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State Attorney Ed Brodsky announced today that Kevin Maurice Holloway was convicted after a jury trial of First-Degree Premeditated Murder, two counts of Attempted First-Degree Premeditated Murder, Robbery with a Firearm, Shooting into a Dwelling, two counts of Aggravated Assault, and one count of Stalking.  The crimes were investigated by the Sarasota Police Department.  The four-day trial was held at the Sarasota County Courthouse from April 21-24, 2026.  The Honorable Judge Danielle Brewer presided over the trial.

The charges stemmed from a shooting in the early morning hours of July 4, 2024, in the City of Sarasota.  The Defendant had driven by the home of his ex-girlfriend around 12:30am threatening her and two others in the driveway of her home, specifically stating he would come back and kill people.  Approximately 40 minutes later, the Defendant approached the driveway – now with four people total – on foot as a masked gunman dressed in all black, a ski mask with only eyeholes, gloves, and a gun in his hand.  He demanded everyone went inside and, after taking the phone from his ex-girlfriend and engaging in an argument with others at the scene, he shot and killed one man followed shortly thereafter by firing at others now fleeing the scene.  He also shot nine additional rounds into the window and living room of his ex-girlfriend’s home as she laid on the floor trying to find cover.

After a joint initial response by members of the Sarasota Police Department (SPD) and the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO), an investigation was conducted by detectives with SPD.  The investigation revealed the Defendant was the primary suspect and the only one named by eyewitnesses.  Investigators located several camera angles of the incident, including one later recovered from the cell phone of the man the Defendant shot and killed.  SPD detectives learned of the Defendant’s whereabouts and tracked his car to Miami.  He was arrested by members of the Miami Police Department approximately 17 hours after the shooting.  As the investigation continued, a detective with SCSO was able to locate records of text messages the Defendant sent to the ex-girlfriend in the months leading up to the shooting.  In the messages, the Defendant threatened her repeatedly and made several statements to her about how he would go about killing her and anyone he happened to find around her – statements that later matched the circumstances of the shooting. 

Following the jury’s verdict of guilty on all counts, the jury additionally found the Defendant qualifies as “Prison Releasee Reoffender” under Florida law.  For 5 of the 8 counts for which he was convicted, this meant the Court was required under Florida law to sentence the Defendant to the maximum penalty.

The jury also found, pursuant to a Florida law commonly referred to as the “10/20/Life” statute, that the Defendant carried a firearm during the crimes, that he discharged that firearm, and that there was death or great bodily harm inflicted upon someone as a result.

Based on those findings, the Defendant was sentenced to multiple life sentences without the possibility of parole.  The sentencing took place shortly after the verdict, with the family of the deceased Victim making statements before the sentence was handed down.

The lead prosecutor in the case, Assistant State Attorney S. Ethan Dunn, said: “This Defendant truly believed he could get away with murder.  His path of devastation and destruction left a family without a loved one and shattered a sense of safety for the surviving Victims and eyewitnesses.  Thanks to the courage of the surviving Victims and eyewitnesses to stand up to the Defendant, and the jury’s careful attention to this case, the Defendant’s past and hubris has finally caught up with him.  The jury’s verdict not only restores a sense of justice for the families of the Victims and the Victims themselves but makes our community a safer place.

On behalf of myself, my co-counsel Kate Metz, and the State Attorney’s Office, I would like to thank the dedication of the men and women of the Sarasota Police Department for their endless efforts to bring this man to justice.  I would also like to thank the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Miami Police Department for their collaboration on this case.  The jury’s verdict highlights the incredible dedication of the people in these agencies, and I am thankful to have such strong law enforcement partners willing to do what it takes to protect the people of Sarasota and the State of Florida from criminal predators like the Defendant.  The streets of the City and County of Sarasota; Florida; and the nation at large are better off with the Defendant behind bars for the rest of his life.”

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 Jonathan Edward Elwing was convicted after jury trial of twelve felony offenses related to the sexual abuse of children: Sexual Battery by a Person 18 Years of Age or Older Upon a Child Less than 12 Years Of Age; Lewd or Lascivious Molestation by a Person 18 Years of Age or Older Upon a Child Less than 12 Years of Age; 5 Counts of Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance; and 5 Counts of Possession of Child Pornography.

