A Monroe County jury found 64-year-old Ned Jeffery Layton guilty of grand theft on July 15, following a two-day trial before Circuit Judge Mark Wilson.
Layton, a repeat offender with a lengthy and violent criminal history, was sentenced on Aug. 28, to seven years in Florida prison followed by three years of probation. Judge Wilson also ordered Layton to pay fines and court costs.
The first five years of his sentence must be served “day-for-day,” meaning he will not be eligible for early release, gain time or other sentence reductions during that period. Layton was to begin serving his prison term immediately.
The state successfully pursued enhanced penalties under Florida’s habitual felony offender statute due to Layton’s extensive criminal record, which includes prior convictions for robbery, battery on a person over 65, felony theft, grand theft and criminal mischief.
This latest conviction arose from an incident on July 28, 2023, when Layton was caught stealing nearly $1,900 worth of merchandise from the Key West Home Depot. Detectives with the Key West Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Unit found Layton retrieving boxed tools he had hidden beneath a rental trailer in the parking lot. Among the stolen items were a Lincoln 180 HD wire feed welder, a Ridgid 6-gallon air compressor with a three-tool combo, a DeWalt 20-volt Max XR combo kit, and a Lincoln Port-A-Torch welder.
Video surveillance confirmed Layton entered the store with an empty cart and exited minutes later with the merchandise, passing all points of sale without paying. A Home Depot employee recognized him immediately and provided sworn statements and documentation.
“This case demonstrates exactly why Florida has habitual offender sentencing laws,” State Attorney Dennis Ward said. “Mr. Layton has made a career out of stealing and hurting others. With this sentence, our community is safer, and Monroe County residents can rest assured that repeat offenders will be held fully accountable.”
Chief Assistant State Attorney Joseph Mansfield credited Assistant State Attorneys Maddie Thompson and Mike Tettleman for their work on this case. Ward also commended the work of Detectives Kenneth Waite and Marcus del Valle and the Key West Police Department, as well as the cooperation of the Home Depot staff.
