Therbert Tyrone Sweet, 30, of Fort Myers, was found guilty as charged with two counts of Kidnapping – Actual Possession of a Firearm, following a two-day trial in Lee County. Today, during a break in the trial, the defendant left the courtroom and did not return. A bench warrant has been issued for his arrest.
The crime happened on February 12, 2021, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office received an anonymous 911 call about two people being held hostage at a residence in Bonita Springs. Numerous deputies responded to the scene.
The investigation determined there were two victims in the home. Both had been meeting up with some people at a residence in the San Carlos Park area. They were then attacked and abducted while standing in a backyard. One victim was bound and blindfolded and put into the backseat of a pick-up truck. He was then robbed. The other victim, who had visual injuries, said he was attacked and put in another truck.
Both victims were zip-tied with their hands behind their backs and left lying on the floor of a garage for hours. When the Lee County Sheriff’s Office arrived on scene, the zip-ties were cut off by a captor. A search warrant was served at the location and evidence was recovered supporting the story told by the victims.
Assistant State Attorney Olivia Ferrell and Assistant State Attorney Jonathan Levy prosecuted the case. Three co-defendants have pending cases.
Samantha Syoen – Communications Director, State Attorney’s Office