FOURTH DEFENDANT CHARGED IN CONNECTION WITH THE
MURDER OF HAINES CITY POLICE OFFICER
Tampa, FL - Acting United States Attorney James R. Klindt today announced the indictment and arrest of Charles Fowler, age 28, of Polk County, for the March 3, 1998 murder of Haines City Police Officer Christopher Todd Horner. If convicted Fowler faces a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment. Fowler will make his initial appearance in federal court this afternoon before Judge Thomas B. McCoun III.
Following the murder of Officer Horner there was an exhaustive investigation and four individuals have now been charged in connection with Officer Horner’s death.
Earlier, Christopher B. Gamble, age 30, of Polk County, was sentenced to life imprisonment plus a consecutive term of 107 years’ imprisonment. On August 11, 2004 Gamble pled guilty to participating in the murder of Officer Horner. Gamble also pled guilty to numerous robberies of businesses and banks in Polk County during 1998 and 1999.
Andre Paige, age 28, of Polk County was also convicted by a jury of participating in Horner’s murder, robbery and firearms charges and sentenced to life in prison plus 60 years’ imprisonment.
In June of this year, Robert Winston, age 27 was convicted by a jury for his role in the murder of Officer Horner. He is scheduled to be sentenced on September 24, 2007.
This investigation was conducted by the Haines City Police Department, Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement(FDLE), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation(FBI). The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney James Muench..
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