Whitfield Leland III, a former candidate for Tallahassee mayor, has been sentenced to 22 years in federal prison. The sentencing follows his conviction for Hobbs Act Robbery, Brandishing a Firearm During a Crime of Violence, and being an Armed Career Criminal in Possession of a Firearm. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the sentence.
U.S. Attorney Heekin stated: “Thanks to excellent work of our law enforcement partners, this career criminal will no longer be able to victimize and terrorize our community. My office remains committed to aggressively prosecuting violent criminals to hold them accountable to the full extent of the law in order to keep our communities safe.”
The court documents reveal that Leland robbed a Dollar General store at gunpoint in Tallahassee on May 20, 2024. During the robbery, he threatened the store manager with a pistol and demanded access to safes. A customer who witnessed the incident alerted authorities by calling 911. Responding officers from the Tallahassee Police Department quickly surrounded the location while Leland was still inside.
Leland attempted to evade capture by disguising himself as an employee using a stolen Dollar General shirt but was apprehended after fleeing when ordered to stop. Officers traced him by following dropped money leading to his hiding spot in nearby bushes, where they recovered $689 stolen during the robbery.
Leland’s extensive criminal record includes 13 felony convictions, qualifying him as an Armed Career Criminal due to previous violent offenses including resisting law enforcement with violence and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
In addition to his prison term, Leland will undergo five years of supervised release and has been ordered to pay restitution.
Chief Lawrence Revell of the Tallahassee Police Department commented: “The safety of our community is always our top priority. Thanks to the quick actions of our officers and strong collaboration with our federal partners, a repeat violent offender is off the streets. This outcome reflects our continued commitment to protecting Tallahassee’s residents and businesses from harm.”
The investigation involved cooperation between the Tallahassee Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain prosecuted the case.
This case forms part of Operation Take Back America, an initiative led by the Department of Justice aiming at combating illegal immigration and dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations while safeguarding communities against violent crime.
Furthermore, as part of its Project Safe Neighborhood strategy, the U.S. Attorney’s Office urges residents in Northern Florida to lock their car doors at night due to burglaries from unlocked vehicles being a significant source of guns for criminals in this region.
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