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State Attorney Ed Brodsky announced today that Tiffany Denyse Young was sentenced to 15 years in Florida State Prison followed by 15 years of Probation in Manatee County Case No. 2023CF001208AX and 2023CF001462AX. Ms. Young had previously entered a No Contest plea on May 02, 2025 to 2 Counts of Scheme to Defraud (Less than $20,000), 2 Counts of Fraudulent Use of Personal Identification Information (Victim over 60 Years of Age), 1 Count of Fraudulent Use of Personal Identification Information (10 or More Victims), 5 additional Counts of Fraudulent Use of Personal Identification Information; 1 Count of Obtaining Codeine by Fraud, 1 Count of Worthless Check/Debit Card ($150 or More), and 7 Counts of Uttering Counterfeit Instruments.

The crimes were committed between December 22, 2020 and July 01, 2022, and July 19, 2022 through February 28, 2023, while the defendant was employed as an Office Manager at two separate Dentist offices here in Manatee County. The cases were investigated by Detectives Randall Walker and Gary Cummings III of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.

The defendant used her position to defraud the local practices out of tens of thousands of dollars by having patients leave the “Pay to:” section of their checks blank, then filling in her own name before depositing the checks into her personal bank account. In many cases, the defendant altered the amounts of checks to increase the dollar amount, prior to depositing the checks. The defendant also altered credit/debit card payments of patients to smaller amounts, prior to pocketing the difference. She would then manipulate the accounting software to cover up the thefts. Many of the patients defrauded were senior citizens. The defendant also used one doctor’s unique DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) Registration Number to prescribe herself controlled substances.

Ms. Young had a lengthy prior record of similar offenses, for which she had served time in prison. She provided false identifying information on her employment applications to obtain these jobs.  

The 15 years in prison reflected the maximum punishment available on the highest-level of offenses. The Fraudulaent Use of Personal Identification Information (10 or More Victims) carried a mandatory minimum punishment of 3 years in prison.

            A Sentencing Hearing was held on September 03, 2025, after which Circuit Judge Stephen Mathew Whyte handed down the aforementioned sentence.

The lead prosecutor in the case, Assistant State Attorney (ASA) Justin Foster commented, “The defendant used her position of trust at these local dental offices to systematically defraud them out of tens of thousands of dollars. She was able to get these jobs by providing an altered middle name and Social Security Number. We encourage all employers to thoroughly and carefully vet any prospective employees who will be handling finances for your companies. We are pleased that the victim businesses, their doctors, and patients will be protected from this defendant for the next 30 years.”

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

State Attorney Ed Brodsky announced today that Eddie Lee Smith III was convicted after jury trial of Murder In The Second Degree With A Weapon. The crime was committed on 12/21/2022 and investigated by Arcadia Police Department. The trial was held at the Desoto County Courthouse on August 11 & 12, 2025.

The defendant received a life sentence minutes after the verdict was read in Circuit court.

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

“After the relentless pursuit of the truth, killer Eddie Smith was brought to justice Tuesday.” Prosecutor Moran said that *solving this grisly senseless murder was due to old fashioned police work and modern science. We hope that family can finally find closure after the jury’s verdict.”

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

State Attorney Ed Brodsky announced today that Jose Alfredo Gomez was convicted after jury trial of Manslaughter By Culpable Negligence With A Firearm and Aggravated Battery With Great Bodily Harm With A Firearm.  The crimes were committed on June 11, 2023 and investigated by the Palmetto Police Department in conjunction with the Manatee County Homicide Investigative Unit.  The trial was held at the Manatee County Judicial Center on July 28, 2025 through July 30, 2025.

The crimes carry a maximum possible sentence of Life in prison.

The minimum mandatory sentence is 25 years in state prison for the crime of Aggravated Battery with Great Bodily Harm with a Firearm pursuant to Florida’s 10-20-LIFE sentence enhancement statute.

Sentencing is scheduled for October 22, 2025 at 1:30 p.m.

The victim, Fernando Garcia-Nunez, was shot in the parking lot of The Hall night club in Palmetto as a graduation party was taking place inside. The victim intervened in an altercation that started when the defendant, Jose Gomez, slapped a female partygoer. The altercation ended with Gomez, who was on probation at the time, pulling a gun and firing a single shot into Fernando’s chest. Fernando later died at the hospital as a result.   

The lead prosecutor in the case, Assistant State Attorney Dickey Hough commented, “Gomez never should have been in possession of a gun in the first place, and then he committed this crime. It is our hope that his criminal behavior is punished severely and that the victim’s family receives justice for the death of their loved one.”

