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

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

Sentencing is scheduled for October 1, 2026. 

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

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

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

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

The crimes carry a maximum possible sentence of 101 years. 

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

Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.