Court roundup: Marion church bishop and former school official guilty of sexually abusing boy
A look at some of the decisions made over the past week in federal and state courts in Marion County.
Victor Aguilar
Charge: Attempting to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity.
Judge: U.S. District Judge Gregory A. Presnell.
Sentence: Aguilar, 32, of Orlando, pleaded guilty on Oct. 13, 2023, federal officials said. He was sentenced on Jan. 19 to more than 12 years in prison.
What happened? Aguilar was among a group of men who thought they were chatting with juveniles online hoping to meet and have sexual encounters. When Aguilar went to the location, he was met by law enforcement officials who took him into custody.
Federal, state and local authorities joined together for Operation "MAP Mirage," with MAP standing for Minor Attracted Persons. Though Aguilar was charged locally, the case was turned over to federal officials for prosecution.
October 2023 case: Sheriff's Office rules mother and son died from murder/suicide
David Smith III
Charge: Third-degree murder.
Lawyer: Smith is represented by the Public Defender's Office, according to court records.
Judge: Circuit Judge Robert Hodges.
Hearing: In an arraignment hearing held Jan. 23 at the Marion County Judicial Center, prosecutors said they've filed the murder charge against Smith. His next court hearing is scheduled for May.
Is Smith arrested? Yes, and is presently in custody with no bond. The 21-year-old Summerfield man has multiple other charges pending against him. Smith's latest charge is connected to the shooting death of Jose Valliant in an apparent drug transaction that occurred in a fast-food parking lot late last year. His alleged co-defendent, Jaylin Robert Johnson, is currently out on bond on a charge of principal to third-degree murder and conspiracy to sale of cannabis. Tulana Johnson is serving three years of probation after pleading no contest to a charge of tampering with evidence.
Lamonte Ronnie Green
Charge: Aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
Lawyer: Bruce Roistacher, private attorney.
Hearing: The court was notified that prosecutors have filed the charge against Green, 20, during an arraignment held Jan. 23.
Judge: Circuit Judge Robert Hodges.
Next court date? A pre-trial conference is scheduled for May.
About Green's arrest: Ocala police detectives arrested Green last month in connection with a shooting in the 2000 block of Southwest Fourth Street.
Where's Green now: Within hours of the incident, bail for the Ocala man was posted and he was released from the county jail.
Frederick Lamar Hamilton
Trial: Jury selection began Monday with seven people — five men and two women, with one acting as an alternate — selected as jurors.
When did the trial start and end? It started Tuesday and concluded Wednesday afternoon.
Judge: Circuit Judge Peter Brigham.
Lawyers: Assistant State Attorney Elizabeth White and Ocala defense attorney Melanie Kohler.
Charges: Four counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor, three counts of lewd or lascivious battery, and lewd lascivious conduct.
About the case: In 2020, Sheriff's Office Detective Frank Scala arrested Hamilton of Ocklawaha for having an inappropriate relationship with a child. During the interview, Hamilton admitted to having sex with the child.
Taking the stand: The victim took the stand and told the court that Hamilton, 34, had sexually molested him for several years. Hamilton also testified on the stand.
In court: The prosecutor said Hamilton took advantage of the boy, his parents and his position of authority in the church. Hamilton is a bishop at Kings House of Restoration Ministries Inc. A paraprofessional at Liberty Middle School, Hamilton resigned not long after his arrest.
White said the sexual encounters between Hamilton and the boy began when the boy was 12 and ended when he was 17. White said the victim, now 21, is angry and broken because of what Hamilton did to him. The lawyer said Hamilton has tried to downplay "the criminality of his actions," even though he admitted to doing the acts against the victim. The acts, the prosecutor said, occurred at the church, the victim's and Hamilton's residences. She told the jury "a child cannot consent to sexual activities."
Kohler said the sexual offenses didn't occur until much later. She said the alleged activities didn't take place at the church due to time constraints. She said that while he kissed people on the forehead in church, he denied kissing or caressing the victim. She suggested that the victim and the State Attorney's Office are bias against Hamilton because he (the victim) is presently facing criminal charges for another offense that could go against him. The Star-Banner is not listing the charges because it will identify the victim.
Hospital: At the end of the first day of trial, an ambulance transported Hamilton to a local hospital for chest pains. Released the next day, he was present for the second day to finish the trial.
Verdict: The six-member jury deliberated for an hour, returning a guilty verdict on all charges. He has no previous criminal convictions.
Judge: The judge revoked Hamilton's bond and ordered a pre-sentence investigation report. Once its finished, then there will be a sentencing hearing. Hamilton faces up to life in prison. Families of the both the victim and the defendant were in court for both days. Handcuffed, Hamilton, wearing a black T-shirt and pants, was led to the back so he could be taken to the county jail for booking.
Victim's mother: The judge asked if anyone wanted to speak. The victim's mother stood up and told the court "it breaks my heart that it comes to this." She told Hamilton she forgives him.
— Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Marion County and Ocala January 2024 federal and state court decisions
