Florida Highway Patrol
~Traffic Stop – Homicide Warrant ~
Punta Gorda, FL- On January 19, 2023, at 10:52 am, Florida Highway Patrol Troopers initiated a traffic stop on a 2010 Mercedes for a traffic violation on Interstate 75 / Tuckers Grade Road.
The driver, identified as Kathy Vong Manivong, age 33, of St Petersburg, was placed under arrest for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a controlled substance and child endangerment.
An adult passenger, identified as Tony Thongdeng, age 35, of St Petersburg, was placed under arrest for an active homicide warrant, which stemmed from a shooting in St Petersburg on September 25, 2016. Thongdeng was additionally charged with providing a false name to troopers, possession of a firearm as a convicted felon and possession of a controlled substance.
A minor child passenger, age 12, was placed into protective care with the Department of Children and Families Services.