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(Marion County, FL) Last week, in the courtroom of Judge Timothy McCourt, jurors found 40-year-old Daniel Martinez Jr. guilty on all seven charges. Martinez was charged with three counts of Capital Sexual Battery upon person Under Twelve Years of Age and four counts of Lewd or Lascivious Molestation.

After being convicted, Judge McCourt sentenced Martinez to seven consecutive Life sentences in the Florida Department of Corrections.   

“This defendant committed horrific crimes against two innocent children. The depravity of his actions is beyond measure, and this sentence reflects the severity of his crimes. He will spend the rest of his life behind bars,” said Bill Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney. “We hope this provides some closure for the victims and their family, helping them find the strength to heal.”

Martinez was arrested in March of 2024 following a Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) investigation after a school resource officer had been contacted by the Department of Children and Families in reference to allegations of sexual abuse of two juvenile victims.

DCF officials indicated that the complainant had informed them that Martinez had abused the two victims over the past three and a half years. Forensic interviews at Kimberly’s Center were scheduled and during the interviews, the victims detailed several incidents of sexual abuse committed by Martinez. Based on the evidence collected and the victims’ statements, an arrest warrant was issued, and he was taken into custody shortly after.

Assistant State Attorney Shanae Pickens successfully prosecuted this case.

Published on 03/03/2025.

(Lake County, FL) In the courtroom of Judge James R. Baxley, 22-year-old Jephson Seguin pleaded guilty to charges related to his 2023 arrest. Seguin was convicted of Attempted Sexual Battery with Force Likely to Cause Injury while Wearing a Mask, Attempted First-Degree Murder of a Law Enforcement Officer with a Weapon While Wearing a Mask, and Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Law Enforcement.

“The sense of security taken from this victim by this defendant and the crimes he committed after that are deserving of this fifteen-year sentence,” commented Walter Forgie, Chief Assistant State Attorney.

Seguin was arrested in June of 2023 following a Eustis Police Department (EPD) investigation after law enforcement was contacted in reference to an attempted sexual battery that just occurred. Dispatch advised officers that a male wearing a grey, black, and white hoodie had just battered the victim while they were walking on Morningview Drive in Eustis, FL.

The victim indicated to officers that while walking, an unknown man came up from behind, grabbing and groping them before throwing them down to the ground. The victim further stated after yelling for the defendant to let go, the defendant, who was wearing a surgical mask over his face, took off running. A few moments later the victim stated gunshots were fired.  

While officers were responding to the attack, they noticed a man in a black truck nearby who appeared to be hiding. He was wearing a hoodie and surgical mask matching the suspect’s description. When law enforcement tried to approach him, he fled and attempted to run over an officer, who fired at the truck. Home surveillance footage showed the suspect running from the attack location to where his vehicle was parked nearby.

Officers identified the owner of a black truck, who confirmed that Seguin was in possession of it. An arrest warrant for Seguin was issued, and he was found two days later with a bullet wound. He was hospitalized and admitted to being in the driver’s seat when shot. His truck was located at his grandmother’s house, where his DNA was found, matching evidence of the shooting. A surgical mask similar to one described by the victim and officers was also found next to the driver’s seat.

Seguin was sentenced to 15 years in prison, followed by an additional 15 years of sex offender probation, and has been designated as a sexual predator. Assistant State Attorney Thomas Wieczorek successfully prosecuted this case.

Published on 02/27/2025.

(Hernando County, FL) On February 20, 2025, 34-year-old Robert Joseph McGuire Jr. pleaded guilty to two felony counts of Sexual Battery Upon Person 12 to 18 Years of Age Involving Threat of Retaliation.

After his plea, McGuire was sentenced to just shy of eighteen and a half years in the Florida Department of Corrections, is designated as a Sexual Predator, and will be required to complete ten years of sex offender probation upon his release.

