Two men sentenced after no contest pleas in Fort Myers kidnapping and robbery case

Two men have been sentenced after pleading no contest in a Fort Myers kidnapping and robbery case that led to the arrests of three people in 2025. According to Lee County court records, Dustin Taylor and Dave Paul both entered no-contest pleas earlier this month, avoiding separate trials. Gulf Coast News was in the courtroom on Thursday when a judge handed down their sentences. Charges against a third defendant, Juliann Tyler, were dropped. Investigators with the Lee County Sheriff's Office said the case began after a man reported being robbed of jewelry, restrained with duct tape and forced into a vehicle. Deputies said the suspects drove the victim's car to the victim's home, where additional property was taken. Authorities arrested Taylor, Paul and Tyler during the investigation. The victim later identified Taylor in a photo lineup, according to investigators. Dustin Taylor sentenced to 15 years Dustin Taylor, 29, pleaded no contest to all charges in the case. A judge sentenced Taylor to 15 years in the Florida Department of Corrections. Taylor was originally arrested on charges of robbery with a firearm, carjacking with a weapon, kidnapping, grand theft and burglary. His no-contest plea resolved the case without a trial. Dave Paul sentenced to prison, probation A judge sentenced Paul to 60 months in the Florida Department of Corrections, followed by 120 months of probation, after an earlier no-contest plea. Under the sentence, Paul may petition for early termination of probation after 60 months if he has no violations and satisfies all court-ordered conditions. Paul was originally arrested on charges including robbery with a firearm, carjacking with a weapon, kidnapping, grand theft, burglary and possession of a controlled substance. Before his sentencing, Paul's girlfriend told Gulf Coast News she believes he "was not as involved as investigators say he was." She said Taylor, her cousin and two other men, whom she identified only by nicknames, planned to steal the victim's drugs. She said Paul happened to be at her apartment when the incident unfolded and described him as "a good kid" who had never previously been in trouble with law enforcement. Those statements have not been substantiated in court, and investigators previously accused Paul of participating in the robbery and kidnapping before the no-contest plea and sentencing. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV