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State Attorney Ed Brodsky’s office announced today that Robert Houston was sentenced to 18 years of prison followed by twelve years of probation.  Mr. Houston was found guilty of Scheme to Defraud, Fraudulent Use of Personal Identification Information, Money Laundering and twenty-four counts of Unlawfully Filing False Documents.  Circuit Court Judge Dana Moss presided over the sentencing.   

In 2022, Mr. Houston fraudulently reinstated Glenco Properties with the Division of Corporations.  Glenco Properties owned twenty-one houses that were primarily used for subsidized housing. Mr. Houston and accomplices then filed numerous Quit Claim Deeds purporting to transfer the properties to Mr. Commercial Industrial, a corporation in which Mr. Houston was president.  Afterwards, Mr. Houston mortgaged the properties and obtained 1.3 million dollars.  During the sentencing, the prosecutors presented evidence that demonstrated that Mr. Houston forged bank records, business purchase agreements and associated documents in order to obtain the loans.  Moreover, prosecutors revealed that Mr. Houston was previously incarcerated in California for defrauding another elderly couple in an identical manner.

Andrew van Sickle and Amanda Morris, the Economic Crime Prosecutors, argued that Mr. Houston’s actions warranted a larger sentence, especially in light of his history. The Court imposed a sentence of eighteen years, of a possible thirty years, with ten years being a minimum mandatory.  The Court further ordered that all of Mr. Houston’s remaining assets be given to the victim in this case as restitution.

Andrew van Sickle stated, “The lion share of credit for this conviction goes to Detective Ross Revill of the Sarasota Police Department. He went beyond the call of duty and investigated every minute detail. I am relieved that the properties were returned to Glenco and the seizures will go a long way towards Glenco being made whole for the financial loss as a result of this crime.  Once again, this conviction demonstrates the effectiveness of an Economic Crime Unit and the dedication of its law enforcement partners to protect the citizens of Sarasota County.”

Ed Brodsky, the State Attorney for the Twelfth Judicial Circuit, stated, “Unfortunately, technology has made it easy for this type of crime to occur.  If you are an employee or officer of a corporation, please remember to check the filings online periodically in order to ensure someone has not filed false documents.  You may do so by using www.Sunbiz.org.”             

If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact Assistant State Attorney Andrew van Sickle in the Sarasota County office at 941-861-4451.

State Attorney Ed Brodsky announced today that Juan Victor Santizhernandez was convicted after jury trial of Count 1:  Driving With No Valid Driver’s License Causing Death; Count 2:  Leaving the Scene Of Crash with Death; and Count 3:  Tampering with Evidence.  The crimes were committed on 09/03/2023 and investigated by the Palmetto Police Department.  The trial was held at the Manatee County Courthouse on June 23, 2025 through June 25, 2025.

The crimes carry a maximum possible sentence of 40 years, if sentenced consecutively.

The minimum mandatory sentence is 4 years.

Sentencing is scheduled for August 20, 2025.

On September 03, 2023, at approximately 10:11pm at the intersection of US 41 North and 7^th St. W. in Palmetto, FL a fatal crash occurred. The defendant, Juan Victor Santizhernandez, who does not have a valid driver’s license, took a left turn and drove into the right of way of the victim, Hoang Vuong, causing a crash.  The victim was driving a motorcycle when crashed into by this defendant.  The defendant left the scene of the fatal crash without rendering aid, assistance, or reporting this crash to any law enforcement agency. The victim, Hoang Vuong died on the scene of the crash. After the crash the defendant drove his truck to a nearby field and dislodged the victim’s motorcycle that was still stuck to the defendant’s truck and then he continued to drive various back roads of Palmetto until he crossed the Green bridge into Bradenton, FL. The defendant, knowing an investigation was pending or about to be instituted, proceeded to tamper with various pieces of evidence to avoid detection and apprehension for these crimes.

The victim, Hoang Vuong, was a loving husband and father to his family. The last words he told were to his son indicating that he would see him later when he arrived home. Nothing will replace what the victim and his family lost that day, but we are grateful to the Palmetto Police Department, especially Sergeant Schlabach, for the hard work and dedication that was demonstrated in investigating this case and bringing the Defendant to justice. We are thankful to the jury that endured hearing the facts of this case and focused on all the evidence to ensure that justice was served.”

