Former sheriff’s deputy sentenced to 15 years for kidnapping, other charges

Frankie Bybee, a former Bradenton police officer and Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office employee, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison followed by 10 years of probation.

The former law enforcement officer developed a parasitic relationship with a 79-year-old woman who he eventually tried to murder, according to the sheriff’s office. Bybee, 47, used the woman’s bank account information to steal thousands of dollars.

The victim filed a complaint against him and he was placed on administrative leave, but on Jan. 12 deputies responded to a woman’s home after he tried to stage her death as a suicide.

Bybee’s two-week trial resulted in the jury finding him guilty of 12 charges, including kidnapping, fraudulent use of personal identification and exploitation of the elderly.

“Wearing a uniform and having a badge is cherished. If you take it lightly and exploit it, you deserve to be taken to state prison,” said Sheriff Tom Knight. “I agree wholeheartedly with the judge’s decision and I am relieved that Frankie Bybee will no longer be able to victimize another person in our community.”

This story was originally published November 9, 2017 at 4:33 PM with the headline "Former sheriff’s deputy sentenced to 15 years for kidnapping, other charges."