Anonymous tip leads felon back to jail for second Christmas in a row

December 22, 2012

Anonymous tip leads felon back to jail for second Christmas in a row

One of Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers 10 Most Wanted fugitives is behind bars this holiday season, thanks to an anonymous tip Friday afternoon that led to both her arrest, and her boyfriend, as well.

Jordan Cullen, DOB 7/20/89, was taken into custody Friday evening after an anonymous tip was provided to Crime Stoppers on her whereabouts.  Deputies with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office’s Fugitive Warrants Unit quickly acted on the tip and located Cullen while setting up for a wedding scheduled for today.  Cullen was charged with violating terms of her community control following a previous arrest for dealing in stolen property.  However, she didn’t go to jail alone.  Tagging along, in a pair of handcuffs, was her boyfriend Dustin Ballentine, DOB 3/1/84, who was also being sought on four felony warrants, stemming from burglary and grand theft charges.  Both are currently being held without bond in the Lee County Jail.

Neither Cullen, nor Ballentine, are any strangers to a life of crime.  Cullen is a registered convicted felon, who has spent many a night at the Lee County Jail after arrests for theft, trafficking in stolen property, dealing in stolen property and battery, among others.  Last year, she was arrested in for several of those charges, and ended up serving roughly 10 months in jail – including Christmas Day.  As fate would have it, Cullen will be spending this Christmas in jail, too.  Ballentine is also a registered convicted felon, whose first felony arrest came at age 12 for burglary.  Since then he’s amassed a lengthy rap sheet, both in Lee and Broward Counties, which is peppered with multiple charges of marijuana possession, larceny theft, fraud, burglary and probation violations. 

“While criminals might think they’re getting a pass over the holiday season, last night’s arrests should send a loud and clear message that law enforcement is on high alert for anyone committing crimes, or anyone with a warrant who may be trying to avoid arrest,” said Trish Routte, Crime Stoppers Coordinator.  “If you’ve got a warrant, the smartest option would be to turn yourself in.  Because there’s a very good chance that a tipster may point officers in the right direction, and they could be knocking on your door Christmas morning.”

Anyone with information on any unsolved crime or wanted fugitive is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477).  Tips may also be made online at www.swflcrimestoppers.org or by texting information to CRIMES (274637) Keyword: REWARD.

Note:  Last night’s booking photos of Cullen and Ballentine are attached to this release.