Monday, January 08, 2024

LaBelle State Road 29 Workshop January 31

LABELLE, FL. -- The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) invites you to a second Public Workshop for the SR 29 Improvements from County Road (CR) 80A (Cowboy Way) to north of CR 731 (Whidden Road) in Hendry and Glades Counties.

This re-evaluation will evaluate proposed improvements to address traffic operations, access and mobility along SR 29. The second public workshop is being conducted to present changes in design based on stakeholder comments. The workshop will present information about the updated alternatives and provide the opportunity for the public to express their views about the project.

You can participate live online or in-person. The same materials will be displayed at both the online and in-person events.

IN-PERSON OPTION:
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
Anytime between 5 -7 p.m.
LaBelle Civic Center
481 Hickpochee Ave., LaBelle, FL 33935

This will include a looping video (no formal presentation) and the project team will be available for discussion.

LIVE ONLINE OPTION:

Register in advance: https://tinyurl.com/SR29PublicWorkshop2
Thursday, February 1, 2024
6 – 7 p.m.

This event will include a viewing of the project video and a live question-and-answer component with the project team. Please review the materials on the project webpage before attending the virtual event (https://www.swflroads.com/project/417878-8). Materials will be posted by January 24, 2024.

If you are unable to attend the meeting, comments can also be provided through the project webpage (https://www.swflroads.com/project/417878-8) or by email (David.Agacinski@dot.state.fl.us) or mail (FDOT District One, Southwest Area Office Attn: David Agacinski, 10041 Daniels Parkway, Fort Myers, FL 33913). While comments about the project are accepted at any time, they must be received or postmarked by February 12, 2024, to be included in the formal workshop record. Questions can be answered by calling the FDOT project manager David Agacinski at (239) 225-1924.

A summary of the public workshop will be available on the webpage approximately 30 days following the close of the comment period.

FDOT is sending notices to property owners, business owners, interested persons and organizations within 300 feet of the project to provide the opportunity to give comments to FDOT regarding this project.

FDOT solicits public participation without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or family status. People who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Cynthia Sykes, District One Title VI Coordinator, at (863) 519-2287, or email at Cynthia.Sykes@dot.state.fl.us at least seven days prior to the workshop.

The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried out by FDOT pursuant to 23 U.S.C. §327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated May 26, 2022 and executed by FHWA and FDOT.



Friday, January 05, 2024

Christopher Worrell Convicted Of U.S. Capitol Assault Charge

Defendant Became a Fugitive to Avoid Sentencing, Triggering a 6-Week Manhunt

FORT MYERS, FL.  – A Naples, Florida man who became a fugitive after he was convicted on felony assault charges for his actions at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, was sentenced today. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.

Christopher Worrell, 52, of Naples, Fla., was sentenced to 120 months in prison on multiple felony counts that included assaulting a group of police officers with a deadly and dangerous weapon.

According to court documents, Worrell had been found guilty May 12, 2023, after a bench trial in the District of Columbia during which he perjured himself. On August 14, 2023, four days prior to his previously scheduled sentencing in U.S. District Court, Worrell cut off his GPS ankle monitor in a Walmart parking lot and became a fugitive.

Worrell’s disappearance triggered an FBI manhunt that culminated six weeks later in his arrest at his home in Naples. In addition to an unresponsive Worrell, the FBI also found night-vision goggles, a wallet with approximately $4,000 in cash, and a bag with new camping gear inside. Worrell later admitted that he had faked an opioid overdose upon arrest as a “delay tactic.”

In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Royce C. Lamberth ordered 36 months of supervised release, restitution of $2,000, and a $610 special assessment.

According to the government’s evidence, Worrell plotted his trip to D.C. with other Proud Boys from the “Hurricane Coast” for weeks leading up to January 6, participating in conversations in which the police were called traitors and Proud Boys brainstormed ways to disrupt the certification. Consistent with this planning, on January 6, Worrell wore a tactical vest and carried Sabre Red Maximum Strength Pepper Gel and a large radio.