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

State Attorney Ed Brodsky announced today thatZachary Saunder Baumer was convicted after jury trial of Cruelty to Animals and Confinement of Animals without Sufficient Food Water or Exercise.  The crimes were committed over the span of many months and were investigated by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office.  The trial was held at the Sarasota County Courthouse on7/30/2025.

The crimes carry a maximum possible sentence of one year in the county jail. The Honorable Maryann Olson Uzabel was the presiding judge in the case. She sentenced the Defendant to the maximum one year of county jail, followed by one year of probation to include no ownership care, or control of animals as a condition of probation.

The Defendant in this case kept his dog named Chevy locked in a hot and dark garage, where he slept on a pile of garbage. There was additional hot air being pumped into the garage from an air conditioning unit and a refrigerator stocked with food. Chevy was not given food and was emaciated. His body had sores because he could not walk and was forced to lie on the hard surface of the trash in the garage. Chevy was also had cancer and was never taken to a vet. He was covered in fleas. A concerned citizen rescued Chevy from his owner, and the night he was rescued, he passed away.

Assistant State Attorneys Kyle Meyer and Nicole Jones prosecuted the case and attribute the guilty verdict to Deputy George Yock, ASO Madilynn Scott, Dr. Elizabeth Brown D.V.M., and the civilian witnesses who testified about the crimes that occurred.

Assistant State Attorney Kyle Meyer commented, “While this conviction and sentence cannot give Chevy his life back, it does bring justice for the horrific treatment he endured while in the care of the Defendant. Chevy was an innocent animal that did nothing to deserve the cruelty and neglect inflicted on him by the Defendant. Unlike a human, Chevy could not cry out for help. No animal should ever have to suffer what Chevy went through. The Defendant must now face the consequences of his actions. 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.

PRISON FOR UNLICENSED CONTRACTOR WHO STOLE FROM HURRICANE VICTIMS

State Attorney Ed Brodsky’s office announced that yesterday Justin Hoover was sentenced to thirty-six counts of Unlicensed Contracting During the State of Emergency, thirty-one counts of Grand Theft from Persons 65 years of Age or Older, six counts of Grand Theft and one misdemeanor count of Unlicensed Contracting. The Defendant received a prison sentence of 5 years Department of Corrections on one count of the Information. The Court further sentenced the defendant to 5 years of probation on each remaining felony count to each run consecutive. The Defendant was ordered to pay $212,417.80 in restitution to the victims. Circuit Court Judge Dana Moss presided over the sentencing.

Between the months of January and April of 2023, Justin Hoover, of J & J Screens LLC, entered into signed contracts and collected deposits from several residents in Sarasota County, mostly in the Venice Isles Estates community. Deposits ranged from $1,500 to $15,000. The Defendant was contracted to perform work such as the repairing/building new car ports, repairing/building new screen rooms, and building new sheds to the residents after sustaining damage from Hurricane Ian.

Amanda Morris, Economic Crime Prosecutor, stated “Because we live in Florida, damage from hurricanes is always on the mind of our citizens and for these victims it became a reality. Unfortunately, not only did they have to suffer from the impacts of Hurricane Ian but also from the impact of Justin Hoover who was not a licensed contractor and never completed the work. Justin Hoover stole the hard-earned money of veterans, seniors and those on fixed incomes and now he faces the reality of a prison sentence for his actions.”

The State Attorney’s Office wants to remind its citizens to always confirm that a contractor you are working with is licensed in the State of Florida by checking the Department of Business and Professional Regulation website and to be cautious when a contractor is asking for more than a 10% deposit.

If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact Assistant State Attorney Amanda Morris at the Sarasota County office at 941-861-4447.

State Attorney Ed Brodsky announced today that Jacques Randell Lamar Allen was convicted after jury trial of Murder In The Second Degree With A Firearm and Attempted Murder In The Second Degree With Firearm.  The crimes were committed on March 6, 2024 and investigated by Arcadia Police Department.  The trial was held at the Desoto County Courthouse on July 14 & 15, 2025.

The crimes carry a maximum possible sentence of life in prison with a minimum mandatory sentence of 25 years.  The State is seeking enhancement of the penalty under 10/20/LIFE, FS 775.087.  Sentencing is scheduled for September 16, 2025.

Jacques Allen claimed self-defense after shooting into a vehicle 15 times killing James Bibbs and seriously injuring Ernest Robinson.

The lead prosecutor in the case, Assistant State Attorney Cliff Ramey commented, “While no outcome can undo the harm caused, this verdict gives Ernest Robinson and the family of James Bibbs closure and reaffirms that our justice system will hold offenders accountable.”

If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact Assistant State Attorney Cliff A. Ramey in the Desoto County office at 861-993-4881.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The minimum mandatory sentence is 4 years.

Sentencing is scheduled for August 20, 2025.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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