A Palm Beach County sheriff’s deputy failed to act on allegations that Wade Wilson, a convicted killer, assaulted a woman months before he murdered two Cape Coral women in 2019.
Last month, a Lee County jury recommended the death penalty for Wilson, 30, from Fort Myers, with votes of 9-3 and 10-2 for each victim. On June 12, the jury convicted Wilson of killing Kristine Melton, 35, and Diane Ruiz, 43, along with other related charges.
A 21-page report from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office details a February 2019 incident involving Wilson. Authorities did not find enough evidence to arrest him.
The victim told deputies that on February 19, 2019, she argued with her ex-boyfriend, Wilson, about him going to rehab. Initially, Wilson agreed to go, but he changed his mind while driving to her mother’s home to get money. He demanded she pawn her laptop, but they were unsuccessful at several pawn shops.
Wilson became angry and started choking her, leaving bruises on her neck. He then hit her, used a pocket knife to cut her T-shirt and bra, and blindfolded her. He drove for two hours, sold her phone for $50, and tied her hands and feet with a belt, attempting to silence her with a plastic bag.
Eventually, Wilson let her use a restroom at a gas station before driving to another gas station, where he left in a different car. The woman then drove to her mother’s house and called the police. Deputies collected evidence but did not find the pocket knife.
Detective Louis Potter took over the investigation. When he asked the victim to contact Wilson, she refused but admitted emailing him. Potter asked her to stop contacting Wilson until authorities spoke with him.
On February 23, 2019, Brittney Lozada told Potter that Wilson was staying at her place without her consent. When Wilson arrived at the sheriff’s office, he claimed he was a personal trainer and did not mention tying or blindfolding the woman. He agreed to give a saliva sample and spoke to the victim in Potter’s presence.
Potter concluded the case lacked witnesses and evidence, so it became inactive. There is no record of disciplinary action against Potter.
Wilson’s sentencing is set for July 23. His legal team has requested a new trial or acquittal. Wilson also faces charges for attempting a jail escape and drug trafficking while in custody.