Employee Faces Additional Charge in Connection with Attempted Murder Investigation

News Release #: 17-111 - MAY 5, 2017

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office again charged Carson Lee Plank, DOB 07/23/93, a sheriff’s office employee, in connection with the criminal investigation surrounding ex-sheriff’s office employee Frankie Bybee.

As the first responding deputy on January 12, Plank was responsible for initiating the investigation into the attempted murder allegations reported by the victim. Plank however, intentionally ignored the victim’s report and physical evidence to cover up the crime. As the investigation began and detectives interviewed Plank, they learned that she was untruthful about her involvement in the case. She was subsequently arrested on February 9, 2017, and charged with Providing False Information to Law Enforcement During an Investigation.

As detectives continued to investigate the attempted murder and other crimes committed by Bybee, they recovered text messages and a digital photo which confirmed Plank’s involvement in assisting Bybee to cover up his crimes. The digital photo showed blood and hair evidence inside the victim’s home however, detectives confirmed Plank never submitted the photo or disclosed to detectives the evidence she recovered. In a text message sent to Bybee on the morning of January 12, Plank wrote, “Frankie, she said you tried to kill her.” Three minutes later, Plank assured Bybee, “…we squashed it.”

On Friday, detectives charged Plank with Tampering with Physical Evidence, a felony charge that carries a $1,500 bond. Plank made bond and was immediately released. She remains employed at the sheriff’s office however, she is on administrative leave pending the outcome of the concurrent criminal and internal investigations.