July 28, 2026

The Punta Gorda Police Department has arrested a local business owner again in connection with an ongoing investigation into an alleged scheme to defraud customers.

On July 24, 2026, officers arrested Kory Cameron Kossick (28), owner of On Tech Repair, located at 318 Tamiami Trail, Suite 217, Punta Gorda. Kossick was charged with Scheme to Defraud following an investigation conducted by the Punta Gorda Police Department.

Since December 2025, the Punta Gorda Police Department has received more than 30 reports from individuals regarding Kossick and his business, On Tech Repair. The investigation remains active, and detectives continue to review additional reports and evidence.

The Punta Gorda Police Department reminds the public to exercise caution when sharing personal information or entrusting electronic devices that contain sensitive data. Consumers are encouraged to protect passwords, personal identification information, and financial information, and to thoroughly research businesses before granting access to their electronic devices.

Anyone who believes they may have been affected by this investigation or has information that may assist detectives is encouraged to contact the Punta Gorda Police Department at (941) 639-4111.

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Posted: June 04, 2026

On May 28, 2026, former Punta Gorda Middle School teacher Dagoberto Miguel Pena was sentenced to 26 years on Florida state charges. The charges included two counts of Lewd Battery, two counts of Soliciting a Student, and one count of Traveling to Meet a Minor. This sentence is in addition to his 60-year federal sentence. The case was taken by Punta Gorda Police Department detectives in 2025 after a Charlotte County Public School District high school student and their parent came forward to report inappropriate sexual behavior. As the investigation progressed, other students came forward with additional claims.

Chief Pamela Smith extends her gratitude to the Punta Gorda Police Department detectives for their diligent efforts during the investigation and prosecution of Pena’s cases. Their collaboration with federal authorities was crucial in ensuring that this individual can no longer endanger children.

April 15, 2026

The Punta Gorda Police Department has arrested Nathan Faust III (29) of Punta Gorda after his vehicle crashed into a playground at the Church of the Good Shepherd at 1800 Shreve Street in Punta Gorda this morning. Faust arrived at the school to drop off two children, ages 2 and 3. Faust reportedly got out of the truck with the three-year-old child to take her into the school, leaving the two-year-old in the vehicle, restrained only by a seat belt. The vehicle began moving forward, traveled approximately 25 yards, went through a ditch and a fence, and ended up in the church playground area. Fortunately, there were no children on the playground at the time of the crash. Faust broke out a window in the vehicle and got the two-year-old child out of the truck. The two-year-old child was uninjured during the crash. Faust then drove the truck out of the playground, returned the two-year-old to the day care, and left the scene of the crash.

Faust was located shortly after the incident and charged with Neglect of a Child without Great Bodily Harm, and Leaving the Scene of a Crash Involving Property Damage. Faust was transported to the Charlotte County Jail, where he was incarcerated.

March 4, 2026

The Punta Gorda Police Special Operations Section and State Investigators from the Division of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (ABT) Bureau of Law Enforcement teamed up on March 4, 2026, for an enforcement sweep in the City of Punta Gorda targeting the sale of alcoholic beverages and tobacco/nicotine products to minors. The operation included compliance checks of six (6) local commercial establishments in the City of Punta Gorda licensed to sell alcoholic beverages. All six (6) establishments were in compliance.

The commercial establishments that were in compliance and DID NOT SELL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES TO A MINOR are:

• Shorty’s Place (306 W. Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda)
• Publix Liquors ( 2310 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda)
• The Celtic Ray (145 E. Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda)
• The Salty Tarpon (408 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda)
• Dollar General (1300 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda)
• PGI Liquor (615 Cross Street, Punta Gorda)

This operation was the result of a continuing partnership between ABT and the Punta Gorda Police Department to curb the illegal sale of alcohol and tobacco/nicotine to minors.

The Punta Gorda Police Department, Drug-Free Charlotte County, and ABT will continue to work constructively with retail establishments where violations occur to ensure that employees are educated regarding Florida law.

Chief Pamela R. Smith urges all individuals to report the illegal sale of alcohol and tobacco to law enforcement. Violations within the incorporated city limits of Punta Gorda can be reported to the Punta Gorda Police Department at (941)639-4111. Operations such as this will continue.

February 25, 2026

Detectives with the Punta Gorda Police Department have arrested a local restaurant manager after an investigation into possession of child pornography.

The investigation centered on Ryan Scott Beagles, 28, the manager of the Golden Corral in Punta Gorda. Detectives determined that Beagles possessed child pornography. Because the discovery involved ten or more images and/or videos depicting child pornography, the charge was enhanced from a third-degree felony to a second-degree felony under Florida law.

Beagles was taken into custody on February 21, 2026, and transported to the Charlotte County Jail for booking. He was released on bond the next day.

The investigation remains open. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Punta Gorda Police Department at (941) 639-4111.

