If you are frantically searching for a friend or family member arrested in Lee County, you are navigating a system that trips up almost everyone. Sheriff Carmine Marceno operates two completely separate jail facilities that are 5 miles apart.
If you drive to the wrong one—which happens to dozens of people every day—you will be turned away.
🛑 Critical Warning: The “Two Jails” Confusion (Read First)
Before you get in your car, you must know which facility handles what. The Sheriff’s Office splits duties between two locations.
Facility Name |
Address |
GO HERE FOR… |
Main Jail (Downtown) |
2115 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd |
Booking & Release. Go here to post bail, drop off court clothes, or pick them up when they bond out. |
Core Facility (Ortiz) |
2501 Ortiz Ave |
Visitation & Money. Go here to use the video visitation kiosks or the lobby money machines. |
The Golden Rule: If you are paying to get them out, go Downtown. If you want to see them, go to Ortiz.
Lee County Sheriff Inmate Search & Mugshot Lookup
Do not pay for third-party background checks. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) maintains a real-time, free database known as the “Arrest Search.”
How to Locate an Inmate Instantly:
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Access the Official Portal: Go directly to the Lee County Sheriff’s “Arrest Search” Tool.
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Enter the Last Name:
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The database is literal. If you search for “MacDonald” and the booking officer typed “McDonald,” you will get zero results.
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Try typing just the first few letters (e.g., “Mc”) to see a dropdown list of all matching inmates.
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Check the “In Custody” Status:
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“In Custody”: They are currently sitting in a cell.
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“Released”: They have posted bond and left the facility.
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“Transferred”: They may have been moved to Immigration (ICE) custody or the Florida Dept. of Corrections.
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“Why Can’t I Find Their Name?”
If the arrest occurred in Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, or Sanibel within the last 2 hours, they are likely still in Transport.
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The “Blackout” Period: It takes 30–45 minutes to drive the arrestee to the Downtown Booking Center. Once there, fingerprinting, medical screening, and mugshots take another 2–4 hours.
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Who to Call: You can verify a recent arrest by calling the Main Booking Desk 24/7 at (239) 477-1500.
Posting Bail in Lee County (Cash, Bondsmen & Hearings)
Once you see them on the roster, you need to act fast to get them released.
Option A: Cash Bond (The “Direct” Method)
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Cost: You must pay the full face value of the bond (e.g., $1,500).
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Where: Main Jail Lobby (Downtown – 2115 MLK Blvd).
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Payment Methods:
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Cashier’s Check / Money Order: Payable to “Clerk of Courts.”
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Credit Card: Use the TouchPay kiosk in the lobby (Warning: High service fees apply).
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Note: Personal checks are never accepted.
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Hiring a Bail Bondsman (The “10%” Method)
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Cost: You pay a non-refundable premium, usually 10% of the bond amount.
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Location: There is a cluster of bail bond offices located directly across the street from the Main Jail on MLK Blvd. They are open 24/7/365.
What if it says “No Bond”?
This is standard for Domestic Violence cases or Felonies. It simply means they must see a judge first.
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First Appearance Court: Held daily (including weekends and holidays) at the Justice Center (1700 Monroe St).
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Time: Usually in the mornings. You can watch the proceedings online via the Lee County Clerk of Courts website.
Lee County Jail Video Visitation Rules, Scheduling & Dress Code
⚠️ The Hard Truth: Lee County does not allow contact visits. You cannot sit across a table and hold their hand. All visitation is done via video screens.
The Provider: GTL / ViaPath
You must register for an account at GTL Visit Me.
Two Ways to Visit:
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Remote Video Visit ($): Visit from your smartphone or laptop at home. This costs money per minute.
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On-Site Video Visit (Free): You can drive to the Core Facility (Ortiz Ave) and use the video terminals in the lobby for free.
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Scheduling: You must schedule at least 24 hours in advance.
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The Strict “Ban-Worthy” Dress Code:
Deputies monitor these calls live. They will cut your feed and ban your account if you violate these rules:
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❌ No cleavage or low-cut tops.
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❌ No tank tops, spaghetti straps, or tube tops.
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❌ No short shorts (must reach mid-thigh).
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❌ No profanity or gang signs.
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Local Tip: Treat the video call like you are sitting in a church pew.
Lee County Jail Sending Money & Mail (Avoiding the “Seminole Trap”)
This is where most families lose money or have their letters destroyed.
1. Funding Their Commissary (Food/Phone):
Lee County uses ConnectNetwork (by GTL).
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Website: ConnectNetwork.com
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Phone: 1-888-988-4768
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Lobby Kiosks: Located at both Downtown and Ortiz facilities.
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Site ID: You will need the Facility Site ID 154.
2. The Mail Rule (Do NOT Mail Fort Myers):
Lee County uses a third-party scanning service in Seminole, Florida to prevent drug-soaked mail from entering the jail.
If you mail a letter to MLK Blvd or Ortiz Ave, it will be Returned to Sender or shredded.
The ONLY Correct Address Format:
Smart Communications / Lee County Sheriff’s Office
[Inmate Name] – [Inmate ID #]
P.O. Box 9152
Seminole, FL 33775-9152
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Note: You can find the Inmate ID Number on the Arrest Search tool next to their name.
Lee County Jail Contact Directory: Phone Numbers, Addresses & GPS
Save these numbers to your phone. You will need them.
Department |
Phone Number |
Purpose |
Main Booking Desk |
(239) 477-1500 |
Check Status / Bond Amounts |
Core Facility (Ortiz) |
(239) 477-1700 |
Visitation Questions |
Inmate Medical |
(239) 477-1500 |
Urgent Medical Needs / Meds |
Public Defender |
(239) 533-2911 |
Legal Representation |
Clerk of Courts |
(239) 533-5000 |
Court Dates / Case Lookup |
Lee County Jail Physical GPS Addresses:
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For Bail & Release:
Lee County Main Jail (Downtown)
2115 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd
Fort Myers, FL 33901
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For Visitation & Money Drop-off:
Lee County Core Facility (Ortiz)
2501 Ortiz Ave
Fort Myers, FL 33905
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: My loved one is being released. Where do I pick them up?
A: Releases happen at the Main Jail Lobby (Downtown) on MLK Blvd.
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Insider Warning: The release process is notoriously slow. Even after you pay bond, it can take 4 to 8 hours for the inmate to actually walk out the door. Bring a phone charger and be prepared to wait.
Q: Can I bring them clothes for court?
A: Yes. You can drop off professional clothing (suit, tie, dress) for a jury trial.
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Procedure: You must coordinate this with their attorney. Drop-off is at the Main Jail Lobby (Downtown) usually 24 hours before the court date.
Q: Is there a warrant search for Lee County?
A: Yes. You can check for active warrants through the Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers website or by calling the Sheriff’s non-emergency line.
Do not go to the police station to ask about your own warrant, or you will be arrested on the spot.