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State Attorney Ed Brodsky announced today that Larry Wayne Riddle was convicted after a jury trial of Attempted Sexual Battery By Person Over 18 Years of Age Upon a Child Less Than 12 Years of Age, Lewd or Lascivious Conduct By Person Eighteen Years of Age or Older Upon a Child Less Than 16 Years of Age (Solicitation), and Lewd or Lascivious Exhibition By Person Eighteen Years of Age or Older Upon a Child Less Than 16 Years of Age.  The crimes were investigated by the Sarasota Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit (SVU).  The three-day trial was held at the Sarasota County Courthouse from October 12-October 14, 2026.  The Honorable Judge Andrea DeCanio presided over the trial. The court sentenced Defendant on October 15, 2026.

The Defendant, a close family friend, stayed with the child and the child’s family at their Sarasota vacation home during Spring Break. When alone with the child, the Defendant repeatedly asked the child to commit sexual acts on him over the course of the week.  At one point, the Defendant stood between the child and television, unzipped his pants, exposed himself, and asked the child again to perform a sexual act.  The child refused each and every time.  The Defendant told her to keep it a secret.  The child disclosed the abuse to her grandmother and mother.  As residents of Palm Beach County, the family initially reported the abuse to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.  Due to the offenses occurring in Sarasota County, the family then reported the abuse to Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office.  An interview of the child at the Child Protection Center soon followed.  The Defendant was arrested on March 31, 2026 and transported to Sarasota County Jail.

The investigation revealed that Defendant had three prior convictions for sexual offenses against children from the 1980s and 1990s in Broward County.  During the trial, one of the Defendant’s prior victims testified the Defendant committed an Indecent Assault on her as a child in the early 1990s.  Further investigation revealed that there were numerous instances where Defendant committed sexual abuse against children that were not reported.

The lead prosecutor in the case, Assistant State Attorney Lissa MacDonald, said:

“This Defendant took advantage of this family’s good will and used that opportunity to abuse yet another child.  He showed absolutely no remorse for the devastation that he caused in each victim’s life.  Thankfully, the child in this case had the wherewithal to reject his requests.  With the support of her family, and the excellent work by members of the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, and the Child Protection Center, this child not only protected herself but all children by stopping this predator in his tracks.  The courage of this child to speak up and confront her abuser was heroic and hopefully brought some peace to his prior victims.  We are thankful for the jury’s careful consideration of this case in reaching a just verdict.  The State Attorney’s Office is also grateful for the members of the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Forensic Investigations Unit, Davie Police Department, and Jacksonville County Sheriff’s Office; their dedication led to the Defendant being held accountable for his actions and a just outcome.”

During the sentencing hearing, the child’s family spoke about how the Defendant took advantage of their kindness after they opened their homes to him.  The Defendant’s prior victim and their families shared the extensive damage the Defendant caused in their lives.  Prior to the conclusion of the hearing, the child stood brave again in front of her abuser and told the court how the Defendant impacted her life.  After careful consideration, the court sentenced the Defendant to 65.65 years in prison, the maximum allowable under Florida law, and designated him a sexual predator.

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

State Attorney Ed Brodsky congratulates Deputy David Miller from the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office for being named Law Enforcement Officer of the Year by the Florida Retail Federation.  Since 1974, the Florida Retail Federation has recognized an excellent law enforcement officer for their efforts at preventing organized retail theft.  Speakers at the event emphasized the extraordinary efforts of law enforcement across the State of Florida to combat the growing issue of retail theft, with warehouses full of stolen merchandise being seized from criminals this year.  Representatives from retail stores said that the State of Florida is leading the way nationally at stopping organized retail theft. 

Deputy Miller has investigated millions of dollars worth of theft and fraud in 2026, making arrests that have led to hundreds of felony charges.  Assistant State Attorney Nicholas Lata and Sergeant Ben Lubrano from the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office both made speeches at the event highlighting Deputy Miller’s passion, commitment and dedication to enforcing the law and serving his community.  Assistant State Attorney Lata noted that this community would be a safer and better place if every officer shared Deputy Miller’s dedication and work ethic.

