A Florida man who as soon as ran for mayor of Tallahassee has been sentenced to 22 years in federal jail following a violent theft of a Greenback Basic retailer in 2024.
Whitfield Leland III, 45, acquired the sentence after being convicted of Hobbs Act Theft, brandishing a firearm throughout against the law of violence, and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. Legal professional John P. Heekin introduced the sentencing Friday, emphasizing the dedication to holding violent offenders accountable.
“Due to the superb work of our legislation enforcement companions, this profession legal will now not have the ability to victimize and terrorize our group,” Heekin stated. “My workplace stays dedicated to aggressively prosecuting violent criminals to maintain our communities secure.”
In line with court docket information, Leland entered a Tallahassee Greenback Basic on Could 20, 2024, pointed a gun on the retailer supervisor, and demanded entry to the shop’s safes. A buyer who witnessed the theft known as 911. Tallahassee police arrived inside minutes and surrounded the constructing.
Leland tried to flee by stealing the shop supervisor’s uniform shirt and exiting the constructing disguised as an worker. He ignored officers’ instructions to cease and fled on foot, however police tracked a path of dropped money to a bush the place Leland was hiding. He was nonetheless sporting the stolen shirt and had additional cash stuffed into his pants. Officers recovered $689 from the theft.
Leland, who has 13 prior felony convictions, was categorized as an Armed Profession Prison resulting from earlier convictions together with aggravated assault with a lethal weapon and two separate incidents of resisting arrest with violence. He beforehand ran for Tallahassee mayor in 2022.
Along with the 22-year jail sentence, Leland was ordered to serve 5 years of supervised launch and pay restitution.
Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell praised the result, saying, “Due to the short actions of our officers and powerful collaboration with our federal companions, a repeat violent offender is off the streets. This consequence displays our continued dedication to defending Tallahassee’s residents and companies from hurt.”
The case was investigated by the Tallahassee Police Division and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Legal professional James A. McCain.
