Federal judge sentences Wisconsin man to consecutive life terms for Florida murders
Fort Myers, Florida – United States District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell has sentenced Alex Jared Zwiefelhofer, 27, from Wisconsin, to consecutive life sentences in federal prison. Zwiefelhofer was convicted for a series of serious crimes, including conspiracy to commit robbery and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, robbery interfering with commerce, discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence which resulted in death, conspiring to kill persons in a foreign country, and a violation of the Neutrality Act. In addition to the life sentences, Zwiefelhofer has been ordered to pay restitution of $10,886 to the family members of the victims. A jury found him guilty on March 8, 2024.
Details of the Crimes
Testimony presented during the trial revealed the gruesome details of the crimes. On April 10, 2018, two individuals, S.L., Jr. and D.L., were discovered dead in Estero, Florida, having suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the head and body. The couple had traveled from Brooksville, Florida to Estero to purchase several firearms listed for sale on a website known as Armslist. However, the transaction turned deadly when Zwiefelhofer, identified as one of the assailants, murdered the couple during an armed robbery, stealing the $3,000 the couple had brought for the purchase.
Zwiefelhofer’s Motives and Background
Zwiefelhofer, a former U.S. Army soldier who went AWOL, had previously fought in Ukraine in 2017. His plan was to fight against the Venezuelan government, and he committed the robbery to fund his travel to Venezuela. This background underscores the dangerous and volatile nature of Zwiefelhofer’s actions and intentions.
Law Enforcement Response
Zwiefelhofer’s co-defendant, Craig Lang, is awaiting trial. The law enforcement community has been vocal about the importance of this conviction. Special Agent in Charge Matthew Fodor of the FBI Tampa Division stated, “There’s no question that Zwiefelhofer belongs behind bars, and his life sentence guarantees that will happen. When it comes to tackling the violent crime threat, our model is to work together with our state and local law enforcement partners to maximize impact and this case highlights those efforts with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. We will stop at nothing to protect our communities from these threats.”
Justice Served
U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg also emphasized the collaborative effort in bringing Zwiefelhofer to justice. “In collaboration with our law enforcement partners, no stone was left unturned in the investigation and federal prosecution of this case,” Handberg stated. “This defendant committed heinous crimes, and justice was served.”
Investigation and Prosecution
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jesus M. Casas and Michael V. Leeman. Their relentless work ensured that Zwiefelhofer was held accountable for his actions, providing a measure of closure and justice for the victims’ families.
