State Attorney, Palm Beach County

Palm Beach County State Attorney Alexcia Cox announces that a grand jury has indicted Hugh Earp Milner Jr. on charges of first-degree murder with a firearm, attempted second-degree murder with a firearm, felon in possession of a firearm, and shooting into an occupied vehicle. The indictment follows an investigation by the West Palm Beach Police Department into the September 27 shooting that took the life of Akeem Moore, a local minister. Detectives determined that Milner fired shots at Moore’s car while Moore and a passenger were inside. Statement from State Attorney Cox: “Akeem Moore was a young man who served the community through his ministry and his music. This senseless act of violence leaves lasting pain for those who knew and loved him. My office remains committed to holding violent offenders accountable and seeking justice on behalf of victims. This indictment serves as a critical first step.” This case will be prosecuted by the Homicide Unit of the State Attorney’s Office.

Palm Beach County State Attorney Alexcia Cox announces that a jury on October 15 found Yoel Paredes guilty of first-degree murder. Trial evidence revealed that Paredes and Reynaldo Paredes Martinez killed a 49-year-old man with a knife on April 2, 2022, at Martinez’s residence in suburban West Palm Beach. The victim’s body was subsequently discovered in a dumpster at a separate residential community several miles away. Reynaldo Paredes Martinez was found guilty of manslaughter on August 27, 2026. Both men are scheduled to be sentenced on November 5. Assistant State Attorneys Mathri Thannikkotu and Jo Wilensky of our Homicide Unit prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the @WestPalmPD.

Palm Beach County State Attorney Alexcia Cox announces that a jury on September 30 found Anderson Calixte guilty of armed trafficking in fentanyl. The jury also found Calixte guilty of armed trafficking in cocaine, amphetamine and oxycodone; trafficking in a substituted cathinone; and four other felony counts. The evidence presented at trial showed that illicit drugs were found during a search of Calixte’s hotel room and inside a bag he dropped outside a Mercedes he had been driving on March 25, 2022. Assistant State Attorneys Nathan Weinbaum and Mark Salnick of our Gangs, Guns and Drug Trafficking Unit prosecuted the case. Detectives with the @BBPD conducted the investigation. Sentencing is set for November 9.

Palm Beach County State Attorney Alexcia Cox announces that a man convicted of lewd or lascivious molestation and attempted sexual battery (minor victim) was sentenced on October 1 to 15 years in prison. At trial in July, prosecutors presented evidence that Tyrone Walker, 34, lured a 14-year-old into his semi-truck, where the attack occurred on May 29, 2023, in Riviera Beach. Assistant State Attorneys Christopher Morgan and Victoria Thacker of our Special Victims Unit prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the @RivieraBeachPD. “When an adult crosses that line and violates the innocence, safety, and trust of a child, the law must respond with severe consequences that reflect the seriousness of that conduct,” ASA Morgan wrote in his sentencing memorandum. “The defendant’s deliberate and premeditated course of conduct demonstrates a calculated intent to sexually abuse a child and, in the State’s view, shows the defendant poses a significant danger to the community.” The court declared Walker a sexual offender.

Palm Beach County State Attorney Alexcia Cox announces that a jury today found Quinton Henderson Jr. guilty of first-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder. The evidence at trial showed that on May 9, 2023, Henderson was driving a BMW SUV with two armed accomplices while chasing and shooting at a Volkswagen SUV in suburban West Palm Beach. The chase ended when the BMW crashed into a pole, ejecting one man from the vehicle and resulting in his death. The surviving victim was driving the Volkswagen. Assistant State Attorneys Mathri Thannikkotu and Jo Wilensky prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the @PBCountySheriff. Sentencing is set for October 28.

Palm Beach County State Attorney Alexcia Cox announces that a jury on Friday found Brian Canarelli guilty of second-degree murder with a firearm. Evidence presented during a five-day trial showed Canarelli fired multiple shots and killed a 37-year-old man outside his residence in Jupiter Farms on June 22, 2021. The victim was engaged to Canarelli’s estranged wife. Assistant State Attorneys Bethany Johnson and Courtney Behar of our Homicide Unit prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the @PBCountySheriff. Sentencing is pending.

Twenty-five years ago, thousands of innocent lives were lost, communities were shaken, and families were forever changed. We will never forget. Today, we honor the memory of the victims, pay tribute to the heroic first responders whose bravery and strength saved many lives, and remember all the survivors whose resilience continues to inspire us.

