Leesburg Men Convicted In Armed Carjacking Case |
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U.S. Attorney’s Office
Middle District of Florida
1 December 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ocala, FL – Acting United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow announces that a federal jury has found Avery Leanard Tumer (23, Leesburg) guilty of carjacking, conspiracy to commit carjacking, brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. He faces a maximum penalty of 37 years in federal prison, including a 7-year minimum mandatory penalty for brandishing the firearm. In a separate trial, the same jury previously found Timotheus Gersom Reed (30, Leesburg) guilty of conspiracy to commit carjacking and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. He faces a maximum sentence of 12 years’ imprisonment, including a 7-year minimum mandatory penalty. The sentencing hearings are scheduled for February 21, 2017.
According to evidence presented during the trials, on the evening of December 23, 2016, Tumer and Reed, along with co-defendants Jonathan Kyle Lanier and Amy Denise Scott, conspired to rob an individual of his money, other personal items, and his car by arranging a meeting at a remote location between the victim and Scott. The victim believed he was going to the 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; Turner later pistol-whipped the victim and took his car while Scott left in her car with Reed and Lanier.
Later that evening, Tumer and Scott were arrested by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office after the victim’s car was located outside an apartment where the two had stayed together. Inside the apartment, deputies found the victim’s identification, cell phones, and debit card. Multiple firearms were recovered from the attic, where Tumer had been hiding.
On November 15, 2017, a separate federal jury found Lanier (24, Leesburg) guilty of carjacking, conspiracy to commit carjacking, brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
He faces up to 37 years in federal prison, including a 7-year minimum mandatory penalty. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
On May 9, 2017, Scott (32, Leesburg) pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit carjacking. She faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison; her sentencing hearing is set for December 15, 2017.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (Daytona Beach Office), the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, and the Leesburg Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dale Campion.