Hendry County Arrest Reports

ARREST BLOTTER
05/27/2024 – 06/02/2024

Felony / DUI Arrests

13-year-old male, Clewiston was arrested on May 27, 2024, Det. C. Earl on charges of Lewd & Lascivious on a Child Younger than 12 years of age

Lee Edwards Odoms, 36, Clewiston was arrested on May 28, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff B. Dibernardino on charges of Possession of Controlled Substance without Prescription and Out of County Warrant

Jerimitris Lamar Smith, 25, LaBelle was arrested on May 28, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff S. Kirkby on four(4) counts of Felony Probation Violation and Aggravated Battery

Hermesa Markisha Pontoon, 45, Moore Haven on May 28, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff S. Kirkby on charges of DUI and Battery

LaMarco Lariell McDoughle, Jr., 22, LaBelle was arrested on May 28, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff S. Kirkby on charges of Trafficking in MDMA

Nathan Edwards Lee, 29, Clewiston was arrested on May 28, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff O. Gonzalez on charges of Possession of Controlled Substance without a Prescription, Attempt to Destroy Evidence and Possession of Marijuana u/20 grams

Lazaro Armando Lara, 29, Clewiston was arrested on May 28, 2024, by Det. J. Goldberg on charges of Battery by Strangulation, Child Neglect without Great Bodily Harm, Aggravated Battery and Kidnap/False Imprisonment

Timothy Terele Powell, 40, Clewiston was arrested on May 29, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff A. McCarty on charges of Sexual Assault – Victim 12 years of age or older

Dennis Eugene Johnson, 65, Clewiston was arrested on May 29, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff J. Windham on charges of Felony Battery

Robert Camejo, 35, Clewiston was arrested on May 29, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff S. Monteiro on charges of Battery by Person Detained in Jail

Ty’reuna Destiny KeJuana Smith, 20m LaBelle was arrested on May 29, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff S. Monteiro on charges of Battery, Resisting Officer with Violence and Battery of LEO

15-year-old male, Clewiston was arrested on May 29, 2024, by Det. J. Goldberg on charges of Cruelty Toward a Child, Discharging a Firearm in Public and Unlawful Possession of Firearm by Minor

17-year-old male, Clewiston was arrested on May 29, 2024, y Det. J. Goldberg on charges of Disorderly Conduct, Discharging Firearm in Public, Possession of Firearm by Minor and Cruelty Toward a Child

17-year-old male, Clewiston was arrested on May 29, 2024, y Det. J. Goldberg on charges of Disorderly Conduct, Discharging Firearm in Public, Possession of Firearm by Minor and Cruelty Toward a Child

Anthohy Javier Crespo, 21, Clewiston was arrested on May 30, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff B. Barrira on two (2 counts) of Felony Probation Violation

Crystal Ramirez, 33, LaBelle was arrested on May 31, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff B. Dibernardino on charges of Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Controlled Substance without Prescription, Possession of Drug Equipment and Failure to Appear

15-year-old male, LaBelle was arrested on May 31, 2024, by Det. J. Goldberg on charges of Sexual Battery – victim under 20 years of age

Rene C. Puente, 19, LaBelle, was arrested on June 1, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff S. Kirkby on charges of Battery and Carjacking without Firearm

16-year-old male, Clewiston was arrested on June 1, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff J. Windham on charges of Felony Battery and Disorderly Conduct

ARREST BLOTTER
05/13/2024 – 05/19/2024

Felony / DUI Arrests

Daniel Franklin Atkisson, 39, Englewood, Fl was arrested on May 14, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff D. Givans on charges of Felony Probation Violation

Jennifer Carrol Leeka Washo, 38, Ft, Myers, was arrested on May 15, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff A. McCarty on charges of Felony Failure to Appear

Jeremiah Isiah Boyd, 24, Clewiston was arrested on May 17, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff I. Rodriguez on charges of Felony Fleeing & Eluding

