Isaias Soto
•9/14/2026
A former Pop Warner coach from Clewiston is accused of attacking his wife while their children were inside their LaBelle home, according to testimony presented during a pretrial detention hearing Monday. James Melton, 36, faces charges of attempted homicide, kidnapping, tampering with evidence and hindering communication with emergency services. Hendry County detectives said the reported attack happened Sept. 8 at a home on Berwick Circle. According to the arrest report, Melton’s wife woke up to him reportedly repeatedly striking her, choking her and smashing her face into a tile floor and a headboard. Investigators said Melton also was accused of grabbing the woman by the neck, threatening to kill her, taking her cellphone and locking her inside the home. She later escaped, drove to a store and asked for help. Detectives said Melton reportedly attempted to clean blood from the home with hydrogen peroxide. Investigators reported finding blood on the bedroom floor and walls, along with evidence of serious injuries to the woman’s face, head, neck and back. Neighbor Kevin Jacobs said deputies spent hours at the home collecting evidence. “Sheriff’s cars pulled up. They took pictures of the grounds. Took pictures of the garbage,” Jacobs testified. “They stayed in the house a long time.” Family members and friends also testified during the hearing, saying they were surprised by the allegations. The woman’s mother said she and others had urged her daughter to leave Melton for years. “Do I believe he’s been beating the hell out of her? Yes. Can I prove it? No,” she said. Jacobs described Melton as a nice person and said he could not understand what led to the allegations. “I can’t imagine whatever transpired that day or that morning would end up like this,” he said. Melton remains in the Hendry County Jail. The arrest report lists no bond for the kidnapping charge. 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.
