A Circuit Judge sentenced Stevin Smith to Life in prison after being found guilty by a Polk County Jury of Attempted Armed Kidnapping and Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. Smith has an extensive criminal record for Possession of Firearm by Convicted Felon, Domestic Battery Strangulation, Robbery with a Weapon, Burglary of a Structure, Robbery, Felony Petit Theft, Possession of Cocaine, Sale of Cocaine, Grand Theft, and at least twenty-seven other convictions.
Smith tried to rob a man who was walking out of the Family Dollar at Kathleen Road in Lakeland. Smith retrieved a firearm from his person and aggressively approached the victim and demanded him to move behind the business where no one would see them. After the victim did not comply, Smith fired the gun nearly missing the victim and hitting a freezer located inside the store. State Attorney Brain Haas would like to thank the Lakeland Police Department and Assistant State Attorney Courtney Durden for their work in obtaining justice in this case.
https://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Stevin-Smith-2-scaled.jpg19202560Jamie Owenshttps://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Office-of-the-State-Attorney-10th-Judicial-Circuit-Logo.pngJamie Owens2022-03-23 09:36:372022-03-23 09:36:37Lakeland Man Convicted and Sentenced to Life in Prison
Cordarrall Hall, 35, was found guilty by a Polk County Jury of Trafficking in Fentanyl, Trafficking in Cocaine, and several other drug related charges. The street value of drugs involved in this case exceeded tens of thousands of dollars. Hall, faces a mandatory prison sentence of 25 years and will be sentenced on April 14th. State Attorney Brian Haas is thankful for the work of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Assistant State Attorney Monica Smith in securing this conviction and making our community a safer place to live, work and visit.
https://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Cordarrall-Hall-Mugshot.jpg512414Jamie Owenshttps://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Office-of-the-State-Attorney-10th-Judicial-Circuit-Logo.pngJamie Owens2022-03-14 10:16:542022-03-14 10:16:54Davenport Man Convicted of Multiple Trafficking Charges
Rudy Gonzalez, 27, was found guilty by a Polk County Jury of Attempted First Degree Murder. After sending a threatening social media post about killing the victim, Gonzalez, brutally stabbed him ten times causing life threatening injuries. Luckily, the victim survived although he will be scarred for life. Gonzalez has an extensive criminal history with violence and is set to be sentenced on March 18th. State Attorney Brian Haas would like to thank the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Assistant State Attorney Cassandra Andres for their hard work in securing a conviction in this case.
https://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Rudy-Gonzalez.jpg512414Jamie Owenshttps://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Office-of-the-State-Attorney-10th-Judicial-Circuit-Logo.pngJamie Owens2022-03-08 11:13:572022-03-08 11:14:24Man Convicted of Attempted Murder in the First Degree
A Polk County Jury convicted John Aurand of two counts of sexual battery, two counts of lewd molestation, five counts of promoting sexual performance of a child and thirteen counts of child pornography. John Aurand faces life in prison when sentenced on April 10th. State Attorney Brian Haas thanks Assistant State Attorney’s Ashley McCarthy, Seth Solomon and the Lakeland Police Department for their work in obtaining justice in this case.
https://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/John-Aurand.jpg512414Jamie Owenshttps://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Office-of-the-State-Attorney-10th-Judicial-Circuit-Logo.pngJamie Owens2022-02-15 16:28:592022-02-15 16:29:57Lakeland Man Convicted of Multiple Counts of Sexual Battery
During the early morning hours of September 4th, 1981, Joseph Mills, broke into the bedroom window of Linda Slaton. Linda, 31, and her two young sons were sleeping in the residence. After sexually assaulting and murdering her, Mills escaped through the same window he entered.
For the next four decades, the Lakeland Police worked to find Linda’s killer and bring him to justice. At the same time Mills was a trusted member of the community where he coached one of Linda’s son’s football teams.
Advances in DNA technology lead to a new lead in 2019. Working with the State Attorney’s Office, the Lakeland Police Department was able to develop a suspect and arrested Mills. On February 9th Mills, now 61 years old, pled guilty and was sentenced to four life terms in Florida State Prison. The tireless effort of all involved ensured Mills was held accountable for Linda’s death.
State Attorney Brain Haas thanks ASA Mark Levine and the Lakeland Police Department for their work and dedication in obtaining justice in this case.
https://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Joesph-Mills.jpg512414Jamie Owenshttps://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Office-of-the-State-Attorney-10th-Judicial-Circuit-Logo.pngJamie Owens2022-02-15 16:24:352022-02-15 16:24:35Cold Case Murder Prosecution Leads to Four Life Sentences for Lakeland Man
State Attorney Brian Haas met with Lakeland Police Chief Ruben Garcia and members of the Lakeland Police Department this week to discuss the partnership between the two agencies. These meetings take place every few months to keep lines of communication open between LPD and SAO staff. We are grateful for the hard work and dedication of the LPD leaders and officers as we work together to keep our community safe.
https://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/SAO10-Seal.png24342434Jamie Owenshttps://www.sao10.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Office-of-the-State-Attorney-10th-Judicial-Circuit-Logo.pngJamie Owens2022-02-11 13:56:372022-02-11 14:09:45State Attorney Brian Haas meets with Lakeland Police Chief Ruben Garcia
Lakeland Man Convicted and Sentenced to Life in Prison
/in SAO10 Blog /by Jamie OwensDavenport Man Convicted of Multiple Trafficking Charges
/in SAO10 Blog /by Jamie OwensCordarrall Hall, 35, was found guilty by a Polk County Jury of Trafficking in Fentanyl, Trafficking in Cocaine, and several other drug related charges. The street value of drugs involved in this case exceeded tens of thousands of dollars. Hall, faces a mandatory prison sentence of 25 years and will be sentenced on April 14th. State Attorney Brian Haas is thankful for the work of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Assistant State Attorney Monica Smith in securing this conviction and making our community a safer place to live, work and visit.
Man Convicted of Attempted Murder in the First Degree
/in SAO10 Blog /by Jamie OwensLakeland Man Convicted of Multiple Counts of Sexual Battery
/in SAO10 Blog /by Jamie OwensA Polk County Jury convicted John Aurand of two counts of sexual battery, two counts of lewd molestation, five counts of promoting sexual performance of a child and thirteen counts of child pornography. John Aurand faces life in prison when sentenced on April 10th. State Attorney Brian Haas thanks Assistant State Attorney’s Ashley McCarthy, Seth Solomon and the Lakeland Police Department for their work in obtaining justice in this case.
Cold Case Murder Prosecution Leads to Four Life Sentences for Lakeland Man
/in SAO10 Blog /by Jamie OwensState Attorney Brian Haas meets with Lakeland Police Chief Ruben Garcia
/in SAO10 Blog /by Jamie OwensState Attorney Brian Haas met with Lakeland Police Chief Ruben Garcia and members of the Lakeland Police Department this week to discuss the partnership between the two agencies. These meetings take place every few months to keep lines of communication open between LPD and SAO staff. We are grateful for the hard work and dedication of the LPD leaders and officers as we work together to keep our community safe.