Foreign Fighter Convicted in April 2018 Double Homicide and Armed Robbery of Florida Couple
ESTERO, Fla. — A federal jury has convicted Craig Austin Lang, 35, a former foreign fighter from Surprise, Arizona, for his role in the 2018 double homicide and armed robbery of a Florida couple.
Lang was indicted on December 4, 2019, and his sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 27, 2026. He now faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison.
Victims Identified
The victims were Serafin “Danny” Lorenzo, 53, and Deana K. Lorenzo, 51, residents of Brooksville, Florida. They were murdered in Estero on April 10, 2018, during what was supposed to be a firearm purchase arranged online.
The couple had traveled to Estero to buy several firearms from an individual who listed them for sale on the website Armslist. Instead, they were ambushed and killed.
Crime Scene and Murders
According to trial testimony, the Lorenzos were found dead from multiple gunshot wounds to the head and body at a location off Corkscrew Road in Estero. Investigators determined they had been murdered during the course of an armed robbery, where the suspects stole the $3,000 in cash the couple brought for the gun purchase.
The crime was part of a plan by Lang, who had previously fought in Ukraine, to obtain money to fund travel to Venezuela, where he intended to fight against the Venezuelan government.
Charges Against Lang
Lang was convicted of the following charges:
- Conspiracy to commit robbery affecting commerce
- Robbery interfering with commerce
- Discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, resulting in death
- Conspiring to kill persons in a foreign country
- Violation of the Neutrality Act
These convictions stem from his involvement in the deaths of Serafin and Deana Lorenzo and his broader activities as a foreign fighter planning overseas combat.
Co-Defendant Already Serving Life
Lang’s co-defendant, Alex Jared Zwiefelhofer, 28, of Bloomer, Wisconsin, was charged alongside him in 2019. Zwiefelhofer was previously convicted of the same offenses and sentenced to consecutive life sentences. He is currently imprisoned in the high-security U.S. Penitentiary in Terre Haute, Indiana.
Investigators and Prosecution
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. Prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Jesus M. Casas and Benjamin S. Winter.
Background on Lang
At the time of his arrest, Lang had a history as a foreign fighter. He was extradited from Ukraine to the United States to face federal charges. His role in Estero tied domestic crime to international activity, as prosecutors argued he intended to use robbery proceeds to finance his travel and combat plans abroad.
The conviction closes one of Florida’s most high-profile homicide cases in recent years — one that connected an online firearm marketplace transaction, a double murder, and a foreign fighter’s plot to fund overseas conflict. For further updates on the case and its March 2026 sentencing, stay with ChicagoMusicGuide.com.