Newsroom

(Sumter County, FL) Yesterday, 33-year-old Rodney Reshad Rose was found guilty of Trafficking in Methamphetamine, Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Methamphetamine within 1000ft of a Park, and Unlawful Use of a Two-way Communications Device.

Jurors deliberated for 75 minutes, after hearing the testimony of Detectives with the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Squad (SIS), expert testimony from analysts with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and examining evidence presented during the trial, before rendering their verdict.

After the verdict was read, Judge Mary P. Hatcher remanded Rose pending sentencing.

“Trafficking dangerous narcotics ruins lives and incites violence in our communities. We will continue to aggressively prosecute those who profit from addiction and poison our neighborhoods,” said Walter Forgie, Fifth Judicial Circuit Chief Assistant State Attorney.

Back in April of 2023, members of the Special Investigations Squad, during their undercover street-level narcotics operation, revealed that the defendant was involved in the sale and delivery of large quantities of methamphetamine in Sumter County.

Officials conducted a controlled buy with Rose, who provided law enforcement with illicit narcotics. After collecting the crystalline substance, officers conducted a presumptive test, which yielded a positive result of methamphetamine with a total packed weight of 29.02 grams. The substance was then sent off to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Crime Laboratory for further confirmation.  

The outcome of this case was a result of the diligent efforts of our law enforcement partners, as well as Assistant State Attorneys Michael Kotsifakis and Elizabeth Hart.

Published on 04/11/2025.

(Fifth Judicial Circuit, FL) Recently, an Orlando media outlet reported that the Ninth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s non-arrest policy was influenced by the policy in the Fifth Judicial Circuit. To infer that their policy is comparable to mine is misleading. The policy utilized by our office was implemented during the height of Covid, following nearly a year of court closures. While there are some similarities between the two, this is an obvious and deliberate attempt by the State Attorney to provide cover after failing to collaborate with the law enforcement agencies in her circuit to arrive at a workable solution.

Every day, I am grateful for the close working relationships we have with the municipal agencies and sheriff’s offices throughout our circuit.  We work closely with our law enforcement agencies, not against them.  Our non-arrest policy is significantly more expansive than in the Ninth Judicial Circuit.  This is particularly true when it comes to gun and violent crimes.  More important than the scope of the policies, is the unreported fact that our policy specifically provides that if a law enforcement officer has any non-arrest case that they would like reviewed by our office, they are encouraged to contact our office. We do not turn down requests by law enforcement to review cases.

We also have on call prosecutors in all five of our counties, that are available to both citizens and law enforcement.  These prosecutors are available to law enforcement 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.  This assures that we are available night or day to assist law enforcement with arrests, search warrants and many other types of legal matters.  This is for all crimes, whether it be a second-degree misdemeanor or homicide.

Citizens in the Fifth Circuit also have a complaint form they can access on our website, making it possible to report a crime directly to our office, ensuring that there are no barriers, artificial or otherwise, that prevent our constituents from accessing our office. These complaints are reviewed by a prosecutor and entered in our case management system regardless of the severity of the alleged crime. 

“Having a State Attorney who is tough on crime and committed to justice makes our job easier. It’s a true partnership. Our State Attorney’s office is available 24/7 to provide our deputies with any assistance they need. This kind of working relationship is how we keep our communities safer.” 

-Lake County Sheriff Peyton Grinnell.

“My deputies work hand in hand with our State Attorney to keep the people of Marion County safe because we recognize that, while we may not always agree, we share the common goal of public safety.  Our relationship is grounded in trust and a desire to seek justice on behalf of the victims of crime.”

-Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods

We recognize that many who enter the criminal justice system do so only briefly, often for non-violent offenses. In those cases, we have a myriad of diversion opportunities that provide offenders with a second chance when appropriate, while still holding them accountable. However, every day we see repeat and violent offenders, with no desire to change their ways, who victimize our citizens and take advantage of the system. In the Fifth Circuit, we actively guard against that. From 2021 through 2023 we saw our total prison admissions rise from fourth in the state in 2021, third in the state in 2022, and second in the state in 2023.  For the month of February, 2025, we were first in prison admissions for the entire state.

This office wins cases in court on behalf of our citizens and the state of Florida. If you are a repeat offender or a violent criminal, it is our obligation to remove you from society and send you to prison.

See below for a copy of our policy:

Published on 04/09/2025.

