(Sumter County, FL) Today, 63-year-old Ronnie James Brown was sentenced to Life in prison for the 2019 murder of 68-year-old Jenetta Floyd. Last week, jurors delivered their verdict, finding Brown guilty of Second-Degree Murder. Brown was also adjudicated guilty on additional charges in the case, including Grand Theft and Battery.

Back on September 14, 2019, the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) responded to a call for service in reference to an unresponsive female at a residence off County Road 223 in Oxford, FL. Upon arrival, deputies located the victim, Jenetta Floyd, inside with apparent homicidal wounds. Authorities observed a shattered lamp lying next to the victim’s body, which appeared to have been used during the attack on the victim.  Floyd was pronounced dead at the scene.

Officials took statements from neighbors, along with the defendant, who were at the home when the victim’s body was found. During their investigation, officials noticed that Brown’s initial statement and subsequent statements to law enforcement were constantly changing. At first, Brown stated the victim had given him a ride earlier that day, and after running some errands in her vehicle, he returned to mow his lawn. When she didn’t come out to talk with him as usual, he entered the residence through an open sliding door in the back of the home, where he found the victim unresponsive inside.  

Detectives noticed the lawn at the defendant’s home did not appear to be recently mowed as originally indicated. Upon further questioning, Brown continued to give inconsistent accounts with his original statement to law enforcement. Officials subsequently collected the clothing and shoes worn by Brown.  DNA evidence was then compared from the victim and the crime scene. Three particularly incriminating pieces of evidence were Brown’s fingerprint on the lamp used during the attack on the victim, his DNA on the victim, and the victim’s DNA on his person – including the victim’s blood on his shoelaces.

Our office would like to recognize SCSO Sergeant Brent Sargent and Crime Scene/ Evidence Lieutenant Joel Mullins for their exceptional work during the investigation of this case.

 This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Blake Shore and Stephen Fern.

Published on 09/17/2025.