Hendry County Arrests - Drugs, DUI, Probation Violation, Firearms

ARREST BLOTTER

06/08/2026 – 06/14/2026

Felony/DUI Arrest

Evelyn Shenita Ross, 59, Clewiston was arrested on June 6, 2026, by Sgt. B. Barrira on charges of Felony Probation Violation, Misd Probation Violation, Resist LEO without Violence and Providing False ID to LEO

Richard Duane Robinson, 50, Ft. Myers was arrested on June 8, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff D. Givans on charges of Felony Probation Violation

15-year-old male, LaBelle was arrested on June 8, 2026, by Sgt. M. Afonso on charges of Possession of Controlled Substance without Prescription

Tania A. Santiago Gonzalez, 29, LaBelle was arrested on June 9, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff C. Link on charges of DUI and Possession of Controlled Substance without Prescription

Aaliah Renee Quintanilla, 19, LaBelle was arrested on June 9, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff H. Ramirez Garcia on charges of Battery on Detained Person

Reginald Bernard Hatcher, 35, Arcadia was arrested on June 9, 2026, by Cpl. L. Drew on charges of Driving While DL Suspended – Habitual Offender

Richard Wayne Stanley, 36, Clewiston was arrested on June 9, 2026, by Det. D. Reaves on charges of Sale of Controlled Substance, Possession of Controlled Substance with Intent to Sell and Tampering with Evidence

Marvin Leonardo Molina Castro, 30, LaBelle was arrested on June 10, 2026, by Det. T. Lewis on charges of Sex Assault on Victim under 18 years of age and Lewd Lascivious Behavior on Victim under 18 years of age

Juan Carlos Villa Gran-Ortiz, 34, Belle Glade was arrested on June 10, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff F. Mazzella on charges of Felony Probation Violation

Kevin William Cassidy, 39, Jacksonville was arrested on June 10, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff C. Davis on charges of Out of County warrant

Jamyia Kenek Gordon, 26, Clewiston was arrested on June 10, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff J. Coley on charges of Driving While DL Suspended – Habitual Offender

Cyrus Matthew Ownes, 37, Clewiston was arrested on Jun 11, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff R. Angelo on charges of Felon Probation Violation

Ralph Jerome Garvin, 48, LaBelle was arrested on June 11, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff D. Blanco on charges of Felony Failure to Appear, 2 counts Misd. Contempt of Court, Kidnap Minor Child and Grand Theft of Motor Vehicle

Christal Agosto, 35 Clewiston was arrested on June 11, 2026, by Hendry County Sheriff’s Office Vice-Narcotics Unit on charges of 5 Counts of Possession of Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Equipment and Child Neglect without Great Bodily Harm

Ranulfo Martienz, Jr., 43, Clewiston was arrested on June 11, 2026, by Hendry County Sheriff’s Office Vice-Narcotics Unit on charges of 2 Counts of Possession of Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Equipment and Child Neglect without Great Bodily Harm

Jameka Lawanda McGee, 40, Belle Glade was arrested on June 12, 2026, by Cpl. L. Drew on charges of Driving While License Suspended - Habitual Offender

Francisco Ramon Liantaud, 39, Hollywood was arrested on June 12, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff B. DiBernardo on charges of DUI and DUI-Refusal to Submit to DUI Test

Missy Chae Huff 37, LaBelle was arrested on June 12, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff R. Conant on charges of DUI

Timothy Earl Lancaster, 45, Lehigh Acres, was arrested on June 13, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff B. Dibernardino on charges of DUI

Christina Michelle Delgado, 40, Lehigh Acres, was arrested on June 13, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff B. DiBernardino on charges of DUI

Gumaro Martinez, 47, Clewiston was arrested on June 14, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff J. Coley on charges of Possession of Controlled Substance without Prescription

Jose Javier San Marty, 34, Ft. Myers was arrested on June 14, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff S. Farraj on charges of Felony Criminal Mischief to Property and Burglary Occupied Dwelling – Unarmed

Jose Guadalupe Hernandez, 56, LaBelle was arrested on June 14, 2026, by Cpl. V. Lopez on charges of Battery and Aggravated Assault with Deadly Weapon without Intent to Kill

Jaime Olguin, 29, LaBelle was arrested on June 14, 2026, by Deputy Sheriff A. McCarty on charges of Discharge of Firearm in Public or Residential Place and Possession of Firearm by Florida Convicted Felon

Burning Safety Tips During Dry Seasons

Hendry County Burn Ban Lifted

(June 16, 2026) – LaBelle, Fla. –The burn ban on unregulated outdoor fires in Hendry County has been lifted effective June 16, 2026.