The crimes were committed between April and June of 2024 and investigated by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children and Crimes Against Children divisions. 

The trial was held at the Manatee County Courthouse on April 20 – April 21, 2026.

The defendant was sentenced immediately following the guilty verdict on April 21, 2026.

Circuit Court Judge Ryan Felix sentenced the defendant to twelve life sentences, one for each count of which he was convicted.  He was also designated a sexual predator. Three of the life sentences were ordered to be served consecutively, with the remaining sentences to run concurrent with each other.

The defendant in this case was the senior pastor at a local Palmetto church.  His actions of abuse were discovered when law enforcement received a tip related to suspicious internet activity on an account associated with the defendant.  Detectives were able to obtain a search warrant for the defendant’s electronic devices, which led to the discovery of his heinous acts of abuse.

The lead prosecutor in the case, Assistant State Attorney Ashley Dusnik commented,

“The State would like to recognize the diligent work of the MSO Crimes Against Children Detectives who were able to obtain overwhelming evidence of this defendant’s guilt.  Their efforts ensure that no children will be exposed to any additional harm at the hands of this defendant.  We would also like to thank the members of the jury for their time and careful consideration in this disturbing case.”

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

State Attorney Ed Brodsky announced on Friday, April 17^th, that Cesar Navarrete was convicted after a sentencing hearing of four (4) criminal charges: 

1. Driving Under the Influence – Manslaughter
2. Vehicular Homicide
3. Driving While License Suspended Causing Death
4. Driving Under the Influence (Property Damage and/or Personal Injury)

The sentencing hearing was held at the Manatee County Courthouse on April 16, 2026. 

The DUI Manslaughter and Vehicular Homicide charges carry a maximum prison sentence of 15 years (DUI Manslaughter also carries a 4-year minimum mandatory prison sentence), the Driving While License Suspended Causing Death carries a maximum penalty prison sentence of 5 years, and the DUI (PD/PI) carries a maximum jail sentence of up to 1 year. 

On the evening of November 2, 2024, Bradenton Police Department responded to a high-speed two-vehicle crash at the intersection of 43rd Street West and Cortez Road West.  The car driven by the defendant was traveling west on Cortez Road.  The victim, Ms. Sara Holmes, was the front passenger of the car that was traveling east on Cortez Road and was attempting to make a left turn when the defendant crashed into the victim’s side of the car.  A crash analysis indicated that the defendant was traveling at 115MPH at the moment of the crash.  The posted speed limit is 45MPH.  There was no evidence to indicate that there was any effort on the part of the defendant to brake or avoid the crash from occurring.  The defendant’s blood alcohol level was over double the legal limit for alcohol consumption.  The victim’s vehicle was effectively sawed in half and the rear part of her vehicle traveled approximately 130ft away from the front half ending up in a nearby business parking lot.  In addition to being twice over the legal limit for alcohol, the defendant has a prior 2021 conviction for Driving Under the Influence and Driving While License Suspended.  At the time he committed the crimes, the defendant had an active driver’s license suspension.  The defendant also had an active bench warrant for failure to appear for a pending misdemeanor Driving While License Suspended at the time these crimes were committed. 

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

“Justice was served at the sentencing hearing.  The defendant was ultimately sentenced to 25 years in prison followed by 10 years probation.  Due to all the aggravating factors in this case, the Court sentenced the defendant consecutively on his criminal charges.  I would like to thank the friends and family members of the victims in this case who spoke at the sentencing hearing in support of the State’s recommended sentence. We appreciate the hard work of the Bradenton Police Department on their investigation.” 

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 thatChristopher George Pettit was convicted after jury trial of 6 Counts of Cruelty to Animals, 3 Counts of Keeping Venomous reptiles without a permit, 1 count of Unsafe Maintenance of Captive Wild Life, and 6 Counts of Confinement of Abandonment of Animals. The crimes were committed over the span of many months and were investigated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.  The trial was held at the Sarasota County Courthouse beginning 4/6/2026 and ending 4/7/2026.

County Judge Megan Leaf presided over the case. The Defendant was sentenced to 6 months in the Sarasota County Jail followed by 18 months of probation. As a condition of probation, the Defendant is to have no care, custody, or control of animals and must register on the Animal Cruelty Registry.

