Dwight Billings, of Hendry County, has been sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of Battery, Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle, Kidnapping, and Robbery. Billings was sentenced as a Prison Releasee Reoffender and a Habitual Felony Offender due to his prior criminal history.
The violent crimes occurred in August 2022 in rural Hendry County. According to the State Attorney’s Office, Billings argued with the victim at a cabin. When the victim stated she was leaving, Billings took her car keys. As the victim walked away along a roadway, Billings followed her in her car, repeatedly asking her to get in. When she refused, he forcibly grabbed her by her hair, dragged her to the vehicle, and shoved her inside. He then attempted to take her phone, biting her when she resisted, before successfully taking and breaking the device. Billings then battered the victim and drove her back to the cabin, where he threatened her and refused to let her leave.
The following morning, when the victim tried to go to her car, Billings again threatened her and forced her into the vehicle. He drove erratically for miles before eventually dropping her off outside a motel in LaBelle and driving away.
The victim was subsequently able to contact the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office. Their investigation led to the location and arrest of Billings. Assistant State Attorneys Kyle Bermingham and Haylie Gutierrez successfully prosecuted the case.
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