State Attorney Brian Haas announces the conviction of Pioquinto Bejar-Salamanca, a 59-year-old Haines City man for trafficking more than 200 grams of amphetamine (methamphetamine), possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of a structure with intent to trafficking amphetamine.
Bejar-Salamanca was convicted by a six-member jury, which deliberated for about two hours on Wednesday. The more than 800 grams of methamphetamine has a street value of over fifty thousand dollars.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Seth Solomon.
Bejar-Salamanca faces up to 45 years in prison with a 15-year mandatory prison term when he is sentenced on August 30. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Lake Wales Police Department were critical partners to the State Attorney’s Office in securing this conviction.
https://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Bejar-Salamanca.png441354john chamblisshttps://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Office-of-the-State-Attorney-10th-Judicial-Circuit-Logo.pngjohn chambliss2019-07-12 10:37:252019-07-12 10:42:53Haines City man convicted of trafficking methamphetamine
State Attorney Brian Haas addresses law enforcement officers.
State Attorney Brian Haas addressed officers and deputies from the Suncoast Crime Prevention Association on Wednesday at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office operations center.
The event, hosted by Sheriff Grady Judd, featured Mr. Haas discussing ways to prevent scams from occurring.
“We have to do everything we can to warn people ahead of time,” Mr. Haas said.
Mr. Haas mentioned a number of scams, including old ones like mail fraud and newer ones, such as text messages residents receive, stating that their bank account has been compromised. Also, Mr. Haas said scams directed at the elderly on Facebook have become all too common.
“Sometimes people are pulled into scams and they’ll end up dumping more and more money into them,” Mr. Haas said.
Toward the end of the discussion, Mr. Haas asked law enforcement if they had any suggestions about ways to tell people about scams in the community.
Officers suggested providing tips on social media and speaking to groups of people in the community about ways to prevent scams from occurring.
Mr. Haas agreed.
“This is our obligation to share this knowledge with our citizens,” Mr. Haas said.
He thanked officers for their hard work.
“I couldn’t do this job without the support of these great agencies,” Mr. Haas said.
https://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/IMG_0018.jpg26023470john chamblisshttps://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Office-of-the-State-Attorney-10th-Judicial-Circuit-Logo.pngjohn chambliss2019-07-11 12:02:362019-07-11 12:10:15State Attorney Haas speaks to Suncoast Crime Prevention Association
State Attorney Brian Haas discussed on Wednesday filing charges against both Joseph and Courtney Irby. Joseph Irby, 35, faces one felony charge of aggravated battery. Courtney Irby, 32, has been charged with misdemeanor trespassing.
https://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/haas_112016_0015.jpg23933000Jon McMillanhttps://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Office-of-the-State-Attorney-10th-Judicial-Circuit-Logo.pngJon McMillan2019-07-03 17:35:162019-07-03 17:39:00Charges filed against Joseph and Courtney Irby
State Attorney Brian Haas announced the conviction of Michael James Smith of lewd or lascivious battery: engaging in sex act with a victim 12-16 years of age. Smith was convicted by a Polk County Jury after deliberating for just under two hours.
Smith who was twenty-five (25) years of age at the time of the crime was reported to be having an ongoing sexual relationship with a thirteen (13) year old victim. The investigation revealed this abuse occurred multiple times and at one point Smith purchased emergency contraception for the victim.
State Attorney Haas commended the efforts of Assistant State Attorney Randall Daugustinis in her efforts in bringing Michael Smith to justice. State Attorney Haas also thanked the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for a thorough investigation that led to the successful prosecution of Smith. The Special Victims Unit of the State Attorney’s Office is committed to seeking justice and protecting the most vulnerable victims, our children.
Smith’s sentencing is scheduled for August 2nd.
https://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Michael-James-Smith.jpg600480Jon McMillanhttps://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Office-of-the-State-Attorney-10th-Judicial-Circuit-Logo.pngJon McMillan2019-06-24 09:35:062019-06-24 09:35:06JURY VERDICT: Michael James Smith convicted of lewd or lascivious battery
State Attorney Brian Haas announced the conviction of Gail Nichols on four felony counts of cruelty to animals. Nichols was convicted by a Polk County Jury after nearly four hours of deliberations.