The Defendant in this case kept 3 venomous snakes, two non-venomous snakes, and a Lace Monitor Lizard in a garage with no ventilation. They were in plastic bins with no food or water. All the animals were severely emaciated and dehydrated. One of the snakes later died after being rescued. There were also multiple dead snakes found in the garage. During trial the defendant shifted blame to his son who passed away several months ago. The Defendant also works at a veterinary office as a vet tech.

Assistant State Attorney Kyle Meyer the lead prosecutor, commented,

“No animal, no matter what species, deserves to be treated the way those reptiles were treated. They suffered months of malnutrition and dehydration and were left to die a slow and painful death. Furthermore, the Defendant put the community at risk by keeping the venomous animals without proper safeguards. This prosecution would not have been successful without the tireless work and effort of FWC Investigator Robert O’Horo, Deputy Robbie Martin of SSO, Dr. Jack Landess, and the civilian witnesses who testified.”

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

State Attorney Ed Brodsky announced today that Fred Donaldson was sentenced to 20½ years in prison for a December 14, 2025, DUI crash that killed a North Florida couple returning home from a family cruise. The crash occurred on I‑75 near mile marker 203. The Honorable Judge Padar presided over the negotiated plea between the State of Florida and Mr. Donaldson during a hearing held on March 31, 2026.

Mr. Donaldson pled guilty to two counts of DUI Manslaughter. He received a 20½‑year prison sentence followed by three years of probation, during which he must complete all required DUI sanctions and verify lawful compliance upon release from the Department of Corrections.

Florida Highway Patrol Lead Investigator Matthew Sill collected extensive evidence, including recorded statements, physical evidence, videos, photographs, and laboratory results, all of which were compiled and submitted for prosecution. Several civilian witnesses also provided video recordings documenting Mr. Donaldson’s driving pattern and the crash itself.

Assistant State Attorney Robert Gail, the lead prosecutor, noted in his closing argument to the Court:

 “It was a team effort. The professionals who responded to the horrific scene performed their duties by the numbers. Through the combined work of the Florida Highway Patrol, responding Sarasota Sheriff’s deputies, Sarasota Fire and Rescue, and brave civilians, the proof of this crime was evident. The victim advocates of the State Attorney’s Office and Mothers Against Drunk Driving were instrumental in maintaining open communication with law enforcement and the families affected by this tragedy.”

State Attorney Ed Brodsky reiterated to everyone in the community that driving under the influence (DUI) is 100% preventable. Use a designated driver, a rideshare app, family, or friends to prevent tragedies like this.

For questions or further information, please contact Assistant State Attorney Robert Gail at the Sarasota County office at 941‑861‑4400.

State Attorney Ed Brodsky announced today that Ednaldo Souza De Almeida entered a pre-trial plea to four counts of Lewd Or Lascivious Molestation By Person 18 Years Of Age Or Older Upon A Child Less Than 12 Years Of Age, and one count of Lewd or Lascivious Conduct By Person 18 Years of Age or Older Upon a Child Less Than 16 Years of Age (Solicitation).  The crimes were committed from October 1, 2021, to July 14, 2024, and investigated by Sarasota Police Department.  The Defendant entered the plea at the Sarasota County Courthouse on March 24, 2026, before the Honorable Thomas W. Krug.

The first four counts carry a maximum possible sentence of life, and Count 4 carries a maximum possible sentence of 15 years.

The minimum mandatory sentence for the first four counts is 25 years.

The Honorable Thomas W. Krug sentenced the 46-year-old Defendant to 50 years in prison for Counts 1-4 and 15 years in prison for Count 5.  The court designated the Defendant as a Sexual Predator.  Following prison, the Defendant will be on lifetime sex offender probation and must have no contact with the victims in this case.

On July 14, 2024, Sarasota Police Department responded to a call of sexual battery. Detectives discovered that the Defendant molested his family member’s 10-year-old friend while family and friends gathered at his residence to plan a camping trip.  Her disclosure led to a family member also revealing years of ongoing sexual abuse which began when she was 5 years old.  The Defendant silenced the family member by threatening her that if the child ever told anyone, her family would no longer have any financial means and that she would be left alone in the world after he killed her mother and brothers.

