On the night of June 24, 2017, Samuel Tucker was driving his black four door sedan vehicle with a .15 Blood Alcohol Level- Tucker crashed into a utility pole and fence and flipped his vehicle over several times. His passenger was killed. Tucker was hospitalized and upon release, fled to Ireland. Assistant State attorney Victoria Avalon worked diligently to get Tucker back to the United States. Tucker fought his extradition in the Irish Courts. With the help of the Department of Justice, the U.S. Marshall and the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office Tucker was returned to Highlands Courts to face his charges. Last week Tucker entered a best interest plea to DUI Manslaughter. DUI Manslaughter is a 2nd Degree Felony, permissible by up to 15 years in prison. The Judge sentenced Tucker to 11 years Florida State Prison and 4 years of probation. State Attorney Brian Haas thanks Assistant State Attorney Victoria Avalon and Richard Castillo and the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office for their hard work on this case.
https://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Samuel-Tucker-800-2.png794675Jamie Owenshttps://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Office-of-the-State-Attorney-10th-Judicial-Circuit-Logo.pngJamie Owens2022-08-29 19:00:312022-08-29 16:20:32DUI Manslaughter Suspect Fled to Ireland. SAO Brought Him Back and Now He’s Headed to Prison.
The State Attorney’s Office is accepting applications for the 2022 Citizens Academy.
The seven-week program will run from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. each Tuesday starting September 20th in the Bartow courthouse. The Academy gives residents in the 10th Circuit an opportunity to learn more about the criminal justice system. Citizens will hear from some of the top prosecutors in the circuit about how they develop cases then take them to trial.
Please fill out and complete the application below.
On Tuesday, State Attorney Brian Haas teamed up with the Lakeland Police Department for National Night Out!
They visited a handful of neighborhoods and businesses in Lakeland to talk to residents and business owners to continue strengthening relationships in the community.
We had a fantastic day and cannot wait to do it again next year!
https://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/IMG_0762-2-scaled.jpg17072560Jamie Owenshttps://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Office-of-the-State-Attorney-10th-Judicial-Circuit-Logo.pngJamie Owens2022-08-05 10:00:202022-08-04 11:54:24National Night Out with Lakeland Police Department
A Polk County Jury convicted Dontae Williamson of Robbery with a Firearm. Williamson entered Advance America in Lakeland FL and pointed a firearm at the clerk demanding money from the register and fled the scene with $450 in stolen cash. Williamson has six prior felony convictions and is set for sentencing September 12th. State Attorney Brian Haas thanks Assistant State Attorney Katherine Artman and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for their hard work on this case.
https://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Dontae-Williamson-2.jpg512414Jamie Owenshttps://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Office-of-the-State-Attorney-10th-Judicial-Circuit-Logo.pngJamie Owens2022-08-01 14:28:082022-09-15 10:57:12Lakeland Man Convicted and Sentenced to Life in Prison for Robbery with a Firearm
Thomas Lucas, 31, of Lakeland was convicted and sentenced to Life in Prison for Robbery with a Firearm and Burglary of a Dwelling with an assault while Armed with a Firearm. Lucas entered a Lakeland home with a firearm through an unlocked door and demanded one of the victims empty the money out of her safe. Lucas threatened to shoot a second victim if he tried to leave the home. Lucas fled the scene with the money and was later apprehended by law enforcement. State Attorney Brian Haas thanks Assistant State Attorney Josephine Colon and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for their work on this case.
https://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Thomas-Lucas-2.jpg487412Jamie Owenshttps://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Office-of-the-State-Attorney-10th-Judicial-Circuit-Logo.pngJamie Owens2022-07-18 10:59:222022-07-18 10:59:22Lakeland Man Convicted and Sentenced to Life in Prison
A Highlands County Jury convicted Jacob Knowles of seven counts of Sexual Battery. Knowles sexually abused the young girl for several months at her home and other locations. Knowles faces life in prison when sentenced. State Attorney Brian Haas thanks Assistant State Attorney Courtney Lenhart and the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office for their hard work obtaining justice in this case.
https://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Jacob-Knowles-2.png864796Jamie Owenshttps://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Office-of-the-State-Attorney-10th-Judicial-Circuit-Logo.pngJamie Owens2022-07-08 09:55:242022-08-01 14:25:407 Life Sentences for Highlands County Man Convicted of Seven Counts of Capital Sexual Battery
DUI Manslaughter Suspect Fled to Ireland. SAO Brought Him Back and Now He’s Headed to Prison.
/in SAO10 Blog /by Jamie OwensOn the night of June 24, 2017, Samuel Tucker was driving his black four door sedan vehicle with a .15 Blood Alcohol Level- Tucker crashed into a utility pole and fence and flipped his vehicle over several times. His passenger was killed. Tucker was hospitalized and upon release, fled to Ireland. Assistant State attorney Victoria Avalon worked diligently to get Tucker back to the United States. Tucker fought his extradition in the Irish Courts. With the help of the Department of Justice, the U.S. Marshall and the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office Tucker was returned to Highlands Courts to face his charges. Last week Tucker entered a best interest plea to DUI Manslaughter. DUI Manslaughter is a 2nd Degree Felony, permissible by up to 15 years in prison. The Judge sentenced Tucker to 11 years Florida State Prison and 4 years of probation. State Attorney Brian Haas thanks Assistant State Attorney Victoria Avalon and Richard Castillo and the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office for their hard work on this case.
State Attorney’s Office’s 2022 Citizens Academy
/in SAO10 Blog /by Jamie OwensState Attorney Brian Haas
The State Attorney’s Office is accepting applications for the 2022 Citizens Academy.
The seven-week program will run from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. each Tuesday starting September 20th in the Bartow courthouse. The Academy gives residents in the 10th Circuit an opportunity to learn more about the criminal justice system. Citizens will hear from some of the top prosecutors in the circuit about how they develop cases then take them to trial.
Please fill out and complete the application below.
Citizens Academy Application 2022
Completed application should be emailed to communications10@sao10.com or returned to:
ATTN: Administration
The State Attorney’s Office
255 N Broadway Ave., Second Floor
Bartow, FL, 33831
National Night Out with Lakeland Police Department
/in SAO10 Blog /by Jamie OwensOn Tuesday, State Attorney Brian Haas teamed up with the Lakeland Police Department for National Night Out!
They visited a handful of neighborhoods and businesses in Lakeland to talk to residents and business owners to continue strengthening relationships in the community.
We had a fantastic day and cannot wait to do it again next year!
Lakeland Man Convicted and Sentenced to Life in Prison for Robbery with a Firearm
/in SAO10 Blog /by Jamie OwensLakeland Man Convicted and Sentenced to Life in Prison
/in SAO10 Blog /by Jamie Owens7 Life Sentences for Highlands County Man Convicted of Seven Counts of Capital Sexual Battery
/in SAO10 Blog /by Jamie Owens