Intent on obstructing the certification, he did not wait for the former president to call his supporters to the Capitol. Instead, Worrell marched with a larger group of Proud Boys onto Capitol grounds, threatening U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) officers along the way to “honor their oaths” to avoid making the crowd “go against” the officers.

Worrell and other “Zone 5” members from the “Hurricane Coast” Proud Boys chapter breached the restricted perimeter and reached the West Plaza of the Capitol by approximately 1 p.m. Once on Capitol grounds, Worrell filmed himself calling the USCP officers “scum,” “piece[s] of “sh**,” and “commies,” among other expletives and insults.

At about 1:31 p.m., Worrell stepped forward and sprayed pepper gel at a line of police officers trying to defend the Capitol from the mob on the West Plaza. Worrell later bragged that he had “deployed a whole can” and was “f****** handing it to them.” A photojournalist present at the Capitol witnessed Worrell spraying toward the officers and took a photograph that captured the moment.

About 20 minutes later, Worrell’s fellow Zone 5 Proud Boy member and co-defendant, Daniel Scott, shoved two USCP officers who were defending a staircase leading to the Upper West Terrace of the Capitol. Scott’s assaults collapsed the police line, allowing a large group of rioters to make their way up the stairs to the Capitol building, where they became the first group of rioters to break into the building itself. Worrell and other members of Zone 5 celebrated Scott’s assault, with Worrell turning the camera on himself to say: “Yeah! Taking the Capitol!”

Shortly after January 6, Worrell posted to Facebook: “The violence was perpetrated on civil protestors. Not one person was causing harm or inciting violence on those steps!! The Capitol COMMIE Police fired tear gas and flash bangs into a PEACEFUL CROWD!!”

Worrell was arrested on March 12, 2021, in Naples, Florida.

Worrell was found guilty on May 12, 2023, on six felony counts and a misdemeanor that included assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers using a dangerous weapon, obstruction of an official proceeding of Congress, and obstructing, impeding, or interfering with officers during the commission of a civil disorder, entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon, engaging in physical violence with a deadly or dangerous weapon all felonies, and an act of physical violence in the Capitol Grounds or Buildings, a misdemeanor.

The verdict followed a five-day bench trial before U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth, who commented in reading the verdict that Worrell’s claim that he had been pepper spraying other violent rioters instead of U.S. Capitol Police officers was “preposterous” and that the Worrell’s testimony presented an “unbelievable” and “false narrative” that was “undermined by the contradictions and post-January 6th false statements identified by the government during Mr. Worrell’s cross-examination and the government’s rebuttal case.”

The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. Valuable assistance was provided by U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.

The case was investigated by the FBI’s Tampa Field Office-Fort Myers Resident Agency and the Sarasota Resident Agency and the Washington Field Office. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

In the 35 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,200 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 400 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

Truck Crash With 40,000 Pounds Of Chicken

FORT MYERS, FL -- Single semi-truck crash on southbound Interstate 75, at mile marker 124, Lee County at 9:41 am Friday. Semi-truck driver experienced a medical episode, which led to the truck crashing into the wood line. Nearly 40,000 pounds of raw chicken was spilled onto the shoulder / wood line. Semi-truck Driver was transported to an area hospital with minor injuries.

From the FHP crash report:

Vehicle 1 (semi-truck) driven by 41 year old male from Chapin, SC was traveling south on Interstate 75 in the area of the 124 mile marker.

Driver 1 experienced a medical episode.

Vehicle 1 veered off the roadway, entered the grass shoulder and collided with several trees in the wood line.

Vehicle 1 was hauling nearly 40,000 pound of raw chicken, which spilled onto the shoulder / wood line.

Driver 1 was transported to an area hospital with minor injuries.

The crash remains under investigation.

