The State Attorney’s Office is accepting applications for the 2024 Citizens Academy.
The six-week program will run from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. each Tuesday starting September 10th 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 June 19, 2024, Taiwan Blandin was convicted of First Degree Murder, Attempted Sexual Battery, Robbery, Arson, Animal Cruelty and other charges for his October 1, 2019 crime rampage that left an 80 year old Frostproof woman dead in her home.
Following the crime spree, a nationwide man hunt ensued, with Blandin finally being apprehended two weeks later in Atlanta.
Taiwan Blandin was sentenced to Life in Prison by Senior Circuit Judge Dennis Maloney.
State Attorney Brian Haas thanks the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Assistant State Attorney Ralph Guerra for their hard work and dedication in bringing Taiwan Blandin to justice.
https://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Taiwan-Blandin-mug-shot.png512414Jamie Owenshttps://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Office-of-the-State-Attorney-10th-Judicial-Circuit-Logo.pngJamie Owens2024-07-01 11:20:132024-07-01 11:20:13Polk County Man Who Fled to Atlanta after Crime Spree Convicted of First Degree Murder
The State Attorney’s Office is now accepting applications for their Annual Youth Mock Trial.
The four-day program will take place June 17th through June 20th 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 prosecutors from the State Attorney’s Office and learn how a criminal case makes its way through the criminal justice system. Students will attend court hearings and study current cases to see how the law is applied.
Please fill out the application attached and submit to communications10@sao10.com or mail to the Polk County Courthouse. Deadline to apply is June 10th, 2024.
State Attorney Brian Haas attended the Kiwanis Club of Winter Haven 63rd Annual Pancake Festival. Thank you Kiwanis Club of Winter Haven for your continued commitment to improving our community and inviting us to this fun event.
Elbert Gillins, 60, was convicted and sentenced to Life in Prison for 2nd Degree Murder and Attempted Murder on October 3, 2019, in an alleyway near 210 E. Myrtle Street in Lakeland, a verbal argument between the defendant, Elbert Gillins, and two victims quickly escalated to violence. During the altercation, Gillins armed himself with a large piece of wood and began striking Victim 1 in the back of the head. Victim 1 fell face down onto the ground, where Gillins continued to strike him about his head and body. Victim 2 attempted to protect Victim 1 by laying on top of him, but Gillins continued to strike her with the piece of wood. As a result, Victim 1 suffered severe head trauma and later died from injuries sustained during the attack. Victim 2 suffered bruising all over her body, cuts, and a laceration to her chin. Gillins has a lengthy criminal history, including 12 prior battery convictions. State Attorney Brian Haas thanks Assistant State Attorney Katherine Artman and the Lakeland Police Department for their work on this case.
https://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Elbert-Gillins.jpg512414Jamie Owenshttps://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Office-of-the-State-Attorney-10th-Judicial-Circuit-Logo.pngJamie Owens2024-02-23 11:57:532024-02-23 11:57:53Man Convicted and Sentenced to Life in Prison for 2nd Degree Murder and Attempted Murder
https://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Michael-Folsom.png512414Jamie Owenshttps://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Office-of-the-State-Attorney-10th-Judicial-Circuit-Logo.pngJamie Owens2024-02-23 11:54:252024-02-23 11:54:25Former Owner of Folsom Construction Convicted and Sentenced to Florida State Prison
State Attorney’s Office Accepting Applications for 2024 Citizens Academy
/in SAO10 Blog /by Jamie OwensState Attorney Brian Haas
The State Attorney’s Office is accepting applications for the 2024 Citizens Academy.
The six-week program will run from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. each Tuesday starting September 10th 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 2024
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
Polk County Man Who Fled to Atlanta after Crime Spree Convicted of First Degree Murder
/in SAO10 Blog /by Jamie OwensOn June 19, 2024, Taiwan Blandin was convicted of First Degree Murder, Attempted Sexual Battery, Robbery, Arson, Animal Cruelty and other charges for his October 1, 2019 crime rampage that left an 80 year old Frostproof woman dead in her home.
Following the crime spree, a nationwide man hunt ensued, with Blandin finally being apprehended two weeks later in Atlanta.
Taiwan Blandin was sentenced to Life in Prison by Senior Circuit Judge Dennis Maloney.
State Attorney Brian Haas thanks the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Assistant State Attorney Ralph Guerra for their hard work and dedication in bringing Taiwan Blandin to justice.
State Attorney’s Office Youth Mock Trial Program
/in SAO10 Blog /by Jamie OwensThe State Attorney’s Office is now accepting applications for their Annual Youth Mock Trial.
The four-day program will take place June 17th through June 20th 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 prosecutors from the State Attorney’s Office and learn how a criminal case makes its way through the criminal justice system. Students will attend court hearings and study current cases to see how the law is applied.
Please fill out the application attached and submit to communications10@sao10.com or mail to the Polk County Courthouse. Deadline to apply is June 10th, 2024.
Mock Trial Flyer
Mock Trial Program_APPLICATION
State Attorney Brian Haas attended the Kiwanis Club of Winter Haven 63rd Annual Pancake Festival. Thank you Kiwanis Club of Winter Haven for your continued commitment to improving our community and inviting us to this fun event.
Man Convicted and Sentenced to Life in Prison for 2nd Degree Murder and Attempted Murder
/in SAO10 Blog /by Jamie OwensElbert Gillins, 60, was convicted and sentenced to Life in Prison for 2nd Degree Murder and Attempted Murder on October 3, 2019, in an alleyway near 210 E. Myrtle Street in Lakeland, a verbal argument between the defendant, Elbert Gillins, and two victims quickly escalated to violence. During the altercation, Gillins armed himself with a large piece of wood and began striking Victim 1 in the back of the head. Victim 1 fell face down onto the ground, where Gillins continued to strike him about his head and body. Victim 2 attempted to protect Victim 1 by laying on top of him, but Gillins continued to strike her with the piece of wood. As a result, Victim 1 suffered severe head trauma and later died from injuries sustained during the attack. Victim 2 suffered bruising all over her body, cuts, and a laceration to her chin. Gillins has a lengthy criminal history, including 12 prior battery convictions. State Attorney Brian Haas thanks Assistant State Attorney Katherine Artman and the Lakeland Police Department for their work on this case.
Former Owner of Folsom Construction Convicted and Sentenced to Florida State Prison
/in SAO10 Blog /by Jamie Owens