Former Jail Captain Pleads Guilty to Making a False Statement

FORT MYERS, FL—Acting United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Raymond Kugler (59, North Port) today pleaded guilty to making a false statement. Kugler faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison.

According to the plea agreement, on June 24, 2013, special agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Florida Department of Law Enforcement interviewed Kugler, who was the captain of the Desoto County Jail in Desoto County, Florida. The interview was conducted to investigate an allegation made by inmate “J.H.” regarding the 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.

Kugler was questioned by agents regarding his knowledge of the events of May 25, 2013. Specifically, he was asked about his knowledge of the request to transport and decision not to transport inmate J.H. to Desoto Memorial Hospital (DMH) for medical treatment on the evening of May 25, 2013. Kugler denied his knowledge of a request to transport inmate J.H. to DMH, knowing that his statements were false. In fact, Kugler was aware of the request to transport the inmate and willfully and deliberately denied such knowledge to the agents.

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.