FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Fox 4 has learned two dozen defendant cases were dropped in connection to a former confidential informant for the Fort Myers Police Department. This all stems from the federal rights civil lawsuit surrounding the FMPD, the city of Fort Myers, and an Assistant State Attorney.
“It makes our community less safe than it otherwise could be,” said Peter Dennis, Attorney.
24 defendants had their criminal charges dropped after a compromised confidential informant within FMPD worked their cases. The confidential informant or C.I. Vicki Neese is listed as a witness in many of the cases.
“In my years practicing law in the community I’ve never seen something like this, certainly not to this magnitude,” said Dennis.
Fox 4 told you last month how two former suspects in undercover operations involving Neese are now suing the city of Fort Myers, FMPD, and an Assistant State Attorney stating civil rights violations. The suit claims Neese performed a sex act during an operation, but FMPD kept using her as a CI in other stings.
“Everything is very intertwined in the criminal justice system so, one bad actor can lead to a bunch of consequences down the road,” said Dennis.
Fox 4 examined the cases dropped which stem all the way back to 2016. Most of the cases involved drug trafficking and possession, but one case centered around a sex offender. His drug charges were dropped and allowed to walk free.
“It's an accountability issue, and realizing that those people must be held accountable, for the consequences we all will feel as a community,” said Dennis.
Fox 4 reached out to both FMPD and the State Attorney’s office for comment, the State Attorney's office declined because it’s an active investigation.
