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August 31st, 2022, Claremont, Florida. Lake County deputies received a frantic 911 call from a young woman who claimed she had escaped a violent ordeal inside an RV at the Thousand Trails Orlando RV Park. With the suspect, 41-year-old Justin Lamar Jones, now on the run, officers raced to locate him, unaware that the call would soon lead them to one of the most horrific crime scenes in the county's history. Oh, I see. Maybe this way. >> Yeah. Like, so these are the only trails that I know of back here. I don't know where they go. I don't know how deep they are. >> As deputies searched for suspect, they knew they were looking for a man accused of kidnapping and repeatedly sexually assaulting a young woman who had managed to escape. But it wasn't until officers returned to the RV that they realized the investigation involved far more than a violent assault. There's private property back here, but other than that, there's not too many trails that people go hiking on here. >> We sent another unit over by like the lake. >> Um, so he's checking that out then. >> Oh, yeah. So, that just goes right up to the other side right there. >> Okay. So, that's an open field over there. >> Yeah, it's the new the new section. >> Gotcha. >> When you first come in, but I don't know what's out over here. >> Yeah. Um, >> I'm actually not able to say. I'm so sorry. >> I don't know if this is like I mean, we watched them smoke like you saw smoke like stuff from their shed. >> Okay. >> But the mom was really >> When was the last time you saw? >> I think yesterday. >> Do you know around what time? >> In the morning. She was out doing something. Uh she was out in the the outside kitchen. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. They had a lot of cars like four cars >> Mhm. >> that would come and go. >> Car got rear ended. >> Yeah. That's why they have the uh >> the Volkswagen. Yeah. That's why they have the Volkswagen. >> Are you looking for anything? I'm a retired deputy. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Lieutenant. No, it's all good. >> Yeah. We're investigating a little further, so I'm walking the trail, but uh that's about it for now. Do you know if there's any other trails behind >> Oh, yeah. I know where all the trails are. Are you looking for anything specific? I'm a retired lieutenant. >> I understand. Yeah, I can't say. >> If I see anything out of the ordinary, I'll let you know. >> I'd appreciate it. >> Hey, and thank you for uh You took care of my accident last year. >> Did I? >> It did. >> Oh, wow. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Right there at the >> Oh, wait. You had You got a truck? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Yeah, I got the GMC. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I used to work this area and I they moved me up a little bit further north now. So, but we had a whole big thing happen. So, we're all down here right now. >> Understand. >> I get it. >> Thank you, sir. >> Yeah. I'll be back. >> You'll see it on the TV. >> Bye, buddy. >> Yeah, everybody be back. >> Oh, yeah. They're already started. >> With a bolo issued, officers quickly began searching for Jones. Minutes later, Claremont police located the victim's abandoned Ford Expedition in a nearby public's parking lot. Soon after, a Lake County Sheriff's sergeant spotted Jones walking along US 27 near a Circle K. When deputies moved in, Jones attempted to flee on foot, but was quickly tackled and taken into custody without further incident. >> Stop. Stop. Stop. Stop. Stop. >> Stop. >> Hey, I'll be out with Hart. We'll be right in front of Circle K on 27. All right. >> We got him. >> He's running. >> 54. I got him down. >> Put your hands out. Put your hands out. >> Mel coming up on you. >> 251. Like we're detaining him now. >> What's your name, partner? >> Something dropped something on the road. >> We have the suspect 50. You clear 3323. >> That's 104. >> Hey, what's the name? >> Sit up on your butt. Wait, you see across? And I was like that's what I was like say what's he wearing? Look at that dude walking over >> and then S jumps out and I'm like 27. That's what I did. I saw him >> running. I had to stop like every car in the 272. Do you have my number? >> Hold up, Mr. Jones. I'm going to fix them for you. Okay. Just don't do anything crazy. All right. Did he actually run across the park? Was he running? >> He was running. >> You guys couldn't have folded it for another two more minutes. >> You guys all suck. >> Did you see all that chaos out here for a minute? 