A Florida man who burglarized and beat a 97-year-old World War II veteran in 2019 was sentenced to life in prison, the Office of State Attorney in the Fifth Judicial Circuit in Florida announced on Thursday.
Kevin Eugene Leeks Jr., 32, was found guilty of burglary with battery and sentenced to life in prison under Florida’s Prison Releasee Reoffender Law, according to the state attorney’s office.
Jurors found Mr. Leeks guilty of beating WWII veteran Willard VanOrder after he returned home from a grocery shopping trip.
The veteran drove his lawnmower to a convenience store in the Okahumpka area to purchase groceries, according to the state attorney’s office.
When he returned home, Mr. Leeks, armed with a gun, confronted him at his front door.
Mr. VanOrder, who served under Gen. George Patton during some of the worst battles of the war, told Mr. Reed to put away the gun that was pointed at his back.
Mr. VanOrder even offered to make a sandwich for Mr. Reed so they would sit down and talk, according to local media reports.
The veteran’s peaceful offer failed and Mr. Reed attacked the veteran.
Family members found Mr. VanOrder unconscious and suffering from head injuries. His wallet was missing. They contacted emergency services and Mr. VanOrder was taken to the hospital for treatment.
“The defendant’s life sentence reflects the severity of his crime and his status as a prison releasee reoffender, highlighting the justice system’s dedication to protecting vulnerable members of our community,” Bill Gladson, state attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit, said in prepared remarks.
Mr. Leeks was found to be at the scene based on evidence discovered by detectives at the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. They found a Black & Mild cigarillo tip near the veteran’s residence, which was linked to security footage from a convenience store. That footage showed Leeks purchasing a Black & Mild cigarillo shortly after Mr. VanOrder made his purchase.
DNA samples taken from the scene and from Mr. VanOrder’s clothing, which were tested by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, also linked Mr. Leeks to the crime.
Lake County Sheriff’s Department spokesman John Herrell told The Epoch Times that Mr. Leeks had a criminal history and the attack was “senseless.”
“This was a violent and senseless attack on a WWII veteran who was 97 at the time of the robbery,” Mr. Herrell said. “We support his being prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and we are glad he was given a mandatory life sentence.”
The attack against Mr. VanOrder caused outrage in the Lake County community, Mr. Herrell said.
He said the elderly and those who serve in the country “deserve dignity and respect.”
“Mr. Leeks will no longer have a chance to prey on our most vulnerable,” Mr. Herrell added.
