Fort Myers man wanted after skipping court following arrest for trying to meet with minor

A Fort Myers man is wanted after failing to show up in court following an arrest for traveling to meet a minor.

According to Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers, Bodler Laplante, 35, was on a social media app where he connected with a boy who made it clear he was only 14. The two exchanged provocative pictures and texts and then planned to meet up to engage in sexual activity.

Laplante arrived at the meet-up location and was met by detectives who revealed themselves as the boy he had been messaging with, Crime Stoppers said. He was arrested and released the next day on the condition of showing up for all subsequent court hearings.

Laplante failed to appear, forfeiting a $50,000 bond and triggering a new warrant for his arrest, according to Crime Stoppers.

Laplante is 6'3", weighs 215 pounds, and was last known to be in the central Fort Myers area.

If you have information in this case, you are asked to contact Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477), on the P3 app, or on its website. You can remain anonymous, and if your tip leads to an arrest, you may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000.