Marion County man convicted of shooting death of retired deputy from Inverness, FL

Photo courtesy of SAO, showing Swearingen in court (left); victim Smolensky (right).

State Attorney's Office (SAO), Fifth Judicial Circuit of Florida
Marion, Lake, Citrus, Sumter and Hernando counties
August 2, 2024

Marion County, Florida - Earlier this week in a trial that began on July 30, 2024, 41 year-old Steven Alan Swearingen of Weirsdale, Florida, a community near Ocala, Florida, was found guilty by jurors in an Ocala courtroom of second-degree murder in the death of 52 year-old Steven Wayne Smolensky of Inverness, Florida. Swearingen, a convicted felon, was charged with second degree murder with a firearm, possession of a firearm by a felon, and false imprisonment.

Swearingen's case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Adam Smith, Katrina Self, and Kevin Steiniger.

The murder victim, Steven Smolensky, retired in 2017 after serving for 25 years as a deputy sheriff with the Citrus County Sheriff's Office. At the time of his death, he was employed by Surburban Propane as a propane bobtail delivery driver and regional driver trainer.

"Today marks a significant moment in justice being served for Steve, a dedicated retired member of our agency," said Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast. "I am profoundly grateful for our partners at the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office and the Marion County Sheriff's Office for their relentless efforts in prosecuting this case. Their collaboration was instrumental in ensuring Swearingen will face the consequences for his appalling crimes."

"We are grateful for the jury's verdict, which brings justice for the tragic and senseless murder of this community servant," said Bill Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney. "May this outcome bring some measure of closure and solace to the family and friends of the victim. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies remain with them during this challenging time as we await the sentencing phase."

On November 30, 2021, around 9:45 a.m., Marion County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a shooting incident at a residence in Weirsdale. Upon arrival, they discovered the victim, Steven Smolensky, deceased, with multiple gunshot wounds.

Investigators learned that Mr. Smolensky had visited the location to deliver propane for his employer, Suburban Propane. While at the propert, Smolensky was confronted by Swearingen, who was armed with a pistol. Swearingen held Mr. Smolensky at gunpoint, preventing him from leaving the property or returning to his truck. Eventually, Swearingen shot the victim, multiple times.

During an interview, Swearingen claimed he thought the victim was there to "fill the home with propane," which led him to confront the victim with a handgun. According to Swearingen, the victim clarified that he was present to refill the propane tank. Swearingen told officials, that when the victim tried to go back to his truck, he held him at gunpoint before shooting him multiple times. Swearingen also told officials that the victim only had a cell phone in his hands at the time he was shot. Swearingen was arrested and transported to the Marion County Jail in Ocala, Florida.