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(Marion County, FL) After the conclusion of his jury trial yesterday, 37-year-old Brian Joseph Jankowski was found guilty of Aggravated Stalking, Violation of Domestic Injunction with Two Prior Convictions, and Resisting Law Enforcement without Violence. Having reviewed the defendant’s criminal history spanning over twenty years, Judge Peter M. Brigham sentenced Jankowski to 10 years in the Florida Department of Corrections on this conviction.

Back on June 21, 2024, deputies with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call for service in reference to a violation of a domestic violence injunction. The victim advised that Jankowski made repeated attempts to contact them in violation of an active injunction for protection against the defendant.

The victim further stated to law enforcement that Jankowski had been showing up at their residence multiple times over the past few days, as well as continuously calling and leaving voicemails. The victim was able to show officials their cell phone call log, which showed calls from a blocked number with several voicemails left by the defendant. Many of the voicemails pleaded with the victim to answer the phone, and other harassing messages were sent.

Law enforcement obtained an address for the defendant and attempted to make contact to further investigate.  Upon arriving at Jankowski’s residence, the defendant attempted to flee on foot out the back door of the home. He was eventually taken into custody. During a post-Miranda interview, Jankowski admitted to having knowledge of the active injunction against him and further admitted to contacting the victim. He was placed under arrest and charged.

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Lillian Rozsa and Certified Legal Intern Sandra Edwards.

Published on 06/19/2025.

(Lake County, FL) Friday, June 13, 2025, 44-year-old Michael Allen Reams, a registered Sexual Predator, was adjudicated guilty 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.  

Reams was ordered to remain in custody to await his sentencing hearing, which is set for August 18, 2025. Both the trafficking and conspiracy charges hold a minimum mandatory sentence of 25 years under Florida law, but the defendant is facing Life in prison as a Habitual Felony Offender.

On August 3, 2021, detectives with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit executed a search warrant at a residence off 1^st 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 06/18/2025.

(Hernando County, FL) Last week, 34-year-old Mark Anthony Mazur pleaded guilty to sixteen counts of Possession of Child Pornography and one count of Unlawful Use of a Two-way Communications Device. Judge Stephen E. Toner sentenced the defendant to 15 years in the Florida Department of Corrections, followed by 10 years of Sexual Offender Probation.

On December 23, 2024, detectives with the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) executed a search warrant for the home where Mazur was residing. Officials obtained the warrant after receiving a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that an account registered to the defendant contained illicit material involving minor children.

During the execution of the search warrant, Mazur stated he had resided at the home and confirmed ownership of the social media account in question. He further advised that he was aware of the sexual abuse material content located on his account. When questioned about what electronic device he would use to access the material, Mazur indicated he would use his cell phone to log in to the social media account and save the illicit material.

While forensically examining the defendant’s cell phone, officials located additional videos of child sexual abuse material. Mazur was subsequently arrested.

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Kasey Whitson.

Published on 06/16/2025.

(Citrus County, FL) Today, 31-year-old Angel Alberto Seda Ways was adjudicated guilty on all charges. Jurors found Seda Ways guilty of Trafficking in Cocaine with Actual Possession of a Firearm, Conspiracy to Commit Trafficking in Cocaine, and Possession of Paraphernalia.

Jurors began deliberating yesterday afternoon but were forced to reconvene today after the defendant was transported out of the courtroom for medical treatment. Seda Ways will remain in the Lecanto Detention Facility to await his sentencing hearing on July 21, 2025, at 1 p.m.

Back in September of 2022, after several months of investigation, Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) detectives ended a large-scale cocaine trafficking operation. 

CCSO officials were notified by federal partners of packages containing illicit narcotics being mailed to a property in Citrus County. Working with the United States Postal Service and Homeland Security, CCSO officers intercepted packages containing multiple kilos of cocaine being sent to the address.

After conducting additional surveillance, narcotics investigators secured a search warrant for the property located off South Kensington Ave. in Lecanto, FL. During the execution of the warrant, they located multiple kilograms of cocaine, an extensive amount of cash, firearms, a narcotics ledger, scales, packaging equipment, and a money counter.

Three individuals were arrested and charged accordingly, one of which was defendant Seda Ways.

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Tara Hartman and Kevin Davis.