“The cruel actions and intent behind this defendant’s crimes are repulsive,” said Walter Forgie, Chief Assistant State Attorney. “Despite being victimized and threatened, this courageous young victim spoke up and sought help; ensuring McGuire would eventually be held accountable.”

Back in October of 2021, deputies with the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) were made aware of a previous sexual offense involving the defendant and a 13-year-old victim. The complainant stated that the victim had been extremely quiet the past few days before informing the trusted adult that McGuire had sexually battered them.

Officials made contact with the juvenile victim, who indicated that McGuire had sexually battered them. The victim further provided crucial details of the crime, informing deputies that McGuire stated he would kill the victim if they told anyone and also forced the victim to take a morning-after pill, commonly referred to as ‘Plan B’. 

Evidence was collected from the scene and later examined. During the forensics examination, DNA evidence was located and compared to McGuire’s DNA with the result returning a match.  Additionally, McGuire’s GPS monitor that he wore for probation revealed his location at a CVS pharmacy around the incident date. At the store, law enforcement officers collected video footage of the defendant purchasing the Plan B pill.

Detectives responded to the Hernando County Detention Center to interview McGuire who was in custody for an unrelated Violation of Probation charge. The defendant denied all allegations.

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Lisa Yeager and Kasey Whitson.

Published on 02/26/2025.

(Citrus County, FL) Yesterday, 30-year-old Connor James Vidair was found guilty by a jury of all drug trafficking and drug-related charges related to his 2024 arrest. After hearing testimony from numerous expert witnesses presented by prosecutors, along with compelling latent-print evidence, within an hour jurors reached their verdict. Judge Joel D. Fritton sentenced Vidair to 15 years in the Florida Department of Corrections.

Vidair was convicted of Trafficking in Cocaine, Possession of a Firearm by a convicted Felon, Possession of a Short-Barrelled Rifle, Possession of a Place to Manufacture, Sell or Deliver Cannabis, Possession of Cannabis over 20 grams, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

“The defendant not only trafficked dangerous drugs in our community but did so while armed as a convicted felon,” stated Walter Forgie, Chief Assistant State Attorney. “The jury carefully examined all the evidence presented, including photographs, statements, and fingerprint evidence, and determined that the defendant was guilty of these crimes and must be held accountable.”

Back in March of 2024, Vidair was arrested by detectives with the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office. Detectives from CCSO’s Tactical Impact Unit (TIU) executed a search warrant at a residence off of North Cherry Lake Drive, in Citrus Springs, FL. Officials were aware of ongoing narcotics sales at the residence and conducted an investigation that led to the execution of the narcotics search warrant.

Upon arrival at the residence, TIU detectives made contact with the sole home occupant and homeowner, the defendant. After securing Vidair, detectives proceeded with the execution of the search warrant. Law enforcement located trafficking amounts of cocaine, large amounts of cannabis, cannabis wax, and edibles.

Continuing their search, law enforcement discovered a sawed-off shotgun, a handgun, and what appeared to be a small lab for the production of illegal controlled substances. Throughout the house, deputies also found a large amount of cash, scales, vacuum bags, a currency counter, and a potency tester, along with various other items of drug paraphernalia, all indicating that Vidair had a thriving drug enterprise operating from his home.

Vidair denied ownership of the illegal items collected but did state to authorities that he lived alone in the home before requesting an attorney. 

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Patsey Jacobs and Tara Hartman.

Published on 02/19/2025.

(Marion County, FL) After a jury trial this week with irrefutable body-worn camera footage, 30-year-old Devin Jacquan Jackson was found guilty of Felony Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer related to his 2023 arrest at a local bar in downtown Ocala, FL.

“The defendant couldn’t negate the video footage presented in this case. Fortunately for us, once the jurors saw this evidence, they knew their only verdict was guilty,” said Walter Forgie, Chief Assistant State Attorney.

The case against Jackson stems from the events of November 4, 2023, when he intentionally shoved an Ocala Police Department (OPD) officer after being escorted out of an establishment for his disorderly conduct.

