Dwyane Rowland schemed to steal a house that was not his. The Texas man noticed that there was a man with a similar name in Polk County who owned a home. Rowland traveled here from Texas and attempted to move into the home, even employing a locksmith in an effort to get the locks changed. Thankfully, observant neighbors knew something wasn’t right and called the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. Rowland was convicted by a Polk County Jury of Grand Theft, Burglary and False Information to Law Enforcement. He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 14^th, 2022. State Attorney Brian Haas thanks Assistant State Attorney Eric Ebbole and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for their work on this case.

Polk County Man, Elijah Stansell, was Convicted by a Polk County Jury of First-Degree Murder. Stansell, along with three other co-defendants, drove to the victim’s home to confront her son. When the victim returned home, she confronted the defendant who was driving the getaway van. As he was fleeing the area, the defendant drove his van directly towards the victim; severely injuring her. The victim subsequently died from her injuries. Stansell will be sentenced later this year to a mandatory life in prison sentence. State Attorney Brian Haas thanks Assistant State Attorney Bonde Johnson and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for their work on this case.

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.