OCALA, FL (352today.com) — Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods says the problem of repeat offenders isn’t just a matter of frustration for his deputies — it’s something deeper. “It breaks your heart,” he says. “You do all this work, and then you watch someone walk right back out and do it again. That’s what disheartens us.”

From drug crimes to domestic violence and high-profile tragedies like the Ocala Ocho bus crash involving Bryan Howard, Woods says the revolving door of the criminal justice system is taking a toll on law enforcement, and on the community.

The Ocala Ocho: A Case That Shook Marion County

Sheriff Woods points to Bryan Howard, the man charged in the 2024 crash that killed eight migrant farm workers known as the Ocala Ocho in Marion County, as an example of the issue.

Howard had a record of traffic violations — over and over and over, “But the truth is, most of those infractions, by law, aren’t serious enough to lock someone up for life,” explains Woods. “You can’t fix stupid. But if someone like him had been in jail, those people would still be alive.”

Accountability Across the Board

Sheriff Woods believes repeat offenses are a systemic issue, and the blame doesn’t rest solely with law enforcement.

On courts and judges:

  • “If the judges ain’t holding them accountable, then we need to hold the judges accountable.”
  • “Minimum mandatories need to be minimum mandatories. No circumventing it.”

On families and schools:

  • “The family unit is all but nonexistent.”
  • “Instead of parenting, people want to blame the system.”
  • “Our schools are minimizing what kids do. That just conditions them.”

Domestic Violence: The Hidden Epidemic

“The number one crime in Marion County isn’t what people think — it’s domestic battery,” Woods shares. “It makes up 45% of all crimes here, and it’s the most underreported.”

Sting Operations and Second Chances

Woods highlights sting operations targeting predators and notes a shocking case where a man arrested for soliciting a child reoffended just two years later after probation.

But not all stories are tragic. Woods recalls a former inmate he encouraged to turn his life around. “I told him, ‘Put me down as a reference on a job application.’ People can change. But they must be held accountable first.”

Programs That Work

Woods praises several initiatives in Marion County:

  • JINS (Juveniles in Need of Services): Identifies troubled youth and intervenes early.
  • High Utilizer Program: Supports elderly residents prone to repeat 911 calls.
  • Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranch: Helps at-risk youth avoid entering the justice system.

What the Community Can Do

“Don’t just complain,” Woods says. “Tell your legislators what needs to change. Pay attention to judges and school board decisions. And vote like it matters — because it does.”

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