William Ward, 53, of Fort Myers, was adjudicated guilty and sentenced to 12 years in prison for drug charges. His charges are two counts of Possession of Cocaine with Intent, and two
counts of Sale of a Controlled Substance within 1,000 ft. of a Public Park.
On the day of trial, the defendant did an open plea to the court, giving up his right to a trial, and was directly sentenced by the Honorable Judge Nicholas Thompson. An open plea is not a plea agreement. Ward was sentenced as a Habitual Felony Offender.
In September 2019, the defendant was outside of a convenience store in Fort Myers when he was approached by two undercover officers with the Fort Myers Police Department. Ward told them he could take them to a place to buy drugs. He then got in their car and showed them the way to a residence and then assisted in a drug sale. He then told the undercover officers if they wanted more, to come back, and ask for him. The officers did that about a week later and the defendant again sold them drugs. Ward was then arrested.
Assistant State Attorney Bryce Becker prosecuted the case.