(Sumter County, FL) Today, Sumter County Judge Charles L. Helm sentenced 28-year-old Joshua Aaron Timmons to 100 years in prison for the 2023 ambush shooting of a victim. Timmons was found guilty by a jury back in September on all charges, including Attempted Second-Degree Murder with a Firearm, Robbery with a Firearm, Aggravated Battery with a Firearm, Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, Grand Theft, Tampering with a Witness, and Burglary of a Conveyance.
During his sentencing, Judge Helm sentenced Timmons to 50 years on count one, 15 years on count two, 15 years on count four, time served on count five, 30 years on count six, and 5 years on count seven, with all counts being served concurrently, and to 50 years on count three to be served consecutively with those.
“The defendant’s actions demonstrated a clear and deliberate disregard for human life,” said Bill Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney. “This sentence holds him accountable for the gravity of his conduct and reinforces that acts of deadly violence will be met with the full force of the law. Our office remains steadfast in its commitment to securing justice for victims and holding violent offenders accountable.”
The case stemmed from an incident that occurred on January 13, 2023. The victim was lured to a location on County Road 510 after communicating through social media earlier in the day with a female co-defendant of Joshua Timmons, whom Timmons was in a relationship with at the time. The female co-defendant, per the victim, indicated that her female friend would also be available that night as well. Once the victim arrived at the location, the two women began to demand money from the victim.
During the confrontation, the defendant, later identified as Timmons, jumped out from a nearby wooded area, confronting the victim. Timmons displayed a firearm before striking the victim with the gun. The argument between the parties then escalated with Timmons physically restraining the victim as the two women began to search the victim’s car for valuables. The victim eventually was able to break free from Timmons and began to run, when Timmons pulled out a gun and shot the victim in the back.
The bullet struck the victim in the back, exiting out the front of the victim’s abdomen. After being struck, the victim ran to a nearby house for help. No one answered the door at that location. At that point, the three co-defendants had driven by, quickly leaving the shooting location. The victim then went back to their car and drove to the first house with a light on and knocked on the window, where the owners of the home immediately called 9-1-1. First responders rendered medical treatment on scene and airlifted the victim to a hospital for further treatment. The victim was still responsive and able to provide authorities with information on what had occurred.
During SCSO’s investigation, detectives were able to track down Timmons at his mother’s residence, along with both women. While taking the three into custody, law enforcement noticed that Timmons had stashed clothes in an attempt to potentially burn or otherwise dispose of the clothing. Both co-defendants of Timmons are charged in this case.
This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Stephen Fern and Peter Molgaard. The State Attorney’s Office thanks the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office for their diligent investigative efforts in this case.
Published on 10/21/2026.