March 10, 2026 – Charlotte County, FL
CCSO Detective Don Woelke has been recognized as “Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer of the Year” for the second consecutive year by the US Attorney’s Office Middle District of Florida.
The US Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Florida, presented an award to Detective Don Woelke of the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office for his work in locating and apprehending a sex predator who lured a 13-year-old girl from Texas for sex. In 2021, the suspect, Vincent Joseph Robusto (3/3/1983), coached the girl to lead her parents to believe she was attending a church retreat, purchasing her a one-way airline ticket to meet him in Fort Myers. When she arrived, he traveled with her all around Southwest Florida, evading law enforcement. He was eventually found and arrested in Charlotte County. View the original release here.
Though the arrest occurred almost 5 years ago, the trial ended in January 2025, with sentencing issued in June 2025. Thanks to the thorough and detailed investigative work of Detective Woelke, as well as his testimony during the trial, the 41-year-old Robusto was sentenced to nearly 34 years in federal prison. Robusto will also have to register as a sex offender upon his release.
Woelke has been with the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office for 21 years (27 total years in law enforcement), with more than 10 of those years serving on the FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. Woelke was nominated for this prestigious award by Assistant US Attorney Yolande Viacava, ultimately being selected as the recipient for the second year in a row. Viacava expressed that Woelke’s efforts to coordinate the law enforcement agencies of Southwest Florida, as well as from Dilley, Texas, were instrumental in gathering the evidence to result in the guilty verdict and take a dangerous predator off the streets.
“I cannot think of anyone more deserving than Don to receive this award. He is passionate about his work, and he has embraced the challenges that come with this difficult position. Don is truly an asset to the Task Force and to the CCSO, protecting our most vulnerable population from the vilest of crimes. Congratulations, brother, on this well-deserved award!”
Sheriff Bill Prummell
Congratulations to this fine Law Enforcement Officer! Great Job!