When a 12-year-old girl disappears in broad daylight from a busy apartment complex, the world usually stops spinning for a second. That’s what happened in May 2017 when Naomi Jones vanished from the Aspen Village Apartments in Pensacola, Florida. For five agonizing days, the community held its breath. Then, the news no one wanted to hear: her body was found in 8 Mile Creek.
The man eventually convicted for this, Robert Howard, wasn't some stranger who lurked in the shadows from miles away. He was right there. Honestly, that’s the part that still haunts people years later. He was a frequent visitor to the complex because his girlfriend lived just doors away from Naomi’s family.
Who was Robert Howard?
Robert Letroy Howard wasn't a "new" offender. He was an Alabama man with a history that should have set off every alarm bell in the system. Before he ever crossed paths with Naomi Jones, Howard had already served 15 years in an Alabama prison for sexual assault and rape convictions dating back to 1999.
When Naomi went missing, investigators did what they always do—they canvassed the neighborhood. They actually spoke to Howard early on. He lied. He told them he was in Alabama when the girl disappeared. But the digital breadcrumbs told a different story. Cell tower data and surveillance footage placed his car near the creek where Naomi was eventually found.
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The Robert Howard and Naomi Jones Investigation
The search for Naomi was massive. We’re talking about a $20,000 reward, FBI involvement, and hundreds of volunteers. It felt like the kind of case where the "monster" had to be someone from the outside. But Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan famously called Howard "our monster" during a press conference that gripped the nation.
Investigators didn't just rely on the surveillance footage. They brought him in for questioning. It wasn't a quick process. After hours of interrogation, the facade finally cracked. Howard admitted to choking Naomi to death during an argument at his girlfriend’s apartment. He then described how he took her body and threw it over a bridge into the water.
- The "Candy" Remark: During his confession, Howard reportedly asked a detective, "Does she still have the candy in her mouth?" It was a chilling detail that prosecutors used to show the callous nature of the crime.
- The Missing Person Poster: In a surreal twist of fate, investigators found a "Missing Child" flyer for Naomi inside Howard’s car. Naomi’s own mother had given it to him while he was pretending to be a concerned neighbor.
The Trial and the Sentence
The legal battle took years. Initially, there was talk of the death penalty. It’s what many in the community wanted. However, by 2020, prosecutors announced they would no longer seek execution. They cited "additional evidence and witness information" and noted that Naomi’s mother, Shantara Hurry, agreed with the decision to take the death penalty off the table.
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In August 2021, a jury found Robert Howard guilty of first-degree murder. The defense tried to argue that there wasn't enough DNA evidence—specifically, that Naomi’s DNA wasn't in his car. But the confession and the cell data were too much to overcome.
He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The Aftermath and Negligent Security
This case didn't end at the prison gates. It sparked a massive conversation about "negligent security." Shantara Hurry filed a lawsuit against the apartment complex, arguing they were negligent for allowing a convicted sex offender to essentially live on the property without being registered or vetted.
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Basically, the argument was that the complex had a duty to protect its residents from foreseeable crimes. If the management had known a violent felon was frequenting the premises, could Naomi have been saved? It’s a question that still lingers in the Florida legal community and has changed how some property managers handle visitor policies and background checks.
Why It Still Matters in 2026
Naomi Jones is remembered as a "goofy" 12-year-old who loved to sing off-key and play pranks on her siblings. Her mother has worked tirelessly to keep her memory alive, even appearing on true-crime shows like Investigation Discovery’s True Conviction to warn other parents.
The takeaway from this tragedy is often about the "invisible" threats. Howard wasn't a registered offender in Florida at the time, despite his Alabama record. He slipped through the cracks. Today, her case is used by victim advocacy groups to push for better interstate communication regarding sex offender registries.
Actionable Insights and Next Steps:
- Audit Your Surroundings: If you live in a multi-family complex, familiarize yourself with the property’s guest policies and how they handle security.
- Check the Registry: Use the National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) regularly. It’s a free tool that aggregates data across state lines, which is crucial since offenders often move.
- Support Local Advocacy: Look into groups like the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), which provides resources for families in the wake of such tragedies.
- Property Safety: If you are a renter, you have the right to ask management about their security protocols, including lighting in common areas and their policy on unregistered long-term "guests."
Robert Howard remains incarcerated in the Florida Department of Corrections. Naomi Jones remains a symbol of a community that refused to stop looking until they found the truth.