(Sumter County, FL) Yesterday, State Attorney Bill Gladson announced the grand jury indictment of 47-year-old Brian William Decot, paramour of the victim.

A grand jury was convened to determine whether there was sufficient evidence to charge Decot for his role in the death of 54-year-old Tracy Jean Miller. The grand jury returned a true bill of indictment for the following charges:

·DEATH CAUSED BY THE UNLAWFUL DISTRIBUTION OF COCAINE 782.04(1)(a)3

On or about October 31, 2024, Decot did, being a person 18 years of age or older, to-wit: unlawfully distribute cocaine or a mixture containing cocaine, and that substance or mixture was proven to have caused, or is proven to have been a substantial factor in producing the death of Tracy Jean Miller, a human being, in violation of Florida Statute 782.04(1)(a)3.

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

Published on 04/04/2025.

(Lake County, FL) Yesterday, State Attorney Bill Gladson announced the grand jury indictment of 37-year-old Kimberly Mills, mother of the victim, and 36-year-old Andre Walker, paramour of Mills.

A grand jury was convened to determine whether there was sufficient evidence to charge both Mills and Walker for their roles in the death of 10-year-old Xavier Williams. The grand jury returned a true bill of indictment for the following charges:

·PRINCIPAL TO MURDER IN THE FIRST DEGREE (FELONY MURDER) 782.04(1)(a)2 and 777.011

· PRINICIPAL TO AGGRAVATED CHILD ABUSE – AGGRAVATED BATTERY 827.03 (1)(A), 827.03(2)(A) and 777.011

·AGGRAVATED CHILD ABUSE – MALICIOUSLY PUNISH 827.03(1)(a), 827.03(2)(a) and 777.011

·PRINCIPAL TO AGGRAVATED CHILD ABUSE – AGGRAVATED BATTERY 827.03(1)(a) and 777.011

·PRINCIPAL TO AGGRAVATED CHILD ABUSE – MALICIOUSLY PUNISH 827.03(1)(a), 827.03(2)(a) and 777.011

Both Mills and Walker remain in custody on no-bond status in an area detention facility.

Published on 04/04/2025.

(Citrus County, FL) Today, seven-time convicted felon 41-year-old Heather Lynne Duarte-Wright was sentenced to 27 years in the Florida Department of Corrections for Trafficking in Fentanyl and Possession of Paraphernalia. Duarte-Wright was found guilty by a jury after her trial back in January of this year.

“Fentanyl continues to claim lives in our community, making it crucial for our office to prosecute fentanyl traffickers and hold them accountable for the crippling and deadly impacts they’ve inflicted on our community,” said Walter Forgie, Chief Assistant State Attorney.

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. When the defendant stepped 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 03/31/2025.

(Lake County, FL) Earlier this week, jurors found 38-year-old Richard Michael Hutcheson, of Mount Dora, guilty of Capital Sexual Battery upon a child just an hour into deliberations after hearing both the defense and state during trial. After his conviction, Judge James R. Baxley sentenced Hutcheson to life in prison.

Hutcheson was convicted of Capital Sexual Battery upon a Child under 12 Years of Age, Giving Obscene Material to a Minor, two counts of Lewd or Lascivious Molestation, Sexual Battery in Familial or Custodial Authority, Delivery of Cannabis to a Minor, Contributing to the Delinquency of a Child, Lewd or Lascivious Exhibition, and Lewd or Lascivious Conduct.

Hutcheson and his co-defendant, Brittany Hastings Hutcheson, were both arrested in December of 2021 following a Mount Dora Police Department (MDPD) investigation regarding a past sexual battery. Just two weeks prior to their arrests, the complainant reported to officers that a young child had disclosed sexual abuse committed by Hutcheson and his co-defendant. When officials arrived to meet with the complainant and child, they learned that there was possibly a second child victim, even younger, who was currently scared to speak about the abuse.

The first victim, who was 14 years old at the time of disclosure, told law enforcement that Hutcheson had started sexually battering them approximately two years ago. The victim recounted numerous incidents involving Hutcheson alone, as well as various times involving the co-defendant. Interviews were then scheduled to have both victims come into the Lake-Sumter Children’s Advocacy Center.

While being interviewed, the first victim disclosed the same information to investigators and even stated a few incidents of abuse occurred with the second victim in the same room. When authorities met with the second victim, who was 11 years old, the victim revealed to detectives that Hutcheson had sexually battered them as well. The victim recounted instances of abuse going back to the age of 7. Furthermore, the victim stated that the co-defendant would sometimes also engage in sexual activities with the minor.

