Ocala courts: No bail for man accused of human trafficking for commercial sexual activity
Here's a look at local court cases and related matters recently addressed:
State v. Luke Thomas Massey
Lawyers: Assistant Public Defender Walter Flinn and Assistant State Attorney Katrina Self.
Judge: Circuit Judge Lisa Herndon.
Charges: Human trafficking for commercial sexual activity, direct promote sexual performance by child, and two counts of use computer to seduce solicit lure child.
Who arrested Massey and why? Authorities in New Mexico arrested the 29-year-old man on a Marion County Sheriff's Office warrant in late January. He was extradited to Marion County in mid-February to face his charges.
Detectives allege Massey communicated with a 14-year-old Marion County girl via the internet. Those communications included graphic sexual content. Detectives became aware of a website where adults would meet children online to arrange sexual encounters.
What was the purpose of Massey's hearing? A pre-trial detention hearing was held on Feb. 29 to determine whether he should be held without bail until trial or given a chance to post bond and be released from the jail.
What did the lawyers have to say? Self told the court Massey encouraged the child to send him lewd pictures of herself. She said his behavior is dangerous for the community, has no ties to Marion County and faces a possible life sentence if convicted.
Flinn said the teen sent his client pictures and was one of the moderators on the chat site. He said Massey did not travel to Marion County to meet the teen, there's no proof he had sex with any other child, and all he did was engage in online communication.
Judge's ruling: The judge said she believes the prosecutor has shown evidence of human trafficking. She also noted that Massey has no local connections, and his patterns and behavior are dangerous. She ordered him held without bail.
U.S. v. Jordan Karod Goodman.
Charges: Aggravated battery with a firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm while engaged in criminal offense, drug possession and possession of cocaine.
Defense lawyer: Public Defender's Office.
What happened? Charges against Goodman has been transferred from state circuit court to federal court.
When and why was Goodman arrested? In November 2023 for allegedly shooting two people outside a convenience store off State Road 40.
Is Goodman in jail? Yes, he is on federal hold for felon in possession of a firearm. He is being held without bail.
State v. Jodie Ann Overholser
Judge: Circuit Judge Peter Brigham.
Lawyers: Assistant State Attorney James Moody and Assistant Public Defender Theodore Riquelme.
Charge: Death caused by the unlawful distribution of methamphetamine and/or fentanyl. Overholser's arraignment was held Feb. 27. Moody told the court prosecutors have filed the charge against the 51-year-old Fort McCoy woman. Overholser was not present at the hearing.
When is Overholser's next court hearing? In June, in front of Circuit Judge Lisa Herndon.
Where's Overholser now? At the county jail, where she is being held without bail.
Why was Overholser arrested? A convicted felon, Overholser is accused of supplying drugs to 23-year-old Austin Taylor Roberson, of Ocala, who overdosed and died.
State v. Jessica Lynn Long and Michael Rene Montgomery Jr.
Judge: Circuit Judge Anthony Tatti.
Prosecutor: Assistant State Attorney Richard Buxman.
Charges: Long and Montgomery are charged with first-degree murder with a firearm. Montgomery has additional charges of felony flee or attempt to elude police/disregard for safety, resisting arrest without violence, and driving while license is suspended or revoked.
Grand jury: On Feb. 27, a grand jury indicted Long and Montgomery in connection with the death of Wayne Barlow, 40, of Ocala. Both defendants were in court on Feb. 28 and County Judge Robert Landt denied bail.
What's next? Long, 37, of Ocala, and Montgomery, 47, of Reddick, have court dates on April 2 for a pre-trial conference.
What happened? Sheriff's detectives said Montgomery beat and shot Barlow to death late last year. The detectives said testimony they have gathered also implicates Long.
Jason Dale Volkman
In a Feb. 29 press release, The Florida Bar announced that Volkman received a permanent disciplinary revocation following a Feb. 8 court order.
A former real estate and tax attorney, Volkman was admitted to pratice in 2000.
Late last year, Volkman pleaded no contest to multiple sexual offenses and was sentenced to prison. State records show the 50-year-old Ocala man is scheduled to be released in 2052.
Mental issue: Not guilty by reason of insanity: Federal judge rules in Marion County church fire case
Volkman was arrested by sheriff's deputies and accused of sexually abusing a boy and giving the juvenile alcohol and Vicodin. Deputies were told about a hidden camera Volkman used to record the abuse.
Contact Austin L. Miller at [email protected]
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Judge orders no bail for man accused of child sex trafficking