The lead prosecutor in the case, Assistant State Attorney Christina Walsh, commented:  

“The death of the victim, Hoang Vuong, was tragic and entirely preventable had the Defendant chosen to obey the law on September 3, 2023. Instead, Juan Victor Santizhernandez chose to drive without a license and then flee from the scene after striking Hoang Vuong on his motorcycle, leaving him to die on the road behind him. He even went so far as to destroy evidence in an attempt to conceal his culpability.”

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

State Attorney Ed Brodsky announced today thaton Tuesday, June 17^th, 2025, Steven Russell Nicholswas convicted after jury trial of Lewd or Lascivious Molestation of a Child; Lewd or Lascivious Conduct; and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Child.  The crimes were committed between June 2022 and February 2023 and investigated by the North Port Police Department with Kisha Veigel as the lead detective.  The trial was held over two days at the Sarasota County Courthouse beginning on June 16^th.

The crimes carry a maximum possible sentence of 31 years in the Department of Corrections and Steven Russell Nichols will be required to register as a sexual offender.

Sentencing is scheduled for September 2^nd, 2025, before the Honorable Judge Dana Moss, who presided over the trial.  Steven Russell Nichols was remanded into the custody of the Sarasota County Jail pending sentencing. 

Mr. Nichols used his position of authority to inappropriately touch a 13-year-old child.  

The lead prosecutor in the case, Assistant State Attorney Jeff Feher commented, “For over eight months this child had to endure abuse from someone who she loved and trusted.  Thanks to the efforts of the North Port Police Department and the Child Protection Center, the child and her mother will now get to move on with their lives.”

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.

State Attorney Ed Brodsky’s office announced today that on Thursday June 5, 2025, Circuit Court Judge Thomas W. Krug sentenced Douglas Ben Sanders to just over 44 years in prison on 40 counts of Possession of Child Pornography.  After his prison sentence, Sanders will be supervised by the Department of Corrections on sex offender probation for the rest of his natural life.  He was also designated as a sexual offender and will be required to register as such upon release.

Sanders was arrested in September of 2021 after the North Port Police Department opened an investigation into two safes that were found in his home.  The safes contained hard drives, printed child pornography images, and personal effects.  After executing search warrants on the electronic devices found in the safes and the safes themselves, detectives discovered additional child pornography files.  Over 214,000 child pornography files were found when the investigation was completed, and many of the files depicted sexual battery being committed on young children.

Before moving to North Port, Florida, Sanders was employed by the school system in Delphos, Ohio until the end of the 2018 school year.  He was investigated during his time as a teacher for inappropriate behavior with female students, including filming them doing dances/stretches and “accidentally” walking into the locker room when female students were inside.  Sanders had admitted these incidents happened before his resignation pending the outcome of the investigation by the school system, and acknowledged what he did was inappropriate.  The Judge heard this evidence at the sentencing hearing on June 5 and took it into account when handing down the sentence.

The prosecutor in the case, Assistant State Attorney S. Ethan Dunn commented, “The enduring pain caused by the production of Child Sexual Abuse Material is unfathomable.  When people like Doug Sanders get sexual gratification from this material, they continue to re-victimize the most vulnerable members of our society that were taken advantage of in the worst ways imaginable.  Thanks to the efforts of the detectives with the North Port Police Department, those that brought this to their attention, the collaboration with Sanders’ former colleagues in Ohio, and the Court’s sentence in this case, Doug Sanders can never victimize children of any community ever again.   This sends a strong message to those wishing to prey on children: you will be found, you will be prosecuted, and you will go to prison.”

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 that Douglas Mark Selbeewas sentenced to life in prison for crimes of child sexual abuse.  The Defendant was convicted by a jury on April 11, 2025, of 14 charges: 3 counts of Lewd or Lascivious Molestation of a Child Under 12; 2 counts of Sexual Battery on a Child 12-18 by a Person in Familial/Custodial Authority; 3 counts of Lewd or Lascivious Molestation of a Child 12-16; 4 counts of Lewd or Lascivious Conduct Upon a Child Under 16; 2 counts of Lewd or Lascivious Exhibition Upon a Child Under 16. The crimes were investigated by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office.  The sentencing hearing took place on June 4, 2025, and the Honorable Judge Thomas Krug – who presided over the trial – sentenced the Defendant.

