Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office

06/05/2026

𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗 𝗚𝗨𝗜𝗟𝗧𝗬 𝗜𝗡 𝗦𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗢𝗙 𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗢𝗥 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗦𝗘𝗫𝗨𝗔𝗟 𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗖𝗔𝗦𝗘

(Marion County, FL) In the courtroom of Judge Peter M. Brigham, jurors found 56-year-old Dermon Kenneth Thomas guilty after deliberating yesterday. Thomas was convicted of Traveling to Meet a Minor, Soliciting a Child for Unlawful Sexual Conduct, and Using a Two-Way Communication Device to Commit a Felony.

Thomas was arrested in July of 2025, following a Marion County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) investigation.

On July 21, 2025, members of the MCSO, along with the assistance of several other law enforcement agencies, conducted an online investigation targeting persons who use the internet to s*xually exploit children.

During an undercover operation, MCSO Detective Lowder posed as a 14-year-old female child on an online account. Thomas messaged the decoy user and, after repeatedly being informed of the minor’s age, still attempted to solicit s*x from the child.

Thomas would later request to meet with the child to engage in s*xual activities. The next day, officials coordinated a time and location to meet Thomas, where he was promptly arrested. Initially, Thomas denied knowing the age of the decoy, but later admitted to knowing she was 14-years-old.

“𝙒𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙘𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙩 𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨, 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙡𝙖𝙬 𝙚𝙣𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙛𝙪𝙧𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙣 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙙𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙙𝙪𝙖𝙡𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙙𝙚𝙛𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙣𝙩,” said Walter Forgie, Fifth Judicial Circuit Chief Assistant State Attorney. “𝙊𝙣𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙙𝙖𝙩𝙤𝙧 𝙞𝙨 𝙤𝙛𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙩𝙨, 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙠𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙨𝙖𝙛𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙞𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚.”

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Janine Nixon. Thank you to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office for conducting these covert operations to remove offenders from our streets before they can victimize the children in our community.

06/05/2026

06/05/2026

𝗗𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀? 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹, 𝘄𝗲 𝗱𝗼! 𝗘𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀… 🎤

We offer a Speakers’ Bureau featuring knowledgeable professionals who can speak in your classroom, meeting, or event in the Fifth Judicial Circuit.

Recently, Assistant State Attorney Keisha Cason engaged with middle and high school students at Entirety K-12 in Hernando County, discussing online safety, the impact of screens, and mental health resources during Mental Health Awareness Month.

These conversations are vital for helping students make informed decisions, understand consequences, and feel less isolated in their struggles. Growing up in the digital age brings unique challenges, such as navigating online trust and crisis support. Remember, support can come from anyone willing to listen and care.

𝙏𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙦𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙖 𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙧, 𝙫𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙩 https://www.sao5.org/community/speakers-bureau/

06/04/2026

⚖️ 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗝𝘂𝗿𝘆 𝘃𝘀. 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗝𝘂𝗿𝘆

A Trial Jury (or Petit Jury) determines the outcome of a criminal trial, consisting of 6 or 12 members who decide guilt or innocence based on evidence from both sides. The judge oversees the trial process.

A Grand Jury determines if there's enough evidence to charge someone with a felony. It typically consists of 15 to 21 members who review evidence and testimony in private, with only the prosecutor and witnesses present.

𝘛𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘱, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘬𝘦𝘺 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘢 𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘳 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘫𝘶𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘫𝘶𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘦:

• Function: Trial juries decide verdicts; grand juries decide indictments.
• Size: Trial juries (6-12); Grand juries (15-21).
• Proceedings: Trial jury proceedings are public; grand jury proceedings are not privy to the general public.
• Role of the Accused: Present in trial jury but not in grand jury.

Stay informed about how our justice system works!

06/03/2026

𝗪𝗜𝗟𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗞𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗 𝗚𝗨𝗜𝗟𝗧𝗬 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗦𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗗 𝗧𝗢 𝟭𝟱 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗕𝗨𝗥𝗚𝗟𝗔𝗥𝗬 𝗖𝗔𝗦𝗘

(Lake County, FL) Yesterday, the Office of the State Attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit secured a guilty verdict in the case against 38-year-old Barry Earl Wilbanks for Burglary of a Dwelling. Wilbanks, a sixteen-time convicted offender, was found guilty by jurors during his jury trial.

After the guilty verdict was rendered, the court found the defendant was a Prison Releasee Reoffender. Judge Brian J. Welke sentenced Wilbanks to 15 years in prison.

