A plea deal has been reached in the case of a man accused of defrauding the Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership (CEP).
Here’s what we know about that case and others addressed at the Marion County Judicial Center during the week of April 27.
State v. Christopher D. Hines
Judge: Circuit Judge Barbara Kissner Kwatkosky.
Lawyers: Hines was represented by Brett Kocijan. Samantha Wahba prosecuted the case for the State Attorney’s Office.
Charges: Organized fraud of $50,000 or more. Prosecutors dropped a grand theft charge.
When was the hearing? April 28.
What was the outcome? Hines pleaded no contest and was sentenced to 30 years of probation. Court records show he received 14 days of jail credit time served. He must pay restitution at a rate of no less than $100 per month, and adjudication was withheld, according to court documents.
Where’s Hines now? The 36-year-old Texas man is currently out of jail.
About the case: Hines’ arrest report shows Ocala Police Department officials were informed the CEP was the victim of an email scam totaling $142,500. The incident occurred in October 2024. The investigation continued into 2025, and Hines was booked into the Marion County Jail in December.
State v. Anna Sofi Berrios Betancourt
Judge: Circuit Judge Steven Rogers.
Lawyers: Assistant State Attorney Adam Smith prosecuted the case. Betancourt is represented by Andy Pozzuto of the Alavi & Pozzuto Law Firm in Ocala.
Charge: Leaving the scene of a crash without rendering aid involving death and tampering with evidence.
Was Betancourt in court? No. Her attorney waived her appearance at the April 28 arraignment. Smith filed the charges against the 25-year-old Winter Park woman on April 27.
Where’s Betancourt now? Free on bail.
What’s next? A pretrial conference scheduled for June.
About the case: Betancourt was taken into custody after Florida Highway Patrol troopers said she struck and killed 81-year-old Frances Ann St. Martin of Summerfield along U.S. 301 South in June 2025.
Zachri Joseph Frazer
Judge: Circuit Judge Peter Brigham.
Lawyers: Assistant State Attorney Lillian Rozsa prosecuted the case. Frazer is represented by Kyle Erickson of the Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel.
Charge: Battery by a person in a detention facility and battery by strangulation. Frazer is also facing a separate murder charge from another state.
Reason for court? Arraignment on April 28. Frazer was not present because his attorney filed a notice waiving his appearance.
What’s next? Trial priority is scheduled for May 28 at 9 a.m.
About the case: The 23-year-old, who is from Jamaica and considered homeless, is accused of murdering 33-year-old Donald Neece of Mobile, Alabama. A warrant was issued for Frazer’s arrest in February 2025. Authorities allege Frazer stole the victim’s vehicle, drove to Florida and was arrested in Marion County following a chase by sheriff’s deputies. Records show Frazer has a prior conviction in Marion County.
State v. Dale Gorney
Judge: Circuit Judge Steven Rogers.
Lawyers: Gorney was represented by Henry Ferro. Assistant State Attorney Robert Bullara served as prosecutor.
Charge: Attending the fighting or baiting of animals.
What happened in court? A daylong trial was held April 29. A six-person jury found the 41-year-old Sebring man guilty. He was sentenced to one year and one day in prison, with two days of jail credit time served, according to records. After the verdict, Gorney, who had been free on bond, was handcuffed and taken to jail.
About the case: Authorities said Gorney and several others were apprehended on a property where a cockfighting event was taking place in the 6900 block of Northwest 44th Avenue. Law enforcement officials said a search yielded 28 dead roosters, several severely injured roosters, firearms, cash and beer.
Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Marion County judge orders probation, restitution in CEP email scam
Reporting by Austin L. Miller, Ocala Star-Banner / Ocala Star-Banner
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