A Palmetto man is staring down a potential long stretch behind bars after a Manatee County jury convicted him this week of his eighth drunk-driving offense. Ronald Willard, 55, was found guilty at a two-day trial held June 8–9 and now faces a combined maximum of 15 years in prison. Prosecutors tied the case to a Sept. 18, 2024 incident in Bradenton in which deputies say he was behind the wheel while intoxicated. Sentencing is set to be scheduled at a later date.
According to Tampa Bay 28, the 12th Judicial Circuit's State Attorney's Office said jurors convicted Willard of driving under the influence; driving while license cancelled, suspended or revoked based on DUI, refusal, death/serious bodily injury, fleeing or attempting to elude an officer; and driving while his license had been permanently revoked. Together, those convictions carry a maximum possible sentence of 15 years, prosecutors told the outlet. Tampa Bay 28 also reported that Willard had six prior convictions for driving while license suspended.
How Deputies Say It Unfolded
According to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to the Sept. 18, 2024 incident in Bradenton and reported finding Willard behind the wheel. After conducting a sobriety check, deputies determined he was intoxicated. Court schedules show the case later moved to trial at the Manatee County Courthouse on June 8–9, per the Manatee County Clerk's Public Records Hub.
Prosecutors Push for a Substantial Sentence
Assistant State Attorney Tanner Woods did not exactly hold back in front of jurors, calling Willard "a menace to society" and indicating prosecutors would be seeking a substantial prison term, as reported by Tampa Bay 28. The outlet also reported that Willard had already served nearly four years in prison for earlier DUI convictions and was driving at a time when his license had been permanently revoked.
What Comes Next
Sentencing will be set for a future date, and prosecutors have signaled they will ask the judge for a significant prison term under the charges returned by the jury. For broader context on how such cases are handled in the region, the Office of the State Attorney for the 12th Judicial Circuit, which prosecutes cases across Manatee and Sarasota counties, posts case updates on its site, the 12th Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office.
