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(Citrus County, FL) In a recent case handled by the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office, 32-year-old Tyler David Cote was sentenced to 20 years in the Florida Department of Corrections (FDOC) after pleading guilty to two counts of Trafficking Fentanyl, two counts of Possession of Alprazolam, Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer, Resist Law Enforcement Officer with Violence, Possess Place for Sale of Controlled Substance, and two counts Possession of Paraphernalia.  

Just a few weeks prior, co-defendant 30-year-old Courtney Mackenzie Hall pleaded guilty to three counts of Trafficking Fentanyl, three counts of Possession of Alprazolam, two counts of Resist Law Enforcement Officer without Violence, Possess Place for Sale of a Controlled Substance, and two counts of Possession of Paraphernalia. Hall was also sentenced to 20 years in the FDOC.

“The defendants in this case will have twenty years to reflect on their actions,” said William “Bill” Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney. “Drug use and drug trafficking are not victimless crimes, they pose a significant threat to our communities, affecting the wellbeing of our citizens by fueling addiction.”

On June 30, 2023, deputies with the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call for service in which two unresponsive adults were inside a parked vehicle located in the Homosassa Walmart parking. Upon arrival, the deputies located a male in the driver’s seat and a female in the passenger’s seat, both later identified as Cote and Hall. Also observed inside the vehicle were one small child and an infant.

CCSO officials attempted to gain the attention of Cote and Hall by knocking on the windows and eventually banging on the vehicle doors. After both defendants failed to wake, the deputies opened the driver’s door, which was unsecured. Deputies were then able to physically wake both defendants, who were asked to exit the vehicle.

Upon Cote exiting the vehicle, authorities noticed a small pouch worn by the defendant, which was opened and appeared to contain a small clear plastic baggie containing a white substance. Believing this to possibly be illegal narcotics, a CCSO deputy gave Cote a verbal command to remove the bag and hand it to officials. Cote refused and began to kick at officers while attempting to flee on foot.

Deputies subsequently secured Cote in handcuffs and detained him in a patrol unit for the remainder of the investigation. When the contents of the pouch were emptied, authorities located multiple pills and cut straws, along with the clear baggie of the white substance. A field test of the substance determined it to be Fentanyl.

Hall, who was later questioned by deputies showed obvious signs of impairment consistent with the use of Fentanyl. Both Cote and Hall had a similar white powdery substance around their nose, which was swabbed and tested positive for the presence of Fentanyl.

Surveillance footage from the business showed the vehicle parking approximately an hour prior, with both Hall and Cote remaining inside the car. A witness on scene also provided a statement, indicating both defendants inside the vehicle were unresponsive, with the two children inside crying. Cote and Hall were arrested for various drug possession charges, as well as child neglect.

Officials were able to secure a search warrant for the residence of Cote and Hall. During the execution of the lawful search warrant at the defendant’s home on South Allice Point in Homosassa, officials located nearly 29 grams of a white powdery substance that tested positive for Fentanyl.

Cote and Hall were interviewed while still in custody at the Citrus County Detention Center for their earlier arrest. Both defendants admitted post-Miranda to selling the illicit narcotic and were additionally charged with trafficking the drug, possession of drug paraphernalia, and rent/lease/own a structure or conveyance for the purpose of trafficking a controlled substance. 

The successful prosecution of this case was a result of the diligent work of Assistant State Attorneys Patsey Jacobs and Tara Hartman.

Published on 6/4/2024.

(Marion County, FL) Today, following a thorough trial where the prosecution team presented substantial evidence during a significant case against the defendant, a jury found 38-year-old Brandon Allen Elledge guilty on three Felony counts of Possession of Child Pornography.

“Individuals who actively search for this kind of content must face the consequences of their actions,” said Bill Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney. “Our office is committed to stopping the dissemination of such abhorrent material by holding these offenders accountable to the highest degree.”

On February 22, 2022, deputies with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) executed a search warrant for the home Elledge was residing in, due to the distribution of child sexual abuse material using an account registered to Elledge. Officials were able to obtain the warrant after receiving a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that an account was uploading illicit material involving minor children.

During the execution of the search warrant, Elledge stated he had resided at the home for several years. When questioned about what electronic devices would be located inside the residence, Elledge told law enforcement of a laptop located in his workshop on the property, as well as a communal desktop computer within the residence and two cell phones.

