Category Archives: Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Erin Maloney, Communications Director
Office of the State Attorney, 13th Judicial Circuit
(813) 557-3366 | [email protected]

TAMPA, FL (May 15, 2024) — The State Attorney’s Office announced it will seek the death penalty in the case of Angel Gabriel Cuz Choc. The defendant brutally murdered his girlfriend Amalia Coc Choc De Pec and her 4-year-old daughter at their home in Dover. Cuz Choc entered the country illegally from Guatemala where the U.S. Border Patrol says he was also wanted for two separate murders. In Hillsborough County, he is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, kidnapping, and aggravated child abuse. The defendant is currently being held in jail until trial as a result of our agency successfully arguing that he represents a danger to our community.

On April 25, Cuz Choc attacked his girlfriend with a shovel and a knife, repeatedly striking and stabbing her. He told investigators he was angry when she didn’t return home on time from a trip out with a friend. Coc Choc De Pec’s body was found in a makeshift shed outside the couple’s trailer. Her 4-year-old daughter was found stabbed to death in the bathtub. Deputies arrested Cuz Choc the following day after they found him hiding in the woods two miles away from the crime scene.

Cuz Choc gave a sworn statement to investigators where he admitted entering the country illegally through a smuggler in September of 2023. The defendant claims he met Coc Choc De Pec on Facebook while she and her daughter lived in New Jersey. In the months before the murders, the defendant also claimed the victim and her 4-year-old daughter moved down to live with Cuz Choc in Dover where he found work as a day laborer.

“I can’t imagine the terror both victims went through as they were brutally attacked by this defendant. A mother and her 4-year-old daughter were savagely stabbed to death. This crime was especially heinous, cruel, and atrocious. As a result of the violent nature of the defendant’s actions and the suffering of the victims, we are seeking the death penalty for both murders. This tragedy is made even worse by the fact that the defendant was in our community illegally,” said State Attorney Suzy Lopez.

The State Attorney’s Office filed a motion for pretrial detention which was not challenged by the Public Defender’s Office. Cuz Choc will remain behind bars without bond until trial. He is set to be arraigned on May 20.

If you or anyone you know is a victim of domestic violence, our community is fortunate to have incredible resources for survivors and their children. The Spring of Tampa Bay has a 24-hour Crisis Hotline that victims can call: (813)-247-SAFE (7233). Victims can also learn about the Spring’s services and resources by visiting www.TheSpring.org.

State Attorney Lopez leads a team of talented prosecutors and professional staff who are responsible for all criminal prosecutions in the 13th Judicial Circuit. The State Attorney’s Office is committed to keeping the public informed about the outcomes of major court cases to ensure transparency and accountability. We believe it is of utmost importance for the public to understand how our justice system operates in order to build trust. To learn more about the outcome of cases prosecuted in our office, you can follow us on social media:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Erin Maloney, Communications Director

Office of the State Attorney, 13th Judicial Circuit

(813) 557-3366 | [email protected]

TAMPA, FL (March 8, 2024) — The State Attorney’s Office has filed second-degree murder charges against Gerald Declan Radford in the shooting death of a 52-year-old man at the West Dog Park in Tampa. The defendant alleged self-defense, but following a thorough investigation, the evidence shows Radford was the aggressor and was motivated by the fact that the victim was a gay man. In addition, the state will be seeking an enhancement as a hate crime under Florida Statute 775.085.

Radford called 9-1-1 on the morning of February 2, 2024, and told dispatchers he shot a man in the dog park. When investigators arrived, Radford told them he and the victim were in a “scuffle” when he pulled his gun and shot the victim. There were no other eyewitnesses to the incident, and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office continued its investigation.

Multiple community members came forward in the days and weeks following the shooting to report hearing Radford use bigoted slurs toward the victim, even talking about wanting to harm him while at the dog park. Detectives also learned the victim created a cell phone video 24 hours prior to the shooting warning his friends that Radford told him, “You’re gonna die.”

“We should all be able to enjoy a day at the dog park without the fear of gunfire. This victim also deserved to live free from fear and discrimination based on his sexual orientation. The evidence shows the defendant’s actions were motivated by hate, and he will be held accountable. My heart is with the victim’s family and large group of friends as we fight for justice together,” said State Attorney Suzy Lopez.

Members of the community have actively shared concerns with our office regarding the length of time it has taken to reach a charging decision. It is important to note how difficult it can be to refute a Stand Your Ground claim in some cases because the only other witness to the incident is deceased. Throughout the course of this investigation, community members stepped forward with important information about ongoing tensions that helped add context to the incident. Combined with video recordings created by the victim before he was killed, investigators were able to build a strong case to bring to our office for prosecution.