Putnam Prison Inmate Denied Time Served Credit

A judge has denied a Putnam Correctional Institute inmate’s motions to be given credit for time he served in Volusia and Putnam county jails while he had a pending Alachua County warrant.

Alachua Incident 

On May 13, 2024, Alachua Police Department officers charged Mashawn Decory McCaskill, 40, with domestic battery and driving with a suspended license as habitual traffic offender. 

According to the police report, McCaskill was witnessed grabbing the victim’s hair and repeatedly slamming her head against their rental vehicle. McCaskill then fled the scene in a vehicle despite having a suspended license.

McCaskill wasn’t immediately arrested for this incident but a warrant was issued. 

Volusia Incident 

On October 8, 2024, law enforcement officers in Volusia County arrested and charged McCaskill for domestic battery by strangulation against the same victim in his prior case. 

Daytona Beach Shore Public Safety Officer Heather Vanis reported:

“Upon my arrival, Officer Reeves was on scene and speaking to VSO [Volusia County Sheriff’s Office] Deputy Bryant who stated he was flagged down by a male, later identified as MaShawn McCaskill, and witnessed a female, later identified as [Victim], drive her vehicle into the parking lot and begin arguing with MaShawn McCaskill in his presence. VSO Deputy Bryant stated the parties were separated and upon interviewing MaShawn McCaskill and [Victim], he believed a physically violent incident had occurred. MaShawn McCaskill's t-shirt was visibly torn around the collar, and he also had a small laceration (scratch) on the lower left side of his neck which appeared to be fresh. [Victim] stated MaShawn McCaskill broke her phone during an argument, and upon viewing the phone, it was indeed broken as stated. However, when inquiring about what actually occurred, both parties refused to make any further statements about the incidents).

Both MaShawn McCaskill and [Victim] were found to have active warrants and were both detained prior to my arrival awaiting confirmation. I approached MaShawn McCaskill and asked about the incident and he stated he injured himself. He later admitted that he did break [Victim's] phone because she was shoving the phone in his face in an attempt to take a video of him while they were arguing…”

One of the responding officers spoke with the victim’s children, one of whom said they saw McCaskill choking the victim. 

Vanis’ report continues:

“Upon placing MaShawn McCaskill in my patrol vehicle, he stated he was not the aggressor in the incident and denied choking [Victim]. He further stated prior to our arrival, he left the incident location on foot after an argument and [Victim] tried to strike him with her vehicle multiple times. MaShawn McCaskill stated that was when he flagged down Deputy Bryant. This information was relayed to VSO as the incident he reported occurred within their jurisdiction. MaShawn McCaskill stated prior to our arrival on scene, [Victim] was asking the children ‘he hit me, right?’ implying she coached their statements about the alleged battery. 

Based on the physical evidence and statements by all parties involved, MaShawn McCaskill was additionally charged with battery by strangulation (domestic violence) as well as the original charge for his open warrant. 

I notified DCF who stated they would be taking a report regarding the incident (Operator Kennede, D 095). Officer Reeves contacted the children's grandmother who agreed to come pick up the children. The 3 minor children were transported to the Volusia Family Resource Center by Officer Reeves until their grandmother arrived.”

The victim was also arrested on criminal traffic charges relating to driving with a revoked license.  

On January 29, 2025, McCaskill was convicted of domestic battery by strangulation and sentenced to 180 days in the Volusia County Jail.

Jail Transfers and Sentence

On February 28, 2025, after serving 143 days in the Volusia County Jail, McCaskill was transferred to the Putnam County Jail for probation violation. 

On June 4, 2025, McCaskill was booked into the Alachua County Jail on his warrant for the May 2024 case. He posted bond five or six days later. 

On November 4, 2025, McCaskill’s defense reached a negotiated plea agreement with prosecutors that was accepted by Judge James Colaw, in which he was convicted of felony battery and sentenced to 18 months in prison.

A sentencing sheet notes that the State Attorney's Office indicated the victim was "not cooperative" with the prosecution.

It’s unclear if there was any prior negotiation relating to time-served, but Colaw didn’t count the time McCaskill served when he was in the Volusia and Putnam jails with a pending Alachua County warrant. This has led McCaskill to submit motions trying to get credit for the time he served but all have been denied by Colaw.

McCaskill has been arrested in Putnam County so many times that you can watch him grow up in his booking photos. He's currently serving his fourth Florida prison sentence.