Published on 06/05/2025.

(Marion County, FL) Yesterday evening, jurors delivered their verdict in the 2022 murder case of 2-year-old Jacklyn Schwingel. After a nearly two-hour deliberation, jurors found 27-year-old Travis Ray Thompson guilty of First Degree Murder. Following the verdict, Judge Barbara Kissner sentenced Thompson to Life in prison.

“This monster stole the life of an innocent child, and today, the justice system made sure he will never walk free again. Life in prison is too good for this kind of evil,” said Bill Gladson, State Attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit.

Back on May 3, 2022, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) received a report of child abuse from AdventHealth Waterman in Tavares, Florida, regarding a toddler being transported to the Emergency Room in critical condition. After medical personnel attempted life-saving measures, the 2-year-old toddler, later identified as Jacklyn Schwingel, was pronounced deceased.

“I’m incredibly proud of my Major Crimes detectives for their relentless work on this heartbreaking case. Their dedication helped secure justice for an innocent child. I also want to thank State Attorney Bill Gladson and his team for delivering a guilty verdict. In Marion County, we protect our children – and we hold those who harm them accountable,” said Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods. 

The MCSO’s Major Crimes unit responded to the hospital and began their investigation into the child’s death. While speaking with the mother of the child, Detective King learned that the child’s mother had left the victim in the care of Thompson earlier that morning to go to work. Twenty-five minutes after leaving, the mother received a phone call from Thompson, indicating something was wrong with the child, as she was unresponsive.

The mother further advised that when she arrived, Jacklyn was lifeless, with a shallow pulse and a distended abdomen. Both the mother and Thompson then got into a vehicle to take the child to a nearby hospital when the mother stated the child had stopped breathing. At that time, the mother instructed Thompson to contact 9-1-1, with emergency medical services personnel meeting the pair at a nearby business to transport the child for medical treatment.

The medical team at the hospital suspected the child had suffered internal bleeding and reported potential child abuse to the MCSO and the Department of Children and Families. When detectives interviewed Thompson, he claimed that he and the victim were in separate rooms when he heard a loud noise and then located the victim unresponsive and not breathing. Despite being the only person left with the victim, Thompson claimed he did not know how the victim became injured.

After all testing was completed, on September 1, 2022, the Medical Examiner’s Office determined the cause of death was traumatic injuries to the victim’s torso with a severing of her spine and internal bleeding behind her abdomen. Based on the severity and nature of the break, it was determined that Thompson applied significant, gradual force to the victim’s upper and lower body and bent her backward beyond her natural range of motion until her back broke.

Thompson was subsequently arrested and charged.

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Amy Berndt and Sasha Kidney. Thank you to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and the medical professionals for their diligent work in this case.

Published on 06/05/2025.

(Marion County, FL) On Monday morning, June 2, 2025, the trial for the murder of 19-year-old Tylique Le’John Christie reached a significant turning point when 21-year-old Luis Alexander Figueroa-Tirado pleaded guilty to Second Degree Murder with a Firearm.

The plea came just as jury selection for Figueroa-Tirado’s trial was set to begin that morning. The defendant was sentenced by Judge Timothy McCourt to 40 years in the Florida Department of Corrections.

In a tragic incident that occurred in the early afternoon of June 19, 2023, Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) deputies arrived at a residence off of Northwest 22^nd Avenue in Ocala after reports of multiple gunshots. Upon arrival, officials located multiple spent shell casings in the area, along with bullet holes in the doors and windows of neighboring homes.

Shortly afterward, officials were notified of a gunshot-wounded patient who was transported to a local hospital by two individuals. The victim, Tylique Christie, had an apparent gunshot wound to his head and would later succumb to his injuries. Both individuals who were present with the victim at the time of the incident gave witness statements to law enforcement.

Through their investigation, detectives learned that Christie had arranged to meet Tirado’s co-defendant, 17-year-old Davinci Cheesman Dawson, for a drug transaction that turned violent, where a number of masked gunmen, including Tirado, opened fire on the victim. After gathering forensic evidence from the scene, conducting a neighborhood canvass, and collecting witness statements, detectives were able to confirm both Figueroa-Tirado’s and Dawson’s involvement in the murder of Christie.

