The Lee County Sheriff’s Office arrested one of its employees accused of tipping off a fentanyl trafficking suspect about his arrest.
Savannah Georges, 26, a civilian warrants clerk, is facing charges for disclosing confidential criminal justice information.
The LCSO says Michael Banks, 35, was under scrutiny by the sheriff’s Narcotics Unit for alleged fentanyl trafficking within Fort Myers. The Narcotics Unit obtained an arrest warrant and search warrants authorized to be executed on Oct. 30.
However, on Oct. 27, the Narcotics Unit supervisor heard information suggesting Banks had been tipped off about the operation. Banks allegedly claimed he was informed by an “insider” within the sheriff’s office. This prompted law enforcement to expedite his arrest to prevent any further interference.
During the arrest, both Banks and his wife were questioned by law enforcement.
According to the sheriff’s office report, Banks confirmed having confidential information about the operation, while Banks' wife identified the alleged informant as Georges.
LCSO reports say Banks' wife showed deputies Facebook messages from Georges, including the planned arrest date, charges and even screenshots of internal emails from the sheriff’s office.
Following this discovery, deputies pulled Georges over outside her house in Lehigh Acres and drove her to the LCSO headquarters for an interview.
There, deputies say she admitted to leaking the confidential details through Facebook Messenger and FaceTime, telling Banks' wife to leave the area before Wednesday and to "put everything up."
According to the sheriff’s office, Georges acknowledged during questioning that she was aware of the confidentiality policies and admitted to intentionally violating them.
A search of Georges’ house in Lehigh Acres led to the seizure of multiple electronic devices believed to contain evidence of the information leak.
Based on the investigation, the LCSO arrested Georges.
"Whether civilian or sworn, Sheriff Carmine Marceno takes any criminal allegation seriously when it involves one of our own; and affirms no members of the Lee County Sheriff's Office are above the law," the sheriff's office said in a statement.
The sheriff's office fired Georges, saying Georges began working at the LCSO in 2023 and had no concerning or notable incidents in her employee file.