lifeless, and ablaze outside the passenger side of a vehicle. Once the fire was extinguished, officials set up a crime scene perimeter. After running the license plate on the vehicle, authorities were able to determine the registered owner, who subsequently identified the victim as Mustafa Connelly.

The victim had apparent gunshot wounds to his back, and several shell casings were located near the rear passenger side of the vehicle. Aside from the spent shell casings, several other items were collected from the scene as evidence, including a latent print that was lifted from the vehicle.

After speaking with several witnesses, including family members of the victim, it was determined that the victim had been messaging with an individual, later identified as McGee, earlier in the day and was planning to meet up. Detective Mercer, who was assigned the case, then secured a warrant for McGee’s phone records, which placed the defendant at the incident location earlier that day. Records also revealed a conversation between the two indicating McGee requested a face-to-face meeting with the victim.

The latent examination and comparison of the print lifted from the vehicle the victim was in matched that of the defendant. A warrant was subsequently issued for McGee’s arrest.

The successful prosecution of this case was a result of the diligent efforts of Assistant State Attorneys Thomas Wieczorek and Nicholas Camuccio.

Published on 10/20/2025.