Office of the State Attorney

PRESS RELEASE

July 13, 2023      

         

State of Florida v. Derick Styron Jones Sr.                                                                        

DOB: 03/25/1974

Case Number: 2022 305864 CFDB

 

Jones Sentenced to Life Plus 160 Years for Slew of Felony Convictions

DAYTONA BEACH – During a hearing this morning, defendant Derick Jones was sentenced to 160 years consecutive to life in prison. Jones was found guilty as charged last week 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 two 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 hotel 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.

“The victims will forever carry the physical, mental and emotional scars from the defendant’s vicious and cruel crimes,” State Attorney R.J. Larizza said of the case. “It is only fair that he spend the rest of his life in prison. We will not tolerate human traffickers and we will seek maximum penalties for those who engage in such activities.”

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 pronounced sentence.

 

For more information contact: 

Haley Harrison | Multimedia Specialist/PIO | Office of State Attorney R.J. Larizza, Florida's Seventh Judicial Circuit | SAOPIO@SAO7.org