Shortly before the battery occurred, the OPD officer was escorting Jackson out of the bar due to the defendant causing a disturbance on the second floor and displaying aggressive behavior towards patrons. As the officer was ushering the defendant from the second floor, leading outside to the sidewalk area, an unknown liquid was tossed from the second-floor balcony, landing on the ground beside Jackson.

At that time, Jackson became irate, turning around and attempting to proceed back into the establishment. During this effort, the OPD officer attempted to prevent the defendant from reentering the business. Upon doing so, Jackson pushed and shoved the officer as he was making his way back to the bar’s entrance. He was placed under arrest.

Jackson was sentenced with credit for time served and 5 years of probation, along with alcohol and substance abuse treatment, 300 hours of community service, and additional court fines. 

Assistant State Attorney Meredith Poisson successfully prosecuted this case.

Published on 02/13/2025.

(Lake County, FL) Today, 41-year-old Marvin Ellison Jr. was found guilty of First-degree Murder by jurors after trial for his involvement in the 2022 death of 31-year-old Antwain Jamar Hart. After his conviction, Judge James R. Baxley sentenced Ellison to Life in the Florida Department of Corrections.

Ellison’s conviction comes just a week after his co-defendant Undray Benson’s trial. Benson was found guilty of First-degree Murder and sentenced to Life. Another co-defendant in this case, Deandre Anderson, pleaded guilty to Principal to Murder in the Second-degree with a Firearm this past Monday, January 27^th, and was sentenced to 35 years in prison.

“The prosecution of these three defendants and the court’s sentences make it clear that murderers will be held accountable to the greatest extent possible,” said Walter Forgie, Chief Assistant State Attorney. “Our office hopes these substantial sentences will bring closure to an exceptionally tragic chapter for the victim’s family.”

On November 8, 2022, Umatilla Police Department officers responded to a shooting on Merrell Avenue, where the victim, Antwain, was found shot multiple times in his mother’s front yard. Witnesses reported a white Mercedes near the scene, and shell casings and the victim’s phone were found there. His rental vehicle was later abandoned at a nearby church.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the investigation, obtaining surveillance footage of a rented 2015-2017 Mercedes Benz CLS linked to Ellison, which was near the incident site. Phone records showed a route consistent with both the crime scene and the victim’s vehicle.

Additional footage also showed three individuals unloading the Mercedes at an apartment leased by a family member of co-defendant Benson, tied to “Dray’s Spot Detailing.” Co-defendant Deandre Anderson was identified as helping with the unloading, and the vehicle was later picked up by his girlfriend’s Chevrolet Impala.

A search of the apartment revealed illegal drugs and a 9mm handgun that matched the murder weapon. The evidence indicated that the three suspects had collaborated to murder the victim during a robbery linked to illegal narcotics.

Assistant State Attorneys Gabriel Lozano and Nicholas Camuccio successfully prosecuted this case.

Published on 01/30/2025.

(Citrus County, FL) Last week, in the courtroom of Judge Joel D. Fritton, 41-year-old Heather Lynne Duarte-Wright was found guilty of Trafficking in Fentanyl and Possession of Paraphernalia. With this conviction, two-time convicted felon Duarte-Wright faces the possibility of Life behind bars as a Habitual Felony Offender.  

“It only takes two milligrams of Fentanyl to kill a person,” said Walter Forgie, Chief Assistant State Attorney. “And here this defendant was, riding on the back of a scooter, with a pouch of enough Fentanyl to take out a fraction of the county’s entire population.”

On August 10, 2023, a Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) deputy conducted a traffic stop on a motor scooter that did not have a license plate attached. Once stopped both the driver of the scooter and the passenger, later identified as Duarte-Wright, were asked to step off. Upon the defendant stepping off the scooter, the law enforcement officer noticed a black zippered pouch sticking halfway from under the bottom of her shirt.

