Juan Madrid Arrested For Facebook Threats To Kill

On Thursday, May 2, 2019, at approximately 10:30pm, 28 year old, Juan Jesus Madrid, 28 was arrested on charges of Written Threats to Kill or do Bodily Injury.

Hendry County Sheriff Steve Whidden found the post on Facebook and instantly took action.  Hendry County Sheriff’s Office Communication and Road Patrol along with Investigators immediately began a search through records and were able to identify the poster along with an address.

While attempting to locate Madrid they came up on him leaving a residence on Avalon.  Deputies noted that the tag on the back of the vehicle being driven was expired and stopped him.  After verifying that Madrid was in fact the driver he was detained until Investigators arrived on scene. 

He was questioned and later booked into the Hendry County Jail on charges of Written Threats to Kill or do Bodily Injury and is out on $25,000 bond.

The public was not notified because of expeditious manner in which it was handled.

Madrid posted a Meme with what appeared to be three young girls making fun of a young man who looked dejected with the caption “You won’t be laughing when then chopper rounds spraying thru the halls”.  The 28 year old admitted he “did it to try to be funny”.

The Sheriff's office says Florida Statute 863.10 states, “Any person who writes or composes and also sends or procures the sending of any letter, inscribed communication, or electronic communication, whether such letter or communication be signed or anonymous, to any person, containing a threat to kill or to do bodily injury to the person to whom such letter or communication is sent, or a threat to kill or do bodily injury to any member of the family of the person to whom such letter or communication is sent, or any person who makes, posts, or transmits a threat in a writing or other record, including an electronic record, to conduct a mass shooting or an act of terrorism, in any manner that would allow another person to view the threat, commits a felony of the second degree”.

“This is something that is very concerning because for some reason people are not grasping the concept that what they are doing is not a joke”, said Hendry County Sheriff Steve Whidden.  “In fact, it’s a crime”, he continued.

Florida law makes it a felony to post social media threats to schools.  “It stops being funny fast when you get locked up, pay a fine and have a felony arrest charge”, Whidden said.

“I would seriously encourage parents to speak with their children about these kinds of threats and the serious consequences resulting”, said Whidden.

Kiwanis Awards 14 Scholarships Thursday May 9

LABELLE, FL. -- The Kiwanis Club of LaBelle presents scholarships to Labelle High School Seniors on Thursday, May 9th, 2019 at Beef O’Brady’s. A total of 14 graduating seniors will be awarded scholarships totaling $18,350. The scholarships are awarded annually to any graduating student at Labelle High School that completes the application and attends the interview process by the Foundation committee.

The awards are based on GPA, application and essay, community service, interview, financial need and years of being a Key Club member.

The Labelle Kiwanis Foundation was established in 1987 and began awarding scholarships to Labelle High School students in the early 1990’s.

The Labelle Kiwanis Foundation has awarded between $15,000 and $27,000 to Labelle High School Students since 2008 based on funds available from net sales at the Kiwanis Thrift Store and number of students applying. We have distributed over $245,000.00 in monies to our graduating students and students continuing their education or adults starting their education since 2008. The awards that are not collected by the seniors within four years of their award are disbursed to students that apply for our Adult Scholarship in the summer.

Donations and purchases at the Labelle Kiwanis Thrift Store is vital to the operation of the Kiwanis Club. These funds are given back to this community and most of all to local youth.

Foundation Committees:

Total funds disbursed between October 2007 and May 2018 in addition to the scholarships is $261,576.00.

The committees consist of the following:

Community Service 

Human & Spiritual Values
Kids Day
Sponsored Youth
Young Children Priority One
Youth Services

Kiwanis is always looking for new members that have a passion for kids and the community. They meet at Beef O’Brady’s the 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 5:30 pm. You are welcome to attend a meeting and see if you would like to join and make a difference in our community. labellekiwanis.com if you would to find out more information.

Two Dead In Moore Haven Crash

MOORE HAVEN, FL -- Eduardo Blanco Irons 65 of Cypress, TX was traveling west Saturday at 11 a.m. on US-27 as Susan Spencer Parker, 62 of Moore Haven was traveling south on 10th St. in Moore Haven in Glades county, Fl.

Irons failed to stop at a steady red traffic signal and collided with Parker's vehicle which was pushed to the median and came to final rest facing southwest.

Irons' vehicle came to final rest on the north shoulder of US-27.

A passenger in Parker's vehicle, David Ward, 66 of Moore Haven died, as did driver Susan Parker. The FHP said it is unknown if alcohol played a part in the crash. No one was wearing seat belts according to the FHP investigation.

Obituaries - Mollie Lanier, Carol Sutton

Carol Wynne Sutton, age 63, passed away on May 1, 2019 in Lehigh Acres. She was born on January 29, 1956 in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. She was loved by many and known for her selfless service to family and friends, as well as her church. A loving mother, daughter, sister, wife and grandmother, Carol enjoyed all things Disney, Elvis and spending time with her family. She worked for 45 years in the finance department for the Hendry County School Board.

Carol leaves behind her loving mother June Guy, husband Greg Sutton, children Christy Pagan and Gregory, four adorable grandchildren: Kelsey, Ethan, Noah and Caleb, two sisters, Robin and Lisa. She is preceded in death by her father Luther Glenwood Tirey.

A celebration of her life will be held at the LaBelle Church of God on Saturday, May 4, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. Burial followed at the Ft. Denaud Cemetery.

Celebration arrangements by Akin-Davis Funeral Home – LaBelle.

Mollie Marie Hendry Lanier passed away peacefully on April 26, 2019 in LaBelle at Oakbrook Health and Rehabilitation Center.

She was born on May 02, 1928, to Eugene and Mamie Hendry in Venus, FL.

She was preceded in death by her husband, W.C. "Bill" Lanier, daughter, Debbie Mann, brothers, Roy Hendry, Pete Hendry, Bub Hendry and Neal Hendry.

She is survived by her sons, James P. Lanier (Peggy), W.C. Lanier (Michelle), and son-in-law, Tommy Mann (Phyllis), sister, Lorraine Shoemaker and brother, Olsie Hendry (Audrey), nine grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.

As a member of Palmdale Baptist Church, she loved teaching Sunday School, Bible School, Christmas Programs and working to help in all areas of the church. She had a strong faith in her Lord Jesus Christ which helped her triumph through all the hurdles she faced in life.

She was one of the best cooks in her generation, specializing in guava jelly, canning vegetables, yummy pies and cakes and everything in between.

The Funeral Service was held Thursday, May 2, 2019, 10:00 a.m. at Ortona Cemetery Pavilion with her sons James P. Lanier and W.C. Lanier officiating. Visitation was on Thursday for 30 minutes before the funeral service at the Ortona Cemetery Pavilion. Interment followed in Ortona Cemetery.

She loved her family and will be greatly missed by them and all those whose lives she touched.

Robot Club On Display At Kiwanis

LABELLE, FL. -- On Tuesday, April 30th, Kiwanis enjoyed a robotic demonstration by Greg Zimmerly and two of his students from LaBelle Middle School. 

Elijah Sandoval-Dean and Nick Childers brought two robots they built. 

The club competes in regional competitions where they must build a robot to accomplish specific tasks and present research to a panel of judges.

Photo by Helen Mead

Pictured: Elijah Sandoval-Dean, Nick Childers and Greg Zimmerly





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