Who Is Nino?

Mr. Antonino E. Lyons, "Nino" is a prominent businessman, community activist, and family man in Cocoa, Florida. December 20, 2000, was a life changing experience for the entire Lyons family. Cocoa Police Department, U.S. Customs, Drug Enforcement Agents and the Secret Service raided the Lyons’ family residence. Guns were drawn on Mr. Lyons, his wife, (Debbie principal of Endeavour Elementary School) and their children D’ Nina, and Nino, Jr. along with several cousins and neighborhood friends. Mr. and Mrs. Lyons were handcuffed and treated as common criminals in the presence of their children. The agencies had authorization to search the Lyons’ premises based on a search warrant that accused Mr. Lyons of possessing machine guns. A search was conducted and no machine guns were found. Several of the guns seized from Mr. Lyons had been previously returned to him by Cocoa Police Department and were tagged with Cocoa Police Department’s safety seals and tags from a couple of years before. It should be noted that Mr. Lyons has a permit to possess a firearm. The search warrant didn’t authorize a search of the premises for drugs, however, the search continued with the addition of police dogs canvassing the residence, and none were found. The named agencies continued the search taking personal clothing from their closets alleging that the items were counterfeit. Please be mindful that you can go to numerous stores or flea markets to purchase cheaper "brand name" clothing. Eight months later, Mr. Lyons was arrested and has remained in the Seminole County Jail without bond despite the law alleging a person is innocent until proven guilty. On November 26, 2001 Mr. Lyons was convicted with carjacking, conspiracy to traffic drugs, and the sale of counterfeit clothing. There is no evidence to support these charges other than the testimonies of 26 convicted felons, in federal prisons, who were promised sentence reductions. Their convictions were based upon evidence obtained through wiretaps, recorded conversations, undercover sales/purchases, and drug residue or paraphernalia found during raids. When these felons were arrested and debriefed years prior to this case, Mr. Lyons’ name was never mentioned. I am hopeful that you will assist our family in overturning/correcting this gross injustice.