State Attorney Ed Brodsky announced today that Stancel Jeffrey Maywas sentenced to 15 years in prison followed by 15 years of probation on September 15, 2026. The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Judge Danielle Brewer following a jury conviction for Arson in the First Degree (Dwelling) in July of 2026. The four-day trial was held at the Sarasota County Courthouse from June 29-July 2, 2026. Judge Brewer had presided over the trial, and also handed down the sentence after a sentencing hearing the day the sentence was pronounced.
The charge stemmed from a fire on Manasota Key in September of 2024. The owner of a two-story residential building reported the fire shortly after 8am when smoke was discovered pouring out of the upper portion of the home. After first responders with the Englewood and Sarasota County Fire Departments put the fire out and made the scene safe, local officials called detectives with the BFAEI after determining the circumstances warranted further investigation.
The investigation had revealed the fire was not electrical or accidental based on physical evidence at the scene. Detectives tracked down video surveillance footage of the driveway leading to the property and noticed a man approaching the home and leaving just minutes before the fire was discovered. The man was dressed in all black and concealing his face. Witnesses were able to identify the man as the Defendant based on his clothing and his posture/gait. Investigators located license plate reader (FLOCK) information that ended up being key evidence for trial by showing the Defendant’s vehicle was in the area around the time of the fire. When asked about the fire, the Defendant’s statements to detectives about his whereabouts did not check out. His cell phone was obtained, and data such as texts, calls, and location information was deleted from a time frame covering when the fire occurred.
The lead prosecutor in the case, Assistant State Attorney S. Ethan Dunn, said:
“Thanks to the quick response of the firefighters and law enforcement in this case, the courage of the Victims that identified the Defendant to stand up to him, and the jury’s verdict holding him accountable, this Defendant will spend a significant amount of time removed from society for the protection of all. I am grateful for our first responder community in Sarasota, consisting of the Englewood Fire Department, Sarasota County Fire Department, members of Florida’s Forensic Services Lab, and the BFAEI detectives on this case; their dedication led to the Defendant being held accountable for his actions and a just outcome. The Court’s sentence will provide much-deserved years of peace and security for the families affected by this senseless act of domestic violence.”
If you have any questions or would like further information please contact Assistant State Attorney S. Ethan Dunn in the Sarasota County office at 941-861-4400.