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(Lake County, FL) Yesterday, 26-year-old Brandon Pirela was sentenced to 25 years in the Florida Department of Corrections after being found guilty of Attempted First Degree Murder with a Firearm and Conspiracy to Commit Murder following a jury trial in January.

The evidence presented at trial established that Pirela carried out a deliberate attempt to kill the victim by firing over 20 shots towards the victim after coordinating with his ex-girlfriend and co-defendant, 23-year-old Arianna Gajraj, to ambush the victim.

On December 1, 2023, the victim reported to the Clermont Police Department that while parked inside their vehicle with Gajraj, a white Camry pulled up with the driver exiting and immediately fired over 20 gunshots at the victim.

The victim was able to reverse their car and flee the area. After dropping Gajraj off, the victim responded to the police station to report the incident. The victim further stated to law enforcement that they believed Pirela was the shooter due to Pirela sending threatening messages to the victim via social media.

Officials made contact with Gajraj, who initially denied speaking with Pirela regarding her whereabouts or the shooting that had just occurred. Cell phone records were obtained by authorities. The records exposed that both Pirela and Gajraj had communicated about setting up the victim, as well as Gajraj telling Pirela where she and the victim were currently located. Both Pirela and Gajraj were arrested and charged accordingly.

Co-defendant Gajraj cooperated with the State and testified against Pirela at his jury trial. Gajraj entered a plea in March and was sentenced to three years in prison, followed by six years of probation for her role in the crime.

This case was investigated by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant State Attorneys Eddie Moffitt and Monica Bodnar successfully prosecuted this case.

Published on 04/14/2026.

(Marion County, FL) Today, State Attorney Bill Gladson of the Fifth Judicial Circuit announces a guilty verdict in the case against 43-year-old Donald Ronald Gates III, of Ocala, Florida. On April 9, 2026, a jury found Gates guilty of Human Trafficking of a Child for Commercial Sexual Activity of a Child, Lewd or Lascivious Molestation of a Child, and Engaging in an Act that Constitutes Sexual Battery upon a Child 12 Years of Age or Older but Younger than 18 Years of Age by a Person in Familial or Custodial Authority. Judge Barbara Kissner-Kwatkosky presided over the trial and sentenced the defendant to Life in prison, as required by law.

“My office, along with our law enforcement partners, has a zero tolerance policy for human trafficking and crimes committed against children,” stated Bill Gladson, State Attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit. “This despicable defendant, who held a position of trust, harmed an innocent child. With this sentence, he will not be able to harm another child. I would like to thank the jurors for delivering justice.”

On October 6, 2025, School Resource Officer Roman-Soto of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office was notified that a student wished to report a sexual battery that had occurred. The deputy met with the victim, who provided written notes detailing the incidents that occurred. After reading the notes, the deputy spoke with the victim, who confirmed the details of the abuse committed by Gates just two days prior. The victim further advised that they were wearing the same underwear, unwashed, from the day of the incident. The underwear was collected and packaged as evidence. The victim was then transported to the Kimberly Center for a forensic interview.

During the interview, the victim described the events leading up to the incident and further advised that Gates would say things to entice the victim, including “that the victim would get more things by doing what he tells the victim to do.” The victim explained that the defendant gave them $100 as a “reward” or “bribe,” and then committed the sexual acts upon them using physical force. After the sexual battery occurred, the victim stated that the vehicle they were in got stuck in the sand, and the defendant had to call a friend to get the vehicle out. The victim provided law enforcement with the $100 bill the defendant gave to them.

While investigating the case, detectives spoke with witnesses who responded that night to assist with the stuck vehicle and informed law enforcement that they thought it was weird that Gates was at the wooded location alone with the victim during that time. Detectives also obtained cell phone records and text messages that placed the defendant at the scene where the victim stated the crime occurred. Officials then made contact with the defendant, who denied the allegations.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement conducted a DNA comparison on the underwear collected from the victim. The biology report determined the defendant’s DNA from the sperm cell fraction was found on the victim’s underwear. Gates was arrested and charged.

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Katrina Self.

Published on 4/13/2026.

(Lake County, FL) On Tuesday, April 7, 2026, a jury found 41-year-old Xavier Mendez guilty of twelve felony counts of Possession of Child Pornography. Judge Brian J. Welke ordered Mendez into custody to await his sentencing hearing.

In July of 2024, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) received a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children indicating an online user had uploaded files containing possible child pornography.

FDLE Special Agent Marsian investigated the lead and learned that a Kik user had utilized the platform to share digital files depicting the sexual exploitation of a child. During the investigation, SA Marsian determined that the account belonged to the defendant, who resided at an address off Prairie Falcon Drive in Groveland, Florida.

The investigation was turned over to the Groveland Police Department, where it was assigned to Detective Stellinga. After reviewing the report, a search warrant was issued for Mendez’s residence, where officials seized numerous electronic devices as evidence.

