The Incident and Sentencing
A Florida man responsible for a violent, unprovoked assault on a 13-year-old boy has been sentenced to 45 years in prison. Jermaine Lynn Long pleaded no contest to charges of aggravated battery and attempted second-degree murder, as well as additional counts from separate cases, according to the Volusia County State Attorney’s Office.
The attack occurred on February 14 near the Daytona Beach Boardwalk. Surveillance footage captured the moment Long approached the victim from behind and slashed his neck with a box cutter before fleeing the scene. At the time of the assault, the teenager was watching a Slingshot ride at the Daytona Beach Pier.
The Victim’s Testimony
The victim, 14-year-old Sullivan Clarke, survived the near-fatal attack but continues to bear physical scars. During the sentencing hearing, he addressed his attacker directly:
«I don’t know what kind of life Jermaine Long had, but I hope you find Jesus. I don’t forgive him.»
Sullivan and his mother expressed satisfaction with the lengthy prison term, which includes 30 years stemming from Long's classification as a “prison release offender.”
Concerns Over Law Enforcement Procedures
Despite the sentencing, the victim’s mother, Lori, has raised serious questions regarding police handling of the suspect prior to the boardwalk attack. She suggested that law enforcement may have missed an opportunity to prevent the incident, citing a prior encounter where Long allegedly struck a man with a sledgehammer.
«We’re wondering if the police failed to pat him down when he was detained for hitting the man in the head with a sledgehammer,» Lori stated.
Legal Response and Official Statements
Defense attorney Steven Robinson, representing Long, noted in a statement that his client remains «extremely remorseful for his actions.» Robinson added that Long did not wish for the victims to relive the trauma and expressed gratitude to the court and the state attorney's office for the sentencing agreement.
Volusia County State Attorney R.J. Larizza emphasized the severity of the threat posed by the perpetrator. «An extremely dangerous individual is now off the streets for 45 years,» Larizza stated, adding his hope that the defendant would not survive the duration of his incarceration.