Man receives 2 life sentences after hostage incident in Port Charlotte home

A man has received two life sentences after holding two women hostage in a Port Charlotte home.

Following a three-day trial in Charlotte County, Jason Ritenour was sentenced on Wednesday afternoon immediately after being convicted of two counts of kidnapping.

In 2023, the Ritenour held two women hostage inside a Port Charlotte home for almost 12 hours, barricading himself and the victims inside.

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The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office and Sarasota County SWAT team were on scene and were able to safely get the hostages out when one of the victims was allowed outside to retrieve a package Ritenour had demanded.

Law enforcement used that opportunity to get inside the home and end the stand-off.