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Three suspects arrested in gun theft, murder in Florida of former Alexander resident

By Howard B. Owens
   Gerjuan Jackson    Kenley Campbell      Darril Rankin


Press release:

Polk County Sheriff's Office homicide detectives have arrested 22-year-old Kenley Campbell and 22-year-old Darril Lamar Rankin Jr. on Saturday, Jan. 6, and 18-year-old Gerjuan Demarcus Jackson all of Mobile, Ala., on Tuesday, Jan. 9. They have all been charged with:

  •  First-degree murder (FC)
  • Attempted first-degree murder (F1)
  • Armed burglary with assault/battery (F1)
  • 13 counts of grand theft of a firearm (F3)
  • Robbery with a firearm/deadly weapon (FL)
  • Conveyance burglary (F3)
  • Grand theft of a motor vehicle (F3)

The Polk County Sheriff's Office alleges that: on Jan. 3, Campbell, Rankin, and Jackson drove from Mobile to William Reiss’ residence in Polk City, Fla.; Jackson fired shots at William Reiss multiple times (who was found deceased in the home) and his roommate, Kenneth Maier, who is fighting for his life. Maier is still in critical/stable condition at a local hospital.

According to the investigation and admissions made by the suspects:

Jackson met William Reiss while conducting a hurricane damage estimate in 2017, and he purchased two handguns from Reiss. Detectives located an official FEMA contractor identification for Jackson during the investigation. Upon returning to Alabama, Jackson was arrested for possession of cannabis and carrying a firearm without a permit.

Campbell drove his vehicle, a Chevrolet Sonic, with Gerjuan Jackson and Darril Rankin to Florida and arrived at 7462 Berkley Road in Polk City at between 1:30 – 1:40 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 3rd. Jackson went inside the home while they (Campbell and Rankin) stayed inside the Chevrolet Sonic.

Jackson admitted he fired several gunshots at Reiss and at Maier.

Jackson exited the residence, at which point Campbell and Rankin assisted with loading the victim’s firearm collection and flat-screen television into Campbell's trunk and the victim’s Dodge pickup truck.

When they arrived in Alabama, Jackson took the victim’s truck to a wooded area and set the pickup truck on fire.

During the investigation, detectives found six firearms, an extensive amount of ammunition, electronic devices, and clothing believed to be worn by the suspects during the incident in Campbell and Rankin’s home. Three of these firearms are from the victim’s stolen collection. Detectives also found a box of latex gloves and apparent trace amounts of blood in the Chevrolet Sonic.

Jackson said the stolen property firearms and television had been sold on “the streets,” except for the three firearms that were recovered from Campbell and Rankin’s home. Jackson estimated that a total of 20 to 25 firearms were stolen from the victim’s residence.

“Three killers traveled to Polk City all the way from Mobile, Alabama to steal firearms. William Reiss was shot and murdered, and Kenneth Maier was shot and left for dead. Maier is currently in the hospital fighting for his life. I can’t begin to say how disgusted we are at the depravity displayed by these men.” -- Grady Judd, Polk County Sheriff 

All suspects were booked into the Mobile County Metro Jail without incident and will be extradited to Polk County at a later date. The investigation is ongoing and further charges may be filed.

All suspects have previous criminal histories.

Lisa Woltz

Thank you Sheriff Judd and the Polk County Sheriff's Dept! The good sheriff will make sure these boys will be confined away from each other and they won't see the light of day again.

Jan 10, 2018, 7:20pm Permalink
Ed Hartgrove

Thomas. In Florida, lethal injection became the standard method of execution in 2000. The electric chair can still be used by request of the inmate

So... I guess it's up to the inmate to decide - whether he/she doesn't mind having their eyes explode (not a pretty sight in an open-casket funeral).

Jan 10, 2018, 11:37pm Permalink
Thomas Callan

Ed, thanks. I say after a few months in the Bergen Swamp, make those animals cross the Bridge of Sighs-- on their way to `Ole Sparky!!

p.s. dave, did you vote me down? Are you still cross at me?

Jan 11, 2018, 12:40pm Permalink
Frank Bartholomew

Ed,I think the irony here is the fact the victim was a gun owner,and still couldn't protect himself,which could open a whole new discussion that I won't get into.

Jan 11, 2018, 5:45pm Permalink
Lisa Woltz

FEMA does a criminal background check. It is a Federal job you take on. Background, fingerprinting- Been there done it and 9 years later....

Steve Dow, It has nothing to do with anything political. There are many sour apples all in this world. Some even rotten to the core like these three.
Frank Bartholomew, I bet you'd say that to Chris Kyle also.

I'm sure Howard is about to update this story. But, if he's not- I'll share it with you because my brother was a friend of Sheriff Grady Judd's when he worked with Highlands County Sheriff's Office.

1-12-2018 Update: Kenneth Maier of 7462 Berkley Road in Polk City, succumbed to injuries today, January 12, 2018, around 1:00 p.m. "We are heartbroken to hear that Kenneth passed away today. We are sending our thoughts and prayers to Kenneth's family and friends. This act of vicious murder should have never happened." - Grady Judd, Sheriff
The three suspects from Mobile, Alabama will be pending additional murder charges in relation to Kenneth Maier's death. We will send another update when additional charges are placed.

Sheriff Grady Judd is briefing the media and our FB fans about the arrests of three men in Mobile, Alabama, for the murder of William Reiss that occurred in Polk City on Jan. 3, 2018. We appreciate the assistance of the Mobile Police Department in this investigation! Some of the firearms were recovered, along with the victim’s stolen truck. All three suspects will be extradited back to Polk County to face first-degree murder and other charges.

Jan 12, 2018, 6:39pm Permalink
Frank Bartholomew

To set the record straight,I am against gun control laws,and further that is the discussion I didn't want to have,I am against any infringement on any of our rights,and I don't even like guns.

Jan 13, 2018, 8:53pm Permalink
Lisa Woltz

Frank, first, don't cuss me.

That would be like someone saying, "Chris Kyle did four tours of duty in Iraq and was killed back home in Texas by a man he had on his gun range."

Jan 13, 2018, 8:53pm Permalink
Frank Bartholomew

Lisa,first ,don't call me your pet names,I was trying to figure what Steve meant,I also said "I think"if you want to jump to conclusions,that's on you ,not me.Maybe Steve can elaborate on his comment,I inferred what I thought he meant,nothing more,so save your name calling for the sandbox at the nearest preschool.

Jan 15, 2018, 10:30am Permalink
Frank Bartholomew

Lisa.I apologize for my #16,I misread your #10, I thought you had resorted to name calling,I think I've seen enough of your comments to know better.Got too much on my mind and read it to fast,again my apologies.Now I'm off to the er to get the foot out of my mouth.

Jan 16, 2018, 8:05pm Permalink

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