Flagler Beach drug dealer sentenced to 20 years

BUNNELL, Fla. – A Flagler Beach man will spend the next 20 years in state prison after being convicted of selling drugs in Flagler County.

Thomas J. Leto, Jr., 42, plead no contest to the charges of selling schedule II narcotics, possessing schedule II narcotics, possessing drug paraphernalia and driving on a suspended license.

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Leto, who was previously convicted of 12 felonies and 13 misdemeanors, including prior stints in prison for selling drugs, was classified as a habitual felony offender.  That designation increased the maximum penalty from 15 years to 30 years. Circuit Judge David Walsh sentenced Leto to 20 years on the sale charge and time served on the other charges.

Leto's prior criminal history included robberies, dealing in stolen property charges, drug sale, burglaries, fraud charges, and grand theft charges.

"Thomas Leto's 12 convictions earned him 20 years in prison," State Attorney R.J. Larizza said after sentencing Wednesday, "this case is an example of how our career criminal unit is making our communities better and safer."

Leto will also have to deal with another pending charge of selling schedule II narcotics, which is set for pretrial conference in September.Â