Matthew Scott Flores is a 36-year-old man who is facing multiple charges of murder, robbery, and firearm possession in Florida and North Carolina. He is accused of killing two men in Florida, including a 74-year-old Lyft driver whose car he allegedly stole to flee the state. He was arrested in North Carolina in February 2023 after a high-speed chase that spanned several counties and ended with a crash and a foot pursuit.

Flores has a criminal history that dates back to 2005, when he was convicted of burglary and grand theft in Florida. He served three years in prison and was released in 2008. In 2016, he was arrested again for auto theft, grand theft, and illegal possession of a firearm. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to one year in prison, followed by three years of probation. He was released in 2017.

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What are the crimes he is accused of?

Flores is suspected of killing two men in Florida within a week in January 2023. The first victim was Jose Carlos Martinez, 43, who was found shot multiple times in his home in Wauchula, a rural town in Hardee County, on Jan. 24. Martinez was a father of four and worked as a farm laborer. According to the Hardee County Sheriff’s Office, Flores knew Martinez and had been staying at his house for a few days before the murder.

The second victim was Gary Levin, 74, who was a retired engineer and a part-time Lyft driver who lived in Palm Beach Gardens. Levin was reported missing on Jan. 31 after he picked up a passenger in Delray Beach and drove him to Okeechobee County. The passenger was later identified as Flores, who allegedly shot Levin inside his red 2022 Kia Stinger and dumped his body near Lake Okeechobee. Levin’s family said he enjoyed driving for Lyft as a hobby and had no enemies.

Matthew Scott Flores then fled to North Carolina, where he had previously lived, using Levin’s car. On Feb. 2, he was spotted by law enforcement officers in Rutherford County, who tried to stop him for speeding. Flores refused to pull over and led them on a chase that reached speeds of over 100 mph. He crossed into McDowell County, where he crashed into another vehicle and ran into the woods. He was captured after a brief search by officers and K-9 units.

What are the charges he is facing?

Flores is facing multiple charges in both Florida and North Carolina. In Florida, he has been indicted by grand juries in Okeechobee County and Hardee County on charges of first-degree premeditated murder with a firearm, robbery with a firearm, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He could face the death penalty if convicted.

In North Carolina, Matthew Scott Flores has been charged with felony fleeing to elude arrest with a motor vehicle, reckless driving to endanger, driving while license revoked, hit and run with property damage, resisting public officers, possession of stolen goods or property, and parole violation. He is being held without bond at the McDowell County Jail.

What is his motive for the killings?

The motive for the killings remains unclear. According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Flores had been stealing cars to evade capture after killing Martinez. He had traveled to Orlando and then to Palm Beach County, where he had a friend use the Lyft app to summon Levin. Flores then shot Levin for unknown reasons and took his car.

Eli Lawson, a special agent in charge with the FDLE, said that Levin’s murder was “cold, senseless, and completely unnecessary.” He added that Levin was “a beloved member of the community here in Palm Beach” who was “a father and friend.” Levin’s loved ones have expressed their grief and outrage over his death.

Martinez’s family has also demanded justice for his murder. His sister-in-law said that Martinez was “a good person” who “didn’t deserve this.” She said that Matthew Scott Flores had befriended Martinez and taken advantage of his kindness.

Background and Personal Life

Matthew Scott was born on June 6, 1987, in Miami-Dade County, Florida. He grew up in Okeechobee County, where he attended Okeechobee High School but did not graduate. He later moved to North Carolina, where he lived in several counties, including Buncombe, Henderson, McDowell, Rutherford, and Transylvania.

According to public records, Matthew Scott Flores has been married twice and divorced once. He married his first wife, Jessica Flores, in 2007 in Okeechobee County. They had two children, a son and a daughter, who are now 16 and 14 years old, respectively. They divorced in 2011. He married his second wife, Amanda Flores, in 2014 in Henderson County, North Carolina. They have an 8-year-old son. It is not clear if they are still together.

Flores has several tattoos on his body, including the words “Flores” and “Jessica” on his chest, a cross on his right arm, and a skull on his left arm. He also has scars on his left hand and right leg.

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What is the status of his case?

Matthew Scott Flores is currently awaiting trial in both Florida and North Carolina. He has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge in Hardee County and has not yet entered a plea in Okeechobee County. His attorney in the Hardee County case, Christopher Boldt, declined to comment on the case. Flores does not have an attorney for the Okeechobee County case yet.

Matthew Flores is also fighting extradition to Florida from North Carolina. His attorney in the North Carolina case, Robert Denton, said that Flores wants to resolve his charges in North Carolina before being transferred to Florida. Denton said that Flores is “presumed innocent until proven guilty” and that he is “entitled to due process of law.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How did Matthew Scott Flores get caught?

A: He was caught in North Carolina after a high-speed chase that ended with a crash and a foot pursuit.

Q: How many people did Matthew Scott Flores kill?

A: He is accused of killing two people in Florida: Jose Carlos Martinez and Gary Levin.

Q: Why did Matthew Scott Flores kill them?

A: The motive for the killings is unclear. He knew Martinez and had stayed at his house before killing him. He did not know Levin and had used the Lyft app to get a ride from him before killing him.

Q: What are the penalties Matthew Scott Flores faces?

A: He faces the death penalty or life imprisonment without parole if convicted of first-degree murder in Florida. He also faces prison time for the other charges in Florida and North Carolina.

Q: When will Matthew Scott Flores go to trial?

A: His trial dates have not been set yet. He is fighting extradition to Florida from North Carolina.

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