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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.

State Attorney Ed Brodsky’s Office announced today that Gerald Timmons was convicted after jury trial of Introduction of Pornography to a Minor and Luring or Enticing a Child. The crime was committed on or about April 29, 2025 and investigated by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Crimes Against Children division.

The trial was held at the Manatee County Courthouse on April 6 and 7, 2026.

Following the guilty verdict, the jury was asked to determine whether sentencing the defendant to a non-prison sanction could present a danger to the public, which the jury answered in the affirmative. The defendant was set for a sentencing hearing on June 18, 2026.

The State sought a prison sentence after trial.  Circuit Court Judge Teresa Kaklis Dees sentenced the defendant to two consecutive 11 months and 29 days in the county jail followed by two years of community control followed by one year of probation with various sex offender conditions. He was also designated as a sexual offender.

In May of 2025, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a local elementary school to investigate a suspicious situation. Upon further investigation, they learned that the defendant parked a moving truck, which he was living within, outside of the home of a single mother and her four children. During the two days the defendant was parked outside this home, the defendant showed pornography to a young girl and attempted to lure her towards the back of his truck.

The lead prosecutor in the case, Assistant State Attorney Scott Callin, commented “Law enforcement conducted an exceptional investigation in quickly locating crucial evidence, finding the defendant, and ensuring that he would not have another opportunity to prey upon Manatee County’s youth.  We also commend this young girl’s bravery in coming forward, then later facing the defendant and testifying against him.  We hope that this verdict and sentence will help keep the community safe.”

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

State Attorney Ed Brodsky announced today that Ronald Clark Willard was convicted after jury trial of Driving Under The Influence (Fourth Or Subsequent Violation); Driving While License Cancelled, Suspended Or Revoked (With Knowledge – Third Or Subsequent Offense) Based On Dui, Refusal, Death/ Serious Bodily Injury, Fleeing or Attempting to Elude an Officer; and Driving While License Permanently Revoked.  The crimes were committed on 09/18/2024 and investigated by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.  The trial was held at the Manatee County Courthouse on June 8th through June 9th, 2026.

The crimes carry a maximum possible sentence of 15 years prison.

The State is seeking enhancement of the penalty, as the defendant is a Habitual Felony Offender, which the jury has determined beyond a reasonable doubt.

Sentencing is scheduled for a future date to be set.

On September 18, 2024, deputies with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call reporting that the defendant, Ronald Willard, had committed a battery. While investigating these allegations, the deputies observed the defendant to be intoxicated and behind the wheel of his car. Law enforcement ultimately determined Mr. Willard was intoxicated while driving his vehicle and arrested him for DUI. This was Willard’s 8th conviction for DUI, including having previously served an almost 4-year prison sentence for a prior felony DUI. It was also determined Willard was driving at a time when his driving privileges had been permanently revoked, due to his multiple prior DUI convictions and that he had six prior Driving While License Suspended convictions. The State will be seeking a substantial prison sentence for the defendant as a Habitual Felony Offender.

The lead prosecutor in the case, Assistant State Attorney Tanner Woods commented,

“We appreciate the hard work of the deputies of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, as well as the time and attention of the jurors in this case in rendering a just and deserved verdict. This defendant has been a menace to society, both on and off the road, for many years, as indicated by his substantial criminal record, and the State hopes to make sure he receives a sentence that will protect the people of the State Florida for many years to come.”

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

State Attorney Ed Brodsky announced today that Ulysses Lamont Pace was convicted after a jury trial of Armed Robbery with a Firearm and Aggravated Battery. The crimes were committed on July 16, 2023, and investigated by the Sarasota Police Department. The trial was held at the Sarasota County Courthouse June 3-5, 2026.

The crimes were perpetrated against a homeless victim trying to sell items to passing patrons outside a local convenience store. Pace feigned interest in purchasing the victim’s items and instead tossed them into a vehicle and attempted to leave without paying. When the victim attempted to retrieve his items, Pace threatened the victim with a handgun and then shot the victim through the thigh.