The life sentence was imposed on 5 of the charges.  On the remaining charges, the Defendant was sentenced to just under 36 years in prison.  The Defendant was ordered to never contact the Victims or their immediate family again. He was also designated a Sexual Predator under Florida Law.

The lead prosecutor in the case, Assistant State Attorney S. Ethan Dunn, said: “Today’s verdict protects the community by permanently removing a convicted child predator from our society.  The Victims were able to close a chapter in their life that never should have begun.  I would like to thank them for their courageous words today.  I would also like to highlight the support of their friends and family, along with members of the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, the Child Protection Center, and the advocates from the PAWS program for attending and supporting the Victims and their family during this final hearing.  Thanks to the jury’s verdict, and now the sentence from the Court, this Defendant can never victimize anyone ever again.”

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’s office announced today that Anabel Ossombi was sentenced to seven years Department of Corrections followed by a total of 38 years of probation for theft of multiple checks she obtained while employed by the U.S. Postal Service. Additionally, Annabel Ossombi was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $64,246.79.

Annabel Ossombi worked at the United States Postal Service as a mail sorter since May of 2022 at three different locations during her employment. The Sarasota Police Department was alerted of check fraud by victims. Upon further investigation it was discovered that Ms. Ossombi had deposited a voluminous number of checks into her personal account that were not made payable to her.

Amanda Morris and Andrew van Sickle, the White Collar Crime Prosecutors in Sarasota, attributes the success of the prosecution to the community and the hard work of the Sarasota Police Department, the Office of the Inspector General and to the victims that discovered and reported this crime. 

“President Woodrow Wilson once described the importance of the mail and the Postal Service.  As servants of the people, they are entrusted with our most personal information. Ms. Ossombi stood in a position of trust as a mail sorter and violated the most fundamental rule of being an employee at the U.S. Postal Service – “Don’t steal the mail!”                                      

If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact Assistant State Attorney Amanda Morris at the Sarasota County office at 941-861-4444.

State Attorney Ed Brodsky announced today that Adrian Noel Castillo was convicted after jury trial of Driving While License Cancelled, Suspended Or Revoked and Causing Death.  The crime was committed on 02/02/2024 and investigated by Florida Highway Patrol.  The trial was held at the Manatee County Courthouse on May 5th and 6th.

The defendant is facing a maximum sentence of 92 months prison.

Sentencing has not yet been scheduled.

Mr. Castillo’s driver’s license had been revoked since 2018 for Driving Under the Influence. Evidence showed that Mr. Castillo disregarded the law and drove frequently. On February 2nd, 2024, Mr. Castillo carelessly drove through a small parking lot at his residence not paying attention to where he was driving. Mr. Castillo nearly struck a child riding a scooter before running over her five-year-old sister, Emily, and killing her instantly. Mr. Castillo never saw Emily, who was wearing a fluorescent green shirt and pink pants. Emily loved school and was a student at Team Success. Her mother testified that Emily loved being at school with her friends and siblings more than being home on the weekends.  

The lead prosecutor in the case, Assistant State Attorney Nicholas Bedy commented, “Mr. Castillo has a history of not following the traffic laws in the State of Florida. Had Mr. Castillo abided by the revocation of his license, this tragedy would have never occurred. I thank the jury for their commitment to serve and for bringing justice to the victim, Emily. Through their verdict, the defendant has been held accountable for the devastation he caused the family.”

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

State Attorney Ed Brodsky announced today that Andrew Scott Crose was convicted of one count of Traveling to Seduce, Solicit, or Entice a Child to Commit a Sex Act and one count of Use of a Computer to Seduce, Solicit, or Entice a Child to Commit a Sex Act. The crimes were committed between July 13 and July 17, 2019. The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. The defendant entered a plea to the Court in January of 2021 and was sentenced by the Honorable Circuit Court Judge Donna Padar on May 6, 2025.

The defendant was sentenced as a Habitual Felony Offender to 30 years in the Department of Corrections followed by 10 years of Sexual Offender Probation.

