A former Marion County Sheriff’s Office detention deputy charged in the death of her former boyfriend, who at the time of his death was a detention deputy at the sheriff’s office, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and armed residential burglary on Friday.

Jacqueline Jasmin Johnson-Cabrera was sentenced by a judge in Citrus County to life in prison, according to a press release issued by the 5th Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office. The office covers Marion, Lake, Citrus, Sumter and Hernando counties.

Assistant State Attorneys Peter F. Magrino and Blake Shore prosecuted the case. Johnson-Cabrera’s lawyer was Devon Sharkey of the Public Defender’s Office.

The victim, Cory Schweitzer, 31, was a resident of Citrus County. Schweitzer started working for the Marion sheriff’s office in March 2019. He was a member of the Detention Response Team, or DRT, in 2020, and Employee of the Month in June 2021.

Johnson-Cabrera, who had resigned from the MCSO in lieu of termination in 2021, was hired as a detention assistant in September 2019.

The press release says Schweitzer’s sister spoke at Johnson-Cabrera’s sentencing, telling the court that the suspect’s actions will forever impact their family.

Sheriff Billy Woods said, “On behalf of the men and women of my office who serve Marion County, I want to extend our sincerest thanks to Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast and his dedicated team. They investigated Cory’s death and quickly brought his murderer to justice. Today, Cory’s killer pled guilty and received life without the possibility of parole. While we continue to mourn his loss, knowing she is off the streets brings us some comfort. I personally want to thank State Attorney Bill Gladson and the 5th Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office for ensuring this killer will never see freedom again.”

Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast said, “I am incredibly proud of the tireless efforts of Sergeant Dowling, Detective Watts, and Crime Scene Specialist Gerneth, along with our Fifth Judicial Circuit Assistant State Attorneys, working together to secure a life sentence for the murder of a fellow law enforcement officer.

“Their dedication to justice and their unwavering commitment to finding the truth behind this staged suicide is commendable. Today’s sentencing is a testament to their hard work and dedication to keeping Citrus County safe.”

State Attorney Bill Gladson said, “Today’s life sentence reaffirms our unwavering commitment in seeking justice and holding offenders accountable for their crimes.

“While this sentence cannot bring back Cory, we hope it provides a measure of closure to the Schweitzer family and to Cory’s colleagues at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.”

About the case

The case began in August 2022, when Citrus officials said their communication center received a call about a potential suicide.

Authorities said Schweitzer had been shot and was not breathing. He was pronounced dead at the location.

Believing the death was suspicious, Citrus detectives began their investigation and determined that he had been murdered.

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The investigation led to Johnson-Cabrera and officials got a warrant for her arrest. She was picked up in Ocala, where she lived, and transported to the Citrus County Detention Facility in Lecanto.

Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: It’s life behind bars for former detention deputy in man’s killing