A 62-year-old violent Central Florida career criminal has been sentenced after a busted home burglary.
A Lake County Jury found 62-year-old Charlie Christopher Wilder guilty of one Felony count of Burglary of a Dwelling.
Wilder, a twenty-three-time convicted felon, was sentenced by the Honorable Judge Brian Welke to 30 years in prison, the minimum-mandatory sentence for a violent career criminal.
Back in November of 2020, deputies with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) responded to a call for service off of Myrtle Lake Avenue in Fruitland Park.
Upon arrival, deputies contacted the complainant who advised that a strange man in an SUV pulled up beside their trailer outside and was looking at items under the carport. When the complainant asked the man, later identified as Wilder, if he needed help, Wilder stated he was looking for a family that needed yard work done.
After this brief exchange, Wilder walked away from the property and headed next door to a neighbor’s house. There, Wilder was seen entering the screened in back porch of the residence. The complainant called the property owner who advised that Wilder did not belong on their property and needed to leave.
The complainant subsequently confronted Wilder, who was inside the porch, attempting to open the back door of the residence. When told he was not allowed to be there and needed to leave. At that time, the homeowner arrived and attempted to block Wilder from leaving while contacting law enforcement.
LCSO deputies made contact with Wilder, who was unable to corroborate his reason for being at the residence. While further questioning Wilder regarding his presence at the home, he told deputies that he was sent to the area to look for lawn service work.
“The defendant in this case had multiple prior felony convictions for burglary and two years after being released from prison, committed this burglary,” said Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Bill Gladson. “He is headed to where he belongs.”
Assistant State Attorney Steven Miller and State Attorney Bill Gladson prosecuted the case.