20 gentlemen. >> All of us arresting somebody that was sidewalk just now 20. >> Okay. There was a black male in in gray shorts and a red t-shirt involved. >> Was he did you happen to see him in here before we caught him out here? We're trying to find out if he came into the store because if so, we just need to look at footage. >> I don't let you guys have camera footage. >> You can pull it up pretty quick. Yeah. So he might be involved in a pretty pretty heinous crime. So >> we just need to know if like he's in here and he stash his phone. You mind if I take a little 45 minutes? >> All right. I got an hour here. >> I assume he would have been in here at some point. So he comes in this parking lot. He stashes a car. We catch him walking. He's standing on the sidewalk back out there. And I think he came >> I think people said he came either through here >> through the parking lot. Yeah. Or uh >> through my thought is if he was hiding out here for a while, he'd be in here getting a drink and some water and some other craziness, you know. >> Sorry about that. Go ahead. >> Sorry, ma'am. >> Hey, it's Carmen. >> Yeah. >> Did you see anyone lingering around that may have looked suspicious? Not doing anything, just hanging around. Bald head, red t-shirt, >> gray shorts, flip-flops. >> Um, no. Okay, no worries. I mean, he looks very calm and normal. Just, >> you know, I I don't see anybody doing anything. >> Sure. Weird. >> I mean, if we can take it from where >> you can clear all units with the exception of just deleting cameras on. >> All right. So, >> so like the one that's out here and then probably that one where it comes in and out cuz this is where we saw them. I took them down to here. >> All right. So, what I'll do I'll turn back. >> See all our cars. >> Call up here at the parking lot. >> I'll start going backwards. >> 15 hours. >> There's Oh, there's us right there. >> That's all running to him. >> 198. >> He's going to be just a little left. 14 hours on the phone. I'll have a look here. >> There he is. Yep, there he is in the red shirt. >> Oh, he's this way. >> Oh, wow. >> McDonald's. >> We might have to go. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Hey, thank you. >> Hey, no problem. >> Are you want to download that on a USB? You know how to do it? >> I just need that quick little snippet if you could. After being taken into custody, Justin Lamar Jones was transported to the Lake County Jail while detectives returned to the RV to determine exactly what had happened. Inside, they discovered 17-year-old Tivante Tai Finister dead in a bedroom. A further search led investigators to a second horrifying discovery, 38-year-old Sandra Gaino's body had been hidden inside a storage compartment beneath the bed. The double murder transformed what had begun as a kidnapping and assault investigation into one of Lake County's most disturbing homicide cases. So, and you've asked for an attorney. All right. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. Um, turn my turn my camera. We're going to have him change out. Have him change out where he's not in the view of people. I don't want him on camera. I want to give him dignity. >> Sure. >> Okay. Fair enough. Do you agree with that, Justin? >> Yeah. Um I I asked the man. I don't know if he can do it for me, but if you could if you guys got some coffee. It's kind of freezing in here >> in here. I don't know. I'll check. I can't I can't make you any promise on that, but we'll see if we do. I don't It's kind of late, but I can check. >> All right. >> All right. You got two of you, so you'll be good when you're changing out close. No, just me. >> You sure? >> Yeah. >> You mind staying with him for just a second? >> My chair quick. >> No, go ahead. >> What's the update? >> Oh, okay. Thank you. >> One of these days I'll be able to get out of here. That's for sure. Been a long day today. >> So, what other samples did she wanted to take or did she get everything she needed? >> Um, well, we didn't get everything. I can talk to you about it. You understand that you still have asked for an attorney. Okay. >> Mhm. >> So, you know your rights. Okay. But I can tell you the samples. Um, we wanted to do the bugal swabs, the swabs of your hands, the clippings of your fingernails. Okay. Um, which you allowed her to do. Did she do this? Okay. [snorts] Um, of course, we want to Okay. All right. To see if it's been anywhere that it shouldn't have been. Okay. And and of course that's basically with the clothing. That's what we're looking for. Anything from that injury, photographs, that kind of stuff. >> Okay. >> Maybe if I can get another smoke break. I was I do want to talk to you. Like I said, you guys are really nice gentlemen. Okay. >> Been straightforward with me. You treat me with a lot of respect, which I really appreciate. >> Okay. Well, I don't want to make you a deal because of a cigarette. Okay. I don't want this over and smoking. You think about how an attorney can turn that around on me. >> The cigarette just makes me >> relaxes you. >> It relaxes me. That's >> one of the black and milds. