GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) – From June through November, TV20 was in the courtroom covering multiple cases.
“Joel Searby is the Jeffrey Epstein of Alachua County,” shared a victim’s father.
First up, Newberry activist Joel Searby was sentenced to ten years in prison, followed by ten years of sex offender probation for child sex crime charges.
“But justice was served today, and we’re happy about that,” shared a victim’s family member.
In July, another sentencing, this time in Marion County, for three teens charged with first-degree murder of three other teens.
15-year-old Christopher Atkins is serving 40 years behind bars for the death of Camille Quarles. 19-year-old Robert Robinson and 19-year-old Tahj Brewton received life in prison for the murder of Quarles, as well as Layla Silvernail and Michael Hodo Jr.
All are eligible for review in 25 years.
“She can rest now, and I can try to move forward,” said Mariah Smith’s mother.
In Lake City, teenager Jayden Burch was found guilty of second-degree murder for shooting and killing 12-year-old Mariah Smith in 2023. He received a sentence of life in prison, as well as Matthew Rice, another defendant in this case.
Jatarious Fluellen is the last defendant, but his case has been delayed until early 2026.
“I was scared. I still am scared to post where I’m at, when I’m there,” said Miss United States Lindsey Langston.
Langston took U.S. Representative Cory Mills to court after she said he threatened to release intimate videos and photos of her after she ended their romantic relationship.
In October, a Columbia County judge granted a dating violence injunction against him, meaning he can’t contact Langston or reference her on social media through January 2026.
“In this case, you’re going to be adjudicated guilty of murder in the first-degree and sentenced to life imprisonment,” shared a Marion County judge.
Herbert Swilley was found guilty of murdering his husband, Timothy Smith, in March 2023. Deputies say Swilley drugged Smith, strangled him, and fractured his neck.
Swilley and Smith frequently used their apartment to meet with other men outside of their marriage.
“I’m teeter tottering on the fact of ok, I love them, oh, people are trying to kill me,” said defendant Johnnie Brown.
Brown was found not guilty of shooting his girlfriend to death, but guilty of killing her daughters in Lawtey in 2024. In November, brown received a life sentence.
Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.
Copyright 2025 WCJB. All rights reserved.