A digital forensics examination of the devices collected from the defendant revealed multiple files of child sexual abuse material. An arrest warrant was issued for Mendez, who was subsequently taken into custody shortly after.

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Tyler Duffy and Devon Razey.

Published on 04/09/2026.

(Marion County, FL) Thursday afternoon, jurors rendered their verdict in the case against 32-year-old Justin Cobb, who tragically took the life of 75-year-old Elfriede Meyer. Jurors found Cobb guilty on all three counts, including Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Manslaughter, and two counts of Driving Under the Influence with Serious Bodily Injury.

“Our thoughts remain with the victim’s loved ones, whose lives were forever changed by this preventable tragedy,” said Chief Assistant State Attorney Walter Forgie. “We remain committed to seeking justice for victims and holding those who choose to drive under the influence accountable.”

On June 22, 2022, shortly after 6 p.m., Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) Troopers responded to a motor vehicle crash that occurred on County Road 42 near Umatilla, Florida. Once on scene, officials determined that the Chevrolet Tahoe being driven by Cobb veered in front of the vehicle that the victim was driving, along with two other occupants inside. Meyer was pronounced deceased on scene, and the other two occupants who sustained substantial injuries were transported for emergency medical treatment.

During FHP’s investigation, Cobb stated to authorities that he was driving his truck and coming to a curve in the road, and didn’t remember anything regarding the crash. Cobb admitted to authorities that he smoked methamphetamine the night before and that he is a functional addict. After drawing blood samples from the defendant at the hospital, the samples were sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for testing. The test results concluded that Cobb was under the influence of Methamphetamines at the time of the crash.

Assistant State Attorneys Adam Smith and Robert Bullara diligently prosecuted this case.

Published on 04/02/2026.

(Lake County, FL) On Monday, 43-year-old Ivan Rodriguez Pagan was sentenced to 25 years in prison, followed by 5 years of probation. Pagan was found guilty back in January on all charges, including two counts of Sexual Battery upon a person 12-18 Years of Age, Lewd and Lascivious Molestation of a Child Victim, Indecent, Lewd, or Lascivious Touching of Certain Minors, and Battery.

Pagan was arrested in July of 2024 following a Clermont Police Department investigation after a report turned over from the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office referenced a prior sexual battery that had occurred within the city of Clermont.

The report indicated that Pagan had sexually abused the victim over the past year, with four incidents occurring, with the last one taking place approximately three weeks ago. In speaking with the complainant in the report, she advised that the victim had disclosed the sexual abuse to them, and that’s when she contacted authorities.

Officials conducted an interview with the victim at the Lake Sumter Children’s Advocacy Center, where the victim stated Pagan sexually battered them on multiple occasions. The victim provided investigators with detailed information about when these incidents occurred at a residence in Clermont.

After the investigation, an arrest warrant was issued, and Pagan was taken into custody shortly after.

Assistant State Attorneys Shannon Schlarf and Tyler Duffy successfully prosecuted this case.

Published on 04/01/2026.

(Marion County, FL) Today, State Attorney Bill Gladson of the Fifth Judicial Circuit announces the grand jury indictment of 32-year-old Jeroen Jarrel Coombs of Citra, FL.

A grand jury was convened to determine whether there was sufficient evidence to charge Coombs for the murder of 3-year-old Paisley Brown and the abuse of four additional child victims. The grand jury returned a true bill of indictment for the following charges:

·MURDER IN THE FIRST DEGREE – FELONY MURDER 782.04(1)(a)2
·AGGRAVATED CHILD ABUSE – 827.03(1)(a) AND 827.03(2)(a)
·AGGRAVATED CHILD ABUSE – 827.03(1)(a) AND 827.03(2)(a)
·AGGRAVATED CHILD ABUSE – 827.03(1)(a) AND 827.03(2)(a)
·CHILD ABUSE – 827.03(1)(b) AND 827.03(2)(c)

On or about February 19, 2026, Coombs did unlawfully and feloniously, while engaged in the perpetration of a certain felony, kill Paisley Brown.

From October 1, 2025, through February 19, 2026, Coombs did unlawfully and willfully commit two or more acts of torture upon a child, which caused unnecessary and unjustified pain to and suffering by said child.

On October 1, 2025, Coombs did cage a child; and did knowingly or willfully abuse a child, without causing great bodily harm.

Coombs remains in custody on no-bond status at the Marion County detention facility. Pursuant to Florida law, a decision on whether to file a Notice of Intent to Seek the Death Penalty will be made within 45 days.

Published on 03/27/2026.

(Marion County, FL) Today, the Office of State Attorney Bill Gladson for the Fifth Judicial Circuit announces a guilty verdict in the case against 38-year-old Kevin Thomas McDonough. After the one-day jury trial on March 24, 2026, jurors found McDonough guilty of Domestic Battery by Strangulation. McDonough was sentenced to five years in the Florida Department of Corrections.

While responding to a separate call for service, Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) deputies were informed by the victim that the defendant had been violent and choked the victim during a heated argument.

