Davidsonville Teen Sentenced To Life In Prison For Shop Owner's 2025 Murder

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — Jonah Michael Poole, the 19-year-old Davidsonville resident who pleaded guilty to killing a local business owner, was sentenced Friday to life in prison with the possibility of parole.

The sentencing came down from Judge Cathleen Vitale, who also ordered Poole to forfeit $215,000 and a $15,000 truck.

The currency and funds to buy the truck had been stolen from 67-year-old Edward Stephen Koza, who was killed in May 2025.

A release issued by officials states Vitale will refer the Davidsonville teen to the Patuxent Youth Facility's Youthful Offender Program.

Related: Teen Pleads Guilty To Killing Anne Arundel Business Owner

Poole pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in relation to Koza's death back in March.

Breaking Down The Case

Both Poole and his girlfriend, Kylee Alyssa Dakes, were charged with murder, arson and kidnapping as part of the investigation into Koza's death.

The pair were accused of kidnapping Koza before setting his truck on fire.

Court documents previously viewed by Patch detailed that Koza was found dead in the truck that was parked outside his Davidsonville store, Tropic Bay Water Gardens.

Poole briefly worked at Koza's shop in 2024.

Separately, Poole is also accused of spray-painting a swastika on an Edgewater school and stealing more than $11,000 from a dock bar that employed Dakes. The incident took place a week before Koza was killed.

Dakes, who is facing a first-degree murder charge, is scheduled to appear for trial in December.