Pace had previously served ten years in prison for multiple felonies he committed in 2010. Approximately one month after his release in 2018, he was arrested on a felony drug charge. The night before he was scheduled to begin a prison sentence for that charge, he was arrested on another drug charge. For both drug charges, he was sentenced to four years in prison. Less than six months after his release, Pace robbed and shot the victim in this case.

Assistant State Attorney William Greiner, who prosecuted the case, charged Pace under Florida’s 10-20-Life law, and as a Prison Releasee Reoffender. Under 10-20-Life, Pace faced a minimum prison sentence of 25 years and up to life in prison for each offense. Under Florida’s prison releasee reoffender statute, courts are required to sentence defendants to the maximum permitted by law if an offender commits a qualifying violent offense within three years of release from a prison sentence.

After nearly three years of pre-trial litigation, the still homeless victim could not be located to testify at the trial. However, the State successfully petitioned the court to allow it to introduce the victim’s prior testimony from Pace’s denied Stand Your Ground self-defense immunity hearing. Armed with a transcript of the victim’s former testimony and other evidence, the State presented its case at trial, and the jury convicted Pace after just twenty minutes of deliberation.

Immediately following the trial, Pace was sentenced to two consecutive terms of life in prison.

Assistant State Attorney William Greiner stated,

“When individuals demonstrate they constitute a threat to society, the State of Florida will use every tool at our disposal to bring perpetrators to justice and protect all members of our community.”

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.

DEFENDANT SENTENCED TO 18 YEARS IN PRISON FOR DUI MANSLAUGHTER OF UBER PASSENGER AND INJURING THREE OTHERS ON NEW YEAR’S EVE

State Attorney Ed Brodsky announced today, following a jury trial, Mark Barcia was sentenced to eighteen years in prison for DUI Manslaughter, DUI with Serious Bodily Injury and two counts of DUI with Personal Injury for a fatal crash that occurred at the intersection of Toledo Blade and Woodhaven, in Northport, when the Defendant slammed his Ford F250 truck into the back of an Uber on New Year’s Eve 2019. David Flick, 61, of Port Charlotte, died at the scene. Flick was a passenger riding in the Uber at the time of the crash. The other occupants of the Uber were also injured in the crash.

The Defense and State stipulated that both occupants of the Ford F250 were under the influence of alcohol to the extent their normal faculties were impaired and their respective blood alcohol levels exceeded the legal limit of .08. The defense centered their arguments on whether Barcia was the driver, and whether his operation of the Ford F250 caused or contributed to the death of David Flick and/or to the injuries of the surviving victims.

At trial, the State presented the testimony of two dozen witnesses, including Barcia’s passenger, civilians who stopped to render aid and saw Barcia exit from the driver side of the truck, law enforcement officers who responded to the crash and investigated the case, a crime scene analyst who took hundreds of photographs and collected physical evidence, expert witnesses who interpreted roadway markings and measurements, DNA evidence collected from the truck interior, and event data recorder data from both vehicles. The State also presented testimony regarding airbag deployment and deflation as well as passenger kinematics, which is the study of how vehicle occupants move during sudden stops, turns, or collisions.

After an eight-day trial and one hour of deliberation, the jury convicted the defendant on all four counts.

David Flick’s family, including his children and grandchildren, asserted that the loss they continue to suffer is the preventable consequence of Barcia’s decision to drink and drive, and they requested a maximum sentence.

For causing the death of David Flick, Barcia was sentenced to the statutory maximum of fifteen years in prison. After that, he will begin serving an additional three years of prison, followed by three years of probation, for the injuries he caused to the other victims.

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

State Attorney Ed Brodsky announced today that Leonard Allen Lafleur Jr. was convicted after jury trial of Attempted Murder In The First Degree With A Firearm.  The crime was committed on October 14, 2023, and investigated by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.  The trial was held at the Manatee County Judicial Center on May 11, 2026, through May 14, 2026.

The crime carries a maximum possible sentence of life in prison.

The minimum mandatory sentence is 25 years in state prison.

Sentencing is scheduled for a date to be determined.

This incident began as an attempted robbery of the victim and ended with the victim hiding in a nearby wooded area as he was being shot at by the defendant. The defendant fired 15 rounds, striking the victim 5 times in his arm and legs. The victim survived the shooting and continues to suffer with injuries more than 2 years later.

