WAFC Local News – February 12, 2026, 8:32 AM
Transcript
I’m Charles Murphy reporting. A LaBelle steakhouse owner is facing charges of raping a 19-year-old girl. 46-year-old Eric Mattis is accused of buying a drink for the 19-year-old at a bar in Fort Myers. The victim recalled the beverage being whiskey. After a few minutes, she reported she did not feel well and felt as though her body became numb. Mattis is accused of transporting the victim to his steakhouse in LaBelle, telling her she could rest in his room. She later woke up discovering the suspect sexually battering her, according to the Arrest Affidavit. Henry County Sheriff Deputies continued to investigate. During a search warrant, they located a firearm and several rounds of ammunition. Another victim reported in November of 2025 a similar series of events. Mattis was ordered held without no bond, awaiting his first appearance. He is arrested on two counts of sexual battery, kidnapping, and possession of firearm or ammunition by a felon. Prosecutors continue to earn convictions against members of the Sir 13 gang in southwest Florida. Frankton Guillen Lara was among 25 arrested in the past three years. He was convicted of related fentanyl and methamphetamine trafficking and conspiracy charges at a trial last week. He faces up to 125 years behind bars. They also arrested Efren Beroman on Henry County warrants just last week. They allege these gang members brought in hundreds of pounds of narcotics to Florida and enough fentanyl to kill 10 million people. Attorney General James Uthmire says they take fentanyl seriously. Fentanyl is the new warfare. Fentanyl was top of mind. It is getting into communities that are not drug using communities. It’s getting into kids that are not drug using kids. It’s laced in lesser drugs like marijuana and it kills people in very small doses. David Weathers at the Henry County Sheriff’s Office says this was a two year operation with one purpose. Through shared intelligence, coordinated efforts, and unified mission, this operation came together seamlessly. The Henry County extends its sincere appreciation to our partner agencies who made this operation possible. Clueless and a Host, a listening session from Congressman Kat Kamak this Friday night. The Gainesville Republican wants to hear from ranchers and farmers on what they want in the farm bill that’s taking forever in Washington. Kamak is the only member of the Florida congressional delegation that serves on the House Agriculture Committee. They’ve been trying to get a farm bill passed since 2019. The meeting will be on Friday at the John Boy Auditorium starting at 5pm. It’s open course to the public. The Pahokee City Commission delayed hiring a firm that would review the audit findings and solve all their problems that contributed to the city losing millions of dollars. The commission concerned they didn’t know the details of the services the contract would have been capping to spending $10,000. The issue was declaring it an emergency expense. James Scott said he didn’t have enough details to vote on this. How is someone going to tell you exactly what they’re going to charge you? You don’t know how many hours they’re going to have to put in or whatever. How can they bid? I mean bid on what? How am I going to bid to do something when I don’t know how long it’s going to take? Interim City Manager Tammy Busey doesn’t want any micromanagers. It’s been lingering long enough and so what I’m asking you all to do is to trust me to get this done. Ways to help Lake Okeechobee’s health were voiced by different residents at a recent Lake Coalition meeting. Henry County Commissioner Raymond Iglesias says they must have a plan and be ready to demuck the lake should it get low enough in 2026. I’m excited that the lake’s two feet lower. I’m excited that we’ve gotten a lot of grass back. A lot of the fishermen are talking about it. Water’s clearing up but I’m here to tell you it is temporary. If we don’t do something with the muck on the bottom of this lake, it’s just going to die. I’m Charles Murphy, WAFC News.
Recorded from the WAFC daily newscast (Glades Media).