January 30, 2024 - Charlotte County, FL CALEA maintains a public access portal that allows for comments with regard to candidate agencies seeking initial accreditation or reaccreditation status.The purpose of a public portal is to receive comments regarding an agency's compliance with CALEA standards, engagement in the service community, delivery of public safety services, and... Continue Reading →
Trails End Dr. Death Investigation
January 29, 2024- Punta Gorda, FL The investigation into the these deaths is continuing and the victims are now being identified as Mario Schiano (5/25/1976) and Anthony Galeotti (8/18/1979). Investigators are still at the scene along with personnel from the Forensics Unit processing and collecting evidence. Investigators are working around the clock and are following... Continue Reading →
Guild St. Body Identified as Wanted Murder Suspect Fidel Fletcher
January 23, 2024 - Port Charlotte, FL A body, which had been discovered in the woods near Guild St. last week, has been positively identified as the remains of wanted homicide suspect Fidel Fletcher. On the afternoon of Friday, January 19, deputies responded to the area of Guild St. and Peachland Blvd. to investigate a... Continue Reading →
Englewood Search Warrant Uncovers Numerous Drugs and Firearms
January 22, 2024 - Englewood, FL Sizeable amounts of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and other controlled substances were seized as a result of a search warrant in Englewood on Friday along with eight firearms. On Friday January 19th, the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Unit, along with the Fugitive Apprehension and Community Policing Units, conducted a... Continue Reading →
Man Calls in False Bomb Threat to Local Neighborhood Walmart
January 16, 2024 - Port Charlotte, Florida On Friday, a North Port man called in a false report about planting a bomb at the local Neighborhood Walmart on Tamiami Trail in Port Charlotte. Just before 3:00 pm on January 12th, the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office responded to the Neighborhood Walmart at 2150 Tamiami Trail in... Continue Reading →
Port Charlotte Man Wanted for Child Pornography Charges Found in Marion County
January 10, 2024 - Charlotte County, FL A Port Charlotte man is in custody on charges of child pornography after detectives received numerous cyber-tips and discovered the material on his cell phone. In December 2023, Charlotte County detectives, along with members of the FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, were made aware of... Continue Reading →
Matecumbe Rd. Update and Request for Assistance
On the morning of December 28, 2023, a shooting incident occurred on Matecumbe Rd., leaving one man deceased. Based on evidence at the scene, Charlotte County detectives have ruled out suicide as the cause. The shooting is believed to be an isolated incident with no threat to the public, however, at this time, there is... Continue Reading →
Fireworks Safety Reminder
Charlotte County, Florida - December 29th, 2023 As preparations are made to ring in the new year, the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office wants to remind Florida residents that the private use of fireworks is legal on three holidays per year. Those holidays are New Year’s Eve (December 31), New Year’s Day (January 1), and Independence... Continue Reading →
CONVICTION IN DUI MANSLAUGHTER CASE INVOLVING THE DEATH OF A CHARLOTTE COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPUTY
Punta Gorda (December 15, 2023) – Cassandra Diane Smith has been convicted for driving under the influence of alcohol and causing the death of Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Christopher Taylor. Smith was found guilty as charged of DUI Manslaughter, Vehicular Homicide, and two counts of DUI – Damage Person/Property. The jury returned the guilty... Continue Reading →
Hours after being found guilty, man is arrested for violation of probation
November 29, 2023 - Port Charlotte, FL A Punta Gorda man was arrested on numerous charges, including narcotics and violation of probation, hours after taking a plea deal for a felony offense of firing a gun outside of Gatorz Bar in 2021. On November 20, 2023, while traveling on Tamiami Trail in Port Charlotte, a... Continue Reading →