20 Years in Prison for Man Who Burglarized Homes and Stole Firearms

Leshanti Andre Martin, 27, will serve 20 years in prison for burglarizing homes and stealing firearms and personal belongings. The negotiated plea deal requires Martin to serve the 20-year term, with a minimum mandatory of 15 years.

A year ago, law enforcement officials detained Martin when they saw him and a co-defendant in a vehicle that matched the description of the vehicle involved in some of the burglaries.  Martin also appeared to be the man that was recorded by a surveillance camera burglarizing a home. Law enforcement officers from the Ocala Police Department and Marion County Sheriff’s Office determined the men were responsible for a series of residential break-ins between May 2019 and February 2020.

Martin and his co-defendant committed the burglaries between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Entry was made by kicking in doors, breaking windows or prying doors open. Once inside the residences, the men stuffed pillowcases with jewelry, electronics, televisions and guns.

Assistant State Attorney Bryon Aven prosecuted the case.