Wilbanks’ conviction stems from his 2024 arrest, just three days after being released from the Department of Corrections. In the early morning hours of August 12, 2024, Sergeant Flanary and Officer Simone of the Fruitland Park Police Department responded to a residence off Privett Drive in reference to a burglary that had just occurred. Upon arrival, the victim informed officers that they had just confronted an unknown male subject inside their home. The intruder fled before law enforcement’s arrival.

While conducting a perimeter check, officials received a second emergency call about a potential attempted burglary on Trussler Terrace. At that time, Sgt. Flanary observed an individual run across the street, matching the description of the subject in question. Sgt. Flanary then pursued the male, who was later determined to be Wilbanks, and took him into custody.

While detained, Wilbanks was positively identified by the homeowner as the suspect who had entered their home. Wilbanks was arrested and charged.

Assistant State Attorneys Rachel Jones and Devon Razey successfully prosecuted this case.

06/03/2026

It is with deep sorrow that we learned about the passing of Detective Vincent “Vinny” Spallino Jr. from the Hernando County Sheriff's Office. His unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety of the citizens in the Fifth Judicial Circuit will always be remembered.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends during this incredibly difficult time. Rest in peace, dear friend. Your legacy of service and dedication will never be forgotten.

06/03/2026

𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐔𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 & 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐋𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞! 🇺🇸🗽⚖

In celebration of the United States' 250th year of independence, join the State Attorney's Office for a special educational session on the Constitution and the rights it guarantees every American. On August 20th, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Savannah Center in the Villages, State Attorney's office, Gladson will be hosting this FREE educational class.

This engaging class will explore the Bill of Rights, key Supreme Court cases, and how these protections apply in everyday life and in the courtroom. Learn how our justice system upholds these foundational freedoms - and why staying informed is essential to being an empowered citizen.

To register, visit - https://www.sao5.org/community/justice-freedom-lecture/

In celebration of the United States’ 250th year of independence, join the State Attorney’s Office for a special educational session on the Constitution and the rights it guarantees every American. This engaging class will explore the Bill of Rights, key Supreme Court cases, and how these protect...

06/02/2026

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚'𝙨 𝘾𝙖𝙨𝙚: 𝘼 𝙇𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙄𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙎𝘼𝙊5... 👀💼👏

In Week #3 of our Citizens' Prosecutor Academy, attendees had the opportunity to hear from prosecutors Elizabeth Hart and Keisha Cason. They shared insights into the difficulties faced in prosecuting domestic violence cases, emphasizing the various evidentiary challenges encountered in the process of building strong cases.

Afterwards, Judge Militello provided valuable insights into the judiciary. Attendees had the opportunity to engage with him by asking questions about his role in the criminal justice system, gaining a better understanding of its workings and the challenges faced within it.

Follow along for a behind-the-scenes look at the journey! ⚖

06/01/2026

🌀𝙃𝙪𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙣𝙚 𝙎𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙡𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙮?!? If you don't have a plan in place, now is the time to make one. And while you're at it, don't forget to pick up some essentials for your emergency kit. Check out the list our friends at the Tavares Police Department shared below 👇

Today marks the first day of Hurricane Season. Is your family prepared?

Now is the time to review your hurricane plans and make sure your emergency kit is stocked and ready. Don't wait until a storm is approaching to gather supplies.

✅ Basic Hurricane Kit Essentials:
• Water (at least one gallon per person per day for several days)
• Non-perishable food
• Flashlights and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Prescription medications
• Portable phone chargers/power banks
• Important documents in a waterproof container
• Pet supplies, if applicable

During hurricanes and other major emergencies, we activate our Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to coordinate response efforts and share critical information with our community.

📱 Be sure to follow our page for regular updates, safety information, road closures, shelter information, and emergency notifications throughout hurricane season.

Preparation today can make all the difference tomorrow.

06/01/2026

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗝𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗻! 👩‍⚖️💖

Friday, our Sumter office celebrated prosecutor Shelby Senn during her going-away lunch. Division Chief Joe Church also presented her with a plaque bearing her SAO badge.

Although we’ll certainly miss her presence in the office, we’re thrilled to see her embark on this new chapter! We know she’ll tackle every challenge with the same passion and commitment she’s always shown.

✨ The pursuit of justice is in great hands!