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> A lot of stuff going on up top. >> I understand. >> During his initial interview with investigators, Jones offered little explanation for what had happened, claiming he had a foggy brain. But detectives didn't need a confession. The testimony of the kidnapped and repeatedly assaulted eyewitness along with surveillance footage and forensic evidence collected from the RV painted a clear picture of the crimes, ultimately leading a jury to convict Jones on every major charge. >> Investigators of the state's attorney's offices and all other authorized police or law enforcement officers acting within their jurisdiction. Whereas a sworn and written affidavit has been electronically submitted to me, the undersigned judge of Lake County, Florida. And whereas the facts made known to me in set affidavit, which is hereby incorporated by reference, have caused me to certify and find that there's probable cause to believe that the laws of the state of Florida now. Therefore, a search is hereby authorized. The law enforcement officers named above with such lawful assistance as may be necessary and by whatever reasonable force may be necessary are hereby commanded in the daytime or in the nighttime on any day of the week including Sunday as the exigencies of the situation may require to take the following swabs of the inside of Justin Lamar Jones's cheek to extract buckle cells which will then be tested for DNA hair samples from the head and pubic region of Justin Lamar Jones to include multiple pieces of hair and follicles. Les swabs of Justin Lamar Jones hands swabs of Justin Lamar Jones's clippings and scrapings of Justin Lamar Jones's fingernails. The clothing worn by Justin Lamar Jones at the time of his detainment and blood samples from Justin Lamar Jones two vials. A black male born on 429 1981 who is issued Michigan identification card. The afant or any other officer designated by the afant is directed to deliver a duplicate copy of this search warrant to Justin Lamar Jones. The afant is directed that if any property is seized by virtue of the search warrant, the afant shall deliver a written inventory of the property taken and a receipt for same to the person named above and to a court having jurisdiction. The afant shall make return of all actions and doings under this warrant to the undersigned or a court having jurisdiction within 10 date 10 days from the date here. Witness my hand and official seal this 31st day of August 2022. Judge Carrie Raa Lake County. >> Yes. >> Yeah. Okay. I'm sorry. And having these rights in mind, do you wish to talk to us? Did you send us a request, young man, saying you wanted to talk to us? >> I did, but it seems like every time I talk to you. >> Okay. Well, >> but it's better to get it out in the open. We did notify your public defender. Okay. And he said it's okay for us to talk to you as long as we don't talk to you about what happened that day. What we've already talked to you about. It's my understanding that you wanted to talk about some other crimes and it'd be better just to get them all taken care of at once. So, but you do have the right to an attorney and that's why we have to read them every time because like you said, we're nice guys. I don't want you to feel like you're being ambushed. Okay? But it's your decision. when I spoke to when I was emailing with Mr. Spivey earlier um you know again we don't want to talk about that day. All right and if you do start talking about that day I'll I'll remind you of that that we aren't here to talk about that but you did send a request and I appreciate that. You know you requested to speak with me and I told you that if you want to talk to me I'd be here and I'm here. Okay. So, what is it that you want to get off your chest, man? >> Is that going right now? >> We have to record all of our all our interactions. Okay. >> So, can we can we start with this? Maybe the stuff that you're the request that you sent, you said it's about other crimes. Is that correct? Okay. And are those crimes that you just have knowledge of or or is that something that that you're involved in? Um, it's your decision, man. But here here's the thing is you've been you've been more than helpful. I've been trying to be helpful with you guys and as soon as I am like I understand my crimes are pretty severe and I I get it. I I I completely get that. I probably deserve worse than what I'm receiving. I get it. But I'm not crazy. >> I'm not going to hurt myself or hurt anybody else. I don't I have never tried to hurt anybody else. >> And I can't be a nurse. They put me in this like I'm talking. >> So Justin, how about this? So again, you you've been honest with us and and I've been honest with you. So have they explained to you why >> they haven't explained to me anything. >> Would you like me to do that? >> It it really doesn't matter. It's not going to change. >> Well Well, here's the thing. >> Well, this is so we can have an understanding. Okay. So I I want you to know that during the nature of of of everything that led up to leading us here, there were were comments made that you were pos. Okay. Now, based on that, the jail has to take precautions. I hope you understand that. We don't work for the jail, right? I told you that yesterday. I don't work here, man. You know, this this this is about as far as I get into here. Okay? So the thing is they have precautions to take because of liability. If you end up hurt hurt hurting yourself, whatever, then then there's a big liability there. Now um if that's not the case, it's temporary. Once they through their policies and procedures over here can say that that there is no risk, that is when um you'd be