MARION COUNTY, Fla. – A Marion County courtroom delivered a monumental sentence on Tuesday, condemning 44-year-old Howard Lee Whiteted III to 11 consecutive life sentences following his conviction on numerous counts of capital sexual battery and other related charges involving multiple child victims.
The Honorable Judge Timothy McCourt handed down the verdict and subsequent sentencing after jurors found Whiteted guilty on all counts. The charges spanned severe offenses against children of varying ages, underscoring a horrific pattern of abuse.
Whiteted was found guilty of the following charges:
- 4 counts of Capital Sexual Battery upon a Person Under 12 Years of Age
- 2 counts of Sexual Battery upon a Person 12-16 Years of Age
- Lewd and Lascivious Molestation of a Child, Victim less than 12 Years of Age
- Lewd and Lascivious Molestation of a Child, Victim Twelve or older but less than 16 Years of Age
- 2 counts of Lewd and Lascivious Conduct/Touch
- False Imprisonment
Whiteted’s downfall began in December of 2022 when the Marion County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation. The initial report came from a trusted adult after a 14-year-old victim disclosed a sexual battery committed the night prior.
This victim was later interviewed and provided crucial details, including that the defendant had blocked the victim from leaving the bedroom multiple times, leading to a charge of False Imprisonment. Major Crimes Detective Hartigan’s initial investigation established probable cause for the first arrest.
Following the initial arrest, a second victim, aged 13, came forward, revealing they had been inappropriately touched on multiple occasions, with the abuse beginning as early as age 10. This victim also stated that Whiteted refused to let them leave and made threats to continue harming them. This disclosure led to Whiteted’s subsequent rearrest.
A third child victim came forward after learning of Whiteted’s arrest, reporting numerous incidents of sexual abuse. A thorough investigation revealed the abuse of this victim had been ongoing since they were only 4 years old.
Judge McCourt’s decision to impose 11 consecutive life sentences reflects the severity and pervasive nature of the crimes, ensuring Whiteted will spend the remainder of his life incarcerated for the unspeakable trauma inflicted upon his victims.
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