Road Work Next Five Months On Hendry CR78

LABELLE, FL. -- Please be advised that beginning on Monday, January 8, 2024, Hendry County contractor, EHC, Inc. will be commencing road work on County Road 78 from Ft. Denaud Bridge Way to Kirby Thompson Road.

The project will include repairs to the bridge over Jacks Branch.

Motorists should use extra caution when traveling through the work zone.

The project is expected to be complete within 150 days.

The project is being funded by the Florida Department of Transportation for design, construction and construction engineering and inspection (CEI) services associated with the project . CEI Services will be performed by Kisinger Campo & Associates.

Residents or motorists with any questions or concerns can contact the Hendry County Engineering Department at 863-675-5222.

Tuesday, January 02, 2024

Hendry Sheriff Deputy Arrests This Week

ARREST BLOTTER
12/17/2023 – 12/24/2023

Felony / DUI Arrests

Daniel Ray Crespo, 43, Clewiston was arrested on December 17, 2023, by Deputy O. Gonzalez on charges of Possession of Controlled Substance without a Prescription, Possession of Drug Equipment and two counts of Misd. Probation Violation

Steven Rodney Marshall, 58, Clewiston was arrested on December 17, 2023, by Deputy Sheriff O. Gonzalez on charges of Possession of Controlled Substance without a Prescription

Larry Jenkins, 47, LaBelle was arrested on December 19, 2023, by Cpl. J. Goldberg on charges of Possession of Controlled Substance without a Prescription

17-year-old male, Clewiston was arrested on December 19, 2023, by Deputy Sherr K. Busbin on charges of Motor Vehicle Theft

Jose Angel Lopez, 27, LaBelle was arrested on December 20, 2023, by Deputy Sheriff D. Coronilla on charges of Burglary, five counts of Aggravated Battery, five counts of Aggravated Assault with a Weapon, Aggravated Stalking, Hit & Run and five counts of Kidnapping

Wesley William Gray, 35, Moore Haven was arrested on December 20, 2023, by Deputy Sheriff I. Cadena for Felony Probation Violation and Misdemeanor Failure to Appear

Salena Maria Perez, 28, Immokalee was arrested on December 20, 2023, by Deputy Sheriff J. Escobedo for Felony Failure to Appear

Hector Ivan Rodriguez, 27, LaBelle was arrested on December 20, 2023, by Cpl. L. Drew on charges of Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Equipment

14-year-old male, Clewiston was arrested on December 21, 2023, by Cpl. S. Rivera on charges of Motor Vehicle Theft

16-year-old male, Clewiston was arrested on December 21, 2023, by Cpl. S. Rivera on charges of Motor Vehicle Theft

Natasha Dawn Tyree, 40, LaBelle was arrested on December 21, 2023, by HCSO Narcotics Unit on charges of Possession of Methamphetamine, Trafficking Narcotics and Possession of Drug Equipment

Rudolfo Martinez Zayas, 29, Clewiston was arrested on December 21, 2023, by K9 Officer L. Dominguez on charges of Aggravated Assault on LEO and Felony Probation Violation

Joshua Lon Tyree, 38, LaBelle was arrested on December 22, 2023, by HCSO Narcotics Unit for Sale of Methamphetamine, Trafficking in Methamphetamine, Sale of Cocaine, Possession of Vehicle known to contain Narcotics, Felony Sale of Marijuana, Possession of Stolen Firearm and Possession of Drug Equipment

Jeffery Dale Goodpaster, 66, LaBelle was arrested on December 22, 2023, by Deputy Sheriff D. Blanco on charges of Possession of Cocaine and Possession of Drug Equipment

Vanessa Victoria Acosta Proano, 40, Houston, Texas was arrested on December 23, 2023 Deputy Sheriff A. Bell on charges of Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Equipment

Colton Brandon Campbell, 22, LaBelle, was arrested on December 23, 2023, by Cpl. K. Barrientos on charges of Felony DUI with Serious Bodily Injury to Another

