A Manatee County jury has convicted a local man of his eighth driving under the influence offense, leaving him facing up to 15 years in state prison.
Ronald Clark Willard was found guilty following a two-day trial that ran from June 8 to June 9, 2026, at the Manatee County Courthouse. State Attorney Ed Brodsky announced the verdict last week, noting that Willard’s arrest dates back to an incident in the fall of 2024.
On September 18, 2024, deputies with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call regarding an alleged battery. When they arrived to investigate, deputies spotted Willard intoxicated and sitting behind the wheel of his vehicle. Further investigation confirmed he was drunk while operating the car, leading to his arrest…