From a hit-and-run that injured a Sarasota police officer to a DUI crash that killed a woman while injuring five others and a fraud scheme involving a cabinetry business in Bradenton, three criminal cases have ended with pleas of no contest and prison sentences.
In an effort to ensure that the Herald-Tribune is following through on crime coverage where an arrest has been made that was reported in the paper, here are updates on three cases from 2022 and 2023 that have concluded within the past six months.
Man connected to hit-and-run of SPD officer sentenced to 10 years prison
A Plantation native who was arrested in connection to a hit-and-run that left a Sarasota Police officer injured pleaded no contest and was adjudicated guilty to charges of aggravated battery of an officer, fleeing with disregard to safety and hit-and-run involving serious bodily injury.
Mark Thomas, 23, was sentenced in November 2023 to 10 years in prison with a mandatory five-year minimum imposed and credit for time served in jail. Thomas's driver's license was also suspended for a year, and he must pay court costs.
Previous reporting: Man arrested in Sarasota hit-and-run that left officer injured: police
In case you missed it: North Port mobile home shooting: Dade City man sentenced to five years in prison
In March 2023, Sarasota police responded to a car burglary on Monday at Mourning Dove Drive on Bird Key at 2 p.m., and they had video evidence showing a white car was involved. The car was also spotted in a neighborhood on Longboat Key where a Range Rover was stolen from a home on Fair Oaks Place, according to previous Herald-Tribune reporting.
Later that day, SPD officers were alerted that the car had returned to Bird Key and responded to the area, placing their patrol cars at the entrance and exit of the neighborhood to stop a white S-Series Mercedes suspected to be involved in the burglaries.
In video surveillance released by police, an officer was seen running toward the car as it tried to pass near the neighborhood's entrance. The car hit the officer on his right side, flipping him through the air before he hit the pavement. He was taken to Sarasota Memorial Hospital before returning home to recover.
Thomas has a conviction record since 2019 for several crimes including two grand theft auto charges, burglary of an unoccupied dwelling, carrying a concealed firearm and several drug charges, according to previous reporting.
Sarasota man sentenced to prison for DUI crash that injured 5 women, killed 1
A Sarasota man arrested in October 2022 in connection to a DUI crash that left five women injured and one dead was sentenced to seven years prison followed by eight years of probation in April 2024.
Jorge Luis Williams Dennis, 31, was arrested after officers responded to a home in the 3100 block of Courtland Street where a car crashed into its garage, according to previous reporting. Law enforcement was told by witnesses that there were six women in the garage at the time of the crash.
One woman died at the scene after being pinned beneath the car, and three were taken to the hospital with injuries, according to the probable cause affidavit.
In February 2024, Williams Dennis pleaded no contest to charges of vehicular homicide, vehicle DUI causing death, two counts of driving without a license causing death or serious injury, DUI and serious bodily injury and DUI damage to property. He was adjudicated guilty by Sarasota Circuit Court Judge Thomas Krug.
Williams Dennis was given credit for the 523 days he served in jail and must also pay fines included in his sentence. He will also have to attend and complete DUI school, complete a victim impact panel, complete 150 hours of public service and have no contact with the victims. He can also not consume alcohol and his driver's license has been permanently revoked, according to court records.
A mandatory minimum of four years applies to his time in prison, court documents indicate.
Bradenton woman pleads no contest to charges in cabinet business scheme
A Bradenton woman was adjudicated guilty in April 2024 after pleading no contest to a charge of scheming to defraud clients in excess of $50,000 and sentenced to 21 months in prison followed by 20 years of probation.
'Take Care of Maya' case: Mediation was 'spectacularly unsuccessful,' lawyer says
More: Sarasota woman sentenced to 10 years prison for 10K Skyway Bridge crash into FHP trooper
Nicole Anderson, 39, was arrested in September 2023 along with Ryan Nobles, 45, and both were charged with scheming to defraud clients in excess of $50,000, according to previous reporting. Nearly two dozen customers made payments of several to tens of thousands of dollars to M&L Cabinets, but detectives said kitchen renovations were never completed.
Financial subpoenas from August 2022 to January 2023 show Nobles used $200,000 on his company credit card at casinos in Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, and on cruise ships, according to previous reporting. Anderson used her company credit card to make purchases and ATM withdrawals of $90,000 during the same time. All the while, Nobles and Anderson continued to take money from clients, police officials alleged in a probable cause affidavit.
As part of her probation, Anderson is required to submit proof of filing taxes within 10 days, and within 10 days of receiving any refunds, she must submit 50% of the return towards restitution, according to court filings.
Nobles's case remains open and ongoing, according to court records. A case management hearing is scheduled for mid-May. It does not appear a jury trial has yet been scheduled, according to court documents.
Gabriela Szymanowska covers the legal system for the Herald-Tribune in partnership with Report for America. You can support her work with a tax-deductible donation to Report for America . Contact Gabriela Szymanowska at gszymanowska@gannett.com , or on X: @GabrielaSzyman3.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota-Bradenton hit-and-run, DUI crash and fraud scheme all send suspects to prison
Most Popular
Comments / 0