Fort Myers, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces that a federal jury today found Elizabeth Kuc (47, North Fort Myers) guilty of one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, including cocaine base, fentanyl, and heroin, and two counts of distributing controlled substances. Kuc faces a maximum penalty of 40 years in federal prison for the conspiracy charge and up to 20 years’ imprisonment for each count of distributing controlled substances. Her sentencing hearing has been set for January 13, 2020. 

According to court documents and evidence at trial, Kuc, who was known by various other names, including “Auntie,” was a dealer working for a large drug distribution ring operating for years in the Suncoast Estates neighborhood of North Fort Myers.  The organization was headed and supplied by Tony Wilson, Jr. (also known as “Big Homie” and “Caine”) and occupied several houses and trailer homes in Suncoast Estates. Inside those residences, dealers worked side-by-side to distribute drugs to customers. During the investigation, law enforcement conducted dozens of undercover drug purchases from dealers at the drug houses. Agents also executed multiple search warrants resulting in the seizure of tens of thousands of dollars, multiple firearms, and large quantities of crack cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl. The evidence showed that the organization often generated more than $10,000 per day in sales. Kuc’s residence in Suncoast Estates was often used to manufacture and store the crack cocaine before it was distributed among the nearby houses.

Seventeen others previously pleaded guilty for their roles in the drug ring: 

Name

Charge(s)

Case Status



Tony Wilson, Jr.

(31, Lehigh Acres)





Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances; distribution of controlled substances; and firearms offenses





Pleaded guilty, faces up to life in federal prison.





Monique Moore

(47, North Fort Myers)





Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances





Pleaded guilty, faces up to life in federal prison.





Patrick Graham

(25, Labelle)





Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances





Pleaded guilty, faces up to 40 years in federal prison.





Michael Perez

(38, North Fort Myers)





Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances





Pleaded guilty, faces up to 40 years in federal prison.





James Estrella

(50, North Fort Myers)





Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances





Pleaded guilty, faces up to 40 years in federal prison.





Danielle Hallmon

(32, Pine Island)





Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances





Pleaded guilty, faces up to 40 years in federal prison.





Dorothy Rochford

(27, North Fort Myers)





Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances





Pleaded guilty, faces up to 40 years in federal prison.





Darniel Williams

(24, Labelle)





Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances





Pleaded guilty, faces up to 40 years in federal prison.





Kenneth Tippins

(48, North Fort Myers)





Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances





Pleaded guilty, faces up to 40 years in federal prison.





Eileen Smith

(22, Labelle)





Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances





Pleaded guilty, faces up to 40 years in federal prison.





Malik Timbers

(26, St. Petersburg)





Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances





Pleaded guilty, faces up to 40 years in federal prison.





Christopher Connor

(30, Labelle)





Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances





Pleaded guilty, faces up to 20 years in federal prison.





William Thomas

(26, Labelle)





Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of controlled substances





Pleaded guilty, faces up to 40 years in federal prison.





Tyrome Wright

(46, North Fort Myers)





Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of controlled substances





Pleaded guilty, faces up to 40 years 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.





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.



 

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.

Fort Myers, Florida – Tony Wilson, Jr. (31, Lehigh Acres) has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, including cocaine base, fentanyl, heroin, and multiple firearms charges. Wilson faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to court documents, from 2013 through 2018, Wilson, known a/k/a “Big Homie” and “Caine,” was the head of a large-scale drug distribution ring operating in the Suncoast Estates neighborhood of North Fort Myers. The drug organization occupied several houses and trailer homes in the neighborhood, inside which dealers worked side-by-side to distribute controlled substances to customers.

During the investigation, law enforcement officers conducted dozens of undercover drug purchases from the dealers at the drug houses. They also executed multiple search warrants resulting in the seizure of tens of thousands of dollars in cash, multiple firearms, and large quantities of cocaine base, heroin, and fentanyl. Investigators believe that the organization often generated more than $10,000 per day in sales.

To date, eighteen members of the ring have been federally charged. Wilson is the fourteenth member to plead guilty.

The following is a list of individuals who have been charged in connection with this case:

Name

Charge(s)

Status



Tony Wilson, Jr.

(31, Lehigh Acres)





Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, distribution of controlled substances, and firearms offenses.





Pleaded guilty, faces up to life in federal prison.





Monique Moore

(47, North Fort Myers)





Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.





Pleaded guilty, faces up to life in federal prison.





Patrick Graham

(25, Labelle)





Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.





Pleaded guilty, faces up to 40 years in federal prison.





Michael Perez

(38, North Fort Myers)





Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.





Pleaded guilty, faces up to 40 years in federal prison.





James Estrella

(50, North Fort Myers)





Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.





Pleaded guilty, faces up to 40 years in federal prison.





Danielle Hallmon

(32, Pine Island)





Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.





Pleaded guilty, faces up to 40 years in federal prison.





Dorothy Rochford

(27, North Fort Myers)





Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.





Pleaded guilty, faces up to 40 years in federal prison.





Darniel Williams

(24, Labelle)





Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.





Pleaded guilty, faces up to 40 years in federal prison.





Kenneth Tippins

(48, North Fort Myers)





Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.





Pleaded guilty, faces up to 40 years in federal prison.





Eileen Smith

(22, Labelle)





Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.





Pleaded guilty, faces up to 40 years in federal prison.





Malik Timbers

(26, St. Petersburg)





Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.





Pleaded guilty, faces up to 40 years in federal prison.





Christopher Connor

(30, Labelle)





Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.





Pleaded guilty, faces up to 20 years in federal prison.





William Thomas

(26, Labelle)





Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of controlled substances.





Trial scheduled for August 19, 2019; he faces up to 40 years in federal prison.





Tyrome Wright

(46, North Fort Myers)





Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of controlled substances.





Trial scheduled for August 19, 2019; he faces up to 40 years in federal prison.





Jeffrey Beard, II

(29, Labelle)





Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of controlled substances.





Trial scheduled for August 19, 2019; he faces up to 40 years in federal prison.





Elizabeth Kuc

(47, North Fort Myers)





Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of controlled substances.





Trial scheduled for August 19, 2019; she faces up to 40 years in federal prison.





Michelle Gladys

(49, North Fort Myers)





Possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance.





Sentenced to 33 months in federal prison.





Samantha Badger

(23, North Fort Myers)





Possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance.





Sentenced to 15 months 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.