PUNTA GORDA Man accused of shooting man at Punta Gorda motel A man has been arrested after allegedly shooting another man during a physical dispute at a Punta Gorda motel.
What’s open and closed on Christmas Day in SWFL On Christmas Day, many businesses and services are closed, including most retail stores, offices, and government buildings.
NAPLES Celebrating Christmas Eve with the Magic of Lights Across southwest Florida, people have been feeling the Christmas spirit. In Collier County, families at the Magic of Lights experience counted down the minutes to Santa’s arrival in awe of the spectacular display.
FORT MYERS BEACH Beachgoers enjoy Fort Myers Beach on Christmas Eve Whether you’re a full-time Floridian, a snowbird or just vacationing here for Christmas, it was a great day to go to the beach.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA ‘Chrismukkah’; Two major holidays fall on the same day This year Christmas and Hanukkah fall on the same day. Many people of both faiths across our area will participate in the rare opportunity to celebrate both holidays.
FORT MYERS BEACH Smokin’ Oyster Brewery reopens after damage from hurricanes It’s an iconic bar and restaurant on Fort Myers Beach that has been missing since Hurricane Ian destroyed it.
Family of 10 caught in American Airlines tech issue at RSW A family of ten thought they had a good plan to beat the Christmas travel rush at Southwest Florida International Airport.
NAPLES Taking an inside look at the Naples Police Department’s Technical Analysis Center WINK News got an inside look at the new license plate reading technology being used by the Naples Police Department.
CAPE CORAL Facebook post sparks Christmas miracle for Cape Coral family The joy of Christmas for many, especially kids, is seeing gifts under the tree, but for one family, they couldn’t afford not only presents but the bare necessities.
MATLACHA Matlacha businesses bounce back in time for the holidays Matlacha has had its share of damage this year from hurricanes Helene and Milton. While people continue to heal and recover, they’re also looking toward the new year and beyond.
CAPE CORAL Families in Cape Coral forced out of their homes right after the new year As many of us have already made our Christmas lists and checked them twice, dozens of neighbors are just wishing for a warm and safe place to live.
Final rush for holiday food If you are still baking and basting your holiday dish, time is running out.
FORT MYERS Jewelry of the future with AI One Fort Myers jewelry store is taking the art of jewelry making into the future, all with the help of AI.
LEHIGH ACRES 1 person dead after scene at Lehigh Acres home Deputies are in a tense back and forth with a man barricaded inside a home.
PUNTA GORDA Man accused of shooting man at Punta Gorda motel A man has been arrested after allegedly shooting another man during a physical dispute at a Punta Gorda motel.
What’s open and closed on Christmas Day in SWFL On Christmas Day, many businesses and services are closed, including most retail stores, offices, and government buildings.
NAPLES Celebrating Christmas Eve with the Magic of Lights Across southwest Florida, people have been feeling the Christmas spirit. In Collier County, families at the Magic of Lights experience counted down the minutes to Santa’s arrival in awe of the spectacular display.
FORT MYERS BEACH Beachgoers enjoy Fort Myers Beach on Christmas Eve Whether you’re a full-time Floridian, a snowbird or just vacationing here for Christmas, it was a great day to go to the beach.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA ‘Chrismukkah’; Two major holidays fall on the same day This year Christmas and Hanukkah fall on the same day. Many people of both faiths across our area will participate in the rare opportunity to celebrate both holidays.
FORT MYERS BEACH Smokin’ Oyster Brewery reopens after damage from hurricanes It’s an iconic bar and restaurant on Fort Myers Beach that has been missing since Hurricane Ian destroyed it.
Family of 10 caught in American Airlines tech issue at RSW A family of ten thought they had a good plan to beat the Christmas travel rush at Southwest Florida International Airport.
NAPLES Taking an inside look at the Naples Police Department’s Technical Analysis Center WINK News got an inside look at the new license plate reading technology being used by the Naples Police Department.
CAPE CORAL Facebook post sparks Christmas miracle for Cape Coral family The joy of Christmas for many, especially kids, is seeing gifts under the tree, but for one family, they couldn’t afford not only presents but the bare necessities.
MATLACHA Matlacha businesses bounce back in time for the holidays Matlacha has had its share of damage this year from hurricanes Helene and Milton. While people continue to heal and recover, they’re also looking toward the new year and beyond.
CAPE CORAL Families in Cape Coral forced out of their homes right after the new year As many of us have already made our Christmas lists and checked them twice, dozens of neighbors are just wishing for a warm and safe place to live.
Final rush for holiday food If you are still baking and basting your holiday dish, time is running out.
FORT MYERS Jewelry of the future with AI One Fort Myers jewelry store is taking the art of jewelry making into the future, all with the help of AI.
LEHIGH ACRES 1 person dead after scene at Lehigh Acres home Deputies are in a tense back and forth with a man barricaded inside a home.
Credit: WINK News. We’ve seen big gang roundups in Southwest Florida in the past. Most recently, we covered the takedown of the Lake Boyz in Fort Myers. We decided to look back at what’s happened since the 21 arrests that were made back in January 2017. It’s a mixed bag of results: Some found guilty; one off the hook completely for charges faced; and 13 still need to face a jury. Thursday, State Attorney Amira Fox of the 20th Judicial Circuit told us she is confident in the cases going to trial this year. “This group has tormented the good citizens of the Harlem Lakes neighborhood for years,” Fox said. Fox was chief assistant state attorney when the 21 arrests were made two years ago. “Any crime committed while you’re a member of a criminal enterprise can qualify you for a racketeering charge, which … can carry a much more significant sentence,” Fox said. The legal process proved to be anything but clear cut. Year to date, juries have found four accused members not guilty and two accused members guilty of racketeering charges related to Lake Boyz activity and affiliation. “When you do an investigation, working with the state attorney’s office by the time an arrest is made, you’ve already built your case,” Fox said. Attorney Scott Moorey said one reason the state is fighting an uphill battle for convictions is confidential informants are often necessary during investigation but tricky in the courtroom. “The defendant made a choice to become a member of the Lake Boyz and commit crimes with the Lake Boyz,” Moorey said. “The state is asking that you hold the defendant accountable.” One accused member had his charges dropped. One took a plea deal and is waiting for sentencing. Michael Chatman-Dillard and Detron Williams are accused Lake Boyz members. They both violated terms of their pretrial release by being in contact with their co-defendants. Deputies found them just feet away from where a mix-tape party took place in Lehigh Acres just feet away from where a victim was shot and killed. MORE: Building owner cancels lease on tenant after deadly Lehigh shooting Moorey said defendants in the next wave of trials will likely see lesser charges brought against them. But even if they aren’t charged with racketeering, many accused members face all types of other charges. “From a defendant’s standpoint, you can win the battle, lose the war,” Moorey said. “You may be win on 15 of your major counts, not guilty on racketeering but be convicted on one second-degree felony that puts you in 15 years of prison.” PREVIOUS LAKE BOYZ COVERAGE: 4 accused ‘Lake Boyz’ members found not guilty on racketeering, conspiracy charges Accused Lake Boyz member sentenced to 18 years for racketeering charges Lake Boyz member found guilty Fort Myers police delivering initiative letters to accused Lake Boyz