After almost two years and one apology letter, a pair of criminal charges against island developer Shawn Kaleta have been resolved.
Judge Jacqueline Steele of the 12th Circuit Court ruled March 20 to withhold adjudication against Kaleta for a second-degree misdemeanor charge for alcohol-related reckless driving.
Kaleta was arrested in June 2023 in Holmes Beach and charged with a first-degree misdemeanor for resisting/obstructing a law enforcement officer without violence and a second-degree misdemeanor for DUI.
The real estate mogul entered into a Driver Enhanced Treatment Education Rehabilitation contract with the state that specified completion of the rehabilitation program would result in dismissal of the first-degree misdemeanor charge and amendment of the DUI charge to an alcohol-related reckless driving charge.
The deal stipulated that Kaleta submit an apology letter to arresting HBPD Officer Andrew Adkins.
Kaleta submitted his apology ahead of the March 20 court hearing, in which he stated his “sincere regret” for his actions.
“It was never my intention to create a difficult situation, and I regret that the circumstances required your intervention. This experience has been a valuable lesson for me, and I am committed to making responsible choices moving forward,” the letter reads.
Due to participation in the DETER program, the first-degree misdemeanor charge was dropped, the second-degree misdemeanor charge was amended and Steele withheld adjudication against Kaleta.
Kaleta was sentenced to complete 12 months of probation.