shifted. You can get normal clothes. You can do all that. I'll extend this to you. Again, I have no pool over here. I don't work over here, but I can talk with them and see if I can get the full reasoning as to why they have you. >> As investigators questioned Jones, they attempted to learn whether he had been involved in any other crimes, but Jones provided few meaningful answers. Instead, he repeatedly insisted on speaking with an attorney and claimed he needed medical attention, leaving detectives to rely on the overwhelming physical evidence in the surviving witness's account to piece together what had happened. I mean, it doesn't matter if I talk to you guys or not, cuz the reason being I know I'm not getting out of it. >> You're going to be held accountable. >> So, what >> I'm not I'm not worried about that. I understand that. I I I think I should be. I'm not. That's good. So that's it's not it's just >> what we want to do is what we want to do is if there are other victims that are out there, okay, or other people that are out there that we can fix by you coming out and saying, "Listen, and make some other people >> who are most important to me have been I told >> yes >> that's why I told you that's why I told you where she was. That's why. >> Okay. You're listen and we're really I want you to understand that what we're worried about. Have you been doing any other crimes here or anywhere else like let's say burglaries, robberies? >> I made over $200,000 a year. >> You didn't need that. You're not a burglar. No. So, we're not worried about that. Okay. So, that's what I'm just trying to check. We wanted to make sure that there's nothing else going on and give us an explanation cuz you said other crimes, >> right? >> Okay. >> Now that like I said, he told me specifically now that I made that request before he came and talked to me. >> Okay. >> And there is information that I would like to give to you guys, but >> Okay. And you have the right to give it to us. I mean, if it's something that's going to help us, that that's you have the right to do that. But you do also have the right to to to adul. Yeah. And that's what I want to make sure is that if I tell you something else, it's not going to further put me in a situation like this that is making my situation even worse. >> I I can tell you this. You know, we can't make any promises. Okay? You understand? I'm not expecting you to I'm not you're very And you're a very reasonable person and that's why I'm trying to be I mean I am I'm being as honest as I possibly want to be with you. Okay. So here's the thing is if you're involved in something else or you were involved in something else, okay? You might be held accountable for it, but but your honesty your honesty is what goes it goes a long way, you know, and here's >> it gives us an understanding. gives me more to sit here and say that Justin's a good person. You know, Justin and I can already say that that you have you have gone above and beyond to give us information to help us beyond. >> I love I honestly did. I did not want that to go like that. That's why I've been 100 with you guys. >> Okay, >> I have no problem doing that again. But at at the same time, and it's not because I'm afraid of the consequence. I I know I'm worried about that. >> You already got the worst of >> the worst. But really, you can't get any worse. The only thing is that we can't talk to you about the stuff that happened that day. So really, what it can do is provide >> what I want to do is talk to my attorney and make sure, hey, it's not going to affect my property on the outside, which I I I don't. What do you mean by that? Because I don't understand. >> I don't know what you guys are taking from me. >> So I can answer that for you. Okay. So we we took obviously we took the Ford Expedition. Okay. >> Okay. >> And we did we took the entire camper. >> Okay. So that is all secure with us and that's for evidence reason so that if we need to search it later, okay? Or your defense attorney wants an opportunity to look at it, he can look at it. Am I looking for any other people >> that may have been harmed? >> I'm really going to answer that until I have this attorney here. >> Okay. All right. Fair enough. All right, man. We appreciate it. We'll still be here. Okay. >> Thank you. So, >> Justin Jones killed a teenager and his wife in a trailer at the Thousand Trails Resort and RV Park near Claremont. And they say what happened here was brutal. In 25 years of of doing this right here, this is probably one of the worst. >> In March 2026, a Lake County jury found Justin Lamar Jones guilty of murdering Sandra Gaino and her 17-year-old son, Tibante Tai Finister, as well as kidnapping, repeatedly assaulting, and falsely imprisoning the surviving eyewitness. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Although Jones has filed an appeal, his convictions and sentence remain in effect. For one survivor, her courage to escape and tell investigators what happened ensured the truth was uncovered and that Jones will likely spend the rest of his life behind bars.

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