Enedino Galindo, III, 23, LaBelle was arrested on May 17, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff M. Aguirre was arrested on Felony Burglary, Criminal Mischief and Felony Probation Violation

Raymon Luis Avila, 58, Clewiston was arrested on May 17, 2024, by Cpl. L. Rodriguez on charges of Driving While License Suspended – Habitual Offender

Samanth Nicole Almeida 34, Clewiston was arrested on May 18, 2024, by Sgt. K. Barrientos for two Counts of Felony Probation Violation

Charlene Renee Johnson, 53, Clewiston and was arrested on May 18, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff B. Dibernardino on charges of Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Drug Equipment and Driving While License Suspended/Revoked

Jefferson Eduardo Gonzalez, 21, LaBelle was arrested on May 18, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff J. Keith on charges of Felony Fleeing & Eluding

Enedino Galindo, III, 23, LaBelle was arrested on May 18, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff A. Belle on charges of Felony Probation Violation

ARREST BLOTTER
05/20/2024 – 05/26/2024

Felony / DUI Arrests

Lee Marie Gonzalez, 36, Clewiston was arrested on May 20, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff B. Dibernardino on charges of Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Controlled Substance without Prescription, Driving While License Suspended/Revoked 3rd Subsequent Violation

Rachel Lee Haines, 33, Ft. Myers, was arrested on May 20, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff D. Givans on charges of Felony Failure to Appear

Matthew Anthony Luna, 27, LaBelle was arrested on May 20, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff S. Monteiro on charges of Out of County Warrant

Leosden Cruz Penton, 44, Lehigh Acres, was arrested on May 20, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff D. Givans, on charges of Possession of Vehicle with Altered VIN and Grand Theft of Motor Vehicle

Nitza Mancia Viery, 41, Clewiston was arrested on May 21, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff D. Coronilla on charges of DUI, Child Neglect without Great Bodily Harm and Operating a Motor Vehicle without a Valid DL

Derrick Malendes Ned, 18, LaBelle was arrested on May 21, 204 by Det. J. Goldberg on charges of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon without Intent to Kill and Display of Firearm During a Felony

Racheal Lee Haines, 33, Ft. Myers, was arrested on May 21, 204, by Deputy Sheriff D. Givans was arrested on charges of Felony Probation Violation

Lyndia Marie Gadzinski, 60, Wisconsin was arrested on May 21, 2024 by Sgt. J. Lock for an Out of State Felony Warrant

Marilyn Jane Bess Field, 64, LaBelle was arrested on May 22, 2204, by Sgt. J. Olvera on charges of Felony Abuse of Elderly Perso without Great Bodily Harm and Depriving Means of Communication

LeFonza McCoy, Jr., 24, Clewiston was arrested on May 22, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff J. Windham on charges on two counts of Felony Probation Violation

Shakira Garcia-Barbon, 27, Clewiston was arrested on May 2,3 204 by Det. R. Louis-Pierre on charges of Grand Theft of Motor Vehicle, Burglary Unoccupied of Motor Vehicle, Possession of Stolen Driver’s License or Florida ID and Grand Theft

Chyna Lee Tovar, 23, Immokalee was arrested on May 23, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff O. Gonzalez on charges on two counts of Felony Probation Violation and Possession of Marijuana

Willie Earl Ross, 64, Lehigh Acres, was arrested on May 24, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff J. Keith on charges of DUI, Possession of Marijuana under 20 grams and Possession of Controlled Substance

Felipe DeJesus Perea Robles, 36, at large, was arrested on May 24, 2024, by Cp. L. Drew on charges of Felony Failure to Appear

Johnny Lewis Hunter, Jr., 32, Clewiston was arrested on May 24, 20247 by Deputy Sheriff B. Dibernardino on charges of Fleeing & Eluding, Destruction of Evidence and Operating a Motor Vehicle without a Valid DL