Post Miranda, detectives asked Elledge about the online account registered to him, which he acknowledged as his. He stated the account was shut down and he had received a notice indicating a violation of the account’s terms of usage.

When further questioned about his ownership of the account and if he had ever possessed files of child pornography, Elledge indicated he had.  He further explained he believed he had wiped all the files containing this material from his account online. Elledge was arrested on scene.

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Katrina Self and Elizabeth White.

Published on 05/30/2024,

(Marion County, FL) On Wednesday, May 22, 2024, after an extensive trial where the prosecution presented compelling evidence, a jury found 54-year-old Virginia Lee Hizer guilty of Aggravated Battery with a Firearm. The verdict comes after Hizer took the stand in her own defense for her 2022 arrest.

Back on July 8, 2022, Hizer and the victim had become engaged in a verbal argument. After consuming an entire bottle of wine earlier in the day, Virginia continued to ignite the argument with the victim. Eventually, Hizer entered a bedroom and retrieved a firearm from the dresser.

After retrieving the firearm, Hizer then proceeds to the living room where she continues to engage the victim in a verbal argument.  At that point, Hizer unzips the case the firearm is in, aims it at the victim who is wheelchair-bound, and fires the firearm. A bullet struck the victim in the leg before exiting and shattering a glass sliding door.

Realizing what had occurred, Hizer exited the home and fled in her vehicle. Deputies with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) responded to the home, the victim recounted to officials the events leading up to the shooting.

The next morning, while authorities were still on scene, Hizer passed by the home in her vehicle. Law enforcement deputies were able to identify her and take her into custody. When questioned, Hizer told detectives that she was unaware she shot the victim, stating the glass door shattering scared her so much she fled in her vehicle. Upon further questioning, Hizer denied ever pointing the firearm at the victim and claimed the firearm went off on accident.  MCSO deputies subsequently arrested Hizer for the shooting.

With this verdict, Hizer will face a minimum-mandatory sentence of 25 years.

“The defendant’s actions in this case were reckless and dangerous,” said Bill Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney. “The jurors found the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and I would like to thank them all for their civic service.”

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Marissa Meyer.

Published on 05/24/2024.

(Marion County, FL) On Wednesday, May 22, 2024, a jury found 63-year-old Leroy Garcin Harley guilty of Battery – Second Offense, and Witness Tampering. Harley’s charges come about from his 2023 arrest by Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies.  After the verdict was delivered, the Honorable Judge Eddy sentenced Harley to 55 months in prison.

“Battery and tampering with a witness are serious crimes,” said Bill Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney. “In this case, the defendant intended to keep the victim from getting help as he carried out his attack.”

Back in January of 2023, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office’s Communication Center received a phone call, where no caller answered the dispatcher, but call takers could hear an altercation occurring in the background before the call disconnected.

Authorities were able to locate the residence where the call originated from. When deputies arrived at the home, they made contact with the victim who advised of a verbal and physical altercation between themselves and their roommate. The victim stated Harley attacked them inside the residence after a verbal argument over the victim’s dog getting off a leash.

During the altercation, Harley grabbed the victim and threw them into a dining room table before proceeding to punch the victim in the face. After the attack, the victim attempted to call 9-1-1, at which point Harley hit the phone out of the victim’s hand and kicked it across the dining room floor. The victim was able to escape and lock themselves inside the bathroom of the home.

Post Miranda, Harley did confirm that he and the victim had gotten into a verbal argument over the victim’s dog. However, he denied ever touching or striking the victim or taking away their cell phone. While inside the home, officials were able to observe the dining room table pushed back, multiple smashed items, and a shoe impression on the bathroom door – all evidence corroborating the victim’s account of events.

Harley was arrested and transported to the Marion County Jail. Harley’s prior criminal history includes multiple robberies, armed burglary, and an aggravated assault.

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Kyle Lambert.

(Lake County, FL) Yesterday, 45-year-old Tyrone Terrell Warren was adjudicated guilty and sentenced to 30 years in the Florida Department of Corrections. Jurors found Warren guilty of Trafficking in Methamphetamine 28 grams or more, Trafficking in Phenethylamines 10 grams or more, Possession of Cocaine, and Possession of Cannabis less than 20 grams. Additionally, Warren openly pleaded guilty to the Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon charge.

