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 14th, 2022. State Attorney Brian Haas thanks Assistant State Attorney Eric Ebbole and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for their work on this case.
https://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Dwyane-Rowland-2.jpg521446Jamie Owenshttps://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Office-of-the-State-Attorney-10th-Judicial-Circuit-Logo.pngJamie Owens2022-06-29 10:11:022022-06-29 10:11:02Texas Man Convicted of Grand Theft by a Polk County Jury
Assistant State Attorney Paul Wallace was recognized at the State Attorney’s Annual Years of Service Ceremony this year for Forty-Years of Service. Wallace, Director of the Homicide Division, is one of the most meticulous, well prepared prosecutors in the state. Wallace was selected as the Gene Barry Award winner in 2019, this is the most prestigious award a prosecutor can receive from the Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association. Wallace’s experience not only helps in the courtroom, but he’s also able to share knowledge he’s obtained from previous cases with younger colleagues. The State Attorney’s Office is truly grateful for all of his time, dedication and perseverance.
https://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Add-a-heading.png20001545Jamie Owenshttps://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Office-of-the-State-Attorney-10th-Judicial-Circuit-Logo.pngJamie Owens2022-06-29 09:58:422022-06-29 09:58:42ASA Paul Wallace Recognized for 40 Years of Service
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.
https://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Elijah-Stansell.jpg512414Jamie Owenshttps://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Office-of-the-State-Attorney-10th-Judicial-Circuit-Logo.pngJamie Owens2022-06-21 11:08:182022-06-21 11:08:18POLK COUNTY MAN CONVICTED OF FIRST-DEGREE MURDER
The State Attorney’s Office held its Annual Years of Service and Law Enforcement Awards Ceremony recently, Five officers were recognized for their exemplary work on a particular case and those who went above and beyond their routine job duties in efforts to assist our office.
Investigator Jason Leggett-Lakeland Police Department
Sergeant Steven Ritenour-Highlands County Sheriff’s Office
Deputy Steven Sykes-Polk County Sheriff’s Office
Sergeant Kelly Wedley-Polk County Sheriff’s Office
Detective Deborah Ryan-Polk County Sheriff’s Office
https://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Untitled-1-3.jpg792612Jamie Owenshttps://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Office-of-the-State-Attorney-10th-Judicial-Circuit-Logo.pngJamie Owens2022-06-13 15:03:162022-06-13 15:32:48SAO Annual Years of Service and Law Enforcement Award Ceremony
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.
https://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/James-Williams-2.jpg512414Jamie Owenshttps://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Office-of-the-State-Attorney-10th-Judicial-Circuit-Logo.pngJamie Owens2022-06-09 19:00:322022-06-13 07:57:31Winter Haven Man Convicted of Second-Degree Murder
Carlos Gonzalez, 66, of Lake Placid was convicted and sentenced to Life in Prison for Second Degree Murder. Gonzalez was in a verbal altercation with the victim that quickly escalated and resulted in the victim being stabbed in the chest by Gonzalez. Unfortunately, the victim succumbed to his injury and later died. State Attorney Brian Haas thanks ASA Richard Castillo and the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office for their hard work on this case.
https://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Carlos-Gonzalez.jpg480384Jamie Owenshttps://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Office-of-the-State-Attorney-10th-Judicial-Circuit-Logo.pngJamie Owens2022-05-27 07:00:492022-05-27 12:36:30Lake Placid Man Convicted and Sentenced to Life in Prison
Texas Man Convicted of Grand Theft by a Polk County Jury
/in SAO10 Blog /by Jamie OwensDwyane 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 14th, 2022. State Attorney Brian Haas thanks Assistant State Attorney Eric Ebbole and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for their work on this case.
ASA Paul Wallace Recognized for 40 Years of Service
/in SAO10 Blog /by Jamie OwensAssistant State Attorney Paul Wallace was recognized at the State Attorney’s Annual Years of Service Ceremony this year for Forty-Years of Service. Wallace, Director of the Homicide Division, is one of the most meticulous, well prepared prosecutors in the state. Wallace was selected as the Gene Barry Award winner in 2019, this is the most prestigious award a prosecutor can receive from the Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association. Wallace’s experience not only helps in the courtroom, but he’s also able to share knowledge he’s obtained from previous cases with younger colleagues. The State Attorney’s Office is truly grateful for all of his time, dedication and perseverance.
POLK COUNTY MAN CONVICTED OF FIRST-DEGREE MURDER
/in SAO10 Blog /by Jamie OwensPolk 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.
SAO Annual Years of Service and Law Enforcement Award Ceremony
/in SAO10 Blog /by Jamie OwensThe State Attorney’s Office held its Annual Years of Service and Law Enforcement Awards Ceremony recently, Five officers were recognized for their exemplary work on a particular case and those who went above and beyond their routine job duties in efforts to assist our office.
Investigator Jason Leggett-Lakeland Police Department
Sergeant Steven Ritenour-Highlands County Sheriff’s Office
Deputy Steven Sykes-Polk County Sheriff’s Office
Sergeant Kelly Wedley-Polk County Sheriff’s Office
Detective Deborah Ryan-Polk County Sheriff’s Office
Winter Haven Man Convicted of Second-Degree Murder
/in SAO10 Blog /by Jamie OwensJames 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.
Lake Placid Man Convicted and Sentenced to Life in Prison
/in SAO10 Blog /by Jamie OwensCarlos Gonzalez, 66, of Lake Placid was convicted and sentenced to Life in Prison for Second Degree Murder. Gonzalez was in a verbal altercation with the victim that quickly escalated and resulted in the victim being stabbed in the chest by Gonzalez. Unfortunately, the victim succumbed to his injury and later died. State Attorney Brian Haas thanks ASA Richard Castillo and the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office for their hard work on this case.