Palm Beach County State Attorney Alexcia Cox announces that a jury on Thursday found Toni McCauley guilty of DUI manslaughter, vehicular homicide, DUI causing serious bodily injury, and DUI causing bodily injury. Evidence presented during the four-day trial focused on a crash that occurred on the night of July 27, 2023, on State Road 15 close to the intersection of State Road 80 near Belle Glade. McCauley, a police dispatcher, was driving her SUV on the wrong side of the road when she crashed head-on into an SUV driven by a 37-year-old woman who had her two young children in the back seat. The mother died from injuries suffered in the crash. The defendant was taken to a hospital that night, where she consented to a blood draw. The blood test revealed a blood alcohol level more than twice the legal limit of .08. Assistant State Attorneys Francine Edwards and Matthew Kimball of our Traffic Homicide Unit prosecuted the case, which was investigated by @PBCountySheriff. Sentencing is set for October 20.

Palm Beach County State Attorney Alexcia Cox announces the conviction and sentencing of a Palm Beach Gardens man in a fatal overdose case. Casey Lafontant was sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty on August 14 to manslaughter, trafficking in fentanyl, and sale of fentanyl. An investigation by @PBCountySheriff detectives revealed that a 31-year-old victim purchased fentanyl from Lafontant on February 16, 2024, and later suffered a fatal overdose. The State Attorney’s Office remains committed to holding drug traffickers accountable and keeping dangerous drugs out of our neighborhoods. Recent successful prosecutions include: • Larry D. Chavers: Convicted of trafficking in fentanyl and sentenced to the mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison. • Robanson Nicolas: Convicted of trafficking in fentanyl and sentenced to the mandatory minimum of 25 years in prison. • Travante Marquise Shepherd: Convicted of trafficking in fentanyl and sentenced to 25 years in prison. • Edward Brady: Convicted of trafficking in methamphetamine, cocaine and hydromorphone. Sentencing is set for September 28.

Palm Beach County State Attorney Alexcia Cox announces that a jury found Jimmy Lee Brinson guilty of attempted second-degree murder and aggravated battery. The evidence at trial showed the defendant repeatedly punched another rider during a dispute over a seat on a Palm Tran bus. The victim bravely testified about the March 12, 2026, beating, which caused facial injuries and required hospitalization. Assistant State Attorneys Weir King and Thor Bozicevic prosecuted the case, which was investigated by @WestPalmPD. Sentencing is set for October 2.

The Office of State Attorney Alexcia Cox will be closed on Monday for the Labor Day holiday and will reopen Tuesday morning. Wishing everyone a safe and restful holiday as we honor the contributions of workers across our community.

Palm Beach County State Attorney Alexcia Cox announces that a jury found Reynaldo Paredes Martinez guilty of manslaughter. The evidence at trial showed that Paredes Martinez and an accomplice used a knife to kill a 49-year-old man on April 2, 2022, at the defendant’s residence in suburban West Palm Beach. The victim’s body was found in a dumpster at another residential community a few miles away. Assistant State Attorneys Mathri Thannikkotu and Jo Wilensky prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the @WestPalmPD. Sentencing is set for November 5.

Palm Beach County State Attorney Alexcia Cox announces that the driver in a deadly hit-and-run crash was sentenced to 10 years in prison – above the four-year minimum required under Florida law. On July 15, a jury found Simon Andres Miguel guilty of leaving the scene of a crash involving death. The evidence at trial showed that on the evening of August 24, 2024, the defendant was driving an SUV that struck a pedestrian on Hypoluxo Road in Lantana. The victim died from his injuries four weeks later. Investigators determined the defendant was not at fault for the crash, but violated the law by leaving the scene. Instead of stopping to help, Andres Miguel drove to Lake Worth and spent the next five hours at a nightclub. Assistant State Attorneys Francine Edwards and Matthew Kimball of our Traffic Homicide Unit prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the @PBCountySheriff. “Florida Statute 316.027 was codified to ensure that motorists involved in crashes, regardless of the cause, fulfill their basic human duty to assist the injured,” ASA Kimball wrote in his sentencing memorandum. “Leaving the Scene of a Crash does not criminalize the circumstances that occurred before the crash occurred; the law punishes the Defendant for failing to try to save a life by ignoring someone who is injured and needs help.” Upon his release from prison, Andres Miguel must serve two years of probation.

