Long arm of the law: Man Jailed for lying to Grand Jury in 22-year-old murder case

A man who lied to a Grand Jury in a homicide case dating back more than 22 years ago, was arrested and booked into the Polk County Jail Thursday.

Danny Wayne Cerezo, 66, of 1900 Highland, in Deland, has been charged with making a false statement in the prosecution of the capital felony.

According to officials, the grand jury found that Cerezo made “one or more false statements which Danny Wayne Cerezo do not believe to be true, under oath…”  Cerezo’s indictment does not disclose what he lied about.

Cerezo has been under investigation by Polk County detectives for the murder of Lakeland rancher Larry Costine and the disappearance of Costine’s girlfriend, Melissa Jo Sermons in 1992.

Costine was found shot to death in his mobile home over 22 years ago.  He was 31 years old when he was found shot to death on May 4, 1992.

Sermons, 22 at the time, has been missing since she was last seen with Costine on May 3, 1992.  Detectives believe Sermons was likely murdered.

Cerezo is being held on no bond.