Dana Danielle Foligno, 34, Clewiston was arrested on May 24, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff O. Gonzalez on 2 counts of Possession of Controlled Substance without Prescription

Eric Luane Westberry, 50, Clewiston was arrested on May 24, 20247 by Deputy Sheriff O. Gonzalez for Possession of Methamphetamine

Shakira Garcia Barbon, 27, Clewiston was arrested on May 24, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff J. Escobedo on charges of Felony Probation Violation

Dena Lyn Aiello Romano, 47, Davie was arrested on May 24, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff J. Escobedo on charges of Felony Probation Violation

Felix Pedro Martinez-Fernandez, 20, Ft. Myers, was arrested on May 24, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff J. Escobedo on charges of Felony Failure to Appear

Marlisha LaShonda Pass, 28, Clewiston was arrested on May 25, 2024, by Sgt. S. Rivera on charges of Resisting Arrest without Violence, Possession of Drug Equipment, Operating a Motor Vehicle without a Valid DL and Possession of Controlled Substance without Prescription

Hector Ivan Rodriguez, 28, at large, was arrested on May 25, 2024, by Cpl. L. Drew on charges of Felony Failure to Appear

Eamy Fitoria, 39, LaBelle was arrested on May 25, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff D. Coronilla on charges of DUI

Devonte Davis, 28, LaBelle was arrested on May 25, 2024, by Deputy Sheriff D. Coronilla on charges of Fleeing & Eluding, Child Abuse without Great Bodily Harm and Possession of Marijuana

Akin-Davis Funeral Homes Change Ownership

LABELLE, FL. -- According to the Florida Secretary of State office, Akin Davis Funeral Homes has dissolved the corporation, previously under Danial Akin's name.

The Secretary of State office says FPG Florida LLC of Winter Park, Fl. officially now is doing business Akin Davis Funeral Home, the 50 year old funeral home the late Cecil Akin started in LaBelle.

Foundation Partners of Florida LLC of Winter Park, Fl. has the funeral home license and is licensed as an "Apprentice/Training Agency" by the State of Florida under Donald Ray Campbell as the funeral director in charge. They also have the license for the Clewiston office.

The same company is doing business as Monarch Crematory under funeral directory Dean Ray Beck. And they also do business as Caloosa Memorials in LaBelle, selling monuments.

A sign of the change has been noticing recently that obituaries were being posted irregularly. The new website makes it a bit difficult to find local obituaries without searching through many pages.

 

The new Akin Davis website indicates "AFTERALL™ is the trade name of a network of licensed funeral, cremation, and cemetery providers associated with Foundation Partners Group, LLC."

That group either owns or manages hundreds of funeral homes around the country.

There are Akin Davis Funeral Homes in LaBelle, Clewiston and Fort Myers.

Florida Hurricane Tax Free Holiday This Week

Concurrent to the start of the 2024 hurricane season, Governor Ron DeSantis today urged residents to take advantage of the 14-day sales tax holiday for disaster preparation supplies. 

Governor DeSantis also announced a $7.5 million award to Lee County through Florida’s Job Growth Grant Fund to help rebuild and enhance the shrimp dock, which was destroyed during Hurricane Ian, at San Carolos Maritime Park. This dual-purpose facility will serve as an emergency operations site to launch barges, provide a place for shrimp vessels to dock, and transfer product to distribution trucks.

Right now, through June 14, the first of two Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holidays is happening, which means many disaster preparation items can be purchased tax-free, including:

Water
Shelf-stable canned food
Batteries
Flashlights
Reusable ice
Pet items
Toys
Portable power banks and more

Other important items that are tax-free include:

Portable generators

Tarps or other waterproof sheeting

Smoke detectors and alarms
Fire extinguishers
Carbon monoxide detectors
Portable radios less than $50

And since pets are part of the family, too, several items such as pet leashes, beds, wet and dry food, and over-the-counter pet medications can also be purchased tax-free through June 14.