“A convicted felon who repeatedly offends poses a significant danger to our community,” said Bill Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney. “The defendant in this case has shown deliberate disregard for our laws and for public safety.”

On April 28, 2021, detectives with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit Team, along with members of the Mid-Florida SWAT team executed a search warrant at a residence off Douglas Street in Leesburg.

Upon searching the home, officials located the defendant inside. Warren stated to officials that he resides in the bedroom of the home. While searching the inside of the room, authorities located various amounts of illicit narcotics, as well as narcotics paraphernalia consistent with the packaging and distribution for sale of the drugs.

While continuing their search of the room, detectives located a firearm inside one of the dressers. The firearm had an altered serial number, that was later determined to be stolen. After running a background check on Warren, law enforcement officials discovered he was a convicted felon as of 2009 and did not have his rights restored.  

Warren was arrested and booked into the Lake County Jail. At the time of his arrest, Warren was out on bond for another case where he was arrested for the possession of methamphetamine, possession of cannabis, and driving while under the influence.

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Kristalle Smoller.

Published on 05/2/2024.

(Marion County, FL) On Friday, May 17, 2024, in the courtroom of the Honorable Judge Brigham, a jury found 62-year-old Ronny Scott Cooper guilty of Carjacking at Gunpoint, an incident that concluded with his apprehension in Louisiana.

The carjacking occurred on March 17, 2019, at a Petro truck stop in Irvine. Cooper had previously asked multiple individuals at the gas station if they were heading to Lake City. When no one responded, he approached the victim, who was pumping gas, to ask if they were traveling there, to which the juvenile victim responded no.

Upon hearing this, Cooper then brandished what appeared to be a black pistol and demanded cash from the victim, along with the victim’s truck. The victim stated they had no cash, at which point Cooper then entered the victim’s vehicle and took off.  

Just two days later, an East Baton Rouge Louisiana Sheriff’s Office deputy located Cooper sitting near the vehicle, which was now wrecked and immobilized on a golf course. Cooper initially claimed he was a singer traveling from Las Vegas to Jacksonville and that the vehicle belonged to his girlfriend.

After running the vehicle’s tag, officials learned that the truck was stolen out of Marion County. Post Miranda, Cooper admitted to taking it from a woman at a gas station. An airsoft gun, which closely resembled a real firearm, was found in the vehicle.  Cooper was subsequently arrested.

“The courage of the victim to testify during trial and identify the defendant before the jury was ultimately the deciding factor for jurors in rendering their verdict,” said Bill Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney.

Cooper has a prior criminal history that includes convictions for grand theft of a motor vehicle and robbery with a gun or deadly weapon.

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

Published on 05/20/2024.

(Citrus County, FL) This past Wednesday, May 15, 2024, 55-year-old John Cleveland Downing Jr. was sentenced to 15 years in the Florida Department of Corrections.  Downing was charged with 12 Felony counts of Possession of Child Pornography for his December 28, 2023, arrest.  

Downing’s arrest followed an extensive investigation led by Detective Patrick Martin of the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office High Tech Crimes Unit (HTCU), in collaboration with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.

The investigation began when Detective Martin received a report from NCMEC indicating the presence of potential child pornography linked to a residence in Citrus County. Utilizing advanced investigative techniques, he confirmed that Downing possessed numerous images and videos of child pornography.

Following these findings, Detective Martin and the CCSO Criminal Investigations Division (CID) executed a search warrant at Downing’s residence. Several digital storage devices were seized as evidence during the search. Downing was arrested and booked into the Citrus County Detention Facility.

“I commend the detective in this case for following up on this report and apprehending the defendant,” said Bill Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney. “My office has zero tolerance for criminals who possess this type of material and will vigorously prosecute these cases.”

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Blake Shore.

Published on 05/17/2024.

(Citrus County, FL) On May 15, 2024, 41-year-old Sean Robert Mooney was sentenced to 10 years in the Florida Department of Corrections for his arrest during an undercover operation last year. Mooney was charged with Traveling to Meet a Minor and Unlawful Use of a Two-way Communications Device.

Back in March of 2023, Mooney was arrested by Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) officials during CCSO’s High Tech Crimes Unit undercover Internet Crimes Against Children operation called Operation Lucky Strike. The operation was aimed at apprehending internet cyber predators who attempted to engage in sexual activity with a child.

