A California attorney, now living in Safety Harbor, could be sentenced to death for killing his ex-wife seven years ago.
US Marshals and local law enforcers teamed up Friday night to arrest Lonnie Kocontes, 55, in Pasco County. He is charged with killing his ex-wife, Micki Kanesaki, for financial gain. Orange County District Attorney Chief of Staff Susan Kang Schroeder said Kocontes killed Kanesaki on a May 2006 cruise around Italy.
"Mr. Kocontes is accused of strangling his wife and then throwing her body overboard," said Schroeder.
FBI agents later discovered more than $1 million in illegal money transfers. Schroeder said Kocontes attempted to move the money from his ex-wife's accounts to accounts he set up with his new wife. The US Attorney's Office seized the money and the Orange County District Attorney's office began investigating the connection between the forfeiture and Kanesaki's death.
"We have charged a special circumstances first degree murder, which has a minimum penalty of life without the possibility of parole and with a special allegation that he did it for financial gain," said Schroeder.
Kocontes is eligible for the death penalty, according to Schroeder.
Four months after Kanesaki's body washed up on an Italian beach, Kocontes purchased a home in Safety Harbor, according to Pinellas County Property records. Neighbors said Kocontes spent time serving on the Cypress Hollow Homeowners Association board. Gary Schaaf said some neighbors were aware of allegations against Kocontes before he was arrested because they read articles about him online.
"A simple Google search revealed a lot of things," said Schaaf. "You had to expect something might happen, so it was always in the back of our minds."
Kocontes previously served two stints in prison for burglary and drug charges. He was also charged with sexual acts and lewd conduct on a child under 16. That charge was later dropped after the girl became too distraught to testify, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Kocontes is being held without bail at the Pasco County Jail. Schroeder said the Orange County District Attorney's office wants to extradite him to California for prosecution.
Monday, May 20 2013 12:54 PM EDT2013-05-20 16:54:08 GMT
A member of MacDill Air Force's medical operations squadron died in a traffic accident, officials from the base said in a statement Monday. Staff Sgt. Cheryl Westbrook was driving in the center lane on
A member of MacDill Air Force's medical operations squadron died in a traffic accident, officials from the base said in a statement Monday.
Monday, May 20 2013 12:40 PM EDT2013-05-20 16:40:22 GMT
Police identified the man who robbed an off-duty Polk County Sheriff's deputy, and got a warrant for his arrest. They consider him armed and dangerous. Winter Haven police officers said, Damarius Antwun
Police identified the man who robbed an off-duty Polk County Sheriff's deputy, and got a warrant for his arrest. They consider him armed and dangerous. Winter Haven police officers said, Damarius Antwun
Monday, May 20 2013 12:37 PM EDT2013-05-20 16:37:39 GMT
Today, Governor Rick Scott signed the 2013-2014 Florida Families First Budget. Below is Governor Scott's letter to Secretary Detzner, followed by links to budget highlights.
Today, Governor Rick Scott signed the 2013-2014 Florida Families First Budget. Below is Governor Scott's letter to Secretary Detzner, followed by links to budget highlights.
Monday, May 20 2013 9:51 AM EDT2013-05-20 13:51:13 GMT
A bartender at a pub in Indian Rocks Beach got stabbed on Sunday evening after refusing to serve a customer who was already intoxicated, Pinellas County Sheriff's Office deputies told us.
A bartender at a pub in Indian Rocks Beach got stabbed on Sunday evening after refusing to serve a customer who was already intoxicated, Pinellas County Sheriff's Office deputies told us.
Friday, May 17 2013 7:36 AM EDT2013-05-17 11:36:31 GMT
As the news of Angelina Jolie brings awareness to the fight against breast cancer there is a major medical breakthrough thanks to a nationwide study with the largest number of participants at USF.
As the news of Angelina Jolie brings awareness to the fight against breast cancer there is a major medical breakthrough thanks to a nationwide study with the largest number of participants at USF.
