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State Attorney Ed Brodsky announced today that Kyle Sebastien Loeffler was sentenced to the maximum punishment of five years in the Florida Department of Corrections following his conviction of Robbery By Sudden Snatching.  The crime was committed on March 12, 2025, and investigated by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.  The sentencing hearing was held at the Manatee County Courthouse on September 10, 2026.

The defendant was sentenced to five years in the Florida Department of Corrections following his conviction for Robbery by Sudden Snatching stemming from an unprovoked attack on a 14-year-old girl on her way to school.

On March 12, 2025, at around 8 A.M. the 14-year-old victim was walking to school with her uncle, who is wheelchair bound due to a physical disability. As the victim crossed the street on her way to school, the defendant quickly approached her from behind, tackled her to the ground, and forcibly ripped her backpack from her, and fled the area.

Law enforcement found the defendant half a mile away wearing the victim’s backpack.  He was positively identified by the victim and her uncle.  The incident was captured on video surveillance at a nearby gas station.

At the sentencing hearing, the State recommended the maximum sentence of five years in prison.  The defense requested that the defendant be placed into a halfway house for mental health treatment.  The victim’s mother addressed the Court and described the significant impact this crime has had on her daughter and her family.

After hearing the evidence and seeing the surveillance video, the Court sentenced the defendant to five years in the Florida Department of Corrections, the maximum sentence permitted for a third-degree felony offense of Robbery by Sudden Snatching.

The lead prosecutor in the case, Assistant State Attorney Michael Anolfo commented,

“A 14-year-old girl should never have to fear being attacked on her way to school.  This defendant took advantage of a young and vulnerable victim, and I am grateful the Court held him accountable by imposing the maximum sentence allowed by law.  This case serves as a reminder that those who victimize our community will be held accountable.”

If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact Assistant State Attorney Michael Anolfo in the Manatee County office at (941) 747-3077.

State Attorney Ed Brodsky announced today that Salvatore Giunta was convicted after jury trial of one count of 83 counts of Possession of Child Pornography. The crime was investigated by the Sarasota Sheriff’s Office.  The trial was held at the Sarasota County Courthouse between March 9, 2026, and March 11, 2026, before the Honorable Senior Judge Charles Roberts.

The defendant was sentenced to 92.7 years in the Department of Corrections on September 4, 2026.

This case began when the Sarasota Sheriff’s Office became aware of an electronic device possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material between December of 2023 and February of 2024. That electronic device was connected to a specific IP address. Through investigative means, it was established that IP address belonged to the defendant, and a residential search warrant was executed at his address. Multiple electronic devices were seized, including the defendant’s desktop computer and numerous hard drives. When those devices were searched, the investigative team located thousands of files of child sexual abuse material, as well as digital forensic evidence showing the defendant accessed, viewed, and moved the files between multiple devices. At trial, witnesses Detective Samantha Hudson and Digital Forensic Expert Brooke Buzzell walked the jury through their systematic and precise investigation, ultimately resulting in a conviction on all 83 charged counts.

The lead prosecutor in the case, Assistant State Attorney, Jordan Greene, commented,

“There is a common misconception that possessing child sexual abuse material is a victimless crime. Not in Sarasota County. Our law enforcement and the State Attorney’s Office take these cases incredibly seriously, and we do so because those files depict real children living out the most horrific experiences of their lives. And those children are victimized every single time those files are shared, downloaded, and viewed.  I am incredibly grateful to be surrounded by a law enforcement team that shares the view that just because an individual does not physically touch a child, does not mean that person should not be held accountable for their role in perpetuating the sexual abuse of children.”

If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact Assistant State Attorney Jordan Greene in the Sarasota County office at 941-861-4400.

State Attorney Ed Brodsky announced today that Everett Arnold White was convicted after a jury trial of Aggravated Battery Causing Great Bodily Harm While Armed with a Firearm and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. The crimes were committed on January 18, 2025, and investigated by the Sarasota Police Department. The trial was held at the Sarasota County Courthouse August 19-21, 2026.

