bartowMan charged in abduction, murder

A former Apollo Beach man has been charged with murder, kidnapping and extortion in the 2008 disappearance of a Lakeland man.

Stobert Lindell Holt Jr., 42, was indicted Wednesday and arrested Friday afternoon in Orlando, the FBI announced.

Authorities say the victim, Robert Wiles, 26, was last seen April 1, 2008, at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport, where he worked at his family's aircraft maintenance business, National Flight Services.

Two days later, the Wiles family received a ransom note demanding money and threatening to harm Wiles.

Holt had worked for National Flight Services as operation manager, the FBI said. FBI Agent Dave Couvertier said agents have not found Wiles' body, but they have reason to think he is dead.

TALLAHASSEE

School districts quick to support grants

Education Commissioner Eric Smith said Friday that 63 of Florida's 67 school districts have endorsed the state's application for up to $700 million in federal grant money.

The Florida Education Association, the statewide teachers union, opposes the proposal that would require school districts to adopt merit pay plans as a condition for receiving grant money.

Districts unable to reach deals on merit pay — at least half of which must be based on student test scores — would lose Race to the Top dollars.

HAINES CITY

Funeral director pleads to dumping

A Polk County funeral home director has pleaded no contest to illegal dumping of body parts.

Claude Holmes Jr. will lose his embalmer's license and spend five years on probation. He and Holmes Funeral Directors could still face other penalties from the state.

A bag of organs found partly buried in a Central Florida cemetery in June led authorities to Holmes. He admitted improperly burying remains at the cemetery 10 to 15 times since 2000.

Times wires