Late this afternoon, Jari McMiller, a member of the Lake Boyz gang, was sentenced to 18 years in prison, followed by 12 years of state probation, for Racketeer Influenced and
Corrupt Organization (R.I.C.O.) Conspiracy. McMiller was convicted following a Lee County trial in June.
Assistant State Attorney J.D. Miller, State Attorney’s Office Economic Crimes Unit Chief, Assistant State Attorney Leena Marcos, and Specially Appointed Assistant State Attorney Bob Lee, prosecuted the case.
This prosecution is part of a joint task force created by State Attorney Amira Fox that involves a law enforcement partnership comprised of members of the State Attorney’s Office, FBI, Fort Myers Police Department, and Lee County Sheriff’s Office. The Lake Boyz gang activities were primarily investigated by the Fort Myers Police Department.
The evidence in this case established that McMiller is one in a group of individuals known as the Lake Boyz, a gang based primarily in Fort Myers. The charge of Racketeering (R.I.C.O) Conspiracy, acknowledges the intention to commit crimes through the group association. Multiple crimes were committed by gang members in different roles, including the sale and distribution of drugs, burglary, auto theft, and homicide.
During the course of the trial, McMiller was implicated as being part of the 2012 Pin Street bowling alley robbery, with other gang members, which involved a car chase and shoot out with civilian victims.
McMiller is the final gang member to be prosecuted following the arrest of 23 gang members in 2017.
“Today’s sentence brings an end to a very detailed investigation and extensive case involving dangerous gang members. I am proud of the hard work of our prosecutors and the Fort Myers Police Department, whose investigation made it possible to prosecute these individuals. The FBI and Lee County Sheriff’s Office also did incredible work on these cases. I am extremely pleased that tonight, this violent chapter in Southwest Florida’s history is closed,” said State Attorney Amira Fox.
Samantha Syoen – Communications Director, State Attorney’s Office