In July of 2019, the Sarasota Sheriff’s Office conducted an undercover operation designed to identify individuals using the internet to sexually exploit children. The Defendant began speaking with an undercover agent via the social media platform “Meet Me.” The undercover agent advised they were a 14-year-old girl, and asked the Defendant if that was a problem. The Defendant confirmed that he did not mind that she was 14 and proceeded to engage in sexual conversation with the undercover agent. After four days of sending sexually explicit messages, the Defendant traveled to what he was told was the home of the 14-year-old girl and was taken into custody by law enforcement. Through investigation, it was revealed that the Defendant has been previously convicted of similar offenses twice, serving four years in prison for the second offense. The Defendant committed this crime less than one year after his release from prison.

The lead prosecutor in the case, Assistant State Attorney, Jordan Greene, commented, “As the internet becomes more and more ingrained in every facet of our lives, it becomes more important than ever that we identify those who will use it to prey on children. The Defendant made it abundantly clear that he was not going to stop engaging in this abhorrent behavior. He was a danger to every child on the internet, and thanks to the incredible investigation of the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office the children of our community are safer tonight.”

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 thatAmaury Fernandez, a competitive bodybuilder, was sentenced Wednesday, April 16, 2025, to 30 years in prison, followed by 15 years of probation, for the charges of Sexual Battery, False Imprisonment, and Tampering with a Witness.  The Defendant, age 30, was tried in October of last year, and was convicted by a jury after a weeklong trial in front of Circuit Court Judge Donna Padar.

At the sentencing hearing, Judge Padar reflected on the testimony given by the victim at trial, noting that the victim’s testimony was so powerful, the jury could have convicted the Defendant on her words alone. The Judge also commented about the severe injuries caused by the Defendant including beating the victim “to a pulp”, and that the beating was so bad that in the neighbor’s 911 call, you could actually hear the thuds as the victim was being thrown against the wall.  Judge Padar also remarked that this was “one of the worst cases of domestic violence (she has) seen”, noting the victim having two black eyes, and bruising all over her entire body.

The lead prosecutor in the case, Assistant State Attorney Joshua Wertheim commented, “The Victim in this case did the right thing, and left the Defendant when she realized his aggressive behavior and tendencies.  Unfortunately, leaving him wasn’t enough, and even after being broken up, the Defendant still chose to exercise his violence and control over the Victim.  The terror that she suffered while she was a captive in her own home are unimaginable.  Her life was forever changed that day.  The Victim and her family finally have justice, and the Community is a safer place knowing that the Defendant has been punished for his senseless actions against the mother of his child. 

If you, or someone you know is a Victim of Domestic Violence, it is never too late to get help.  Speak with someone today through the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.  Locally, the Safe Place & Rape Crisis Center (SPARCC) offers help to Victims with domestic injunctions, shelter, counseling, and support.  SPARCC has a 24-hour hotline at 941-365-1976. If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact Assistant State Attorney Joshua Wertheim in the Sarasota County office at 941-861-4400.

State Attorney Ed Brodsky announced today that Deandre Sanders was convicted after jury trial of Murder In The Second Degree With A Firearm and  Domestic Battery By Strangulation.  The crimes were committed on 04/18/2021 and investigated by Manatee County Sheriff’S Office.  The trial was held at the Manatee County Courthouse from April 21 to April 24, 2025.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Suzanne O’Donnell and Rebecca Freel.

The crimes carry a maximum possible sentence of Life in prison without parole. The minimum mandatory sentence is 25 years.

A sentencing date has not yet been set.

Victim Frank Green had just begun a new romantic relationship with a woman he worked with.  On the night of the murder, he was doing nothing more than sitting in her car when the Defendant, her ex-boyfriend, became enraged, opened the car door, and shot him 16 times.  After the shooting he turned on the woman.  He beat her and choked her while berating her for being with Mr. Green.  

The lead prosecutor in the case, Assistant State Attorney Suzanne O’Donnell commented, “This was an incredibly traumatic event for the surviving victim.  Yet, while still fighting through the trauma, she bravely faced her ex-boyfriend in court and testified against him.

Mr. Green was an innocent victim in all of this and his family has been understandably devastated.   Over the years, they have appeared at every court date and were present for every minute of the trial.  Nothing will ever bring him back but hopefully this verdict brings them some sense of justice.

We thank the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Homicide Investigative Unit for their tireless efforts and attention to detail in this case.  We also thank the jury for their attention during a very difficult week.”

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