Jean Makenson Deroche, a 21-year-old Haitian-American male, tragically lost his life on October 9, 2016, in Lakeland, Florida. Deroche was found lying in the parking lot next to his vehicle at the Lakewood Terrace Apartments, located at 1315 W 14th Street, after being shot multiple times. The incident occurred early in the morning, around 4:30 a.m., and he was subsequently transported to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
The investigation into Jean
Makenson Deroche's death revealed that he was a warehouse worker and a father. Despite the initial lack of suspects, the case saw significant developments over time. In August 2017, a Polk County grand jury indicted Kenyon Quartus Covington, a 29-year-old man from Winter Haven, on a charge of first-degree murder in connection with Deroche's death. Covington was arrested on June 20, 2017, in Lakeland on unrelated charges of criminal use of personal identity and fraudulent use of a credit card. He was later extradited to Bay County, where he was held until the murder indictment was issued.
The indictment and subsequent arrest of Kenyon Quartus Covington marked a crucial step in the pursuit of justice for Jean Makenson Deroche. Covington was formally charged with first-degree murder and held without bail in the Polk County Jail. The legal proceedings surrounding this case highlighted the complexities and challenges faced by law enforcement in solving such violent crimes. The community of Lakeland, along with Deroche's family and friends, continued to seek closure and justice for the young man's untimely death.