On September 18, 2023, a grand jury returned true indictments, charging both defendants with First Degree Murder. Subsequently, Figueroa-Tirado and Dawson were arrested and charged.

Co-defendant Dawson pleaded guilty last week and was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

Assistant State Attorneys Toby Hunt and Richard Buxman handled the prosecution of this case.  

Published on 06/04/2025.

(Lake County, FL) Earlier today, State Attorney Bill Gladson was joined by Attorney General James Uthmeier and Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri during a press conference to make an important announcement regarding a recent conviction. Last week, May 28, 2025, a jury found 31-year-old Jose Gomez, guilty of Human Trafficking of a Child for Commercial Sexual Activity and three counts of Lewd or Lascivious Battery. Judge Cary F. Rada presided over the trial and sentenced the Defendant to LIFE in prison, as required by law.

“This conviction signifies a crucial milestone in our ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking. Furthermore, it serves as a clear message: we maintain a zero-tolerance stance toward human trafficking and the exploitation of children in our community,” said Bill Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney.

On July 15, 2024, officers with the Eustis Police Department were dispatched to a 9-1-1 hang-up call originating from an apartment off North Prescott Street in Eustis, FL. Law enforcement attempted to call back the phone number with no success. However, shortly after, nearby officers were flagged down by a person in distress.

The person, later identified as the victim, indicated to officers that they were dropped off at an apartment to meet with the defendant, later identified as Gomez. Once inside Gomez’s residence, the victim was offered money and drugs in exchange for sex. Gomez then proceeded to sexually batter the victim, who then yelled for him to stop. After kicking the defendant, the victim was able to escape, calling 9-1-1 and eventually fleeing the apartment before flagging down the officers. The victim was transported to a hospital for medical treatment.

While on scene, officers attempted to locate Gomez, and upon sight of law enforcement, Gomez barricaded himself inside his apartment. After several hours, Gomez was apprehended by a police canine and taken into custody. During a post-Miranda interview, Gomez told officers he was approached by an individual who offered to facilitate sex acts involving the victim for money. After arrangements were made for the victim to be taken to his apartment, Gomez paid $100 to engage in sexual activity with the victim. During the interview, officers observed visible signs of a physical altercation, with scratches on his body, consistent with the victim’s statements.

Law enforcement conducted a search warrant of the Defendant’s apartment to gather evidence. Additionally, a search of the Defendant’s cell phone was conducted with the assistance of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, which led to key evidence used in the prosecution. This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Eddie Moffitt with the assistance of Victim Advocate Brittany Adkins and Assistant State Attorney Kati Cosden.

Published on 06/03/2025.

(Lake County, FL) Monday, May 19, 2025, a Lake County Jury found 35-year-old Travis Lee Kaley guilty of one count of Burglary of a Conveyance with a Battery. Kaley, who has a notable violent criminal history, was sentenced by Judge James R. Baxley to seven years in prison.

The case against Kaley stems from a Mascotte Police Department investigation in April of last year, when officers responded to a call for service regarding a battery that had just occurred. The witness informed law enforcement that an acquaintance of hers, identified as Kaley, was messaging prior, asking about her whereabouts and who her companion was.

The witness further informed law enforcement that upon arriving back home, with the victim driving and her in the passenger seat, they observed a pickup truck parked in the middle of the road with the defendant behind the wheel. Kaley, who appeared frustrated, exited the vehicle and approached the witness, who had previously exited the vehicle to defuse the situation.

After the witness briefly spoke with the defendant, the defendant turned and began walking back to his truck. When the witness got back inside the victim’s vehicle, Kaley charged back towards them and began shouting. During this verbal altercation, Kaley opened the passenger’s side door, entered the vehicle, and struck the victim in the face repeatedly. The defendant then fled the incident location.

Kaley was subsequently arrested and charged.

Assistant State Attorney Dustan Geurin prosecuted this case.

Published on 05/22/2025.

(Marion County, FL) Last Friday, May 16, 2025, Amy Linn Ramirez, a 49-year-old resident of Belleview, FL, was found guilty of Unlawful Filing of False Documents or Records Against Real or Personal Property. Following her conviction, Judge Timothy McCourt sentenced Ramirez to five years in the Florida Department of Corrections.

“𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙩𝙮 𝙙𝙚𝙚𝙙 𝙛𝙧𝙖𝙪𝙙 𝙞𝙨 𝙖 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙘𝙧𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙙𝙚𝙫𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙚𝙦𝙪𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙤𝙬𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨. 𝘾𝙧𝙞𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙡𝙨 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙖 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙩𝙮 𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙖 𝙡𝙤𝙖𝙣 𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙩 𝙞𝙩 𝙗𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙙𝙤𝙘𝙪𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨, 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡 𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙤𝙬𝙣𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙣 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨,” stated Bill Gladson, State Attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit. “𝘾𝙖𝙨𝙚𝙨 𝙞𝙣𝙫𝙤𝙡𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙩𝙮 𝙛𝙧𝙖𝙪𝙙 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙤𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙣 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙭 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚-𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙪𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙤𝙬𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙩𝙧𝙮𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙩𝙞𝙩𝙡𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙡𝙖𝙞𝙢 𝙤𝙬𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥.”

On October 26, 2024, a real estate agent contacted the Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) to report a suspicious incident. An MCSO deputy arrived at a residence located off SE 123rd Lane in Belleview, where the complainant advised she arrived at the home to conduct a final walk-through to sign paperwork to close the deal for selling the residence to the victim. Upon arrival, they were met by a handyman who had changed the locks on the home and refused to give the key to the home, stating he was hired by the homeowner, Amy Ramirez, to change the locks.

“𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙩𝙮 𝘼𝙡𝙚𝙧𝙩 𝙎𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙤𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙤𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙘𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙯𝙚𝙣𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙙𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙪𝙣𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙯𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙧 𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙛𝙧𝙖𝙪𝙙𝙪𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙧𝙚𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙩𝙮. 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙫𝙖𝙡𝙪𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙚 𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙬𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙖𝙗𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙤𝙧 𝙫𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙨. 𝙎𝙪𝙗𝙨𝙘𝙧𝙞𝙗𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙨𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙨𝙪𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙮 𝙛𝙧𝙖𝙪𝙙𝙪𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙗𝙚𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙤𝙧, 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙡𝙮 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙞𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙘𝙩 𝙡𝙖𝙬 𝙚𝙣𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙮 𝙤𝙧 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙪𝙡𝙩 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙡𝙚𝙜𝙖𝙡 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙨𝙚𝙡,” said Gregory C. Harrell, Marion County Clerk of Court and Comptroller.

During the investigation, the real estate agent found a fraudulent document filed by Ramirez regarding the property. A falsified warranty deed was submitted while the property was under contract with the current homeowner. Law enforcement contacted Ramirez, who confirmed she never lived at or owned the victim’s property but claimed she was learning about abandoned property laws. She filed for a ‘Quiet Title’ to assert ownership, stating it was a civil matter. Ramirez was subsequently arrested and charged.

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney William Harris.

To sign up for the Property Alert Service, visit https://nvweb.marioncountyclerk.org/PropertyAlert/

Published on 05/20/2025.

(Lake County, FL) Last week, Lake County jurors found the defendant, 42-year-old Christopher Lee England, guilty of Sexual Battery and Burglary of a Dwelling while Armed. After the verdict, the Honorable Judge Eddy, who presided over the case, determined the defendant met the legal qualifications of a Prison Releasee Reoffender and sentenced the defendant to Life in prison.

England was arrested in June of 2022 following a Mascotte Police Department investigation after law enforcement officials received a call from the victim indicating that England, who is known to them, entered their house and proceeded to sexually batter them.

During their investigation, officials learned that the victim awoke during the middle of the night to a masked figure holding a knife to their throat. The intruder then proceeded to play a recording with a distorted voice threatening the victim. During this, one of the two children who were also sleeping in the same bed with the victim began to awake. At that time, the intruder removed their mask, revealing their known identity to the victim.   

England then forced the victim alone into another separate room where he threatened to kill the victim and the victim’s family if they did not listen to him. He then proceeded to sexually batter the victim before fleeing. Detectives also learned that the defendant was released from prison just six months before this incident for a Kidnapping case involving the same victim in Polk County, FL.

An arrest warrant was issued for England. The United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force located him in Winter Haven, FL, and took him into custody after a brief standoff with law enforcement.

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Shannon Schlarf and Rachel Jones. 

Published on 05/19/2025.