Gail Nichols
This case was even more disturbing as Nichols is licensed in the State of Florida as a veterinarian.
The charges stemmed from an animal cruelty investigation conducted by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in August of 2017. As a result of the investigation numerous horses, dogs, and birds were confiscated because of deplorable living conditions. Three of the horses had to be euthanized after they were found to be in such poor condition.
State Attorney Haas commended the efforts of Assistant State Attorney Jessica Embree in her efforts in bringing Gail Nichols to justice. State Attorney Haas also thanked the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for a thorough investigation that led to the successful prosecution of Nichols. Animal cruelty cases such as this are very complex and complicated. The Office of the State Attorney is committed to seeking justice for all victims included the four legged ones.
Nichols’ sentencing is scheduled for June 21 before Judge Durden.
Severely Overgrown Hooves
https://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Gail-Nichols.png375308Kaitlyn Pearsonhttps://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Office-of-the-State-Attorney-10th-Judicial-Circuit-Logo.pngKaitlyn Pearson2019-06-10 11:33:152019-06-11 07:24:49Polk County Jury Convicts Gail Nichols on four felony counts of cruelty to animals
State Attorney Brian Haas announced the conviction of Freddie Washington for first degree murder with a firearm, robbery, aggravated assault and tampering with physical evidence.
Freddie Washington
Washington was convicted by a Highlands County Jury in the October 9, 2016, murder of Aaron Hankerson. The jury took four and a half hours of deliberations to reach the guilty verdict.
The murder occurred in the early morning hours at Shooters Bar in the Sebring Square shopping plaza in Sebring. After shooting Hankerson multiple times, one witness described Washington as he stood over Hankerson, continued to shoot him, and then taking money and a cell phone from his body.
After fleeing the area in a vehicle, Washington was later stopped by the Sebring Police Department where a 9mm handgun was also recovered. Forensic evidence linked the handgun with shell casings recovered from the scene of the murder.
State Attorney Haas commended the efforts of Assistant State Attorney Steve Houchin in his tireless efforts in bringing Freddie Washington to justice. Haas also thanked the Sebring Police Department for a thorough investigation that led to the successful prosecution of Washington.
Washington’s sentencing is scheduled for July 5 before Judge Estrada.
https://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Freddie-Washington.jpg371300Kaitlyn Pearsonhttps://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Office-of-the-State-Attorney-10th-Judicial-Circuit-Logo.pngKaitlyn Pearson2019-06-03 09:02:332019-06-03 09:02:33Highlands County Jury Convicts Washington of First Degree Murder
Haines City man convicted of trafficking methamphetamine
/in SAO10 Blog /by john chamblissBejar-Salamanca
State Attorney Brian Haas announces the conviction of Pioquinto Bejar-Salamanca, a 59-year-old Haines City man for trafficking more than 200 grams of amphetamine (methamphetamine), possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of a structure with intent to trafficking amphetamine.
Bejar-Salamanca was convicted by a six-member jury, which deliberated for about two hours on Wednesday. The more than 800 grams of methamphetamine has a street value of over fifty thousand dollars.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Seth Solomon.
Bejar-Salamanca faces up to 45 years in prison with a 15-year mandatory prison term when he is sentenced on August 30. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Lake Wales Police Department were critical partners to the State Attorney’s Office in securing this conviction.
State Attorney Haas speaks to Suncoast Crime Prevention Association
/in SAO10 Blog /by john chamblissState Attorney Brian Haas addresses law enforcement officers.
State Attorney Brian Haas addressed officers and deputies from the Suncoast Crime Prevention Association on Wednesday at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office operations center.
The event, hosted by Sheriff Grady Judd, featured Mr. Haas discussing ways to prevent scams from occurring.
“We have to do everything we can to warn people ahead of time,” Mr. Haas said.
Mr. Haas mentioned a number of scams, including old ones like mail fraud and newer ones, such as text messages residents receive, stating that their bank account has been compromised. Also, Mr. Haas said scams directed at the elderly on Facebook have become all too common.
“Sometimes people are pulled into scams and they’ll end up dumping more and more money into them,” Mr. Haas said.