Friday, May 17 2013 5:00 AM EDT2013-05-17 09:00:46 GMT
Teacher supplies can be very expensive. Ask any teacher they will tell you it's true. A couple of local educators are doing their best to help cut the cost for the tools teachers use in the classroom. Adrianne
Teacher supplies can be very expensive. Ask any teacher they will tell you it's true. A couple of local educators are doing their best to help cut the cost for the tools teachers use in the classroom. Adrianne
Thursday, May 16 2013 6:00 PM EDT2013-05-16 22:00:27 GMT
They went to school on federally-backed student loans and have now defaulted on them to the tune of $111.5 million dollars. That means taxpayers are on the hook for that money. 895 doctors nationwide
They went to school on federally-backed student loans and have now defaulted on them to the tune of $111.5 million dollars. That means taxpayers are on the hook for that money. 895 doctors nationwide
Thursday, May 16 2013 1:25 PM EDT2013-05-16 17:25:15 GMT
Only two of 13 small SUVs are getting passing grades in front-end crash tests done by an insurance industry group. Popular models such as the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape and Jeep Wrangler received only "marginal"
Only two of 13 small SUVs are getting passing grades in front-end crash tests done by an insurance industry group. Popular models such as the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape and Jeep Wrangler received only "marginal"
Sunday, May 19 2013 9:26 PM EDT2013-05-20 01:26:21 GMT
It's all about the odds, and one single ticket in Zephyrhills, Florida has beaten them all by matching all the numbers to win the highest Powerball jackpot in history at an estimated $590.5 million.
It's all about the odds, and one single ticket in Zephyrhills, Florida has beaten them all by matching all the numbers to win the highest Powerball jackpot in history at an estimated $590.5 million.
Friday, May 17 2013 4:58 PM EDT2013-05-17 20:58:08 GMT
The 'Great May Giveaway' is underway. Now through May 24, you have a chance to win tablets, tickets and more! All this week we're giving away an Apple iPad mini , every weekday morning.
The 'Great May Giveaway' is underway. Now through May 24, you have a chance to win tablets, tickets and more! All this week we're giving away an Apple iPad mini , every weekday morning.
Monday, May 20 2013 9:51 AM EDT2013-05-20 13:51:13 GMT
A bartender at a pub in Indian Rocks Beach got stabbed on Sunday evening after refusing to serve a customer who was already intoxicated, Pinellas County Sheriff's Office deputies told us.
A bartender at a pub in Indian Rocks Beach got stabbed on Sunday evening after refusing to serve a customer who was already intoxicated, Pinellas County Sheriff's Office deputies told us.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:44 AM EDT2013-05-20 09:44:01 GMT
Zack Walker is an 8th grader at Lakeland Montessori He's among the students who plant, tend and watch closely over a small garden outside the Red Door Wine Market in Lakeland.
Zack Walker is an 8th grader at Lakeland Montessori He's among the students who plant, tend and watch closely over a small garden outside the Red Door Wine Market in Lakeland.
Wednesday, May 1 2013 6:01 AM EDT2013-05-01 10:01:55 GMT
More and more people are using social media to vent their gripes about bad customer service. Twitter and Facebook are becoming popular forums for consumers who want their voices heard.
More and more people are using social media to vent their gripes about bad customer service. Twitter and Facebook are becoming popular forums for consumers who want their voices heard.
Sunday, May 19 2013 5:19 PM EDT2013-05-19 21:19:43 GMT
Hank Earl Carr
15 years ago the lives of Tampa Police detectives Randy Bell and Rick Childers, Florida Highway trooper James Crooks and 4-year-old Joey Bennett were cut short.
15 years ago the lives of Tampa Police detectives Randy Bell and Rick Childers, Florida Highway trooper James Crooks and 4-year-old Joey Bennett were cut short.
Saturday, May 18 2013 5:22 PM EDT2013-05-18 21:22:04 GMT
Dr. Reed, Dr. Pilon-Thomas and Dr. Sarnaik of Moffitt Cancer Center receive a check for $150,000 from Rob Shapiro and Jim Sirignano with Swim Across America - Tampa Bay.
Approximately 250 swimmers took to the water at Pier 60 Saturday in Clearwater Beach, in an effort to raise money for Moffitt Cancer Center Swimmers came from all over Tampa Bay.
Approximately 250 swimmers took to the water at Pier 60 Saturday in Clearwater Beach, in an effort to raise money for Moffitt Cancer Center Swimmers came from all over Tampa Bay.
Lonnie Kocontes residence in Safety Harbor