The prosecutors in the case, Assistant State Attorney Lissa MacDonald and Ethan Dunn commented,

“The two young children demonstrated great bravery and strength by disclosing what they suffered at the Defendant’s hands to Sarasota Police officers. Their bravery along with the diligent investigation efforts of the Sarasota Police Department empowered these girls to protect countless other children from this 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 announced today that Darryl Dye was convicted after jury trial of one count of Second Degree Murder with a Firearm. The crime was committed on August 7, 2023. North Port Police Department investigated the case. The trial was held at the Sarasota County Courthouse starting March 16, 2026 through March 20, 2026 before the Honorable Circuit Court Judge Donna Padar.

Second Degree Murder with a Firearm carries a minimum sentence of 25 years Department of Corrections and a maximum sentence of Life. The defendant was sentenced to life in prison shortly after the jury came back with a guilty verdict on Friday March 20, 2026.

On August 7, 2023, the North Port Police Department received a phone call on their non-emergency line from the defendant reporting that his roommate was dead. No further details were mentioned in the call, except when asked if he would attempt CPR, the defendant advised the situation “was beyond that.” Upon law enforcement arrival, it was immediately apparent the victim had been shot multiple times with a firearm. A firearm was located in the defendant’s bedroom in a silver briefcase. Sitting on top of the briefcase was the defendant’s wallet with his identification card. Also in the briefcase were several magazines, bullets, a holster, and the defendant’s prescription pills. The defendant’s firearm was identified as the murder weapon through forensic testing, and further testing revealed the defendant’s DNA on the weapon. The victim’s autopsy revealed she was shot twice in the head, and once in the neck while she was sitting on her bed in her room. While the case was pending, the defendant made admissions to family members and others that he killed the victim in self-defense. These admissions contradicted the defendant’s trial testimony, in which he stated he had no idea what happened to the victim.

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

“It is truly humbling to be able to achieve justice for the victim of such a horrific and senseless act of violence. The outcome of this trial was truly a team effort between the Office of the State Attorney, North Port Police Department, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Our community is fortunate to have such dedicated law enforcement.”

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 Abraham Moises Contreras Perezwas convicted of Domestic Battery by Strangulation, Tampering with a Victim/Witness, Solicitation of a Third Party to Violate Pretrial Release and nine counts of Violation of Pretrial Release in Case #2024CF005075NC after a three-day jury trial in front of Judge Thomas Krug.  The jury returned a guilty verdict on all twelve counts on March 11, 2026.  The crime was committed on May 24, 2024, and investigated by Sarasota Sheriff’s Office. 

The crime carries a maximum possible sentence of more than 29 Years of incarceration.

Law enforcement was contacted when a neighbor called 911 after seeing the defendant drag the victim (his girlfriend and mother of his child) into their house.  Deputies Angelo Akyan and Luke Conklin of the Sarasota Sheriff’s Office arrived to find the defendant strangling the victim in the bedroom of the house. The deputies pulled the defendant off of her, likely saving her life.  The victim recounted that she could see the ceiling fan slowing down as he strangled her before deputies miraculously stopped him.

When the victim later signed a waiver of prosecution, the State Attorney’s Office launched a new investigation into witness tampering, finding that defendant had called her more than 78 times in violation of the court’s no contact order and also solicited at least one other person to pressure her to drop charges.  This simply made the defendant’s situation worse.

At trial, the defense alleged the incident was self-defense based on the neighbor’s testimony that she saw the victim hit the defendant with something and the later discovery that the defendant had fractured orbital bones around his eye.  However, Assistant State Attorney Liana Whipple argued in Closing arguments that the defendant’s injuries were from an accident that predated this incident and that the victim was merely acting in self-defense herself.

The lead prosecutor in the case, Assistant State Attorney Nicholas Lata commented, “This case demonstrates that our office will prosecute serious domestic violence cases with or without a cooperative victim.  Tampering with victims will only ensure more serious felony charges against the defendant.  In the end, we were able to persuade the victim to testify in spite of the defendant’s persistent tampering and justice was served.”

