Man charged with murder after missing 18-year-old found dead in swamp

SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. — A Lakeland man is facing first-degree murder charges after deputies said a missing 18-year-old man was found dead in a Sumter County swamp.

Deputies said David Gracia, of Lakeland, turned himself into the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office after the body of Charlie Roberts Jr. was found in the Green Swamp Wildlife Management Area off of State Road 471 on Wednesday.

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Green Swamp WMA encompasses more than 50,000 acres throughout Sumter, Polk and Lake counties

Deputies said Roberts Jr. was last seen with Gracia in Lakeland on Tuesday. A family member of Roberts Jr. later reported him missing.

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Investigators said preliminary reports show he was shot to death.

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Deputies said Gracia is being held without bond pending trial.

Deputies said anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office at 352-569-1680 or, to remain anonymous, contact Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS(8477).