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(Citrus County, FL) Last week, in the courtroom of Judge Joel D. Fritton, jurors found 25-year-old Jason Michael Brandley, of Inverness, guilty of Sexual Battery and False Imprisonment. Brandley was taken into custody to await his sentencing hearing at a later date.

Brandley was arrested in December of 2024 following a Citrus County Sheriff’s Office investigation after the victim reported the crime to law enforcement. 

The victim stated that on November 9, 2024, just shortly before noon, the defendant forced the victim to engage in sexual intercourse against the victim’s will. The victim had originally agreed to meet with Brandley, who is known to the victim. The victim entered the passenger side of Brandley’s truck and began talking when the defendant proceeded to drive down a remote trail.

While driving in the woods, Brandley expressed his intention to have sex with the victim, who repeatedly stated that they did not wish to engage in sexual activity with the defendant.  After multiple refusals, Brandley became aggressive and eventually stopped the truck before forcing himself on the victim.

After collecting the victim’s statement, CCSO’s Special Victims Unit Detective Ryan Reeder asked the victim to conduct a controlled phone call with the defendant. During the call, Brandley made multiple admissions consistent with the victim’s account of events. An arrest warrant was issued for the defendant.

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Lisa Yeager and Kaitlyn Mannis.

Published on 09/29/2025.

(Sumter County, FL) Today, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Bill Gladson, alongside Florida Gaming Control Commission Director Carl Herold, announced the shutdown of a major illegal gambling operation that exploited seniors and laundered millions of dollars through fraudulent business activity. The investigation brought forth formal charges against three key defendants.

The investigation began in February 2025 after multiple complaints were made about IL Villagio Senior Entertainment Center in Lady Lake. Citizens described the facility as a “local version of the Hard Rock Casino.” Undercover agents with the Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) later confirmed the business was operating as an illegal gambling house with slot-style machines, not licensed games of skill, as county records had indicated.

On July 15, 2025, a search warrant was executed at the establishment, resulting in the seizure of 190 slot machines and $348,221 in cash. A second search at a Marion County warehouse uncovered additional machines.

The investigation revealed that between January 2023 and July 2025, more than $24 million flowed through accounts connected to the illegal enterprise. Much of the money was funneled through shell companies, wire transfers, and overseas accounts. Nearly $3 million went directly into the personal account of the business’s CEO, 44-year-old Rima Ray, of St. Augustine, who reported less than $20,000 annually in income.

Ray was arrested on July 21, 2025, in St. Johns County on money laundering charges. She is now formally charged with:

• RICO (Life Felony)

• Three counts of Money Laundering (First-Degree Felony)

• Keeping a Gambling House (Third-Degree Felony)

• Possession of Slot Machines

Business manager 69-year-old Terrance Morgan, of Ocala, and assistant manager 67-year-old Barbara Buzzard, of Summerfield, were arrested on September 18, 2025, and face the same charges.

“This was a lucrative and highly illegal operation that targeted some of the most vulnerable members of our community—our seniors,” said State Attorney Bill Gladson. “Illegal gambling houses are not harmless entertainment. They open the door to exploitation, financial crimes, and other serious criminal activity.”

The case was a collaborative effort involving the Florida Gaming Control Commission, the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Division of Financial Services, and the Office of Statewide Prosecution.

Published on 09/26/2025.

(Lake County, FL) In the courtroom of Judge Heidi Davis, jurors found 48-year-old Jerry Lynn Adams guilty of Sexual Battery Upon a Child Less Than Twelve Years of Age and Lewd or Lascivious Molestation of a Child Less Than Twelve Years of Age. Adams faces Life in prison as a mandatory sentence. His sentencing hearing will be set at a later date so a presentence investigation can be conducted.

Adams was arrested in August of 2023 following a Tavares Police Department investigation after a complainant reported that a minor child had been sexually abused. Deputies then learned that the abuse took place at a residence in Altoona and called in the Lake County Sheriff’s Office to assist.

Deputy Honore responded to the Tavares Police Department, where he met with the complainant, who advised that a child was molested by Jerry Adams, the defendant. The complainant stated the child had confided in another child, who then told an adult, and that adult informed the complainant.

Officials spoke with the child, who advised that the defendant had sexually battered them approximately a year ago. The child relayed crucial details to deputies and further stated that Adams had molested them on another occasion.

