OCALA, FL – Today, State Attorney Bill Gladson announces the final resolution of the 2023 Ocklawaha triple-murder case after all three defendants entered pleas earlier this year. The defendants – 19-year-old Robert Robinson, 19-year-old Tahj Brewton and 15-year-old Christopher Atkins – were sentenced for their involvement in the execution-style killings of 16-year-old Layla Silvernail, 17-year-old Michael Hodo Jr., and 16-year-old Camille Quarles.  

Defendants Robinson and Brewton were sentenced to life in prison. Defendant Atkins was sentenced to 40 years in prison. All three defendants were charged as adults.

“Justice demanded nothing less than full accountability,” said State Attorney Bill Gladson. “These convictions honor the stolen lives of Layla, Michael and Camille while affirming that no one—regardless of age—may brutally take the life of another without facing the gravest consequences.”

Between March 30 and April 1, 2023, the bodies of the victims were found discarded in the Ocklawaha area. Layla Silvernail was found lying near a dumpster with a gunshot wound to her head, barely alive, and later died at the hospital due to her injuries. Michael Hodo Jr., who was also shot in the head, was discovered along the side of the road. Camille Quarles, who was shot two times, was found dead in the trunk of Layla Silvernail’s partially submerged vehicle. 

The case was presented to a grand jury in May 2023 which indicted Robinson and Brewton on three counts of First-Degree Murder and Atkins on one; all were also charged with Armed Robbery and Evidence Tampering. Although Robinson was 17 years old, Brewton was 16 years old, and Atkins was 12 years old at the time of the crimes, the premeditation, use of a firearm, and callous disposal of the bodies showed a level of intent indistinguishable from adults.

The youngest defendant, Atkins, pleaded guilty in April 2025, agreeing to testify against his two co-defendants. Brewton pleaded guilty in June 2025, with both him and Atkins accepting pleas that include a minimum of 40 years in prison. Robinson pleaded no contest in June 2025, avoiding a trial.

Our office would like to thank the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, U.S. Marshals, and the Orlando Police Department who helped piece together more than 200 tips, witness statements and forensic leads that brought this case to a close. We also thank Assistant State Attorneys Toby Hunt and Rich Buxman for prosecuting this case.