A former Lee County deputy has received his sentence after pleading no contest to charges for shooting into a jewelry store in Lehigh Acres.
Michael Soto was arrested in August 2024 for the shooting that happened at the Gold Forever Jewelry store a couple of months prior in June.
A couple of weeks ago, Soto pleaded no contest to the charges of discharging a firearm from a vehicle within 1,000 feet of any person and shooting into a public or private building.
The state and Soto agreed to the following in the plea deal:
- Soto would be adjudicated guilty
- He will serve 180 days in the Lee County Jail, followed by 72 months of probation
- Soto will pay court costs and restitution that will be determined
- Forefeit his firearm to the Lee County Sheriff's Office
- Attend anger management classes
- Attend substance abuse evaluation and mental health evaluation and follow recommendations
- Not possess or consume illegal drugs, alcohol, or unprescribed medication
- Undergo random drug screenings
- He will not trespass at the Lee Boulevard location at which the crime occurred.
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