Assistant State Attorney William Greiner, who prosecuted the case, charged White under Florida’s 10-20-Life law. Under 10-20-Life, White faces a minimum prison sentence of 25 years and up to life in prison for the charge of Aggravated Battery Causing Great Bodily Harm While Armed with a Firearm, and up to an additional 15 years for the charge of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

The crimes were perpetrated against a longtime friend of the defendant following a minor argument over $20. After the argument, White retrieved a firearm and shot the victim in the torso. The victim suffered significant injuries and required months of hospitalization.

White previously served more than 13 years in prison for committing two counts of Attempted Second-Degree Murder in 1997.

Assistant State Attorney William Greiner stated,

“This is the second time White has nearly killed someone with a firearm and the State of Florida will do everything in our power to make sure he doesn’t have a third opportunity.”

If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact Assistant State Attorney William Greiner in the Sarasota County office at 941-861-4400.

State Attorney Ed Brodsky announced today that Erick Yoel Paz was convicted after jury trial of Manslaughter With A Firearm.  The crime was committed on 07/29/2022 and investigated by Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.  The trial was held at the Manatee County Courthouse on August 17-21, 2026.

The crime carries a maximum possible sentence of 30 years in prison.

Sentencing is scheduled for October 1, 2026. 

This case involved a group of four juveniles who met up with the then juvenile defendant to purchase accessories for firearms.  During the transaction, which took place in the victim’s car, there was a dispute about payment, and the defendant exited the victim’s vehicle.  As the vehicle was leaving, the defendant began shooting at the vehicle, striking it twice in the rear, along with two shots that missed the vehicle striking a neighboring apartment building.  One of the shots that struck the vehicle resulted in the death of a juvenile. 

The lead prosecutor in the case, Assistant State Attorney Tyler Egbert commented, “This case is a clear example of the dangers of juveniles possessing firearms in our community.  After four long years, we are finally able to provide the victim’s family a sense of closure, although they continue to process the impact of a young life tragically lost to violence.   We would like to thank the members of the jury for their time and hard work during this trial”

If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact Assistant State Attorney Tyler Egbert in the Manatee County office at 941-747-3077.

State Attorney Ed Brodsky announced today that Vincent A Steele was convicted after jury trial of one count of Attempted Murder In The Second Degree With Firearm; two counts of Attempted Manslaughter with a Firearm, two counts of Attempted Manslaughter of an Unborn Child by injury to the Mother with a Firearm, and one count of Aggravated Assault With A Deadly Weapon.  The crimes were committed on 05/05/2024 and investigated by Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.  The trial was held at the Manatee County Courthouse on August 3rd through 6th. 

The crimes carry a maximum possible sentence of 101 years. 

The charge of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree with a Firearm carries a minimum mandatory sentence of 20 years in prison. 

Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.

These crimes are the result of a traffic accident back in 2024.  After the crash, the defendant, irate and upset about the crash, approached the victim’s vehicle and opened fire, striking a pregnant woman sitting in the passenger seat.  All parties in the victim’s vehicle survived the shooting.

The lead prosecutor in the case, Assistant State Attorney Tyler Egbert commented,

“This case shows how a simple traffic accident can escalate into a tragic situation in mere moments when individuals decide to take matters into their own hands.  The evidence presented at trial showed there was no justification for the actions of the defendant, and the jury’s verdict emphasizes that actions have consequences.  We appreciate the hard work over the course of this trial undertaken by the members of the jury.  Their time, attention, and consideration in this matter ensure that justice is upheld”

If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact Assistant State Attorney Tyler Egbert in the Manatee County office at 941-747-3077.

State Attorney Ed Brodsky announced today that William Mark Colburn, Jr.was convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon and Possession of Cannabis with Intent to Sell or Deliver in Case #2023CF010910NC and sentenced by Circuit Court Judge Donna Padar to six years in prison followed by two years of community control (Florida’s equivalent of house arrest) and three years of probation.  Colburn was on felony probation for a narcotics offense when he was caught trying to sell what officers described as a SKS AK-47 style Assault Rifle to another convicted felon on October 24, 2023.  These cases were investigated by the North Port Police Department. 

The crime of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon carries a minimum mandatory sentence of three years.

