Former Desoto Corrections Officer Pleads Guilty to Obstruction of Justice

FORT MYERS, FL—Acting United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Vincent Carlucci, Jr. (56, North Port) today pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice. Carlucci, Jr. faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

Carlucci, Jr. was charged by information on December 5, 2013.

According to the plea agreement, on June 5, 2013, Desoto County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Kim Sandoval conducted an interview of Carlucci, Jr., who was a corrections deputy within the Desoto County Jail in Desoto County, Florida. The interview was conducted to investigate an allegation by inmate J.H. regarding violation of his civil rights by individuals acting under the color of law while J.H. was an inmate at the Desoto County Jail on or about May 25, 2013.

Carlucci, Jr. was questioned by Lt. Sandoval about his knowledge of the events of May 25, 2013. Specifically, he was questioned regarding his observations of the actions of Corporal Steven Rizza while in the holding cell with inmate J.H. In response to the questions posed by Lt. Sandoval, Carlucci, Jr. denied seeing Corporal Rizza place his hands on inmate J.H. Carlucci, Jr. made this false statement in an effort to impede the investigation being conducted by Lt. Sandoval, knowing that the statement was false.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Desoto County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jesus M. Casas and Department of Justice Attorney Douglas Kern.