Detectives launched a thorough investigation and conducted a controlled phone call to Adams, who admitted to touching the then 10-year-old victim inappropriately. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Adams for sexual battery.  

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Shannon Schlarf and Tyler Duffy.  

Published on 09/24/2025.

(Hernando County, FL) Last week, 78-year-old Frank Joseph Michali was sentenced to Life in Prison on three counts of Lewd or Lascivious Molestation of a Child Under 12 and three counts of Lewd or Lascivious Molestation of a Child 12 but less than 16. Michali was found guilty by a jury during his trial earlier this year, on June 17, 2025.

Back in September of 2022, it was reported to Hernando County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) officials that Michali had sexually battered a 14-year-old child over the span of 7 years. Officials received a call from out of state reporting this information, where the caller advised the victim disclosed to them that Michali was abusing them.

The victim was subsequently interviewed and disclosed to law enforcement numerous instances of abuse committed by Michali, starting when the victim was as young as seven years old. The victim further indicated that Michali committed additional similar offenses while visiting another state.

HCSO deputies then questioned Michali regarding the allegations. The defendant denied any inappropriate touching of the child. Based upon the victim’s statement, as well as corroborating statements made by another witness in the case, Michali was arrested and charged.

Thanks to the diligent efforts of the detectives from the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, Assistant State Attorneys Kasey Whitson and Lisa Yeager were able to successfully prosecute this case.

Published on 09/22/2025.

(Marion County, FL) Today, jurors delivered their verdict in the 2023 murder case of 59-year-old Timothy Smith.  After listening to a week’s worth of witness testimony and reviewing captivating evidence, jurors found 57-year-old Herbert Swilley guilty of Premeditated First-Degree Murder. Swilley, who was previously indicted in the case back in November of 2023, was sentenced to Life in Prison.

On March 25, 2023, Swilley called the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, stating he was unable to reach his husband, Timothy Smith. After deputies arrived at the couple’s shared apartment, they gained access to the apartment with a key provided by the landlord, where they located Timothy lying on a bedroom floor, deceased. 

Officials observed obvious signs of trauma to the victim’s face and neck. The victim appeared to have ligature marks around his neck. The medical examiner’s office responded to the scene. While moving the decedent’s body, examiners noticed a prevalent odor of a cleaning chemical similar to bleach. As deputies continued to walk through the apartment, they observed various items throughout the residence, some of which were collected for DNA processing.  

Deputies then exited the apartment and spoke with the defendant, who was informed that the victim was deceased. Swilley, not appearing distraught after receiving the news, told law enforcement he last saw the defendant alive two nights before at their primary residence after having watched television together. Swilley said they went to bed, then he woke up early the next morning and went to the gym. When he returned home, the victim wasn’t home, and he assumed the victim was gone for work. Swilley said he realized the victim was missing when the victim didn’t show up to work, and he found the victim’s truck at their shared apartment, but did not have a key to enter.

Major Crimes detectives arrived on scene to investigate the victim’s murder. While speaking with the defendant and other witnesses, they noted inconsistencies with the defendant’s statements to law enforcement, as well as others, leading up to the day the victim was found. Detectives further learned the victim had a substantial amount of Diphenhydramine in his system, over 30 times the appropriate dose.

Authorities obtained surveillance footage and electronic data from numerous sources, which corroborated a series of events showing the defendant leaving from the primary residence in the early morning hours on March 24th, driving his truck to the apartment, presumably dumping the victim’s body inside, before returning to their primary residence. Swilley then proceeded to get into the victim’s jeep, drive it over to the apartment to park, before walking back to their home.

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Richard Buxman and Amy Berndt. We are grateful to our law enforcement partners, especially Sgt. Pinder and forensic professionals whose dedication, expertise, and teamwork were essential in ensuring the successful prosecution of this case.

Published on 09/19/2025.

(Marion County, FL) On September 17, 2025, Cody Allen McGuigan, age 40, was found guilty of Trafficking Fentanyl over 14 Grams, Trafficking Methamphetamine 200 Grams or More, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Unlawful Use of a Two-way Communication Device. McGuigan has been remanded into custody to await his sentencing hearing after a presentence investigation is completed. McGuigan faces a 20-year minimum-mandatory sentence for his crimes.