This case began when Probation Officer Tomas Shinall of the Florida Department of Corrections conducted a search and discovered evidence of a potential firearm sale.  Colburn and the buyer were discussing adding a “drum mag” to the firearm, which would give it a capacity of 50 to 75 rounds of ammunition.  Once it was determined that Colburn was the seller of the firearm, Shinall and Corporal Detective Brett Klein conducted a search of Colburn’s residence where they located the firearm from the photos along with other contraband.  This was a first-rate investigation by the North Port Police Department.

The lead prosecutor in the case, Assistant State Attorney Nicholas Lata commented,

“It was clear from his jail calls that the defendant felt he was only being prosecuted because of the stigma associated with these types of firearms.  This demonstrated his continued refusal to take responsibility for his own actions, despite him apologizing for these comments at sentencing.  Colburn, a six-time convicted felon with previous convictions for selling drugs and illegally possessing firearms, was selling firearms and drugs to another felon.  Nobody in Sarasota wants convicted felons and drug dealers having firearms.”

If you have any questions or would like further information please contact Assistant State Attorney Nicholas Lata in the Sarasota County office at 941-861-4400.

State Attorney Ed Brodsky announced today that Kareem Abdul Crockerwas convicted of Tampering with a Witness and thirteen counts of Violation of Pretrial Release in Case #2026CF001688NC and sentenced to more than five years in prison.  Crocker was on felony probation for a narcotics offense when he committed a domestic battery against his girlfriend on September 22, 2025.  He was ultimately charged with the additional counts of Tampering and Violating Pretrial Release in the aftermath of the arrest on the domestic battery.  These cases were investigated by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office. 

The crime of Tampering with a Witness carries a maximum possible sentence of 15 Years of incarceration.

When the victim came to the State Attorney’s Office a few weeks after the battery arrest to sign a waiver of prosecution and recant her original allegations, this seemed suspicious.  Assistant State Attorney Nicholas Lata notified Deputy Austin Van Camp that the defendant had been calling the victim from the jail in violation of the court’s no contact order.  Deputy Van Camp quickly arrested the defendant a second time for numerous counts of Violation of Pretrial Release.  The State Attorney’s Office ultimately added an additional count of Tampering with a Witness based on ominous jail calls made by the defendant along with an offer to pay the victim $2,000 to drop the case.

This case was a top priority even without the victim’s cooperation as Crocker is both a convicted sex offender and classified as a Violent Felony Offender of Special Concern. 

The lead prosecutor in the case, Assistant State Attorney Nicholas Lata commented,

“This case reinforces that both the State Attorney’s Office and the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office are committed to holding defendants accountable for domestic violence.  I’ve heard so many defendants quote the old jail adage “No face, no case”, believing if they can scare the victim out of cooperating with law enforcement, their case will be go away.  That couldn’t be further from the truth in Sarasota.  We are committed to protecting our victims and the community as a whole.”

If you have any questions or would like further information please contact Assistant State Attorney Nicholas Lata in the Sarasota County office at 941-861-4400.

State Attorney Ed Brodsky announced today thatLachina Renea Cropes was convicted after jury trial oftwo counts of False Imprisonment With A Weapon, and two counts of Battery.  The crimes were committed on November 03, 2024 and were investigated by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.  The trial was held at the Manatee County Courthouse on June 29 and 30, 2026.

The crimes carry a maximum possible sentence of 30 years in prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

The defendant lost custody of her two young children (ages 8 and 10) during the year 2024 due to allegations she had committed acts of domestic violence against her partner in front  of the children. While the children were within the custody of the Department of Children and Families, the defendant was permitted to have supervised visitations with them. The defendant had a history of non-compliance with the rules of supervised visitation.

This incident occurred during one of the scheduled supervised visits. The visit was to commence at a park, and two group home employees were assigned to supervise the visit. During the visit, the defendant refused to comply with the rules, and she became belligerent with the employees, prompting one of the employees to call 911. However, the employee was unable to call 911 because the defendant pulled a tactical can of pepper spray from her purse and doused both of them in the face. The defendant then punched the female employee in her face, prior to taking the children and fleeing the area in a vehicle.

The defendant fled the state with the children, and was later apprehended in Georgia. She and the children were found in the same vehicle, along with an empty tactical can of pepper spray, and a firearm. The defendant was arrested and the children have since been permanently placed with a family member.    

