Fort Myers Criminal Law Blog

A 37-year-old man is accused of causing the deaths of three linemen who were repairing damaged lines in the Florida Panhandle in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael. The linemen were employees of a utility company. According to the Florida Highway Patrol report, the accident that led to DUI manslaughter and other charges occurred on a Wednesday night north of Panama City near Chipley.

A crash report indicates that a man driving a pickup truck with an attached U-Haul trailer was traveling on State Road 77 when he failed to control the vehicle. Reportedly, he veered onto the shoulder of the road where he struck the three linemen. Two of the workers died at the scene, while the third man was rushed to a hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.

A 35-year-old bank employee in Florida was recently arrested in Lee County near Fort Myers. The man faces multiple felony charges for alleged white-collar crimes. The arrest followed an investigation into the disappearance of almost $900,000 from the accounts of an elderly couple in Highlands Beach.

According to court documents, the bank employee allegedly befriended the couple while he worked at the bank where they had accounts. The arrest report indicates that the husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease when the defendant became the couple's sole beneficiary and also their power of attorney. Due to the elderly man's medical condition, he was no longer able to drive, identify relatives or remember his address.

The holiday season can be a stressful and unpredictable time of year. From Halloween through New Year's Day, there are certain behaviors that are more prevalent than other times of the year. One of the most widespread offenses during these months is shoplifting. 

Consumerism, stress, alcohol, family issues and financial difficulties are all factors that play a role in shoplifting during the holidays. If you find yourself in a jail cell for shoplifting, the joy of the holidays does not have to be over. Here are the next steps you should take to get the best outcome possible. 

Officers of the Broward County Sheriff's Office reported the arrest of a 17-year old teenager in Deerfield Beach in August. The Florida girl is accused of committing several juvenile crimes with the help of her 21-year-old boyfriend and the father of her 3-month-old baby, along with another 19-year-old man. While officers say they know of at least two victims of their alleged dating scam, they are looking for more victims.

According to the allegations, the teenage girl advertised herself as a 21-year-old woman with an assumed name on a dating app. Men who responded were allegedly asked to meet her at her home, not knowing that the two male gang members would rob them upon their arrival at the woman's home. Victims reported noticing the house was essentially empty before the masked accomplices appeared, demanding cash while they waved handguns.