Office of the State Attorney

PRESS RELEASE

July 8, 2023

 

State of Florida v. Derick Styron Jones Sr.

DOB: 03/25/1974

Case Number: 2022 305864 CFDB

 

Daytona Beach Man Convicted of Human Trafficking, a Dozen Other Charges

DAYTONA BEACH – At the conclusion of a three-day trial late last night, a Volusia County Jury found defendant Derick Jones guilty as charged of 11 Felonies, which included Human Trafficking – Adult Labor or Services, Deriving Support from Proceeds of Prostitution, Armed Trafficking in Fentanyl (14 to 28 grams), Aggravated Battery, Attempt to Tamper with a Witness – Direct and Possession of Firearm by Convicted In-State Felon. He was also convicted of 2 misdemeanors.

In December 2022, the Daytona Beach Police Department's Special Investigations Unit was conducting an operation in which it identified three victims who said Jones was confining them within their rooms and then beat them if they didn't commit prostitution. One victim was beaten so badly, she is now blind.

Detectives then executed a search warrant at a South Ridgewood Avenue hotel room where the defendant was staying. Evidence of human trafficking and prostitution was found in addition to illegal drugs.

“Humanity has a dark and evil streak-human trafficking. It is incomprehensible that people are capable of such violence and cruelty.” State Attorney R.J. Larizza said of the case.

The case was investigated by the Daytona Beach Police Department. Assistant State Attorney’s Sarah Thomas and Sandy Desroisiers successfully tried the case for the State. The Honorable Raul Zambrano presided over the case and will pronounce sentence on Thursday, July 13th. Jones faces up to life in prison for the crimes.

 

For more information contact: 

Bryan Shorstein | Executive Director//PIO | Office of State Attorney R.J. Larizza, Florida's Seventh Judicial Circuit | SAOPIO@SAO7.org