A Florida man who once ran for Mayor Tallahassee was sentenced to 22 years in federal prison after being violently robbed at a dollar general store in 2024.
Whitfield Leland III, 45, was found guilty of Hobbs’ robbery and a convicted felon who wielded a firearm and possessed a firearm during a violent crime. US lawyer John P. Hekin announced the sentence Friday, highlighting his commitment to holding violent offenders accountable.
“Thanks to the excellent work of our law enforcement partners, this career criminal will no longer be terrified at the expense of our community,” Heekin said. “My office is committed to proactively prosecuting violent offenders to keep our community safe.”
According to court records, Leland entered General Tallahasseedle on May 20, 2024, pointed a gun at the store manager and requested access to the store’s safe. A customer witnessed a robbery called 911. Tallahassee police arrived within minutes and surrounded the building.
Leland attempted to escape by stealing the manager’s uniform shirt and leaving the building where he disguised as an employee. He ignored the officer’s orders and fled on foot, but police followed a cash path that had been dropped into the bushes where Leland was hiding. He was still wearing a stolen shirt and stuffing more cash into his pants. The officers recovered $689 from the robbery.
Leland, who was found 13 felony convictions, was classified as an armed career criminal due to his previous conviction, which included two separate cases that resisted aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and arrests for violence. He previously ran for mayor of Tallahassee in 2022.
In addition to his 22 years in prison, Leland was ordered to provide five years of supervised release and compensation.
“The rapid action of officers and strong cooperation with federal partners have led to repeated violent offenders leaving the streets. The outcome reflects an ongoing commitment to protect Tallahassee residents and businesses from harm,” Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Lecture said.
The case was investigated by the Tallahassee Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and US Attorney James A. McCain was indicted.