Toward the end of the discussion, Mr. Haas asked law enforcement if they had any suggestions about ways to tell people about scams in the community.
Officers suggested providing tips on social media and speaking to groups of people in the community about ways to prevent scams from occurring.
Mr. Haas agreed.
“This is our obligation to share this knowledge with our citizens,” Mr. Haas said.
He thanked officers for their hard work.
“I couldn’t do this job without the support of these great agencies,” Mr. Haas said.
Charges filed against Joseph and Courtney Irby
/in SAO10 Blog /by Jon McMillanState Attorney Brian Haas discussed on Wednesday filing charges against both Joseph and Courtney Irby. Joseph Irby, 35, faces one felony charge of aggravated battery. Courtney Irby, 32, has been charged with misdemeanor trespassing.
State Attorney Brian Haas Press Conference
JURY VERDICT: Michael James Smith convicted of lewd or lascivious battery
/in SAO10 Blog /by Jon McMillanMichael James Smith
State Attorney Brian Haas announced the conviction of Michael James Smith of lewd or lascivious battery: engaging in sex act with a victim 12-16 years of age. Smith was convicted by a Polk County Jury after deliberating for just under two hours.
Smith who was twenty-five (25) years of age at the time of the crime was reported to be having an ongoing sexual relationship with a thirteen (13) year old victim. The investigation revealed this abuse occurred multiple times and at one point Smith purchased emergency contraception for the victim.
State Attorney Haas commended the efforts of Assistant State Attorney Randall Daugustinis in her efforts in bringing Michael Smith to justice. State Attorney Haas also thanked the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for a thorough investigation that led to the successful prosecution of Smith. The Special Victims Unit of the State Attorney’s Office is committed to seeking justice and protecting the most vulnerable victims, our children.
Smith’s sentencing is scheduled for August 2nd.
Polk County Jury Convicts Gail Nichols on four felony counts of cruelty to animals
/in SAO10 Blog /by Kaitlyn PearsonState Attorney Brian Haas announced the conviction of Gail Nichols on four felony counts of cruelty to animals. Nichols was convicted by a Polk County Jury after nearly four hours of deliberations.
Gail Nichols
This case was even more disturbing as Nichols is licensed in the State of Florida as a veterinarian.
The charges stemmed from an animal cruelty investigation conducted by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in August of 2017. As a result of the investigation numerous horses, dogs, and birds were confiscated because of deplorable living conditions. Three of the horses had to be euthanized after they were found to be in such poor condition.
State Attorney Haas commended the efforts of Assistant State Attorney Jessica Embree in her efforts in bringing Gail Nichols to justice. State Attorney Haas also thanked the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for a thorough investigation that led to the successful prosecution of Nichols. Animal cruelty cases such as this are very complex and complicated. The Office of the State Attorney is committed to seeking justice for all victims included the four legged ones.
Nichols’ sentencing is scheduled for June 21 before Judge Durden.
Severely Overgrown Hooves
Highlands County Jury Convicts Washington of First Degree Murder
/in SAO10 Blog /by Kaitlyn PearsonState Attorney Brian Haas announced the conviction of Freddie Washington for first degree murder with a firearm, robbery, aggravated assault and tampering with physical evidence.
Freddie Washington
Washington was convicted by a Highlands County Jury in the October 9, 2016, murder of Aaron Hankerson. The jury took four and a half hours of deliberations to reach the guilty verdict.
The murder occurred in the early morning hours at Shooters Bar in the Sebring Square shopping plaza in Sebring. After shooting Hankerson multiple times, one witness described Washington as he stood over Hankerson, continued to shoot him, and then taking money and a cell phone from his body.
After fleeing the area in a vehicle, Washington was later stopped by the Sebring Police Department where a 9mm handgun was also recovered. Forensic evidence linked the handgun with shell casings recovered from the scene of the murder.
State Attorney Haas commended the efforts of Assistant State Attorney Steve Houchin in his tireless efforts in bringing Freddie Washington to justice. Haas also thanked the Sebring Police Department for a thorough investigation that led to the successful prosecution of Washington.
Washington’s sentencing is scheduled for July 5 before Judge Estrada.