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published: Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Another arrest made in Doty case

SEBRING — The woman who investigators say drove two men wanted for second degree murder in connection with the death of Aaron Doty to Orlando has been arrested, the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday.

According to a press release from HCSO Public Information Officer Nell Hays, Nicole Hebert, 20, of 4400 Lewis Ave. in Sebring, was arrested at 9:25 a.m. Tuesday and charged with accessory after the fact to a first degree or life felony.

Herbert remained in the Highlands County Jail with no bond set as of press time.

Hebert allegedly transported Jonathan Ray Rodriguez, 22, and 19-year-old Kenneth Felipe out of the county while knowing they were wanted by law enforcement.

Doty, 20, was last seen at a party at 5504 Granada Blvd. in the Sun ‘N Lakes subdivision in Sebring at approximately 4:30 a.m. Sunday, June 10. Both Rodriguez and Felipe lived at that address.

At approximately 1:30 p.m. on June 11, a burned body was found in the north end of the Sun ‘N Lake subdivision and was confirmed to be Doty.

Doty was involved in a fight with both Rodriguez and Filipe and was knocked unconscious and dragged outside onto the sidewalk, a warrant affidavit said.

Efforts to revive Doty were unsuccessful and blood was discovered on the back of his head by a female at the party, but no call to 911 was made. Doty apparently died outside the home.

The original arrest report states that Rodriguez and Filipe then loaded Doty into a pickup truck, purchased gas from a convenience store, then drove to the remote area and attempted to burn the body enough to elude identification.

Rodriguez and Filipe then returned to their residence and were watching movies and refused to open the door when deputies attempted to question them.

Rodriguez and Filipe were arrested on June 13 by the U.S. Marshal’s Service Task-Force operating in the Orlando area.
The arrest affidavit also states that two wanted men were behind a locked door and refused to surrender to marshals, who had to break down a door.

“Our detectives gathered enough information to determine that she knew they were wanted by law enforcement and (Hebert) still allegedly drove the two to Orlando,” said Sheriff Susan Benton.

“We are conducting interview after interview in this case and we are making sure we have our Ts crossed in everything we do. We made sure all avenues were evaluated and determined that an arrest for accessory was needed,” Benton said. “This is an intensive, methodical and detailed investigation which is continuing with the anticipation of additional arrests as the case develops.”

Hebert was previously arrested in June of 2010 for petit theft, according to HCSO booking records.

Anyone with information on this case is requested to call Detective Barbara Hair at the Highlands County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Unit, 863-402-7250. Anyone with information who wants to remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward is asked to call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS(8477), or contact them on the Internet at www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com/.