In February 2024, agents of the Marion County Unified Drug Enforcement Task Force (UDEST) were conducting an investigation of suspected drug trafficking in the Citra area of Marion County. The investigation included the use of court-authorized interceptions, commonly referred to as wiretaps, of a phone used by a suspected drug supplier operating in the Citra area of Marion County. On February 13, 2024, agents intercepted communications indicating that Cody McGuigan was arranging to make a large purchase of narcotics from the drug supplier.

During surveillance, agents observed a vehicle traveling towards the suspected drug supplier’s residence and then leaving shortly after midnight. A UDEST agent notified patrol officers in the area to be on the lookout for the vehicle. Shortly after midnight, Marion County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Bosnyak observed the vehicle and ran the license plate, finding that the registered owner had a suspended license. Deputy Bosnyak then conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and, when contact was made with the driver, noticed the smell of marijuana emitting from inside the vehicle.

Law enforcement then searched the vehicle, which revealed a cereal box on the floor of the rear passenger seat where the defendant, Cody McGuigan, was sitting, and a tan purse to the left of where he was sitting. Multiple plastic bags of methamphetamine and fentanyl were found in the cereal box, and plastic bags containing fentanyl and cocaine were found in the purse.

Over 300 grams of methamphetamine and over 15 grams of fentanyl were collected.

Assistant State Attorney Samuel Armstrong, assisted by Paralegal Kimberly Lane, successfully prosecuted the case.

Published on 09/19/2025.

(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.

(Lake County, FL) Yesterday, Judge Brian Welke sentenced 44-year-old Michael Allen Reams, a registered Sexual Predator and Habitual Felony Offender, to Life in prison. The defendant was found guilty on a slew of illicit drug charges by a jury back in June of this year.

Reams was convicted 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. 

Back in August of 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 09/16/2025.

(Marion County, FL) On Friday, September 12, 2025, in the courtroom of Judge Timothy McCourt, a jury found 57-year-old Robert Leroy Connor II guilty of Robbery with a Weapon, two counts of False Imprisonment While Armed, and Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle. Connor remains in custody to await his sentencing hearing, pending a presentencing investigation. He faces a 30-year minimum mandatory sentence on his conviction.

The robbery occurred on June 12, 2023, at a residence in the Villages, Florida. The suspect, later identified as 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 then 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. It was at this time that 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 09/15/2025.

(Sumter County, FL) Today, 24-year-old Jasmine Daebreon Grover was sentenced by Judge Mary P. Hatcher to 29.5 years in the Florida Department of Corrections, followed by one year of probation for her DUI manslaughter case.

Earlier this year, a jury found Grover guilty of Driving Under the Influence Manslaughter following a fatal vehicle incident that took the life of 21-year-old Alexes Olivia Matthews. Grover was also convicted of Driving Under the Influence with Serious Bodily Injury, Driving Under the Influence Causing Injury, Driving Under the Influence with Property Damage, and Possession of Cannabis.

Back on February 9, 2020, Grover, who was 19 years old at the time, was driving a vehicle with three other passengers, including the victim.  Grover was under the influence at the time and lost control of the vehicle while driving on County Road 476 in Sumter. She veered off the road and onto the shoulder. In an attempt to regain control, Grover overcorrected, causing the vehicle to cross back over the road to the opposite shoulder. Ultimately, the vehicle left the roadway completely and crashed into a tree. The impact of the crash not only ejected the victim but also caused the vehicle to roll on top of her, resulting in her death. 

Florida Highway Patrol conducted a thorough traffic homicide investigation, revealing that Grover was the individual behind the wheel at the time of the crash, according to the two surviving occupants. Additionally, first responders on scene indicated that Grover had bloodshot watery eyes, dilated pupils, slurred speech, and a very thick tongue – all consistent indicators she was under the influence. A substantial amount of cannabis was recovered from Grover’s waistband at the time of the accident.

A blood draw conducted on Grover revealed large quantities of both Cannabis and Etizolam, a controlled substance, in her system at the time of the deadly crash. This evidence, along with testimony from witnesses, members of the Florida Highway Patrol, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Medical Examiner’s Office, and other fellow medical professionals, were presented during the trial.

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Joseph Church and Sonny McCathran.

Published on 09/04/2025.