A man was sentenced for the murder of retired Citrus County Sheriff’s Deputy Steven Smolensky.
41-year-old Steven Alan Swearingen was sentenced to Life in prison for the Second-Degree Murder of 52-year-old Steven Smolensky, a retired deputy sheriff with the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office.
Swearingen, a convicted felon, was charged with Murder in the Second Degree with a Firearm, Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, and False Imprisonment.
“In the wake of today’s sentencing, there are truly no words that can be said to ease the pain and suffering Steven Smolensky’s family has been through,” Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Bill Gladson said at the time. “A life sentence will not fully repair the broken pieces left behind, but I hope this measure of justice will provide a sense of peace knowing the person responsible was held accountable.”
On November 30, 2021, around 9:4am, Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a shooting incident at a residence in Weirsdale. Upon arrival, they discovered the victim, Steven Smolensky, deceased with multiple gunshot wounds.
The investigation unveiled that the victim had visited the location to deliver propane for his employer, Suburban Propane. While there, he was confronted by Swearingen, armed with a pistol, who held him at gunpoint, preventing him from leaving or returning to his truck. Eventually, Swearingen shot the victim multiple times.
Swearingen was apprehended and interrogated by officials. During the interview, Swearingen claimed he thought the victim was there to “fill the home with propane,” which led him to confront the victim with a handgun. According to Swearingen, the victim clarified that he was present to refill the propane tank.
Swearingen recounted that when the victim tried to go back to his truck, he held him at gunpoint before shooting him multiple times. Swearingen even stated the victim only had a cell phone in his hands at the time he was shot. Swearingen was arrested and transported to the Marion County Jail.
Assistant State Attorneys Adam Smith, Katrina Self, and Kevin Steiniger prosecuted this case. Swearingen was found guilty by a jury in August of this year.
