BREAKING NEWS
DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office is conducting an active search investigation for Ryan Lee Pope, who was released on bond from the courts for aggravated battery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, fleeing from law enforcement and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. Last night our Narcotics Division conducted a traffic stop due to an expired registration, which led to Pope intentionally ramming into one of our detective’s patrol vehicles and fleeing from deputies. The fleeing fugitive eventually crashed the vehicle at NW County Road 661 & NW Coker Street and is now likely running on foot.
Our Criminal Investigative Division Detectives and patrol units continued to search for the dangerous individual all through the night, with assistance from Hardee County Sheriff’s Office law enforcement deputies and K9s. This morning our detectives continue to ramp up search efforts along with the United States Marshals Service.
Sheriff Potter wants to remind you all that the fugitive is still on the run, and we will NOT stop searching until we find him. Sheriff Potter has zero tolerance for dangerous individuals with motives to harm our law enforcement deputies, or citizens in our community. If you have any information regarding this active incident, please call or text DCSO at 863-443-4700 or submit an anonymous tip to SWFL Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477).