Deputy Miller is assigned to the Tactical Unit’s intelligence unit which combats complex problems arising within Sarasota County.  Other members of that unit include Deputy Jackson Stroud, Deputy Ryan Wenger and their supervisors, Sergeant Ben Lubrano and Captain Adam Kaskey.  All of their efforts are greatly appreciated by the State Attorney’s Office, as this entire unit has been invaluable to this community. Currently, retail theft is one of their primary focuses, but two years ago, they successfully solved a string of home burglaries on Siesta Key.  We often joke that they are like the firemen of the Sheriff’s Office because wherever any type of crime emerges as a problem, this is the unit that usually gets assigned to stop it.  We thank them for their efforts and congratulate Deputy Miller on receiving this award.

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 Kimberly Meredith was sentenced after an open plea in front of Judge Brewer to an Adjudication of Guilt, 1 year and 1 day Department of Corrections followed by 10 years of probation. Sentencing was held at the Sarasota County Courthouse on 09/24/26.

The lead prosecutor in the case, Assistant State Attorney Amanda Morris commented,

“The Defendant in this case was put in a position of trust as being the bookkeeper and violated that trust by using the businesses finances for her own personal use. The State Attorney’s Office wants to remind employers to conduct background checks and to always monitor their financial statements and internal books each month.”

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

State Attorney Ed Brodsky announced today that Reginald Reynard Roberts Jr was convicted after jury trial of Murder In The First Degree and Robbery with discharge of a Firearm.  The crimes were committed on 05/14/2021 and investigated by the Arcadia Police Department.  The trial commenced at the Desoto County Courthouse on September 15th and a verdict was rendered on September 22, 2026.

The crimes carry a maximum possible sentence of life in prison for each charge.

The minimum mandatory sentence is life in prison for each charge.

Sentencing is scheduled for October 6th.

The crime occurred at the Fiesta Food Mart and was captured on the store’s video surveillance system. The defendant entered the store and shot and killed the owner, Mr. S.M. Saleh Ahmed, without warning, then proceeded behind the counter to take money out of the open safe. The defendant left his thumbprint on a box that was inside the safe and was identified through forensic examination, and by circumstantial evidence by other witnesses.

The lead prosecutor in the case, Assistant State Attorney Will Moran commented,

“The crime scene integrity and thorough investigation by the Arcadia Police Department led to the arrest and successful prosecution of the Defendant. In this case, FDLE and the Police worked hand in hand to bring this killer to justice. Our office hopes the verdict finally brings some closure to the family. This senseless and shocking murder of a much loved member of our community was a tragedy to all who knew him.”

If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact Assistant State Attorney Will Moran in the DeSoto County office at 863-993-4881.

State Attorney Ed Brodsky announced today that Stancel Jeffrey Maywas sentenced to 15 years in prison followed by 15 years of probation on September 15, 2026.  The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Judge Danielle Brewer following a jury conviction for Arson in the First Degree (Dwelling) in July of 2026.  The four-day trial was held at the Sarasota County Courthouse from June 29-July 2, 2026.  Judge Brewer had presided over the trial, and also handed down the sentence after a sentencing hearing the day the sentence was pronounced.

The charge 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 had revealed 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 located license plate reader (FLOCK) information that ended up being key evidence for trial by showing the Defendant’s vehicle was in the area around the time of the fire.  When asked about the fire, the Defendant’s statements to detectives about his whereabouts 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:

“Thanks to the quick response of the firefighters and law enforcement in this case, the courage of the Victims that identified the Defendant to stand up to him, and the jury’s verdict holding him accountable, this Defendant will spend a significant amount of time removed from society for the protection of all.  I am grateful for our first responder community in Sarasota, consisting 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.  The Court’s sentence will provide much-deserved years of peace and security for the families affected by this senseless act of domestic violence.”

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 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.