Based on the details that both victims provided to law enforcement, as well as corroborating evidence, both Hutcheson and the co-defendant were arrested. Co-defendant Brittany Hutcheson pled in her case last year and was found guilty.

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Kati Cosden and co-counsel Eduardo Faria, thanks to the diligent efforts of MDPD Detectives Hutcheson (no relation) and Rice, as well as Deputy Faulkner.

Published on 03/28/2025.

(Marion County, FL) On Tuesday, March 11, 2025, 64-year-old Frederick Leon Fraziars was found guilty of Trafficking in Cocaine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Jurors deliberated for roughly 10 minutes, after hearing expert testimony and examining evidence presented during the trial, before rendering their verdict.

After the verdict was read, Judge Timothy T. McCourt sentenced Fraziars to 25 years in the Florida Department of Corrections. 

“Once again, we have successfully removed a major drug trafficker from our streets, a testament to the outstanding efforts of our law enforcement partners,” stated Walter Forgie, Chief Assistant State Attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit. “A 15-year sentence last time for this defendant did little to deter him; hopefully this 25-year sentence provides him more time to reflect on his choices.”

Fraziars, who was released from prison two years ago after serving fifteen years for the same crime, was arrested by the Ocala Police Department (OPD) in May of 2024.

Just shortly before 6 p.m., Officer Graham observed Fraziars driving a sedan that did not have operable brake lights. The officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop, with Fraziars first failing to stop before eventually placing the vehicle in park and shutting the engine off as instructed.

While making contact with Fraziars and another occupant in the vehicle, Officer Prather utilized his K9 to conduct an open-air sniff around the vehicle. The K9 alerted to the presence of narcotics and both the defendant and occupant were instructed to step out of the car. While doing so, Fraziars attempted to grab two cups from the middle cup holder. He was instructed to leave both there and exit.  

During the search of the vehicle, law enforcement located an orange pill bottle that contained a substance believed to be cocaine inside one of the cups Fraziars was attempting to conceal. Both a razor blade and pipe with a white powdery substance on them were also located. All items were field tested, resulting in a presumptive positive for cocaine. Upon searching both persons, officers located a large amount of folded money in Fraziars’ pocket in denominations consistent with street-level narcotics sales.

After being advised of the items authorities located, Fraziar spontaneously stated everything in the car was his.

Assistant State Attorney Madison Kirkland successfully prosecuted this case.

Published on 03/13/2025.

(Marion County, FL) On Thursday, March 6, 2025, the day after 43-year-old Santini Antwain Chisholm’s trial commenced, jurors found the twenty-three-time convicted felon guilty on all five counts of drug-trafficking-related offenses.  After his conviction, Judge Barbara Kissner-Kwatkosky sentenced Chisholm to fifty years in prison.

Chisholm was charged and convicted of Armed Trafficking in Fentanyl, two counts of Armed Trafficking in a Controlled Substance, Armed Trafficking in Oxycodone, and Possession of a Firearm by a Felon.

“We are fully committed to protecting our neighborhoods by aggressively prosecuting drug traffickers who endanger public safety, ensuring that those who engage in these illegal operations face severe legal repercussions,” emphasized Bill Gladson, the State Attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit. “We’d like to also thank our community partners at the Department of Probation and Parole who were able to dismantle this illicit drug network and get this dangerous defendant off our streets.”

The trial stemmed from an investigation initiated in 2021 by the Florida Department of Probation and Parole when specialists were conducting a home check at a residence off Hemlock Course in Ocala, FL. Deputies from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) were called in to assist after probation officials located firearms and narcotics inside the residence.

Upon arrival at the home, MCSO deputies were informed by the probation specialists that they were at the home to conduct a check on the probationer, later identified as defendant Chisholm. When they knocked at the door, a female named Latoya Wilkerson-Chisholm answered the door and indicated she needed to put on some clothing before letting the probation officials inside the home.

After an unusually long amount of time, the probation specialist eventually made entry into the home. Inside, they located various amounts of illicit narcotics and scales, along with multiple firearms, and large quantities of cash. At that time, MCSO deputies and members of the Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team (UDEST) entered the residence after obtaining a warrant. They located all items previously identified by probation authorities. 

