Page 42 - Florida Sentinel 7-2-21

Crime
Dispute Over
16-Year-Old Charged With First-Degree Murder
Money Leads To
Fatal Shooting
Detectives have arrested a teenager and charged him with first-degree murder. The murder took place last Wednesday night in Ruskin.
According to the Hillsbor- ough County Sheriff’s Office, around 7 p.m. detectives re- sponded to a report of a body found on the 200 block of Manatee Drive.
The body discovered was that of a teenage male. Police did not release any additional information on the identity of the victim.
Through investigative
rested him. Jesus De la Cruz Magana, 16, is facing the charges of first-degree felony murder while engaged in robbery, and robbery $300 or more but less than $20,000 with a firearm.
Chad Chronister Hills- borough County Sheriff said, “Although this does not ap- pear to be a random act of vi- olence, I urge anyone with additional information to contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.”
The investigation is ongo- ing.
Detectives have made an arrest linked to a murder early last month. The body of a man was discovered early on the morning of June 6th in Sulphur Springs.
According to the Tampa Police Department, officers responded to the 1300 block of E. Sitka around 2:45 a.m., Sunday. When the officers arrived, they discovered an adult man who was unre- sponsive.
The unidentified victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Police said the man’s body showed upper body trauma. During the investi- gation that followed, detec- tives gathered information that led them to 23-year-old Eyondre James Sim- mons.
Detectives said the two men became engaged in a
EYONDRE JAMES SIMMONS
dispute over owed money. Simmons is said to have shot the victim with a pellet gun.
After reviewing surveil- lance video and speaking with a witness, Simmons was identified as the shooter.
Simmons has been charged with manslaughter with a weapon.
JESUS DE LA CRUZ MAGANA
means, detectives were able to identify a suspect, and ar-
Jury Convicts Man Of First Degree Murder, Robbery
Last week, a jury convicted a Tampa man of first-degree murder. He was accused of killing a man who was at- tempting to sell a motorcycle on line.
On January 30, 2017, James Beck and his teenage son drove to Tampa t0 sell a dirt bike they had posted on Craig’slist. The potential buy- ers agreed to pay more than the agreed upon $1,200 if the dirt bike was delivered.
The father and son loaded the dirt bike into the back of Beck’s pickup truck and met the suspects shortly after 7 p.m., Tuesday, at the intersec- tion N. 18th Street and E. 24th Avenue.
Detectives said when Beck realized the amount of money wasn’t correct he re- turned it and told his son to go to the truck.
Dontae Johnson pulled out a gun and pointed it at the victim and his son. The victim told his son to run to the truck, and the victim went to get in the truck and leave. Johnson shot the victim sev- eral times and his son saw him fall to the ground as he was trying to climb into the driver’s seat.
Raymontrae Williams
sped off on the bike. It was re- covered at Williams’ ad- dress, police said.
Johnson also fled the scene.
Williams was arrested later the same night. John-
JAMES BECK ... Murder Victim
RAMONTRAE WILLIAMS
... Charged with first- degree murder
DONTAE JOHNSON
... Convicted of first- degree murder
UNCLE SANDY
The harder you work for something, 3, 14, 29, 47, 55, the greater you’ll feel when you achieve it, 8, 19, 32, 44, 61.
This is a photograph of the motorcycle posted on Craig’s- list for sale. The murder took place in Tampa after the victim met two teenagers who contacted him.
son was arrested the next day.
Williams accepted a deal where he would serve 12 years in prison and 1o years of pro- bation. He also testified against Johnson in the trial.
Last Friday, the 12-mem- ber jury deliberated for 90 minutes before finding John- son guilty of first-degree murder and armed robbery.
Hillsborough State Attor- ney Andrew Warren said, “A father lost his life, and his son will never be the same, all
over a dirt bike. It’s so sense- less. No outcome can bring back this young man’s father, but this verdict delivers jus- tice for the victim and puts the man who killed him in prison, which is where he be- longs,”
Assistant State Attorneys Michelle Doherty and Jen- nifer Johnson represented the State in the five-day trial.
Judge Samantha Ward
has not set a sentencing date for Johnson. He is facing up to life in prison.
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