Two charged with accessory after the fact to second degree murder
Two people have been arrested on charges of accessory after the fact to second degree murder for providing assistance to a man wanted in a home invasion homicide in Cape Coral, officials said.
Carl Robert Dugo, 24, and Sarah Christine Lampila, 22, were arrested after it was determined they willingly continued to provide money and water to murder suspect Timothy Tuttle, 22, after they had been warned of possible criminal charges if they did so, Lee County Sheriff’s Office officials said in a prepared statement.
The US Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force in conjunction with the Cape Coral Police Department received at 3608 Unique Circle, Fort Myers. Task force investigators spoke with Dugo and Lampila and advised them that if further assistance was given to Tuttle, they would each face charges of accessory after the fact to second degree murder.
On Tuesday, members of the task force observed a passenger exit a vehicle being driven by Dugo after Dugo had driven the vehicle into the woods. This passenger was identified by task force members as Timothy Tuttle. Task force members attempted to take Tuttle into custody but he fled. A perimeter was quickly established. The Fort Myers Police Department K-9 Unit, and the Collier County K-9 and aviation units assisted the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the US Marshals Task Force in the search for Tuttle, but he was not located.
Task force members met with Dugo and Lampila. Each identified the male that had exited Dugo’s vehicle as Timothy Tuttle. The investigation revealed that in spite of being advised of possible criminal charges the day before, Dugo and Lampila had met with Tuttle to provide him with money and water, officials said.
Dugo and Lampila are being booked into the Lee County Jail.
Tuttle is wanted in the death of Eric Leigh Stuebinger, 28, who was was beaten, Tasered and shot to death in his N.W. 2nd Avenue home last Saturday by two masked men who demanded drugs and money.
Terry F. Ragland Jr., 26, of 314 Morgan Circle, Lehigh Acres, has been charged him with murder in connection with the crime. A warrant has been issued for Tuttle.
The search for Tuttle is continues this morning.
Police and K-9 patrols are searching the area near Jetport Loop where a command center/media staging area has been set up at Global Parkway.
Police are stopping and searching vehicles in the area and have asked that there be no stopping, standing or parking on medians, sidewalks or roadways around the established perimeter of the search scene.
Officials said earlier that Tuttle should be considered armed and dangerous.