When questioned about the evidence seized inside the house, Chisholm denied all ownership and Co-defendant Wilkerson-Chisholm stated she couldn’t say if the drugs belonged to her husband.

Wilkerson-Chisholm entered a plea back in 2023. She was found guilty and sentenced to 21 months in prison, with credit for time served, three years probation, and two hundred hours of community service.

Assistant State Attorneys Marissa Meyer Shannon and Kyle Lambert prosecuted this case.

Published on 03/12/2025.

(Citrus County, FL) In Judge Joel D. Fritton’s courtroom last week, 50-year-old Robert Paul Kowanko was found guilty by a jury on trafficking illicit narcotics charges stemming from his 2023 arrest. Kowanko was convicted of Trafficking in Methamphetamine, Trafficking in Cocaine, Unlawful Use of a Two-way Communications Device, and Possession of Paraphernalia. Kowanko was remanded into custody until his sentencing hearing on April 30, 2025, at 9 a.m.

“We’ve seen the devastating and deadly impacts of illicit narcotics in our communities,” said Walter Forgie, Chief Assistant State Attorney.  “Working with our law enforcement partners like that of the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office, we are targeting the source of these drugs and ensuring defendants face their punishment for the harm they caused.”

Kowanko was arrested in September 2023 following an investigation by the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) detectives. The investigation revealed that the defendant was involved in the sale and delivery of large quantities of methamphetamine in Citrus County.

Officials observed Kowanko and another subject exit the wood line of a property off US 19 in Crystal River where a drug transaction was completed via a controlled buy by SIU. Officers made contact with Kowanko who was standing by his vehicle which was currently occupied by a co-defendant, later identified as Sean Thomas Joyce. 

Law enforcement detained the pair and conducted a search of their persons, as well as the vehicle. During the search of the car, officers located a clear plastic baggie containing a white powdery substance as well as a digital scale and two hypodermic needles. While searching Kowanko, they located another clear plastic baggie with a similar white powder. Joyce was searched and found to have narcotics on his person as well.  All substances were field-tested and determined to be Fentanyl and Methamphetamine.

During their investigation, detectives were able to determine Kowanko had traveled from Port Charlotte with Joyce, to deliver approximately half a pound of Methamphetamine. Kowanko admitted post-Miranda to selling the narcotics.

Co-defendant Joyce entered a plea earlier this year and was sentenced to 10 years in the Florida Department of Corrections.

The outcome of this case was a result of the diligent efforts of our law enforcement partners, as well as Assistant State Attorneys Kaitlyn Mannis and Kevin Davis.

Published on 03/10/2025.

(Lake County, FL) Last week, 22-year-old Kenneth Dalon Bailey entered a plea of guilty to the charge of Second-Degree Murder for the 2024 murder of 87-year-old Clarence Harold Ervin.  Judge Cary Rada sentenced Bailey to 45 years in the Florida Department of Corrections.

“Despite his young age, this defendant made the choice that led to the tragic and senseless loss of an innocent life. This conviction and substantial sentence underscore the seriousness of his actions and provide justice for the victim’s family and friends,” said Walter Forgie, Chief Assistant State Attorney.

On September 28, 2024, the victim, Clarence Harold Ervin was shot at a Leesburg gas station located off West Main Street. Leesburg Police Department officers responded to the scene where they located the victim with apparent gunshot wounds. The victim was transported for medical treatment and would later succumb to his injuries.

Witnesses on the scene informed officials of the directions that the suspects fled and were able to provide detailed descriptions of each. Contact was made with the store clerk who was able to provide video surveillance footage of the incident, showing three suspects approached the victim while the victim was sitting inside his vehicle at the gas pump. Two of the three suspects stood beside the passenger door of the vehicle, while the third suspect, later identified as Bailey, stood by the opened driver’s door and appeared to exchange words with the victim before pulling out a firearm and shooting the victim.

After issuing a public bulletin asking for help identifying the three suspects, officials received information identifying one of the suspects, named Craig Stevenson Jr. The witness indicated to authorities that Stevenson had a best friend named Kenney, later determined to be the defendant. Additional information was developed during the investigation by detectives to identify the third suspect.

Both Bailey and Stevenson were arrested for their involvement in the crime. The investigation into the third suspect involved remains ongoing.

Assistant State Attorneys Ken Nunnelley and Shannon Schlarf prosecuted this case.

Published on 03/10/2025.