The lead prosecutor in the case, James Davis, commented,

“Due to the defendant’s behavior, the children were unnecessarily traumatized by their mother, and this memory will remain with them for the rest of their lives. We are thankful the jury held the defendant responsible and accountable for her actions, and the children are now within a safe environment.“ 

If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact Assistant State Attorney James Davis in the Manatee County office at 941-747-3077.

State Attorney Ed Brodsky announced today that Stancel Jeffrey Maywas convicted after a jury trial of Arson in the First Degree (Dwelling).  The crimes were investigated by the Bureau of Fire, Arson, and Explosives Investigations (BFAEI).  The four-day trial was held at the Sarasota County Courthouse from June 29-July 2, 2026.  The Honorable Judge Danielle Brewer presided over the trial. A sentencing date is pending.

The charges stemmed from a fire on Manasota Key in September of 2024.  The owner of a two-story residential building reported the fire shortly after 8am when smoke was discovered pouring out of the upper portion of the home.  After first responders with the Englewood and Sarasota County Fire Departments put the fire out and made the scene safe, local officials called detectives with the BFAEI after determining the circumstances warranted further investigation.

The investigation revealed that the fire was not electrical or accidental based on physical evidence at the scene.  Detectives tracked down video surveillance footage of the driveway leading to the property and noticed a man approaching the home and leaving just minutes before the fire was discovered.  The man was dressed in all black and concealing his face.  Witnesses were able to identify the man as the Defendant based on his clothing and his posture/gait.  Investigators also located license plate reader information showing the Defendant’s vehicle was in the area around the time of the fire, and his statements to detectives about his whereabouts during the fire did not check out.  His cell phone was obtained, and data such as texts, calls, and location information was deleted from a time frame covering when the fire occurred.

The lead prosecutor in the case, Assistant State Attorney S. Ethan Dunn, said: “This Defendant believed his crime would go unsolved and took steps to make that happen.  Thanks to the quick response of the firefighters in this case, law enforcement was able to put the pieces together and retrace those steps to hold the Defendant accountable.  Thanks to their efforts, and the courage of the Victims in this case that identified the Defendant to stand up to him, the jury was able to put those pieces together for themselves during their deliberations.  We are thankful for their careful consideration of this case in reaching a just verdict.  The State Attorney’s Office is also grateful for the members of the Englewood Fire Department, Sarasota County Fire Department, members of Florida’s Forensic Services Lab, and the BFAEI detectives on this case; their dedication led to the Defendant being held accountable for his actions and a just outcome.” If you have any questions or would like further information please contact Assistant State Attorney S. Ethan Dunn in the Sarasota County office at 941-861-4400.

State Attorney Ed Brodsky announced today thatWilney Orozco De Leon has been convicted after jury trial of four counts of Sexual Battery Upon a Person Less than 18 Years of Age by a Person in Familial Authority.  These crimes were committed between May 2022 and March 2023 and investigated by the North Port Police Department and lead detective Kishia Veigel.  Judge Danielle Brewer presided over the three-day trial that was held at the Sarasota County Courthouse beginning on February 23, 2026. 

A Sentencing Hearing was conducted on June 17, 2026, during which Judge Brewer sentenced Wilney Orozco De Leon to 67 years in the Florida Department of Corrections.  Wilney Orozco De Leon, who is currently 36 years old, will also be designated as a Sexual Predator and, upon his release from prison, will be required to register with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in accordance with Florida Law. 

The lead prosecutor in the case, Assistant State Attorney Jeff Feher commented,

“Wilney Orozco De Leon chose to become a father figure in this child’s life, then exploited the trust and authority he gained to sexually abuse her during one of the most vulnerable periods of her life.  The evidence presented at trial established a sustained pattern of emotional manipulation and threats designed to prevent the child from disclosing the abuse.  While the profound impact of these crimes on the child and her family will endure, this 67-year sentence provides the assurance that Wilney Orozco De Leon will no longer have the opportunity to harm anyone else.”

If you have any questions or would like further information please contact Assistant State Attorney Jeff Feher in the Sarasota County office at 941-861-4400.