Leader of Massive Lee County Drug Ring Sentenced to Life in Prison
Fort Myers, Florida – U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell has sentenced Tony Wilson, Jr. (31, LeHigh Acres) to life in federal prison for conspiring to distribute cocaine base (crack cocaine), heroin, and fentanyl; distribution of fentanyl; and possessing multiple firearms as a convicted felon. The court also sentenced Wilson to a five-year mandatory, consecutive term of imprisonment for possessing a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking offense. Wilson was also ordered to forfeit a gold chain and pendant valued at over $80,000 and tens of thousands of dollars in cash, which were traced to proceeds of the offense.
According to court documents and evidence, Wilson (a/k/a “Big Homie” and “Caine”) was the head of a large drug distribution ring operating from 2013 until 2018 in the Suncoast Estates neighborhood of North Fort Myers, Florida. The organization occupied several houses and trailer homes in Suncoast Estates, inside which dealers worked side-by-side to distribute controlled substances to customers. The organization also used other homes (so-called “safe houses”) in Suncoast to store bulk drugs and proceeds, and to manufacture crack cocaine for distribution.
During its investigation of the ring, law enforcement conducted dozens of undercover drug purchases from Wilson’s dealers in Suncoast. They also executed multiple search warrants resulting in the seizure of tens of thousands of dollars, multiple firearms, and large quantities of cocaine base, heroin, and fentanyl. Evidence collected demonstrated that the organization often generated more than $10,000 per day in sales.
To date, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida has secured the convictions of 18 members of the conspiracy. Wilson, its leader, is the 16th to be sentenced. The following is a list of defendants who have been charged in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Fort Myers Division, including the status of their prosecution:
|
Defendant |
Charge(s) |
Case Status |
|
Tony Wilson, Jr. (31, Lehigh Acres) |
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, distribution of controlled substances, and firearms offenses |
Sentenced to life in prison, plus five years |
|
Elizabeth Kuc (47, North Fort Myers) |
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of controlled substances |
Sentenced to 30 years in federal prison |
|
William Thomas (26, Labelle) |
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of controlled substances |
Sentenced to 24+ years in federal prison |
|
Eileen Smith (22, Labelle) |
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances |
Sentenced to 13 years in federal prison |
|
Tyrome Wright (46, North Fort Myers) |
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of controlled substances |
Sentenced to 12+ years in federal prison |
|
Darniel Williams (24, Labelle) |
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances |
Sentenced to 11+ years in federal prison |
|
Michael Perez (38, North Fort Myers) |
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances |
Sentenced to 11+ years in federal prison |
|
Patrick Graham (25, Labelle) |
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances |
Sentenced to 5+ years in federal prison |
|
Danielle Hallmon (32, Bokeelia) |
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances |
Sentenced to 10+ years in federal prison |
|
Malik Timbers (26, St. Petersburg) |
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances |
Sentenced to 10+ years in federal prison |
|
Kenneth Tippins (48, North Fort Myers) |
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances |
Sentenced to 9+ years in federal prison |
|
James Estrella (50, North Fort Myers) |
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances |
Sentenced to 8+ years in federal prison |
|
Christopher Connor (30, Labelle) |
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances |
Sentenced to 7+ years in federal prison |
|
Dorothy Rochford (27, North Fort Myers) |
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances |
Sentenced to 6 years in federal prison |
|
Michelle Gladys (49, North Fort Myers) |
Distribution of a controlled substance |
Sentenced to 33 months in federal prison |
|
Samantha Badger (23, North Fort Myers) |
Distribution of a controlled substance |
Sentenced to 15 months in federal prison |
|
Jeffrey Beard, II (29, Labelle) |
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of controlled substances |
Pleaded guilty, faces up to 40 years in federal prison |
|
Monique Moore (47, North Fort Myers) |
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances |
Pleaded guilty, faces up to life in federal prison |
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael Leeman and Trent Reichling.