 For a full disaster supply kit checklist, visit FloridaDisaster.org/Kit.

Florida Keys' Watercolor Kapers by Bob Kranich

Florida Keys’ Watercolor Kapers

by Bob Kranich

Robert’s Best, (Part 10, Excerpt 95)

This is a new story. Robert’s Best is a sail boat. Grandfather Roberts is going to sail it on the Intercostal waterway from Texas to Key West, Florida. That will be an adventure. Then his grandchildren and their parents will come to Key West on a visit. There will be a lot of funny happenings until the criminals from a previous story get into action. A side note is that a 1935 antique Chris-Craft Model 557 Cabin Cruiser is going to play an important part in the rest of the story. Grandfather Roberts has just arrived in Key West, docked his boat, and met Honest Dave with his 1935 antique restored Christ-Craft Cabin Cruiser.

Roberts’ Best

“Oh, hi, didn’t see you there. About forty days out from Galveston,” I answered.

“Ran the Intercostal, did you?” he asked.

“Yes, sure did! Moving to this island, if they’ll have me. By the way, that’s some boat you have there. Did you restore it yourself?”

“Yep. It’s a nineteen thirty-five, twenty-eight foot Chris-Craft Model 557 Cabin Cruiser.* Got it off a guy near Homestead, Florida. He had it all tore apart. It took me and a couple of friends two years to restore it. I wasn’t in a hurry. Just like you see me now.”

“I like antiques. In fact that’s how I make my money. Honest Dave, the antique man. I refurnish and sell antiques of all kinds. If it’s old, and I like it, I buy it. If I don't want to keep it, I sell it, for a profit, naturally.”

I stepped up onto the dock, Honest Dave did the same.We shook hands.

“Dave Crench, pleased to make your acquaintance.”

Dave was of average height and somewhat muscular. His black hair was hanging out under the cap, but with his long sideburns, I could imagine he looked like Elvis.
“I’m Tom Roberts of the twenty-eight foot sail’n sloop Roberts’ Best. I’m proud to meet you Honest Dave.”

How about a tour of your Chris-Craft? It’s not every day I get this opportunity.”

“Tom, I thought you would never ask. Step right in there.”

“Wow! This mahogany wood is pristine. I like the Captain’s quarters. Even a mahogany and brass six-spoke ship’s wheel, and your chrome trim shines,” I said admiringly.

“It wasn’t easy. Lots of sanding and refinishing to the mahogany. Some of the chrome fittings had to be replated.”

“How many will she sleep, Dave?”

“Take a look up front for yourself. Could squeeze in three if you had to. Not to mention the cross-the-transom cushion in the stern.”

“Dave, what about power?”

“Well, Tom, that is what I like,” he said as he pulled back the engine’s cover. “This is a cruiser, not a speedster runabout. The in-line, six cylinder flathead is an original Chris-Craft ninety-five horse power “K” engine. It’s all she needs. It’s easy on fuel but will still move out because it’s got a lot of torque.”

“A great boat, Dave!” I complimented.

“What’s your plans Tom? I don’t know about you, but I’m hungry. I know it’s early, but my stomach thinks it’s late! I’ve been here about four days. I know a couple of good eating places only a couple of blocks from here. It’s good, it’s early, because we can eat and get back off the street before the town gets rowdy. What do you say? I’m buying. There is a small restaurant you might like.”

“That was some good food. Thanks, Dave. I’m going to turn in. I had a long and busy morning. See you tomorrow.”

Next morning, Key West docks in the Bight.

I poked my head out of my cabin.

“Hey Tom, so you're an early riser like me. Come on over. Had your coffee yet? I’ve got mine and yours ready to go. How about some eggs?”

“I’m coming right over, Dave. It’s alright if I just call you Dave and leave off the Honest part?”

“Yep, Tom, that will be fine. Don’t want the locals to get any ideas. Have a seat right there, and I’ll rustle up your grub. Where you heading today, Tom?”

