A Manatee County judge issued his ruling two weeks after Benefield appeared in court fighting for her release.
The owners of the property on Ringling Boulevard are building a mixed-use development that will include a Tony Harper’s Pizza and Clam Shack.
Jack Schlechter of Niceville has served as an Okaloosa County judge since 2022, when he was appointed to that position by DeSantis.
A Stearns County commissioner requested public updates on the justice center project to shed light on behind-the-scenes conversations.