Palm Beach County State Attorney Alexcia Cox announces a North Palm Beach man has been sentenced to 32 years in prison after pleading guilty to lewd or lascivious molestation and sexual battery with a child (familial or custodial relationship). The name of the 48-year-old defendant is not being released to protect the victim, a relative. The victim was 11 years old when the abuse began in 2015 and continued for four years. At the July 9 sentencing hearing, the court declared the defendant a sexual predator. Assistant State Attorney Daiana Espindola of our Special Victims Unit prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the @PBCountySheriff.

Palm Beach County State Attorney Alexcia Cox announces that a jury on July 28 found Edward Brady guilty of trafficking in methamphetamine, cocaine and hydromorphone. According to evidence presented at trial, the illicit drugs were found during a court-ordered search of the defendant’s West Palm Beach residence on November 12, 2024. Assistant State Attorneys Samuel Farot and Nathan Weinbaum of our Gangs, Guns and Drug Trafficking Unit prosecuted the case. Detectives with the @PBCountySheriff conducted the investigation with assistance from the @WestPalmPD. Sentencing is pending.

Palm Beach County State Attorney Alexcia Cox announces that a jury on July 22 found Kwame Antawan Moorer guilty of two counts of robbery with a firearm. Evidence presented during the three-day trial showed Moorer robbed two men at gunpoint in the parking lot of a condominium complex on July 24, 2022. The victims surrendered their wallets, cash and an iPhone during the armed robbery. An investigation revealed the defendant followed the victims from the Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood. Surveillance video showed him trailing them from the casino floor to a parking garage before following their vehicle to Boca Raton. Assistant State Attorneys Jocelyn Watkins and Kyley Brown prosecuted the case. Detectives with the @BocaPolice conducted the investigation with assistance from the Seminole Police Department. Sentencing is pending.

Palm Beach County State Attorney Alexcia Cox announces today that a man convicted of trafficking in fentanylhas been sentenced to 25 years in prison. On Tuesday, a jury found Travante Marquise Shepherd guilty as charged. Evidence at trial showed the defendant was arrested on October 18, 2023, in suburban West Palm Beach after meeting an undercover narcotics agent. In addition to the mandatory prison sentence, Shepherd was ordered to pay a $250,000 fine. Assistant State Attorneys Samuel Farot and Diva Casas of our Gangs, Guns and Drug Trafficking Unit prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the @PBCountySheriff.

Palm Beach County State Attorney Alexcia Cox announces today that a man convicted of written threats to kill or do bodily injury and aggravated stalking has been sentenced to 15 years in prison. On July 7, a jury found Pierre Fontus guilty as charged. The jury also found that he committed the felonies within three years of his release from state prison. The court sentenced Fontus as a Prison Release Reoffender. Under Florida law, he must serve the 15-year sentence day for day without gain time. Trial evidence showed that Fontus repeatedly stalked a woman he had dated for several months and, on Sept. 25, 2024, threatened her life. Assistant State Attorneys Rosanne Sherman and Mark Salnick prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the @BBPD (Boynton Beach Police Department) and @PBCountySheriff.

Today, a Palm Beach County judge sentenced Larry Darnell Young to the maximum of 30 years in prison after a jury found him guilty of manslaughter with a firearm in the death of a 16-year-old girl, State Attorney Alexcia Cox announces. Evidence presented during trial showed that on Dec. 10, 2021, Young fired shots toward people involved in a verbal dispute in the 500 block of 17th Street in West Palm Beach. The victim, who was not involved in the confrontation, was sitting in the back seat of a car parked nearby when she was struck by gunfire and died. The court sentenced Young as a Prison Release Reoffender because he committed the violent felony within three years of his release from state prison. Under Florida law, he must serve the 30-year sentence day for day without gain time. Assistant State Attorneys Crystal Ganpath-Freed and Diva Casas prosecuted the case.

Monday, a Palm Beach County judge sentenced Germain Cadet to 12 years in prison following his April 30 conviction for leaving the scene of a crash involving death, State Attorney Alexcia Cox announces. In addition to the prison sentence, Cadet must serve eight years of probation, with the first two years on house arrest while wearing an ankle monitor. The evidence at trial revealed Cadet was driving a van that struck a 23-year-old pedestrian on July 8, 2023, on 45th Street in West Palm Beach. Rather than stop and seek aid, Cadet continued driving. Investigators located him and the van hours later. Assistant State Attorneys Francine Edwards and Brooke Soloway of the Traffic Homicide Unit prosecuted the case. “The Defendant in this case had the ready ability to assist the victim by summoning emergency services,” Soloway wrote in her sentencing memorandum. “He chose not to do so, instead attempting to have the vehicle fixed and then returning home, ignoring what he had done.”