PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (CBS12) — A state attorney is seeking the death penalty for a registered sex offender who was accused of killing a woman at a Best Western hotel in Port St. Lucie after a grand jury indicted him.

“There is still a long way to go, but this level of teamwork will be critical to a successful prosecution,” said Sheriff Richard Del Toro as he praised the efforts of the State Attorney’s office and detectives.

On July 9, a St. Lucie County grand jury indicted Carlos Tito Caban, 51, for the murder of Toni Lynn Marie Trabb, 58. The charges include first-degree murder, grand theft of a motor vehicle, fraudulent use of a credit card, and criminal use of personal identification.

See also: Sex offender becomes suspect in Port St. Lucie hotel homicide

Trabb, was found unresponsive by hotel cleaning staff at approximately 11 a.m. on March 24, according to a news release by the sheriff’s office. St. Lucie County Sheriff’s deputies and fire rescue personnel arrived shortly after, and Trabb was pronounced dead at the scene. The medical examiner’s office later confirmed the case as a homicide after Trabb reportedly died from severe blunt trauma and strangulation injuries.

Sheriff Richard Del Toro said in a news conference on Thursday that Caban used Trabb’s credit card to check into the hotel room and later fled the state in her white Toyota Corolla. Lt. Andrew Bolonka said the two met a couple of months prior and had been dating on and off. Trabb and Caban reportedly met through a dating website about six weeks before her death. According to friends, Trabb had recently voiced concerns about Caban’s increasingly aggressive behavior.

Surveillance video, digital tracking technologies, and roadside license plate readers helped authorities trace the stolen vehicle to Tifton, Georgia, where off-duty officers spotted it and conducted a felony traffic stop, according to Del Toro.

“We talk about the technology we use nowadays — phones, SunPass, camera systems. It’s a force multiplier that helped us track the vehicle and get that BOLO out to Georgia,” said Sheriff Del Toro.

In an unexpected breakthrough, civilians walking in a nearby Georgia field reported seeing someone discard clothing and paperwork later linked to the victim. Sheriff Del Toro described it as a moment where “something as small as littering or illegal dumping could turn into something crucial,” reinforcing the “see something, say something” philosophy.

Caban, who moved to St. Lucie County in 2025 and registered as a sex offender, was stopped by Tifton police while driving Trabb’s white Toyota Corolla. The sheriff’s office said Caban was in the company of another woman, who reportedly met Caban in Orlando and agreed to travel with him to New York. The sheriff’s office said the woman is not believed to be connected to the crime.

Caban could face a maximum of five years in prison for grand theft, up to five years and a $5,000 fine for fraudulent credit card use, and up to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine for misuse of personal identification. Del Toro also expressed relief that the suspect is in custody.

“This guy’s a cold-blooded killer as far as I’m concerned, and he’s exactly where he needs to be right now,” said Del Toro.

SLCSO said their Criminal Investigations Division is actively investigating the case, with Assistant State Attorney Donald Richardson from the 19th Judicial Circuit taking charge of the prosecution.

Sheriff Del Toro emphasized the gravity of the case and the importance of teamwork in pursuing justice.

“This case represents such a disturbing act of violence. Our office is committed to ensuring justice is pursued to the fullest extent of the law,” said Del Toro.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Donald Richardson, who will work closely with the sheriff’s office and investigators as the trial progresses. Sheriff Del Toro said, “We’re going to do whatever we can to support the prosecution moving forward.”

Caban remains behind bars at the St. Lucie County Jail.

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