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(Citrus County, FL) Today, 31-year-old Angel Alberto Seda Ways was sentenced to 19 years in the Florida Department of Corrections. His sentence carries a 15-year minimum mandatory under Florida law. Seda Ways was adjudicated guilty on all charges earlier this year after jurors found him guilty of Trafficking in Cocaine with Actual Possession of a Firearm, Conspiracy to Commit Trafficking in Cocaine, and Possession of Paraphernalia.

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 whom was defendant Seda Ways.

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

Published on 07/21/2025.

(Marion County, FL) Yesterday, 36-year-old Jeremy Donye Walker entered a plea in court just minutes before jurors were scheduled to hear the state’s evidence against the defendant. Walker pleaded no contest to Fleeing or Attempting to Elude, Possession with the Intent to Sell Hydromorphone, Possession of Ammunition by a Felon, No Motor Vehicle Registration, and No Valid Driver’s License.  

After being convicted on the above charges, Walker was sentenced to six years in prison, followed by four years of probation, court fees and fines, along with mandated mental health treatment to be completed upon his release.

On March 6, 2025, while conducting normal traffic patrol in Umatilla, Florida, Deputy Ricketts with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office observed a gray Ford Focus weaving in and out of lanes while decelerating and accelerating intermittently. Upon catching up to the vehicle, the deputy estimated the driver’s speed to be approximately 90 miles per hour.

Deputy Ricketts then attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the car. The driver failed to pull over and began crossing lanes into oncoming traffic. Additional deputies were called to assist in the pursuit, and several miles ahead, Deputy Bloom successfully deployed tire deflation devices, causing the vehicle to come to a stop. The defendant, later identified as Walker, exited the vehicle and was taken into custody. 

Inside the vehicle, officials observed a clear baggie with pills on the driver’s floorboard. The pills were identified as Hydromorphone. Law enforcement also recovered a yellow backpack that the defendant tossed out the window during the pursuit. Inside the front pocket of the bookbag, they located three live rounds of 9mm ammunition.

After running Walker’s information, law enforcement learned that he did not possess a valid registration for the vehicle or a driver’s license and was a convicted felon. Walker was promptly arrested and charged.

Assistant State Attorneys Samuel Militello and William Harris prosecuted this case.

Published on 07/18/2025.

(Citrus County, FL) Wednesday, July 2, 2025, jurors rendered a guilty verdict in the courtroom of the Honorable Judge Joel D. Fritton during the trial of 42-year-old Chad Michael Beaver. Beaver was found guilty as charged for the offenses of Burglary of a Dwelling and Petit Theft.

After jurors delivered their verdict to the court, Judge Fritton ordered Beaver into custody to conduct a presentencing investigation. Beaver faces a minimum mandatory of 15 years in prison due to his Prison Releasee Reoffender status.

On October 6, 2024, the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) dispatch received a call from the victim indicating some of the items from their home had been stolen and were observed at another residence in the neighborhood.

Responding deputies learned that just five days prior, a neighbor of the victim had contacted them to see if anyone was supposed to be at the victim’s residence collecting items. The victim indicated no, and the neighbor informed the two people observed at the home, later identified as the defendant, and a female subject, that all the items stored in totes on the porch were not for taking.

Beaver attempted to tell the neighbor that he thought the items were discarded since many individuals in the area were putting out items for trash after the recent hurricane had flooded the homes. After putting some items back, Beaver and a female left the residence.

The victim further stated to police that they didn’t know if anything was stolen as all their items were packed in totes due to the hurricane clean-up efforts. However, after going to check on another property they owned, the victim passed by a nearby home that had two unique crystal lamps, a Wizard of Oz theme serving tray, and other unique memorabilia that the victim clearly identified as theirs.

Officers arrived at the residence in question, located off West Bayshore Drive in Crystal River. On scene, they questioned the homeowner about the stolen items on the property. The owner indicated that a female by the name of April Lashanda Johnson and the defendant had brought the items with them to the home. After speaking with the female, deputies were able to determine that both she and Beaver had knowingly removed the items from the victim’s home after being told the items were not discarded property.

Beaver and co-defendant Johnson were subsequently arrested.

Assistant State Attorneys Kaitlyn Mannis and Tara Hartman successfully prosecuted this case.

Published on 07/08/2025.

(Citrus County, FL) On Friday, June 27, 2025, prosecutors with the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office presented the grand jury indictment of 18-year-old Hector Jose Rios Guzman IV.   

A grand jury was convened to determine whether there was probable cause to charge Guzman for his role in the September 23, 2024, death of 11-week-old Ezrial Lazaro Rios McCallister. The grand jury issued an indictment for the following charge:

·MURDER IN THE FIRST DEGREE (FELONY MURDER) 782.04(1)(a)2

Guzman remains in custody on no-bond status in an area detention facility.

Published on 07/02/2025.

(Hernando County, FL) Last week, Judge Daniel B. Merritt, Jr. sentenced 41-year-old Jerae Crussell to Life in Prison after being found guilty during his jury trial earlier this year. Crussell was convicted of Aggravated Battery with Great Bodily Harm with a Firearm (possession, discharge, and great bodily harm).

Crussell’s case stems from his 2022 arrest after officials with the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shooting that occurred in the parking lot of the Mermaid’s Lounge in Spring Hill, Florida.  On scene, law enforcement located the victim who had multiple apparent gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to a local trauma center for treatment. Authorities learned the defendant had fled the scene.

Detectives with the Major Case Unit began their investigation into the events leading up to the shooting. Forensic Specialists examined the incident area and collected vital evidence, including numerous spent shell casings. Surveillance footage, which contained video evidence of the altercation, was collected from a business located in the same plaza.

Through the evidence collected and from speaking with witnesses, the defendant was developed as the suspect. A warrant was issued for his arrest.

The Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force received intel that Crussell was working down in Pasco County, Florida. The task force was able to locate Crussell and take him into custody without further incident.

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Ben Larison and Angelina Rodeo.

Published on 06/23/2025.

(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.