The State Attorney’s Office is accepting applications for the second annual Citizens Academy.
The seven-week program will run from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. each Tuesday starting November 2nd 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.
Enrollment is closed for the 2021 Citizens Academy.
https://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/haas_112016_0015.jpg23933000Jamie Owenshttps://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Office-of-the-State-Attorney-10th-Judicial-Circuit-Logo.pngJamie Owens2021-10-06 14:20:092021-10-14 08:06:14Enrollment Opens for Second Annual SAO Citizens Academy
In what is considered one of the worst cases of child abuse in Polk County in many years, a jury convicted Breonna Wren of first degree murder of her boyfriend’s six-year-old child. Wren severely beat the child back in 2018 while the child was visiting her father. The child suffered more than 37 separate injuries, including three skull fractures, a lacerated liver and external injuries from head
Breonna Wren
to toe. The father’s criminal case is still pending. Because Wren was convicted of first degree murder, she will be sentenced to a mandatory life in prison sentence with no chance of parole. State Attorney Brian Haas thanks the Lakeland Police Department and Assistant State Attorney Ashley McCarthy for their hard work and dedication in securing this conviction.
https://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Wren.jpg512414Jamie Owenshttps://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Office-of-the-State-Attorney-10th-Judicial-Circuit-Logo.pngJamie Owens2021-09-28 10:31:422021-09-28 10:31:42Lakeland Woman Found Guilty of First-Degree Murder of Six-Year-Old Child
State Attorney Brian Haas announces the indictment of Bryan James Riley by the Polk County Grand Jury on twenty-two charges, including four counts of first-degree murder, one count of attempted first degree murder, one count of kidnapping, one count of aggravated child abuse, two counts of burglary, seven counts of attempted first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer, one count of animal cruelty, one count of arson, two counts of shooting into an occupied dwelling, and two counts of shooting within an occupied dwelling. This incident occurred in the early morning hours of September 5th in the unincorporated area of Lakeland, Florida. Riley will be arraigned on the charges at a later date.
https://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Indictments-e1632323164729.png512414Jamie Owenshttps://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Office-of-the-State-Attorney-10th-Judicial-Circuit-Logo.pngJamie Owens2021-09-22 11:02:382021-09-22 11:42:55Man Indicted by Grand Jury for Four Counts of First-Degree Murder
A Lake Alfred man was convicted by a Polk County Jury of three counts of trafficking in heroin, conspiracy to traffic heroin and several other drug-related charges. The street value of the heroin involved in this case exceeded tens of thousands of dollars. The defendant, Beverly Souels, worked with another man to traffic heroin throughout Polk County. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case and worked with Assistant State Attorney Katherine Artman in prosecuting the defendant. Souels faces a mandatory prison sentence of 25 years and will be sentenced on April 8. State Attorney Brian Haas is thankful for the work of the Polk County Sheriff’s Department and ASA Artman in securing this conviction and making our community a safer place to live, work and visit.
SOUELS-BEVERLY
https://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/SOUELS-BEVERLY.jpg512414Jon McMillanhttps://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Office-of-the-State-Attorney-10th-Judicial-Circuit-Logo.pngJon McMillan2021-03-18 15:49:182021-03-18 15:49:18Man Convicted of Multiple Counts of Trafficking in Heroin
Polk County jury trials resumed this week after being paused for several weeks due to COVID. In a trial on Wednesday, jurors convicted Russell Lewis Botts of Attempted Armed Robbery with a Deadly Weapon.
Russell Lewis Botts
In November of 2019, Botts and an accomplice tried to rob a man who was walking home from work near Griffin Road in Lakeland. Botts armed himself with a knife. Jurors deliberated for 8 minutes before finding Botts guilty as charged. State Attorney Brian Haas stated on Wednesday that criminals like Russell Botts are a danger to our community and due to his actions in this case, Botts has earned himself a Florida State Prison sentence. Botts will be sentenced at an upcoming hearing. ASA Michael Nutter and the Lakeland Police Department worked together to secure the conviction.
https://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Russell-Lewis-Botts.jpg600480Jon McMillanhttps://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Office-of-the-State-Attorney-10th-Judicial-Circuit-Logo.pngJon McMillan2021-02-04 13:23:262021-02-04 13:23:26JURY VERDICT: Russell Lewis Botts Guilty of Attempted Armed Robbery with a Deadly Weapon
In the first COVID-19-Era First Degree Murder Trial, jurors convicted James “Jimbo” Pennington for the murder of Devyn Martin in Indian Lake Estates in 2017.
During the 6 day trial, jurors heard testimony from Polk County Sheriff’s Deputies and other witnesses to the crime. Assistant State Attorney Jaenea Gorman presented evidence to the jurors that the victim went to Pennington’s house to talk to his friend, Christopher Walters, but while he was there, Pennington became angry and ordered Martin off his property.
Pennington went inside his home and returned with a compound bow. He shot an arrow at the victim, narrowly missing the man. The victim reached into his golf cart he was driving and pulled out a rifle, not pointing the weapon at Pennington. Pennington then returned inside his home and came back with a sawed-off shotgun.