“Thanks, Dave. I’ve got to find me a place to live. I have this respiratory and allergy condition. It came from and was aggravated by the Houston pollution and the high humidity.”

“What’s wrong with living on your boat?”

“Well, Dave, a boat’s fine, but I’m used to having a sturdy footing most of the time. A boat is great for recreation and getting away from it all for a few hours. But think, I’ve been the last thirty-eight days on the water. No, I need some land sleep.”

“What you looking for, Tom? I’ve been looking around a lot. I could guide you around some, or at least show you the sights and all that I know.”

“Well, to answer your first question. I need a good ocean breeze, no pollution. The answer to your second question is, yes. Show me what you know about this here island.”

“You’ll need to get your walking shoes on and come back and we’ll start out!”

“Tom, if what you need is a lot of breeze, that means the Atlantic. Also since you like antiques, you need an old house. You’ve come to the right place, this island is full of them, real fine ones, and historic. You need a two-story with two to three porches on the second floor. Let’s hail a touring carriage. Here’s a horse and buggy, coming down the street right now. That way we can see everything at a slow pace. We need to get to the other side of the island. You need covered porches. They call them verandas here. It’s when the porch roof is a continuation of the house roof.”
“Hey, old timer,” Dave said to the carriage driver. “We need a ride. My friend here is looking for an old house. It’s got to be on the Atlantic. He needs porches on the second floor. What’ve you got?”

The carriage driver said, “Wooah Bessie,” as he pulled tightly on the reins. “Well Sar, I know a dead-end street right on the Atlantic. It’s called United. I think I saw one for sale on that street when I was passing by.”

They stepped up into the carriage. “Let’s go, Bessie, ge’up!” the driver said as he lightly snapped the reins.

“Driver, how could you be just pass’n by, when it’s a dead-end street?” Dave asked with a smile in his voice.

“I must confess, Sir, there’s this real pretty Miss living on that street, and you might have guessed it. I’m sure sweet on her!”

“Tell you what, oh by the way, what’s your name, driver?” I asked.

“Franklin, Sir.”

“I’ll tell you what, Franklin, if this is the right house, you will get a tip big enough to take your sweetheart out to dine.”

“Thank you kindly, Sir.”

“Franklin, please take us through old town on the way over, so my friend Tom here can see just how historic and unique Key West is.”

We went west out of the Key West Bight. Three blocks and Franklin said, “Sir, I’m going to take a short three-block around-about here and show your friend here Front Street and Old Mallory Square. It’s the real old seaport front.”

“There now, we’re gon-a-go all the way down Whitehead Street. It’s about eleven blocks to the ocean and our turn. We’ll go right past the oldest house, Hemingway's house, the light house, and a lot of other interesting sights.”

From the Author:

My second full-length book , Florida Keys’ Watercolor Kapers is composed of 336 pages. There are 12 stories running from 6 pages to as many as 72 pages. It is fully illustrated with 88 watercolors and sketches. The watercolors I made roaming around Key West after I finished my 750 mile hike from Georgia to Key West. (See book or Don Browne’s SouthWest Florida Online News records, A Walk Across Florida.) As you read these stories you will experience Key West, the Keys, and the Caribbean. These stories span the time of the early 1800’s to 1969. bkranich.wixsite.com/bobkranich

Roadwork On Port LaBelle Eucalyptus Blvd June 4

LABELLE, FL. -- Please be advised that beginning on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, Hendry County Road & Bridge will be conducting roadwork to replace culvert pipes under SW Eucalyptus Blvd.

SW Eucalyptus Blvd will be closed to through traffic between NW Beechwood Circle and NE Beechwood Circle in order to complete the repairs.

Work is expected to take 10 days to complete.

Operations will occur between the hours of 8am-5pm.

Motorists should expect possible delays for the duration of the project and allow extra time for their commute.

Please note that this schedule is tentative and subject to change. The Hendry County Engineering Department will notify of any changes.

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