SANTA ROSA COUNTY

SHERIFFS OFFICE

Sheriff Wendell Hall

DANIEL HODGES PLEAS TO 2 nd DEGREE MURDER: SENTENCED TO LIFE WITHOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF PAROLE

Daniel Lee Hodges made an appearance at the Santa Rosa County Courthouse this morning and entered a plea of no contest before the Honorable Judge Bergosh. Hodges pled no contest to 2 nd degree Murder, and no contest to Child Neglect stemming from homicide that occurred on December 03, 2007 . (See attached release). Hodges was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of his ex-girlfriend, 23 year old Tonya Sellars. Hodges was also sentenced to five years (consecutive sentence) for the charge of child neglect. A mug shot of Hodges is attached to this email.

Arrest Made in Milton Homicide

Sheriff's Investigators have made an arrest in reference to an early morning homicide that occurred in Milton . Daniel Hodges (W/M, 22 years old) is being held at the Santa Rosa County Jail on an open count of murder and one felony count of cruelty towards a child. He is being held with no bond. The investigation revealed that Hodges came to the residence of his ex-girlfriend during the early morning hours and murdered her. The victim is being identified as 23 year old Tonya Sellars of Milton . Sellars' three year old daughter, who is also the daughter of Hodges, was present in the home at the time of the murder. Preliminary reports indicate that the victim died from the result of an apparent gunshot wound. An autopsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of death. The investigation indicates that there has been a past history of domestic violence between Hodges and Sellars. There were currently no active restraining orders between Sellars and Hodges. The Sheriff's Office is continuing the investigation and no further details are being released at this time. A mug shot of Hodges is attached to this email.

SUSPECT:

Daniel Lee Hodges, W/M, 6/03/1985

1500 Block of Christmas Tree Road , Milton , FL

Sheriff's Office Investigating Early Morning Homicide in Milton

The Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office is currently on the scene of a homicide that occurred in Milton early this morning. At 0840 hours, deputies were dispatched to 6988 Begonia Street , Milton , in reference to a possible homicide. Sheriff's Office dispatchers were told that a relative had been attempting to make phone contact with a female resident at the above address. The relative was not able to make contact by phone, so they drove to the address on Begonia Street . When they arrived, they found a small child that stated that their mother had been killed inside the residence. When deputies arrived, they found a female subject deceased inside. A person of interest in the murder was located and detained at a location in Pace shortly after deputies arrived on Begonia Street . The investigation is ongoing and no further details are known at this time. The victims name is not being released at this time pending notification of the next of kin. More information should be available later in the day and it will be released as soon as possible.

Press Release By:

Sgt. Scott Haines

Media Relations Unit

(850) 981-2136 or shaines@srso.net