Fort Myers man who fled court during kidnapping deliberation sentenced to 30 years

Tomas Rodriguez, Fort Myers News-Press
·1 min read
20

A Fort Myers man who fled court in February as the jury deliberated his role in a Bonita Springs kidnapping, one of several co-defendants in a 2021 case, will spend three decades behind bars.

A jury found Therbert Tyrone Sweet, 30, guilty Feb. 8 of two kidnapping counts and possession of a firearm following a two-day trial in Lee County.

During a break in the trial, Sweet left the courtroom and didn't return, the State Attorney's Office said.

Prior:Fort Myers convict on lam arrested in Manatee County

Co-defendant sentenced:Co-defendant in 2021 Bonita Springs kidnapping sentenced in several cases

The court issued a warrant for his arrest and found in Manatee County.

According to an incident report from the Lee County Sheriff's Office, on Feb. 12, 2021, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office received an anonymous 911 call about two people being held hostage in Bonita Springs.

Sweet was among five people arrested in the kidnapping.

What happened in February 2021?

Sweet was armed with a handgun he used to repeatedly threatened Christopher K. Jarvis, 38, according to the report. The three suspects stole several items.

Jarvis and David King, 33, said their hands were zip-tied behind their backs at the residence and left lying on the floor of the garage for hours.

Two other defendants, Michael Kuznezow, 49, and Joshua Bigay, 28, repeatedly threatened them. Bigay was armed with a knife, according to the affidavit.

When deputies arrived, the suspects released Jarvis and King, but threatened them if they talked.

Samantha Syoen spokesperson for the State Attorney's Office, said Sweet wasn't charged with fleeing court.

Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@gannett.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Twitter @TomasFRoBeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran and Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Fort Myers man who fled Bonita Springs kidnapping conviction sentenced