A man accused of killing his grandmother has entered a no contest plea and won't go to trial. Here's what we know about that and other cases addressed in the court system the week of Sept. 14:
State v. Jeremy Lawrence Kendrick
Judge: Circuit Judge Steven Rogers.
Lawyers: Assistant State Attorney Adam Smith and defense attorney Jonathan Mills.
Charges: Second-degree murder, battery, criminal mischief, possession of fentanyl and drug paraphernalia, and battery by person in detention facility.
When was Kendrick's hearing? Sept. 14.
What was the outcome? Kendrick entered an open plea of no contest, with no plea agreement negotiated. That means the judge will decide the sentencing terms. The judge ordered a pre-sentence investigation.
What happens next? Kendrick, 37, will be sentenced
once the pre-sentence investigation is finished.
Where's Kendrick now? At the Marion County Jail, where he is being held without bail.
About the case: Kendrick is accused of removing his 76-year-old grandmother, Linda Kendrick, from a vehicle and repeatedly hitting her with his hands on March 7, 2024, in the 15200 block of Northeast 86th Lane in Silver Springs.
The defendant was found in the living room of a home armed with a machete and a piece of plywood, the Marion County Sheriff's Office said.
The elderly woman was taken to a hospital, where she later died. She had dementia, the sheriff's office said.
According to the report, the defendant came into the home complaining about a debit card and threatened to kill those in the residence. Several family members went into a truck, but Kendrick used an object to shatter all of the vehicle's windows.
The sheriff's office said Kendrick pulled his mother out and beat her. He then took his grandmother out and also hit her multiple times. She suffered injuries to her back, neck and face.
U.S. v. Jimmy Deon Lofton
Judge: U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber.
Lawyer: Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg.
Charge: Possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
Reason for court? According to a government press release issued Sept. 18, Lofton was sentenced to eight years and a month in federal prison after pleading guilty to the charge on May 28.
About the case: Agents with the Marion County Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team went to a residence on Southwest Second Street in Ocala on July 1, 2025, with a search warrant. They had received a tip, according to federal and local officials.
There, they recovered approximately 173 grams of fentanyl, 31 grams of methamphetamine, 260 grams of MDMA, and more than 1,000 grams of cocaine, authorities said.
Local and federal officials said some of the drugs were in an ammunition can that was buried in the backyard. According to the government, a security system seized by agents showed Lofton packaging and selling the illegal material at the residence.
State v. Henrickey Sanderle Francois
Judge: Circuit Judge Steven Rogers.
Lawyer: Assistant State Attorney Debra Munchel.
Charge: Travel to meet a minor for illegal sexual contact.
Reason for court? Jury selection on Sept. 14.
What happened in court? Francois decided to accept a plea deal and pleaded no contest. He was sentenced to 21 months in prison and 30 months of probation. Francois also must register as a sexual offender once he's released from prison.
About the case: In 2025, authorities arrested Francois during Operation Parental Advisory, a sting operation designed to catch men accused of trying to pick up children online for sex.
State v. Nicholas Christophe Santomaso
Judge: Circuit Judge Barbara Kissner Kwatkosky.
Lawyers: Representing Santomaso was Michelle Slanker and Assistant State Attorney Danielle Ruse prosecuted the case.
Charges: Operate vehicle 100+mph threaten person property and felony flee or attempt to elude police disregard for safety.
Why was Santomaso is court? On July 13, Santomaso entered a no contest plea and a pre-sentence investigation was ordered. Free on bond, Santomaso appeared in court on Sept. 15 for sentencing.
What happened at sentencing? Ruse recommended Santomaso serve 180 days in the county jail due to his reckless driving and the danger to the community.
The defense argued Santomaso has never been in trouble. The defense lawyer said even though what Santomaso did was serious, he should be sentenced to five years of probation.
Santomaso told the court he accepts responsibility and thinks about his action every day. He said he was not raised like this, and is sorry for causing stress to his family.
The judge said Santomaso put hundreds of families at risk. She said she hopes he learns his lesson.
The judge said although Santomaso seemed sincere, she sentenced him to 90 days in jail and five years of probation. His driver's license will be suspended for a year, and the judge doesn't mind if he seeks a hardship license.
Santomaso was fingerprinted, handcuffed and taken to the back to be transported to the jail. He has two days of credit for time already served in jail.
About the case: Santomaso, 21, was booked into the jail in February after a Florida Highway Patrol trooper noted in a report that the young man was traveling more than 100 mph on Interstate 75. Exiting off County Road 484, he continued to speed until he was stopped, troopers said.
Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Plea entered for man accused of killing his grandmother
