30 years in prison for son of murdered father; body found in Alva’s freezer

LEE COUNTY, Fla. — Jake Hemmert was sentenced Monday to 30 years in prison after accepting a plea deal for the murder of his father, Brian Hemmert.

The sentencing took place at the Lee County Courthouse, where Hemmert appeared with a relaxed demeanor.

WATCH HEMMERT’S COURT SENTENCE:

30 years in prison for son accused of father’s murder after body found in freezer

The case unfolded nearly a year ago when deputies from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) raided the Hemmert family home in Alva.

During the search, they discovered a large chest freezer containing Brian Hemmert’s body.

An autopsy later revealed that Brian had been shot, confirming his death as a homicide.

During Monday’s proceedings, the state’s attorney read a victim impact statement from Jake Hemmert’s sister, who expressed her ongoing torment since their father’s death.

“Every day for the last 354 days, I’ve been telling myself the same thing: I can’t forgive,” she said. “I’ve been tormented for the last 354 days, and after our father died, I planned his funeral and I planned to celebrate his life, because he will never be a part of the years to come.”

In addition to the murder charge, Hemmert was charged with fraudulent use of a credit card, tampering with evidence and abuse of a human body.

According to the arrest report, Hemmert spent more than $23,000 using his father’s credit cards, which included purchasing the freezer where his father’s body was found.

Under the terms of the deal, Hemmert will have to serve at least 25 years in prison for the murder. Upon his release, he will also have to serve 10 years of probation.

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Son charged with father’s murder after body found in freezer