Agents at door to make arrest hear a gunshot
2-29-2008 Florida:
The evidence was there: a computer hard drive packed with images of child pornography.
All federal agents needed Wednesday morning when they approached Timothy Larner's door in Cape Coral was to get their suspect into custody.
As they announced their presence, Larner picked up a gun and ended his life.
Douglas Molloy, chief assistant U.S. attorney, said federal agents had seized the 41-year-old's computer in November. They believed he had been downloading child porn for at least three years, Molloy said.
A grand jury indicted Larner on Wednesday, Molloy said.
"There were thousands of images, and they involved prepubescent children," Molloy said.
Larner faced at least one charge of possessing child pornography. He had no prior criminal record, and he wasn't a labeled sex offender in Florida or his home state of Massachusetts. If Larner had been named a sex offender, he would've faced at least 20 years in prison.
Cape Coral police were called to 1624 Orchid Blvd. around 7:30 a.m. Thursday after the two federal agents approached the house, identified themselves and heard a gunshot. The officers found Larner dead inside, Cape Coral police spokeswoman Dyan Lee said.
Jodie Tripanier, Larner's ex-wife, is reeling.
"I'm still trying to put things together, because it's all a big mystery," she said. "He was a great person to me. Very good. He wasn't violent, and as far as I know, he never owned a gun. That was a shocker to me.
"He always went to work, paid
his bills. Reliable. Honest. He never cheated on me. He must have been depressed. He must have just snapped."
The two were married in September 2004 and divorced in June of last year, according to Lee County Clerk of Courts records. Tripanier said the divorce was amicable.
"I was more outgoing, and he was more of a homebody," she said. "But we were still friends. I told him if he ever needed anything to call me."
She said Larner was an Army veteran. He had been a truck driver for several years, but lately had been a well driller. She said his family lives in Massachusetts, and he had been estranged from them for about a decade.
Larner's neighbors said they never saw him much.
"It's just a scary thing for the people around here who have kids," said Tina Mills. "I have grandchildren, so it really bothers me."
Tripanier said investigators told her they found a four-page letter Larner had written to her. She won't be allowed to see the letter until the investigation is completed.
She's eager to read it because she's hoping to find some answers.
"He was never really around children, but he loved children as far as I know," she said.
"It was like a dark secret that I never knew." ..more.. by Rachel Myers
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