The lead prosecutor in the case, Assistant State Attorney Dickey Hough, commented, “This case highlights the importance of community involvement and a willingness to provide information to law enforcement as a witness cooperated with law enforcement to identify the defendant and provide witness testimony. Without this witness involvement, the defendant may have never been identified and brought to justice.”

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

State Attorney Ed Brodsky announced today that Daniel Rivera was convicted of Criminal Mischief ($1000 Or More); Cruelty To Animals, Felony Battery; Possession Of A Firearm By A Convicted Felon, Aggravated Assault With A Deadly Weapon and Tampering With A Witness. The crimes were committed on 06/03/2025, 06/24/2025, 02/17/2026, and 02/24/2026. These crimes were investigated by the Bradenton Police Department. The Defendant was sentenced to 7 years prison.

Daniel Rivera was in an on and off again relationship with the young female victim. On 6/03/2025, Daniel Rivera was at the victim’s apartment, and an argument ensued. Daniel Rivera grabbed the victim’s one month old kitten and threw it off the balcony of a four-story apartment building into busy traffic. While on the scene, law enforcement observed the victim with two black eyes and a laceration to her neck. Law enforcement asked the victim how she received the injuries, but she refused to disclose any information.

On 6/24/2025, Daniel Rivera returned to the victim’s apartment to spend the night. An argument ensued after he entered the apartment. During the argument, Daniel Rivera grabbed the victim by the neck and pulled her into her bedroom. Sometime later, the victim stood up on the bed in attempt to get away from Daniel Rivera. Immediately thereafter, he grabbed a pistol that was sitting on the dresser, pointed it at the victim and told her to get off the bed.  Daniel Rivera then grabbed the victim’s cell phone, threw it against the wall causing it to be inoperable, and told the victim to go take a shower. While the victim was taking a shower, Daniel Rivera punched the victim on the left side of her face causing major swelling and opening of an old laceration. Daniel Rivera continued to abuse the victim throughout the night until he left for work. Subsequently, Daniel Rivera was arrested, and the court imposed a no contact order for him not to have contact with the victim. Immediately thereafter Daniel Rivera violated the court’s order by calling the victim and telling her to drop the charges. As a result of this contact, the State moved for a bond revocation which was granted.  The State filed additional charges of Tampering With A Witness.

The lead prosecutor in the case, Assistant State Attorney Limeecha Dunbar commented,

“Daniel Rivera thought he was above the law. He abused a one-month-old kitten, and he abused the victim. Daniel Rivera was ordered by the court to have no contact with the victim, but he continued to call her to drop charges during the pendency of the cases. Despite Daniel Rivera’s willful defiance of the law, he found out that he is not above the law when he was sentenced to 7 years prison on 05/7/2026. With the hard work of law enforcement and the State Attorney’s Office, Daniel Rivera is unable to hurt anyone during his sentence.”

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

State Attorney Ed Brodsky announced today that Sterick Jerome Nixon was convicted after jury trial of Lewd Or Lascivious Molestation By Person 18 Years Of Age Or Older Upon A Child Less Than 12 Years Of Age.  The crime was committed between 2018 and 2021 and investigated by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office’s Crimes Against Children division.

The trial was held at the Manatee County Courthouse on March 16 and 17, 2026.

Following the guilty verdict, the defendant was set for a sentencing hearing on May 6, 2026.  Circuit Court Judge Frederick Mercurio sentenced the defendant to life in prison.  He was also designated as a sexual predator

On December 29, 2022, Manatee County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint of the defendant displaying himself in a lewd or lascivious manner to a family member.  During the pendency of the investigation, law enforcement discovered that the defendant had previously sexually abused two other family members.  Those two victims then disclosed that the defendant sexually abused them for several years.

The lead prosecutor in the case, Assistant State Attorney Scott Callin commented, “All three of these young ladies showed incredible courage and strength in disclosing their abuse at the hands of the defendant. They showed those same qualities in bravely testifying before a jury and the defendant. We are pleased at the jury’s verdict and are thankful that the verdict and sentence will assure the safety of these girls and the community.”

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