Residents are asked to always exercise caution when burning outside and keep the following safety precautions in mind:

· Keep burn piles small and manageable and no greater than 8 feet in diameter or it will require authorization from Florida Forest Service

· Keep an open area and never leave it unattended

· Have a water source readily available

· Ensure the fire is completely out before leaving the area.

· The fire must be ignited after 9am eastern time and must be extinguished one hour before sunset.

· Check the weather conditions before burning

Please see the following link for additional information on outside burning: Burn Yard Waste Safely - Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services

How To Deal With People Who May Be Difficult To Talk With - Where Journalists Go Wrong

Staying Grounded: How to Interview a President (Or Talk Through Any Difficult Conversation)

Interviewing a head of state is a high-stakes challenge for any journalist. When a president makes an inaccurate or untruthful statement on live television, the pressure to react can trigger a defensive emotional response.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offers a powerful framework for navigating these moments. By combining mindfulness, emotional regulation, and structured interpersonal communication, journalists can hold powerful leaders accountable without losing control of the interview.

1. Observe and Describe (Stick to the Facts)

In DBT, the "Mindfulness" skill teaches us to separate our internal judgments from objective reality. When a president delivers an untruth, your job is to describe what is happening without labeling it.

Avoid Emotional Triggers: Do not use loaded words like "lie," "deception," or "falsehood." These words immediately trigger a defensive, adversarial response.

Use Objective Observation: State exactly what the data shows versus what was just said.

The Pivot: Instead of saying, "You are lying about the crime rates," state: "Mr. President, the FBI's unified crime report shows a 5% decrease, but you just stated it is rising. Can you clarify that discrepancy?"

2. Check the Facts

The DBT skill "Check the Facts" requires us to examine the evidence behind an emotional situation. In a presidential interview, this means arriving with an airtight, verifiable database of evidence.

Instant Verification: Ground the conversation immediately in physical evidence, dates, quotes, and official reports.

Counter with Data: When an untruth is spoken, do not argue opinion. Immediately read the official statistic or quote from the record. This shifts the burden of proof back to the interviewee without escalating the tension.

3. Validate the Goal, Not the Untruth

Validation is a core DBT tool used to de-escalate tension. You can validate a president's underlying motive, feeling, or political goal without validating the inaccurate information they are presenting.

Acknowledge the Intent: Acknowledge what they are trying to achieve.

Correct the Data: Follow the acknowledgment immediately with the accurate reality.

Example: "I understand that highlighting economic growth is a primary focus for your administration. However, the current labor statistics show job growth slowed last quarter."

4. Practice Radical Acceptance

"Radical Acceptance" means completely accepting reality as it is in the present moment, without fighting it.

Expect the Strategy: Accept the reality that politicians may use deflections, omissions, or untruths as a communication strategy.

Keep Your Cool: When you accept that this will happen, you eliminate the element of shock. This prevents visible frustration, eye-rolling, or an angry tone of voice, keeping you in complete command of your own emotions.

5. Deploy the DEAR MAN Framework

DBT’s ultimate interpersonal effectiveness tool is DEAR MAN. Here is how a journalist can script a real-time correction using this strategy:

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ DESCRIBE THE FACT │ │ "The agency report shows inflation is 4%." │ └──────────────────────┬───────────────────────┘ ▼ ┌──────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ EXPRESS THE CONCERN │ │ "Conflicting numbers confuse the public." │ └──────────────────────┬───────────────────────┘ ▼ ┌──────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ ASSERT THE QUESTION │ │ "What data source are you using?" │ └──────────────────────┬───────────────────────┘ ▼ ┌──────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ MINDFUL FOCUS │ │ Ignore pivots; repeat the core question. │ └──────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Describe: State the objective fact. "The congressional budget office report shows the deficit increased."

Express: Share the professional concern. "Presenting different figures makes it difficult for citizens to understand the budget."

Assert: Ask for the clarification. "What specific report are you relying on for your numbers?"

Mindful Focus: Stay on track. If the president redirects to a past administration or a different topic, bring the conversation back: "I hear your point on the previous administration, sir, but returning to the current budget report..."

By anchoring the interview in DBT principles, a journalist transitions from an emotional adversary to an unshakeable observer of reality.

Obituaries - Richard Michael Johnson, Milford C. Thomas Sr.

