On Monday (Apr 15), a Brevard Grand Jury indicted Elliott JELTES (29), on one (1) count of First-Degree Premeditated Murder (CF), and one (1) count of Grand Theft Motor Vehicle (F3), in connection to the death of Kenneth Vitagliano (74), in Sanford.

 

On August 26, 2023, at 12:45 pm, Seminole County Deputies responded to a 911 report of a deceased male at a residence on Nova Drive in unincorporated Sanford. There they discovered the body of Vitagliano lying outside the front door and the initial investigation indicated he had been last seen alive on the evening of August 25, 2023. According to witnesses, Vitagliano's vehicle, a 2001 Subaru, was also now missing.

 

The Seminole County Medical Examiner later ruled Vitagliano's death a homicide, and the result of multiple sharp force injuries.

 

Utilizing security video, investigators placed JELTES at Vitgliano's residence just prior to midnight on the 25th, and the Subaru being driven away just after midnight on the 26th. Two days later on August 28, 2023, Grand Rapids Michigan Police arrested JELTES at the scene of a reported home invasion as he was attempting to enter Vitgliano's Subaru.

 

JELTES was held on local Grand Rapids charges and on a yet to be determined date, will face extradition to Seminole County where a warrant for his arrest has been issued.

 

The Grand Jury heard testimony from Seminole County Sheriff's Office Investigators before returning with the indictments.

 

No trial date has been set in this case. Please consult the Seminole Clerk of Courts website for updates on future court appearances by this defendant.