SAO Annual Years of Service and Law Enforcement Award Ceremony
The State Attorney’s Office held its Annual Years of Service and Law Enforcement Awards Ceremony recently, Five officers were recognized for their exemplary work on a particular case and those who went above and beyond their routine job duties in efforts to assist our office.
Investigator Jason Leggett-Lakeland Police Department
Sergeant Steven Ritenour-Highlands County Sheriff’s Office
Deputy Steven Sykes-Polk County Sheriff’s Office
Sergeant Kelly Wedley-Polk County Sheriff’s Office
Detective Deborah Ryan-Polk County Sheriff’s Office
James Williams, 40, was convicted by a Polk County Jury of Second-Degree Murder, Manslaughter with a Firearm, and two counts of Improper Exhibit of a Firearm. Williams, also known as “Spooky” used a firearm to shoot one victim who died at the scene and shot another victim who later died at the local hospital due to his injuries. Two other victims were shot at by Williams but were able to escape in their vehicle. Williams faces a possible life sentence at sentencing. State Attorney Brian Haas thanks Assistant State Attorney Michael Nutter and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for their work obtaining justice in this case.
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 Haas thanks ASA Richard Castillo and the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office for their hard work on this case.
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 of the firearm by throwing it over a nearby privacy fence. Callahan will be sentenced on June 10th. State Attorney Brian Haas thanks Assistant State Attorney Josie Colon and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for their hard work on this case.