When questioned as to what the item was, Duarte-Wright admitted to the officer that it was paraphernalia and a little bit of Fentanyl. At that time, the CCSO deputy removed the black pouch from the defendant’s person while securing Duarte-Wright. Inside the zippered pouch, a clear plastic baggy containing a white substance and hypodermic needles were located.

The white substance was then field tested and yielded positive results for Fentanyl, weighing approximately 20 grams. Additional testing by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement confirmed the presence of Fentanyl.

Assistant State Attorneys Patsey Jacobs and Elizabeth Colombrito successfully prosecuted this case.

Published on 01/27/2025.

(Lake County, FL) Yesterday, 53-year-old Undray Benson was found guilty of First-degree Murder during a bench trial in the 2022 death of 31-year-old Antwain Jamar Hart. After his conviction, Judge James R. Baxley sentenced Benson to Life in prison as mandated by Florida law.

“The actions of this defendant were calculated, deliberate, and devoid of remorse,” said Walter Forgie, Chief Assistant State Attorney. “Justice demands accountability for such actions.”

On November 8, 2022, law enforcement officers with the Umatilla Police Department responded to a shooting on Merrell Ave., where the victim, Antwain, was found shot multiple times in his mother’s front yard. Witnesses reported seeing an unknown white Mercedes near the scene. Shell casings and the victim’s phone were found at the site, and the victim’s rental vehicle was later discovered abandoned at a nearby church.

Officials from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office were called in to assist with the investigation. During which, detectives were able to obtain surveillance footage that revealed a rented 2015-2017 Mercedes Benz CLS, linked to Marvin Ellison, later identified as a co-defendant, in proximity to the incident and the location of the abandoned vehicle. Phone records indicated a route consistent with the crime scene and the victim’s vehicle’s location.

Additional surveillance captured three individuals unloading the white Mercedes into an apartment leased by a family member of defendant Benson, associated with “Dray’s Spot Detailing.” The third co-defendant, Deandre Anderson, was identified through surveillance footage unloading the Mercedes, later picked up by a Chevrolet Impala registered to his girlfriend.

A search warrant conducted at the apartment yielded illegal drugs and a 9mm handgun, which matched the weapon used to kill Hart. The evidence suggested a collaborative effort by the three suspects to murder the victim during a robbery, likely motivated by the presence of illegal narcotics in the victim’s vehicle.

Both co-defendants Deandre Anderson and Marvin Ellison are set to stand trial next week.

Assistant State Attorneys Gabriel Lozano and Nicholas Camuccio successfully prosecuted this case.

Published on 01/24/2025.

(Marion County, FL) Yesterday, in the courtroom of Judge Barbara Kissner-Kwatkosky, 40-year-old Jerrell Lamont Smith was found guilty on all charges related to his 2023 arrest. Smith was convicted of three counts of Lewd or Lascivious Molestation of a Victim less than 12 years of age, one count of Lewd or Lascivious Molestation of a Victim 12 years of age or older but less than 16 years of age, and one count of Lewd or Lascivious Exhibition.   

“Coming forward as a victim of sexual abuse takes enormous courage,” said Walter Forgie, Chief Assistant State Attorney. “Our office is grateful to the brave victim for stepping up to stop their abuser.  We also extend our gratitude to Detective Drake for arresting this defendant and ensuring he faces the fullest extent of the law.”

In March of 2023, a victim came forward to the Ocala Police Department (OPD) about the abuse caused by Smith.  The victim indicated from the time they were 10 years old, up until the time they were 15 years of age, Smith would sexually abuse them. The victim recounted numerous instances where the abuse occurred and gave in-depth details of the lascivious acts.

Detective Denise Drake of the OPD’s Major Crimes Unit was assigned the case for further investigation. After reviewing the victim’s testimony, sufficient probable cause was established for Smith’s arrest.  Once in custody, Smith declined to speak with law enforcement and requested his attorney.

Assistant State Attorneys Katrina Self and Samantha Wahba successfully prosecuted this case.

Published on 1/23/2025.