Richard Michael Johnson, a cherished individual known for his resilience, kindness, and passion for life, passed away peacefully on June 13, 2026, in Clewiston, Florida, under God's care. Born on February 19, 1967, in Harvey, Illinois, Rick's life was a testament to strength and inspiration.

Rick’s early years were marked by hands-on work and dedication. From the age of 13 until he was 36, he served as a mechanic and tow truck driver. Although he retired from this line of work due to medical reasons, his drive and spirit led him to pursue a new path. He embarked on a career as a Sales, Mortgage Loan & Insurance Agent, where he applied his sharp mind and engaging personality to help others. His formative education included earning an Associate’s Degree from Prairie State College, which contributed to his professional foundation.

A lifelong aficionado of the automotive world, Rick inherited a profound love for muscle cars, pro street cars, and custom cars from his father, a noted pro drag racer. This passion fueled many joyful moments throughout his life. Complementing his enthusiasm for vehicles was his deep love for music. Rick cultivated an impressive collection of vinyl records and cassette tapes, with a special fondness for heavy metal, although his musical taste was diverse and eclectic.

Rick was widely admired for his unwavering sense of humor and positivity, traits that shone brightly even in the face of disability. He was a kind and inspirational figure to those around him, always finding the brighter side of life’s challenges. This optimism endeared him to many and left a lasting impression on friends and family.

He is lovingly remembered by his sisters, Vikki Gardner (Chris) and Tammy Hoover (Jerry), who carry forward his memory with deep affection. He was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy "Dianne" Johnson, his father, Robert K. Johnson, Sr., and his brother, Robert K. Johnson, Jr., whose legacies remain intertwined with his own.

Richard Michael Johnson's life journey reflected a blend of courage, warmth, and dedication. His passing marks the loss of a remarkable soul whose influence will continue to inspire all who knew him. The community and family who embraced him hold his memory dear, honoring a man who lived with heart, humor, and strength.

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Milford C. Thomas Sr. was born in Buckingham, Florida to Samuel and Edith (Hedlund) Thomas on November 2, 1940. He was the oldest son of ten children. Later the family moved to Sarasota, Florida. Milford left school in the tenth grade to work to support his family. Milford would take any work, but cowboying would be the one thing that he stayed with.

Milford was married to Melinda (Marky) Thomas for 62 years and had four children, Sheryl Thomas, Brett Thomas (Erline), the late Travis Thomas, and Katy Thomas (Joe), and two grandchildren, Anthony and Sarah Jane.

Milton retired from Lykes Bros, Inc. For 38 years he was riding foreman at North Island division. Milford loved riding a good horse, gathering cattle in the woods, and working them more than anything. After retirement, he continued to day work at surrounding ranches and still loved riding his horse.

Milford will be remembered by his family and friends as a loyal, honest and hard working man and be loved forever with wonderful memories.

Ralph William Nicholson Dies At 78

Ralph William Nicholson, a devoted husband, respected community leader, and faithful pastor, passed away peacefully on June 11, 2026, in Cape Coral, Florida. Born on August 4, 1947, in Miami, Florida, Ralph’s life was marked by a steadfast commitment to his family, his faith, and his vocation.

Ralph’s professional journey reflected his dedication and skill. He was a consummate tradesman, having graduated from the Journeyman Plumber Trade School in Miami, Florida. He applied his expertise as a plumber for twelve years before embracing a pivotal role as the General Manager of the Barron Water Control District in Port Labelle, a position he honorably held for two decades. His leadership extended beyond his managerial duties when he served as president of the Florida Association of Special Districts (FASD) for one term, during which he further cemented his legacy by earning certification as a district manager through FASD.

Ralph was not only a man of practical talents but also a person of deep faith. As a faithful pastor, he touched many lives, providing spiritual guidance and support. His unwavering faith was a cornerstone of his identity and a source of strength throughout his life.

A man of simple pleasures, Ralph found joy in hunting, fishing, and most importantly, the company of his family and beloved wife, Linda S. Nicholson. His life was enriched by these pursuits, which reflected his grounded and enduring love for nature and home.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Linda S. Nicholson; his daughter, Savannah Wieczorek (Andrew); granddaughters, Abigail and Audrina Wieczorek; great-grandson Warren Carpenter; and sisters, Laurel Friar and Lois Smith. His memory is also held dear in the hearts of all who knew him and by his late father and mother, Ralph and Gladys Nicholson.

Ralph William Nicholson's legacy of faithfulness, service, and family devotion lives on through those he cherished. His peaceful passing, surrounded by family and love, marks the close of a chapter defined by kindness, leadership, and unwavering dedication. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all whose lives he touched.