Suspect Surrenders After Dead Lakeland Teen Found: Sheriff

LAKELAND, FL — A 19-year-old suspected of killing an 18-year-old Lakeland teenager turned himself into police on Friday morning, the Sumter County Sheriff's Office said on Facebook.

David Anthony Gracia of Lakeland was arrested on charges of first degree premeditated murder of Charlie Roberts, Jr., authorities said. The victim was last seen with the suspect in the Lakeland area on Tuesday. Law enforcement officials traced Roberts' cell phone history to the Green Swamp area in Sumter County where his body was found on Wednesday at 6 p.m.

The preliminary cause of death was determined to be homicide by a firearm, investigators said. On Thursday, an arrest warrant was issued for Gracia. Authorities located him in Pinellas County, and he agreed to surrender himself to authorities in Sumter County.

The Sumter County Sheriff's Office has not released the suspect's motive for the accused killing.

Detectives are asking anyone with information about this case to contact the Sumter County Sheriff's Office at 352-569-1680.

Original Patch Story:

The body of a missing Lakeland teenager was found in Sumter County on Wednesday, the Sumter County Sheriff's Office said on Facebook.

Charlie Roberts, 18, was reported missing to the Lakeland Police Department on Wednesday after a family member lost contact with him, authorities said. Search and rescue crews used drones, ATVs, K-9s and helicopters during the search. The victim's body was located in the Green Swamp area near State Road 71.

The death of Roberts is being investigated as a homicide.

If anyone has any information that can help authorities with this case, contact the Sumter County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division at 352-569-1680. If you would like to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-423-8477.