Naples Mayor Teresa Heitmann accepts DUI plea deal, probation begins

Naples Mayor Teresa Heitmann's 2024 DUI case concluded today as a Collier County judge accepted a plea deal between the mayor and the state attorney's office.

Heitmann was arrested in the summer of 2024 after deputies reported she was driving more than twice the legal limit.

After several delays in the trial, the case was scheduled to go before a jury today, but a plea deal was reached just before the trial.

WINK News reporter Maddie Herron was in court to cover the proceedings.

Heitmann's attorney, Derek Verderamo, represented her in court this morning, as the mayor was not present.

He spoke on her behalf regarding the plea deal agreed upon with the state attorney's office.

Heitmann pled no contest to the DUI charge, meaning she did not formally admit guilt but accepted the punishment.

Her sentence includes 12 months of probation, payment of legal fees, and 50 hours of community service.

Additionally, Heitmann's driver's license will be revoked for six months, and an ignition interlock device will be installed in her car.

She is prohibited from consuming alcohol, although it is allowed in her home, and she will undergo random drug and alcohol tests as part of her probation.

Court documents indicate that if Heitmann meets the conditions for six months, she may be eligible to end her probation early.

Judge Rob Crown stated, "I will accept your client's plea of no contest. I find the plea is freely, voluntarily, knowingly entered upon a factual basis in her best interest."

When asked if Mayor Heitmann had any comment, Verderamo replied, "No ma'am."

Heitmann herself did not respond to inquiries, and the City of Naples office was closed for the holiday, preventing further comment on how the plea deal may impact the city.