State Attorney’s Office files charges against men charged with killing Cape resident
By TIFFANY REPECKI
trepecki@breezenewspapers.com
The State Attorney’s Office has filed charges against two men accused of fatally shooting a Cape Coral man during a home invasion robbery.
Terry Frank Ragland Jr., 27, and Timothy Wayne Tuttle Jr., 22, were each charged Thursday with one count of second-degree murder with a firearm, one count of attempted home invasion robbery-firearm causing death or great bodily harm, and one count of first-degree burglary while armed.
“Based on the facts and evidence, these are the charges supported by Florida law,” Samantha Syoen, a spokeswoman for the State Attorney’s Office, said.
Both men are facing a maximum sentence of life in prison.
On July 10 at about 2 a.m., Ragland and Tuttle entered the home of Eric Leigh Stuebinger, 28, located at 511 N.W. Second Ave. According to police and court records, the two men were wearing masks and demanded money and drugs from Stuebinger. He fought back, pulling the mask off Tuttle.
Stuebinger was beaten, zapped with a Taser and then shot. Family friends reported that he died from a gunshot to his torso. According to officials, the two men fled the scene in a truck, driven by a 14-year-old boy. The teen had known Stuebinger through his father and pointed out the house for the two.
It was not immediately known if the teen will be charged in the incident.
Ragland was arrested July 17 and a warrant was issued for Tuttle’s arrest. After a local manhunt that lasted about 24 hours and covered the San Carlos Park area north toward Southwest Florida International Airport, Tuttle was captured July 21. Two tipsters called authorities on the day he was located.
During the manhunt, two people were arrested and charged for allegedly helping Tuttle by providing money, water and food, even after they were warned not to. Carl Robert Dugo, 24, and Sarah Christine Lampila, 22, are facing one count of accessory after-the-fact to second-degree murder.
Syoen reported Thursday that no charges have been filed by the state against Dugo and Lampila.
“Those cases are still being reviewed,” she said.
Dugo and Lampila each have a court date set for Aug. 23.
There was a woman, Jamie Thorpe, and a toddler, Eli, present during the home invasion robbery. According to official records, neither were injured during the incident. Eli is the son of Stuebinger and Thorpe. Stuebinger also left behind an 8-year-old son, Brenden, whose mother is Nikki Christmas.
Assistant State Attorney Marie Doerr is prosecuting the case.
According to officials, authorities located marijuana, prescription pills and cocaine inside Stuebinger’s house during a search after the home invasion.
Valli Finney contributed to this story. Contact news@breezenewspapers.com.