Naples Mayor releases statement following second arrest

NAPLES, Fla. (WINK) — Naples Mayor Teresa Heitmann has released a public statement following her probation violation arrest on Monday.

Heitmann, whose probation stems from a February no-contest plea to a DUI arrest that happened in 2024, was arrested after failing a drug test in March, where she tested positive for cannabinoids.

A judge granted Heitmann a $10,000 bond with restrictions during her first appearance in court Tuesday afternoon.

On Thursday, Heitmann released a statement on her Facebook account saying, “On March 26, 2026, I submitted to a routine drug screening as part of my probation compliance. That test returned a result that I disputed immediately. Without delay, I obtained two additional tests—a urine test and a hair follicle analysis—which both returned negative results.”

Heitmann further added that a warrant for her arrest was issued on April 17 based on the disputed drug screening on March 26. She said she attempted to voluntarily turn herself in to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office but was denied the opportunity to surrender because the sheriff’s office was not ready to process her submission. 

On Monday, Heitmann said the warrant had become active and that she voluntarily turned herself in to law enforcement.

Her statement further adds that she has fully complied with the legal system, stating, “I have complied with every instruction given to me and will continue to comply with every condition of my probation.”

People in Naples have mixed feelings about her arrest. Some say she should resign, others say give her another chance, and some are raising questions about her alleged substance use.

"I would not vote for her, but somebody else might," one Naples resident said.

"If she's the mayor, she overcame the other obstacles. Maybe she could overcome this one, too," another resident said.

Others believe any public official in this situation should step down.

"Any mayor should resign. I mean, part of being in the public eye is being an example," a resident said.

"People who are connected get cut breaks," another resident said.

Some residents expressed concern about potential substance abuse issues.

"You are addicted to something. You need help. You need professional help," one resident said.

Her next court date is May 11 at 9 a.m.