The victim never followed Pennington and never threatened him. He attempted to duck when Pennington fired the shot that killed him. Pennington then concealed the victim’s body in a wooded area next to his house. Later, Pennington told deputies that the victim needed to be “exterminated.” Jurors deliberated for 4 ½ hours before finding Pennington guilty as charged. He was sentenced to life in prison. State Attorney Brian Haas thanks Assistant State Attorney Gorman and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for their work in this case.
https://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/1217pennington.jpg512414john chamblisshttps://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Office-of-the-State-Attorney-10th-Judicial-Circuit-Logo.pngjohn chambliss2020-12-17 12:57:362020-12-17 12:57:36Jury Verdict: Man Guilty of First Degree Murder
Enrollment Opens for Second Annual SAO Citizens Academy
/in SAO10 Blog /by Jamie OwensState Attorney Brian Haas
The State Attorney’s Office is accepting applications for the second annual Citizens Academy.
The seven-week program will run from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. each Tuesday starting November 2nd 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.
Enrollment is closed for the 2021 Citizens Academy.
Please visit www.sao10.com/about-us/citizens-academy/.
Lakeland Woman Found Guilty of First-Degree Murder of Six-Year-Old Child
/in SAO10 Blog /by Jamie OwensIn what is considered one of the worst cases of child abuse in Polk County in many years, a jury convicted Breonna Wren of first degree murder of her boyfriend’s six-year-old child. Wren severely beat the child back in 2018 while the child was visiting her father. The child suffered more than 37 separate injuries, including three skull fractures, a lacerated liver and external injuries from head
Breonna Wren
to toe. The father’s criminal case is still pending. Because Wren was convicted of first degree murder, she will be sentenced to a mandatory life in prison sentence with no chance of parole. State Attorney Brian Haas thanks the Lakeland Police Department and Assistant State Attorney Ashley McCarthy for their hard work and dedication in securing this conviction.
Man Indicted by Grand Jury for Four Counts of First-Degree Murder
/in SAO10 Blog /by Jamie OwensBryan James Riley
State Attorney Brian Haas announces the indictment of Bryan James Riley by the Polk County Grand Jury on twenty-two charges, including four counts of first-degree murder, one count of attempted first degree murder, one count of kidnapping, one count of aggravated child abuse, two counts of burglary, seven counts of attempted first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer, one count of animal cruelty, one count of arson, two counts of shooting into an occupied dwelling, and two counts of shooting within an occupied dwelling. This incident occurred in the early morning hours of September 5th in the unincorporated area of Lakeland, Florida. Riley will be arraigned on the charges at a later date.
Man Convicted of Multiple Counts of Trafficking in Heroin
/in SAO10 Blog /by Jon McMillanA Lake Alfred man was convicted by a Polk County Jury of three counts of trafficking in heroin, conspiracy to traffic heroin and several other drug-related charges. The street value of the heroin involved in this case exceeded tens of thousands of dollars. The defendant, Beverly Souels, worked with another man to traffic heroin throughout Polk County. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case and worked with Assistant State Attorney Katherine Artman in prosecuting the defendant. Souels faces a mandatory prison sentence of 25 years and will be sentenced on April 8. State Attorney Brian Haas is thankful for the work of the Polk County Sheriff’s Department and ASA Artman in securing this conviction and making our community a safer place to live, work and visit.
SOUELS-BEVERLY
JURY VERDICT: Russell Lewis Botts Guilty of Attempted Armed Robbery with a Deadly Weapon
/in SAO10 Blog /by Jon McMillanPolk County jury trials resumed this week after being paused for several weeks due to COVID. In a trial on Wednesday, jurors convicted Russell Lewis Botts of Attempted Armed Robbery with a Deadly Weapon.
Russell Lewis Botts
In November of 2019, Botts and an accomplice tried to rob a man who was walking home from work near Griffin Road in Lakeland. Botts armed himself with a knife. Jurors deliberated for 8 minutes before finding Botts guilty as charged. State Attorney Brian Haas stated on Wednesday that criminals like Russell Botts are a danger to our community and due to his actions in this case, Botts has earned himself a Florida State Prison sentence. Botts will be sentenced at an upcoming hearing. ASA Michael Nutter and the Lakeland Police Department worked together to secure the conviction.
Jury Verdict: Man Guilty of First Degree Murder
/in SAO10 Blog /by john chamblissJames Pennington
In the first COVID-19-Era First Degree Murder Trial, jurors convicted James “Jimbo” Pennington for the murder of Devyn Martin in Indian Lake Estates in 2017.
During the 6 day trial, jurors heard testimony from Polk County Sheriff’s Deputies and other witnesses to the crime. Assistant State Attorney Jaenea Gorman presented evidence to the jurors that the victim went to Pennington’s house to talk to his friend, Christopher Walters, but while he was there, Pennington became angry and ordered Martin off his property.
Pennington went inside his home and returned with a compound bow. He shot an arrow at the victim, narrowly missing the man. The victim reached into his golf cart he was driving and pulled out a rifle, not pointing the weapon at Pennington. Pennington then returned inside his home and came back with a sawed-off shotgun.
The victim never followed Pennington and never threatened him. He attempted to duck when Pennington fired the shot that killed him. Pennington then concealed the victim’s body in a wooded area next to his house. Later, Pennington told deputies that the victim needed to be “exterminated.” Jurors deliberated for 4 ½ hours before finding Pennington guilty as charged. He was sentenced to life in prison. State Attorney Brian Haas thanks Assistant State Attorney Gorman and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for their work in this case.