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 Tyreak Allen was convicted after jury trial of Felony Murder In The First Degree and Attempted Robbery.  The crimes were committed on 01/23/2023 and investigated by the Bradenton Police Department.  The trial was held at the Manatee County Courthouse from March 9-11, 2026.

Allen was sentenced immediately following the verdict to Life in prison on count one and a concurrent 20 years in prison on count two.

This case involved eight defendants, most armed and masked, who all tried to rob the victim, James Jackson.  During the attempted robbery the victim was shot and killed.  Someone at the scene caught most of the incident on a cell phone video.  The video was obtained by law enforcement and was a crucial piece of evidence that helped identify the individuals involved.  Tyreak Allen was arrested immediately following the crime and was in possession of the firearm that was later forensically linked to shell casings at the scene.

The lead prosecutor in the case, Assistant State Attorney Suzanne O’Donnell commented,

“Tyreak Allen’s case was the last remaining case of the eight co-defendants.  The other co-defendants accepted responsibility and agreed to plea offers.  This guilty verdict and subsequent sentence are the result of this defendant’s refusal to accept responsibility after he was given extensive opportunities to do so.  We are thankful that justice was served on all cases.  This has been a heartbreaking experience for the victim, James Jackson’s family, who has appeared in court for every hearing for every defendant.  Now that the court process is over, hopefully they can continue to heal and find peace.  We thank Sgt. Andres Perez, Bradenton Police Department, for his dogged determination to identify the people on video who were involved in this crime, and we thank the jury for their attention and consideration in this case against Tyreak Allen.”

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.

State Attorney Ed Brodsky announced today that Jamal Lamar Blakely was convicted after jury trial of two counts of Murder In The Second Degree With A Firearm.  The crimes were committed on 02/07/2012 and investigated by Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.  The trial was held at the Manatee County Courthouse on February 23rd through the 25th.

The crimes carry a maximum possible sentence of LIFE.

The minimum mandatory sentence is 25 years to LIFE.

Sentencing was held on February 25th, 2026, immediately following the trial. The defendant was sentenced to LIFE in prison to run CONSECUTIVE to the current prison sentence Blakely is currently serving.

On February 7th, 2012, Adrian Velasquez-Baca and Mauricio Maldonado-Conde were brutally shot to death inside their home during what appeared to be a robbery. Mr. Velasquez-Baca was shot multiple times in the back, and Mr. Maldonado-Conde was shot in the head with the gun pressed against his left temple. While the defendant was an early suspect, there was insufficient evidence at the time to charge anyone with these heinous crimes. Around this same time, however, Jamal Blakely, who was around 17 years old then, committed two violent rapes, one on October 9, 2011. where he drug the victim off the street at gunpoint and sexually battered her behind an abandoned house, and one on June 5, 2012, where he broke into a woman’s residence and sexually battered her inside. He was tried by this office and convicted of the October incident in 2014, and he ultimately entered a plea to the June incident in 2015, receiving a total sentence of 40 years in prison. It was not until he began serving this prison sentence that new evidence came forth regarding the murders in the form of admissions Jamal Blakely made about the killings to a prison cellmate, telling the cellmate intimate and specific details of the killing that were never made public or known to anyone outside of investigators and the person who committed the crimes. Through these admissions and the cooperation of that cellmate, combined with evidence that the defendant lived across the street from the victims at the time and his fingerprints being discovered on scene, along with additional investigative efforts by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, Jamal Blakely was ultimately able to be charged for murders of Adrian Velasquez-Baca and Mauricio Maldonado-Conde, leading to his conviction this week. Due to him already serving a sentence for Sexual Battery, the LIFE sentence he received for the murders is to run consecutive to his current 40 year prison sentence.

The lead prosecutor in the case, Assistant State Attorney Rebecca Freel commented, “While it may seem sometimes that justice delayed is justice denied, this case is an example of the opposite being true. Through patience, tenacity, hard work, and a little bit of luck, the hard-working men and women of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office were able to build a case against Jamal Blakely, and justice was finally achieved for the victims when, for a time, it seemed like their deaths may go unanswered. We appreciate the jury’s time and efforts in hearing the case this week, and we’re glad the families of the victims can finally put this brutal chapter of their lives to rest.”

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