Entries by Jamie Owens

Lake Placid Man Convicted and Sentenced to Life in Prison

Carlos Gonzalez, 66, of Lake Placid was convicted and sentenced to Life in Prison for Second Degree Murder. Gonzalez was in a verbal altercation with the victim that quickly escalated and resulted in the victim being stabbed in the chest by Gonzalez. Unfortunately, the victim succumbed to his injury and later died. State Attorney Brian […]

Dundee Man Convicted of Second-Degree Murder

Mark Callahan, 28, was convicted of Second-Degree Murder with a Firearm and Tampering with Physical Evidence. Callahan was in a verbal altercation with the victim at the Monticello Motel in Dundee when he pulled out a firearm and shot the victim; who was later declared deceased. Callahan then fled the scene and tried getting rid […]

Sebring Man Sentenced to 45 Years Florida State Prison

Timothy Hero, 54, sexually battered a vulnerable young girl in a Winn Dixie bathroom while she was grocery shopping. Hero, was an employee at the store when the incident occurred. Assistant State Attorney Norda Swaby obtained a 45-year prison sentence for Hero from a Highlands County Judge. State Attorney Brian Haas thanks ASA Swaby and […]

Enrollment Ends May 16th for Annual SAO Youth Mock Trial

The State Attorney’s Office is now accepting applications for their Annual Youth Mock Trial. The four-day program will take place June 6th through June 9th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Polk County Courthouse in Bartow. This program gives students going in to the 11th and 12th grade an opportunity to work with […]