Former Fort Myers Police Officer Gets Three Years for Excessive Force

Fort Myers residents depend on responsible law enforcement officials. If you believe that an officer has used excessive force against you or violated your constitutional rights in any way, a criminal defense attorney in Fort Myers and Naples may be able to help. As a recent case illustrates, police officers are not above the law – and they may face prison time for violating your rights.

Former Fort Myers Cop Sentenced to Less Than Three Years 

In 2021, the Fort Myers Police fired an officer for violating four different internal policies during a traffic stop. The officer witnessed child abuse but failed to report it. Because of this failure, the three-year-old died in a drug-fueled car crash a month later. He had served with the FMP for five years, and during this time he was placed on administrative leave once for a police shooting. An internal investigation found that the shooting was justified.

Four years later, the same individual found himself in trouble again – this time as a deputy in a different county. He had been charged with violating civil rights and obstructing justice, and these charges stemmed from an incident involving excessive force. Although a mistrial was declared in November, he was found guilty in February and sentenced to 33 months in federal prison by May of 2025.

The excessive force incident occurred in 2023, and it involved a handcuffed suspect. The entire debacle was caught on the officer’s bodycam. After being led to the rear of the vehicle by the officer, the handcuffed individual attempted to start a conversation. After the suspect repeatedly tried to speak, the officer threw the man to the ground. Because the individual’s arms were behind his back, he was unable to cushion his fall.

As a result, the victim fell unconscious after his chin hit the road. After the incident, the officer yelled at the victim. He then wrote a fake incident report in an attempt to hide his misconduct.

It is unclear whether the suspect in this case eventually faced charges. However, police officers and prosecutors often drop charges in situations like these for obvious reasons. This is why it always makes sense to talk about your experiences if you believe your rights were violated. Once this information comes to light, you may be able to walk free.

Can a Fort Myers Criminal Defense Attorney Help Me? 

A Fort Myers criminal defense attorney may be able to help if you believe your constitutional rights have been violated. If you have been charged with a crime, these constitutional violations could form the basis of an effective defense strategy. In other words, you could escape charges if you can prove that an arresting officer broke the law or violated your rights in some way. To learn more, contact The Foley & Wilson Law firm today.

Sources: 

news-press.com/story/news/crime/2025/05/13/ex-hendry-county-sheriffs-deputy-gets-federal-prison-for-use-of-force/83598355007/

gulfcoastnewsnow.com/article/fmpd-officer-fired-after-investigation-into-controversial-drug-traffic-stop/46731736