Teen girl who shot at Volusia deputies gets 20 years in prison
A teenager who ran away from a group home around Lake Monroe pleaded no contest for shooting at Volusia County deputies near DeLand.
Nicole Jackson-Maldonado, 15, was adjudicated guilty Friday after entering a no-contest plea to multiple charges, including attempted first-degree murder with a firearm, burglary of a dwelling while armed and criminal mischief of $1,000 or more.
Circuit Judge Elizabeth Blackburn sentenced Jackson-Maldonado to 20 years in prison, followed by 40 years of probation, according to the State Attorney’s Office in the Seventh Judicial Circuit.
The sentencing comes about a year-and-a-half after Volusia County deputies found themselves in a tense shootout with two children who were caught in the middle of a home burglary at a residence on Enterprise Osteen Road.
The other teen who was arrested with Jackson-Maldonado in 2021 was 12 years old at the time. Last year his case was handled in juvenile court, where he entered into a plea bargain that sent him to a juvenile facility with an agreement that he may be released within three years.
The Orlando Sentinel generally does not release the names of juveniles involved in criminal cases unless they are charged as adults.
The children broke into a house in Enterprise after running away from a Florida United Methodist Children’s Home nearby. According to the
State Attorney’s Office, Jackson-Maldonado attacked a worker at the children’s home and then ran away.
Law enforcement had already been searching the area for the children when witnesses reported glass breaking at the Enterprise home, according to the Volusia County Sheriff ’s Office.
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said the children shattered windows and caused tens of thousands of dollars of damage. They observed the girl using a baseball bat to destroy furniture, a bathtub and toilet, Chitwood said.
Body-worn camera footage showed the children shooting out the home’s rear window. According to Chitwood, the homeowner told officials there was “a handgun, a shotgun and an AK-47 inside,” along with nearly 200 rounds of ammunition.
Deputies were heard trying to deescalate the shootout.
Later, Jackson-Maldonado came out of the garage and pointed a gun at authorities twice, the sheriff ’s office said.
Video released by VCSO of helicopter footage showed deputies shooting toward the house. Jackson-Maldonado was shot six times. No deputies were injured.
Shortly afterward, the boy, who was holding an AK-47, surrendered, Chitwood said.
The State Attorney’s Office said: “Forensic and eyewitness testimony identified Jackson-Maldonado as the primary shooter and ringleader of the criminal episode.”