Man sentenced to 40 years for Iona Lakes killings

FORT MYERS, Fla. — A man pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder and two counts of conspiracy to commit murder in the death of his girlfriend and two children at Iona Lakes Apartments in south Fort Myers.

Patrick Carlopoli, 27, was sentenced to 40 years in prison. He also entered guilty pleas to two counts of aggravated child abuse and one count of animal cruelty.

Carlopoli originally intended to plead not guilty.

The bodies of Carlopoli’s girlfriend — 37-year-old Tammy Modlin — and the two children — 16-year-old Montana Modlin and 3-year-old Jeanne Carlopoli — were found early in the morning on Jan. 24 after Carlopoli contacted emergency dispatchers.

The killings were part of a murder-suicide plot, but Carlopoli was unable to go through with taking his own life, Lee County Sheriff’s deputies said.

The crime scene at 15224 Iona Lakes Drive was “gruesome,” Sheriff Mike Scott said. The family dog was also stabbed to death, according to deputies. The crimes shocked the usually serene neighborhood, though one nearby resident said she grew concerned as she observed the 3-year-old’s habitually unkempt appearance.

Montana was Patrick Carlopoli’s step-daughter, and Jeanne was the daughter of Carlopoli and Modlin.