The victim provided photographs of the neck injuries sustained during the physical attack, as well as a video recording of the battery. Upon reviewing the video, deputies observed the victim and the defendant inside a bedroom, engaged in a verbal argument.

During the argument, the defendant lunged over the victim, placing both hands around the victim’s throat. The victim is clearly pinned down by the defendant before falling to the floor, where McDonough continues to strangle the victim. The battery ends when a minor child is seen running into the room, yelling at the defendant to get off the victim.

MCSO authorities obtained an arrest warrant for McDonough, who was later apprehended.

The outcome of this case was a result of the diligent prosecution efforts of Assistant State Attorneys Lillian Rozsa and James Moody.

Published on 03/26/2026.

(Sumter County, FL) Yesterday, Judge Mary P. Hatcher sentenced 49-year-old Brian Keith Winton to seven Life sentences in the Florida Department of Corrections and designated Winton a Sexual Predator.

Winton was charged and convicted of three counts of Sexual Battery upon a Child under 12 years of age and four counts of Lewd and Lascivious Molestation of a Child Victim less than 12 years of age. The defendant had been in custody since a jury found him guilty on all counts following his trial in February.

“This is a just sentence for this defendant,” said Bill Gladson, State Attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit. “And a fitting way to provide closure, to provide reassurance of safety, and to provide due justice for the two young victims in this case.”

Winton was arrested in October of 2023 following a Sumter County Sheriff’s Office investigation into possible sexual offenses involving two minor children.

Both victims disclosed to authorities during two separate interviews that the defendant had sexually battered them on numerous occasions over a period of four years, starting when the victims were as young as 10 years old. Probable cause was established for Winton’s arrest after each victim recounted specific occurrences and descriptive details to detectives.

After interviewing the two victims, detectives took Winton into custody, where he was transported to the Sheriff’s Office for an interview. After being read his Miranda rights, Winton admitted to sexually battering both victims.

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Shelby Senn thanks to the diligent investigation conducted by Inspector Pam Warren of the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.

Published on 03/25/2026.

(Lake County, FL) The Office of State Attorney Bill Gladson of the Fifth Judicial Circuit announces that on March 18, 2026, in a Lake County courtroom, jurors found 63-year-old Manuel Ramon Lebron guilty of two counts of Lewd and Lascivious Molestation of a Child, one count of Showing Obscene Material to a Minor, and three counts of Battery. Lebron was taken into custody on no bond pending sentencing.

On January 9, 2024, it was reported to Lake County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) officials that Lebron had sexually molested a 7-year-old victim. During the investigation, the victim revealed to detectives that Lebron had sexually abused them in 2019.

The victim was transported to the local child advocacy center for further investigation. At the center, the victim recounted numerous instances of Lebron inappropriately touching and showing them pornographic material. LCSO deputies then attempted to contact Lebron regarding the allegations, who was residing in Puerto Rico at the time. During a controlled call, the defendant apologized to the victim for his actions.

An arrest warrant was issued, and Lebron was arrested on February 9, 2024, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and later transported back to Lake County.

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Kati Cosden and Tyler Duffy.

Published on 03/19/2026.

(Marion County, FL) Last week, jurors found 58-year-old Manes Pierre guilty of Fraudulent Simulation of a Legal Process and False Statement to the Department of State. Pierre was taken into custody on no bond following his conviction to await sentencing.

Pierre was originally arrested in 2021 after investigators uncovered a fraudulent lien unlawfully filed with the Florida Department of State.

“Filing false liens is not only illegal, but it’s harmful, and it’s a form of harassment that can significantly harm a person’s reputation and lead to substantial damages,” said Bill Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney. “This type of crime will not be tolerated in our jurisdiction, and I am grateful the jurors convicted this defendant for his crimes.”

In August of 2021, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a fraudulent lien filed by the defendant, which listed several judgment debtors, including Marion County Sheriff William Woods, Marion County Clerk of Court and Comptroller Gregory C. Harrell, a Circuit Court Judge, and Assistant State Attorney. None of those individuals had any knowledge of the lien, and a records search during the investigation confirmed the filing was fraudulent.

The lien alleged that the debtors owed $16 million and listed the court as the “Morocco Consular Court,” with the judicial officer as Elio Bohechio Trogon El and the judgment creditor as Manes Pierre. Additionally, when the lien was filed, it was filed by Elio Bohechio Trogon El with a Miami Beach address and a Gmail account. This information matched other prior court filings linked to the defendant.

During the investigation, MCSO Detective Kip Peterson contacted the Department of State’s General Counsel’s Office to obtain copies of the information filed, as well as the transaction details for the electronic filing fee associated with the fraudulent lien. On the transaction details, the customer’s billing information listed was for Manes Pierre, with the same Miami Beach address and Gmail account information.

The State Attorney’s Office appreciates the efforts of Detective Kip Peterson, the Florida Department of State, as well as Assistant State Attorneys Kevin Steiniger and Robert Bullara, all of whom assisted in bringing this case to a successful conclusion.
Published on 3/17/2026.