Rosslyn Gizella Santana, 20, LaBelle was arrested on December 23, 2023, by Deputy Sheriff J. Crawford on charges of Felony Possession of Marijuana over 20 grams

Christopher Douglas Flynn, 35, Clewiston was arrested on December 23, 2023, by Deputy Sheriff K. Busbin on charges of Aggravated Assault with Intent to Commit a Felony and Felony Probation Violation



ARREST BLOTTER
12/15/2023 – 12/31/2023

Felony / DUI Arrests

Daniel Ray Crespo, 43, Clewiston was arrested on December 17, 2023, by Deputy O. Gonzalez on charges of Possession of Controlled Substance without a Prescription, Possession of Drug Equipment and two counts of Misd. Probation Violation

Steven Rodney Marshall, 58, Clewiston was arrested on December 17, 2023, by Deputy Sheriff O. Gonzalez on charges of Possession of Controlled Substance without a Prescription

Larry Jenkins, 47, LaBelle was arrested on December 19, 2023, by Cpl. J. Goldberg on charges of Possession of Controlled Substance without a Prescription

17-year-old male, Clewiston was arrested on December 19, 2023, by Deputy Sherr K. Busbin on charges of Motor Vehicle Theft

Jose Angel Lopez, 27, LaBelle was arrested on December 20, 2023, by Deputy Sheriff D. Coronilla on charges of Burglary, five counts of Aggravated Battery, five counts of Aggravated Assault with a Weapon, Aggravated Stalking, Hit & Run and five counts of Kidnapping

Wesley William Gray, 35, Moore Haven was arrested on December 20, 2023, by Deputy Sheriff I. Cadena for Felony Probation Violation and Misdemeanor Failure to Appear

Salena Maria Perez, 28, Immokalee was arrested on December 20, 2023, by Deputy Sheriff J. Escobedo for Felony Failure to Appear

Hector Ivan Rodriguez, 27, LaBelle was arrested on December 20, 2023, by Cpl. L. Drew on charges of Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Equipment

14-year-old male, Clewiston was arrested on December 21, 2023, by Cpl. S. Rivera on charges of Motor Vehicle Theft

16-year-old male, Clewiston was arrested on December 21, 2023, by Cpl. S. Rivera on charges of Motor Vehicle Theft

Natasha Dawn Tyree, 40, LaBelle was arrested on December 21, 2023, by HCSO Narcotics Unit on charges of Possession of Methamphetamine, Trafficking Narcotics and Possession of Drug Equipment

Rudolfo Martinez Zayas, 29, Clewiston was arrested on December 21, 2023, by K9 Officer L. Dominguez on charges of Aggravated Assault on LEO and Felony Probation Violation

Joshua Lon Tyree, 38, LaBelle was arrested on December 22, 2023, by HCSO Narcotics Unit for Sale of Methamphetamine, Trafficking in Methamphetamine, Sale of Cocaine, Possession of Vehicle known to contain Narcotics, Felony Sale of Marijuana, Possession of Stolen Firearm and Possession of Drug Equipment

Jeffery Dale Goodpaster, 66, LaBelle was arrested on December 22, 2023, by Deputy Sheriff D. Blanco on charges of Possession of Cocaine and Possession of Drug Equipment

Vanessa Victoria Acosta Proano, 40, Houston, Texas was arrested on December 23, 2023 Deputy Sheriff A. Bell on charges of Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Equipment

Colton Brandon Campbell, 22, LaBelle, was arrested on December 23, 2023, by Cpl. K. Barrientos on charges of Felony DUI with Serious Bodily Injury to Another

Rosslyn Gizella Santana, 20, LaBelle was arrested on December 23, 2023, by Deputy Sheriff J. Crawford on charges of Felony Possession of Marijuana over 20 grams

Christopher Douglas Flynn, 35, Clewiston was arrested on December 23, 2023, by Deputy Sheriff K. Busbin on charges of Aggravated Assault with Intent to Commit a Felony and Felony Probation Violation