Hernando Circuit Court Announces Sentences

– Advertising –

Hernando Man Convicted in 2015 Manslaughter Trial
Isaac Troy Lemons was sentenced to nearly 15 years in prison for the Nov. 7 death of 18-year-old Dylan Joseph Thornton. On Friday, August 23, 2024, jurors found the 31-year-old man guilty of Manslaughter and Sale of a Controlled Substance; This marked the end of the lengthy legal process following Thornton’s death in 2015.

“This case is yet another example of a young life lost to illegal drugs and the greed of others for profit,” said Bill Gladson, State’s Attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit. “The defendant’s actions regarding these deadly substances not only demonstrate a serious disregard for human life, but also add another layer of danger to an already dangerous situation.”

The case has been ongoing since Lemons’ arrest in connection with Thornton’s 2015 death. Thornton, who had recently celebrated her 18th birthday with friends, was reported missing in September of the same year. His disappearance triggered a multi-day search by the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO), which launched an investigation into Thornton’s last known movements. Tragically, on September 15, Thornton’s decomposed body was discovered along the dunes near the Duke Energy transfer station in Spring Hill.

An autopsy later performed by the Coroner revealed the presence of Alpha-PVP, a powerful synthetic stimulant commonly known as “Flakka”; This compound is chemically similar to street drugs known as “bath salts.” The discovery, which turned the missing person case into a suspicious death investigation, drew attention to the drugs circulating among young people in the region.

– Advertising –

HCSO Detective Dustin Adkins, assigned to the case, traced Thornton’s final hours to a birthday party where a DJ was said to have been hired to entertain guests. This DJ, later identified as Lemons, allegedly brought what partygoers believed to be “Molly,” a street term for a type of MDMA or amphetamine. However, according to authorities, the Lemons instead provided a much more powerful substance, “Flakka.” Shortly after the sale, Thornton and a friend left the party while under the influence, later becoming disoriented and eventually leaving, at which point Thornton disappeared.

The case was first tried in the summer of 2021, but ended with a hung jury, forcing prosecutors to prepare for a retrial. On August 19, 2024, three years after the first trial, a retrial began in Hernando County, resulting in a guilty verdict on August 23. State attorneys Robert Lewis and Melissa Underwood, representing the Fifth Judicial Circuit, credited HCSO’s efforts and included District 5 Medical Examiner Drs. Wolf and Dr. Goldberger.

Assistant State’s Attorney Robert Lewis acknowledged the dedication of law enforcement officers and forensic experts who helped build the case, expressing gratitude for the collective efforts that led to Lemons’ conviction. The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office thanked the community for its patience and support throughout the investigation and legal proceedings.

In addition to the manslaughter charge, Lemons was also found guilty of Selling, Delivering or Manufacturing a Controlled Substance and sentenced to five years in prison. The drug-related conviction will run concurrently with the involuntary manslaughter charge, court records show.

Man receives consecutive life sentences
Joshua Reginald Velez probably won’t see another day outside of prison. On Oct. 24, Velez, a former Spring Hill member, appeared before Hernando County Court Judge Daniel Merritt Jr. He was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences for Sexual Assault on a Child Under 12 Years Old.

Velez was convicted on Sept. 5 after a jury found the 43-year-old man guilty of two counts of Sexual Assault on a Child under the age of 12 by a Person Under Family Custody, according to a press release by District Attorney Bill Gladson. .

Speaking of the hearing, Gladson said: “Justice was served today because a brave child found the courage to speak out and a trusted adult chose to listen and take action,” said Bill Gladson, State’s Attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit. “Protecting our children requires vigilance and commitment from everyone in our society. “We are grateful for the trust placed in us to bring this predator to justice.”

A law enforcement investigation revealed that 43-year-old Joshua Velez regularly sexually abused the child while the couple lived in Kentucky, Georgia, and Spring Hill, Florida. Velez gained custody of the child in 2017.

The Hernando Sun reported in September that the boy stated that Velez initially treated him “better than his parents,” feeding him well and taking care of him. The abuse began when the child was about ten years old, about a year and a half after she gained custody of Velez.

Velez’s arrest occurred in December 2020 following an investigation by the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office after the teenage victim disclosed Velez’s abuse to another adult. The adult then contacted law enforcement to report the crime.

Investigators contacted the child, who told them about multiple incidents of sexual abuse by Velez that occurred in three different states. During their investigation, detectives determined that Velez had been abusing his victim since he was 10 years old.

Other court proceedings
Stacey Lovell Barnes Jr., of Omaha Circle in Spring Hill, was arraigned Nov. 8 before Hernando County Circuit Judge Daniel Merritt Jr. appeared before him and entered a No Contest plea to charges of Sale, Manufacture or Delivery of a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Controlled Substance. and Possession of Equipment. This plea allowed Barnes to avoid a jury trial scheduled for Nov. 12. Barnes is scheduled to be sentenced on December 5.

On October 28, Cornelius Monray Merriweather Jr. of Okee, FL entered a No Contest plea on multiple drug charges, including two charges of possession of cocaine with the intent to sell, manufacture or distribute cocaine. Merriweather, whose jury trial is scheduled to begin Oct. 28, is scheduled to appear before Circuit Court Judge Daniel Merritt Jr. on Dec. 15. He was detained until the sentence was given.

Jessica Anne Brannock was sentenced to three years probation on November 8 after being found guilty of Child Neglect Resulting in Great Bodily Harm. If Brannock does not complete parole, the sentence will be commuted to three years in prison. Brannock was arrested on the charge in April 2023 and remained in jail until his final court date.