ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – An Orange County grand jury formally indicted Isaiah Holligan, 26, and Jonathan Strickland, 24, for First Degree Felony Murder (with a Firearm) and Robbery (with a Firearm). Holligan was also indicted for Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communication Device and Tampering with Physical Evidence.

On April 5, 2024, Orange County sheriff’s deputies discovered victim Carlos Bethel, 36, dead in his car in the parking lot of a Speedway gas station in the 9500 block of South Orange Blossom Trail. A witness observed Holligan and Strickland in the parking lot during the time of the homicide and saw one of the defendants enter Bethel’s car. The investigation led to these two defendants being indicted.

On Wednesday (July 31), the State presented sufficient evidence to a grand jury to secure an indictment against Holligan and Strickland for First Degree Felony Murder, Robbery (with a Firearm), Conspiracy to Commit Robbery (with a Deadly Weapon). The grand jury also indicted Holligan for Tampering with Physical Evidence.

Please check the Orange County Clerk of Court’s website for the latest updates on court hearings.

We are unable to provide additional information about the case at this time.

An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.