January 28, 2026

On January 27, 2026, members of the Punta Gorda Police Department Special Operations Section, in conjunction with United States Postal Inspectors, executed a lawful search warrant at 24420 Airport Rd, unit #132.  During the search, various narcotics, including methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and Xanax, were located. Spencer Chase (28), the sole occupant of the residence, was placed under arrest at the conclusion of the search and charged with the following:

Trafficking of methamphetamine

Possession of a controlled substance (heroin)

Possession of a controlled substance (cocaine)

Possession of a controlled substance (Alprazolam)

Possession of drug paraphernalia  

January 22, 2026

The Punta Gorda Police Department has arrested Kory Cameron Kossick (28) in connection with the criminal use of personal identification information.

On January 18, 2026, officers arrested Kossick, the owner of On Tech Repair, located at 318 Tamiami Trail, Suite 217, Punta Gorda. Kossick was charged with Criminal Use of Personal Identification Information following an investigation conducted by the Punta Gorda Police Department.

The Punta Gorda Police Department reminds the public to always use caution when sharing personal information or entrusting electronic devices that contain sensitive data. Consumers are encouraged to safeguard passwords, personal identification information, and financial data, and to thoroughly research service providers before allowing access to their devices.

Anyone who believes they may have been affected or who has information related to this investigation is encouraged to contact the Punta Gorda Police Department at (941) 639-4111.

As with all cases, the charge is an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Posted: January 16, 2026

On Thursday, January 15, 2026, members of the Punta Gorda Police Department Special Operations Section conducted an undercover operation in response to information received regarding suspicious activity at a local massage establishment. An undercover officer entered the business and requested a massage. During the encounter, the masseuse offered to engage in sexual activity in exchange for additional payment.

The individual was identified as Yan Fang (DOB 07/25/1983), who was working as a massage therapist at Lucky Spa, located at 525 E. Olympia Avenue, Suite 9. The investigation revealed that Fang did not possess a valid massage therapy license. As a result, she was arrested and charged with solicitation of prostitution and practicing massage therapy without a license.

In response to the operation and arrest Chief Pamela R. Smith stated, “Let me be absolutely clear—illegal massage parlors and the criminal activity tied to them are not welcome in our city. These operations harm our neighborhoods, exploit people, and undermine public safety. This action sends a strong message: if you try to bring this into our community, we will find you, and we will shut you down.” – Chief Pamela R. Smith

December 16, 2025

The Punta Gorda Police Special Operations Section and State Investigators from the Division of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (ABT) Bureau of Law Enforcement teamed up on December 15, 2025, for an enforcement sweep in the City of Punta Gorda targeting the sale of alcoholic beverages and tobacco/nicotine products to minors. The operation included compliance checks of a total of seven (7) local commercial establishments within the City of Punta Gorda licensed to sell alcoholic beverages. All seven (7) establishments were in compliance.

The commercial establishments that were in compliance and DID NOT SELL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES TO A MINOR are:

• CVS (2400 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda)
• Harbor Smokes ( 2310 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda)
• The King of Vape (1826 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda)
• City Vapor (1600 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda)
• Dollar General (1300 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda)
• PGI Liquor (615 Cross Street, Punta Gorda)
• 420 Smoke Shop (205 Wood Street, Punta Gorda)

This operation was the result of a continuing partnership between ABT and the Punta Gorda Police Department to curb the illegal sale of alcohol and tobacco/nicotine to minors.

The Punta Gorda Police Department, Drug-Free Charlotte County, and ABT will continue to work constructively with retail establishments where violations occur to ensure that employees are educated regarding Florida law.

Chief Pamela R. Smith urges all individuals to report the illegal sale of alcohol and tobacco to law enforcement. Violations within the incorporated city limits of Punta Gorda can be reported to the Punta Gorda Police Department at (941)639-4111. Operations such as this will continue.

Posted: December 01, 2025

On Saturday, November 29, 2025, the Punta Gorda Police Department Special Operations Section, with assistance from Punta Gorda Police patrol officers, executed a search warrant at 525 E. Helen Avenue in Punta Gorda. During the search, various narcotics, including methamphetamine, were discovered throughout the residence.

During the warrant execution, five people were arrested. Daniel O’Brien, 45, Jason Millhouse, 40, and Sydney Prewitt, 29, faced charges for Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Daniel Van De Moortel, 39, was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, while Courtney Latrella, 40, was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Violation of Probation.

The Punta Gorda Police Department recently established its Special Operations Section in September this year to address quality-of-life issues in the city. Chief Pamela Smith said, “Our newly formed Special Operations Section exists to boost safety and reassurance in the community. By tackling quality-of-life issues through careful investigations and necessary arrests, we show residents that we’re listening and dedicated to finding solutions whenever we can.”

“Our newly formed Special Operations Section exists to boost safety and reassurance in the community. By tackling quality-of-life issues through careful investigations and necessary arrests, we show residents that we’re listening and dedicated to finding solutions whenever we can.”

Punta Gorda Police Chief Pamela Smith