Leesburg Gang Member Sentenced To 13 Years In Federal Prison For Carjacking And Firearms Charges

Ocala, Florida – Senior United States District Judge James D. Whittemore has sentenced Jonathan Kyle Lanier (24, Leesburg) to 13 years and 5 months in federal prison for carjacking, conspiracy to commit carjacking, brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. A federal jury found him guilty on November 15, 2017.

According to court documents, on December 23, 2016, Lanier, along with his co-defendants Avery Tumer, Timotheus Reed, and Amy Scott, conspired to rob an individual of his money, other personal items, and his car by arranging a meeting at a gas station in Leesburg between the victim and Scott. The victim believed he was going to meet the woman only; however, shortly after he arrived, Lanier, Tumer, and Reed pulled the victim from his car and stole his wallet and other personal property. During the robbery, the three men wore masks and pointed firearms at the victim; Tumer later pistol-whipped the victim and took his car. All four individuals were arrested a short time later by officers from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and the Leesburg Police Department.

On November 30, 2017, a federal jury found Tumer and Reed guilty for their roles in this case and they are currently awaiting sentencing. Scott previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (Daytona Resident Agency), the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, and the Leesburg Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dale Campion.