Ronald Exantus, 42, was extradited to Kentucky after being arrested in Florida for violating parole by failing to register as a convicted felon with the local sheriff’s office. The arrest followed coordinated efforts among multiple law enforcement agencies in Florida.
Attorney General James Uthmeier commented on the extradition, stating, “Today, this child murderer is on his way back to Kentucky—where he belongs. I want to thank Statewide Prosecutor McVay, State Attorney Gladson, Sheriff Woods, and Department of Corrections Secretary Dixon for their vigilance and decisive action. I encourage all violent criminals to stay far away from Florida.”
State Attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit Bill Gladson emphasized the importance of agency cooperation: “In this case, cooperation between the agencies was critical. The professionals at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and the Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution worked together seamlessly to ensure that this offender was captured and returned to Kentucky.”
Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods highlighted the collaborative process: “This case and arrest are the perfect example of how the collaborative efforts of our judicial system should work. This is why the State of Florida is a cut above all others when protecting citizens and the state from true evil in the world.”
Authorities learned from state prosecutors that Exantus had moved from Kentucky to Marion County, Florida. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office Intel Unit confirmed his residence there and discovered he had not registered as a convicted felon within 48 hours as required by law. Deputies located Exantus at an address adjacent to Sunrise Elementary School and near Horizon Academy.
Exantus was previously involved in a high-profile case in 2015 when he stabbed 6-year-old Logan Tipton in Versailles, Kentucky. He was found not guilty by reason of insanity but was convicted on assault charges and sentenced to 20 years in prison. After serving less than half his sentence, he was released on parole.
Following his arrest in Marion County for failure to register as a felon, Exantus was held without bond before being sent back to Kentucky through a joint operation involving local prosecutors, law enforcement officials, and corrections authorities.