“With the advancements in technology, it’s becoming easier for offenders like this defendant to prey upon our children,” said Bill Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney. “My office is grateful for our law enforcement partners who continue to apprehend these predators.”

As part of the operation, law enforcement officials posed as minors on websites waiting to be solicited through online messages by child predators, who would send sexually explicit pictures, messages, and detailed requests of various sexual activities they wanted to perform with the child.

During the operation, law enforcement officials were contacted by Mooney, who had knowingly texted and called who he believed to be a 14-year-old female child. After continuing to send sexually explicit messages to the decoy, Mooney agreed to meet up with the juvenile at a designated location.

Shortly after, Mooney showed up at the location where authorities took him into custody. CCSO detectives interviewed the defendant, who eventually admitted to speaking with a 14-year-old child.

Upon further investigation, officials discovered that Mooney was registered as a Sex Offender, a designation requirement stemming from a Virginia case where he was also charged with Traveling to Meet a Minor.

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Blake Shore.

CCSO Operation Video: https://youtu.be/GQGWk5dxomc?si=3Y8fzpAEduP_Vwtw

Published 05/16/2024.

(Lake County, FL) The Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office announces that 32-year-old Kevin Eugene Leeks Jr. has been found guilty of Burglary with a Battery and was sentenced to Life in prison under Florida’s Prison Releasee Reoffender law. Tuesday, May 14, 2024, jurors found Leeks guilty in relation to his arrest for the brutal battery of a 97-year-old World War II veteran.

Back in July of 2019, the elderly veteran had driven his lawnmower to a convenience store in the Okahumpka area to purchase groceries. Upon returning home, he was confronted at his front door by Leeks, who was armed with a gun. Family members later discovered the veteran unconscious, suffering from head injuries, and his wallet missing. Authorities were contacted and the victim was transported to the hospital for treatment.

Detectives with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) canvassed the crime scene for evidence, during which they discovered a Black & Mild cigarillo tip nearby. During their investigative efforts, officials collected security footage from the convenience store which showed Leeks purchasing a Black & Mild cigarillo shortly after the victim’s transaction.

This evidence, along with DNA samples collected from the scene and the victim’s clothing, were submitted for testing by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). FDLE officials were able to conclusively link Leeks to the crime based upon the DNA evidence.

Leeks was later apprehended by the United States Marshals Violent Fugitive Task Force at a hotel in Leesburg and subsequently charged in this case.

“The defendant’s life sentence reflects the severity of his crime and his status as a prison releasee reoffender, highlighting the justice system’s dedication to protecting vulnerable members of our community,” said Bill Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney.

This case was diligently prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Steve Miller.

Published on 05/16/2024.

(Marion County, FL) Yesterday, jurors rendered their verdict in the case against 38-year-old Andre Allen Scott, who was charged with Traveling to Meet a Minor, Soliciting a Child for Unlawful Sexual Conduct using a Computer, and Unlawful Use of a Two-way Communications Device to Facilitate a Felony. Jurors found him guilty on all charges. The Honorable Judge Brigham sentenced Scott to 12 Years in the Florida Department of Corrections, followed by 3 Years of Sex Offender Probation, and he will be designated as a Sexual Offender.

“Our community is fortunate to have a dedicated law enforcement agency like that of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, who will leverage their resources and partnerships to conduct these types of extensive operations,” said Bill Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney. “Each time an operation like this is conducted, our children are further protected from predators like this defendant.”

Back in April of 2022, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), along with the assistance of several federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies conducted a sting operation called ‘Operation April Fools.’  The primary purpose of this online operation was to target suspects who use the internet to sexually exploit children with the intention to meet the juveniles.

At the conclusion of their operation, officials arrested 22 individuals, including Scott. Law enforcement officers went undercover and exchanged messages with these individuals, who ultimately traveled to various locations within the county with the expectation that they were meeting a child between the ages of 12 and 16 for sexual activity.

During many of the online exchanges, Scott engaged in sexually explicit conversations with who he believed to be a child. While conversating with the decoy, Scott traveled to a location under the belief he would be meeting with the juvenile. Upon arrival, Scott was placed under arrest by deputies.

Assistant State Attorney Elizabeth White prosecuted this case.

MCSO Operation April Fools video: https://fb.watch/s4IcNsqeFb/

Published on 05/15/2024.