Violent career criminal from Leesburg sentenced to 30 years in prison after trial

A Leesburg man known as a violent career criminal was sentenced this week to 30 years in prison.

A Lake County jury this week found Charlie Christopher Wilder, 62, guilty of one count of burglary of a dwelling. Wilder, a 23-time convicted felon, was sentenced by Judge Brian Welke to 30 years in prison, the mandatory minimum for a violent career criminal.

In 2020, deputies from the Lake County Sheriff's Office responded to a call for service on Myrtle Lake Avenue in Fruitland Park. Upon arrival, officers contacted the complainant, who advised that a strange man in an SUV had pulled up next to their trailer outside and was examining items under the carport. When the complainant asked the man, later identified as Wilder, if he needed help, Wilder said he was looking for a family who needed yard work.

After this brief exchange, Wilder walked away from the property and toward a neighbor's house. There, the complainant was seen entering through the rear screened porch of the residence. The complainant called the owner, who informed him that Wilder did not belong on his property and that he needed to leave.

The complainant then confronted Wilder, who was on the porch and attempting to open the rear door of the residence. When he was told he wasn't allowed to be there and had to leave. At that point, the owner arrived and attempted to stop Wilder from leaving while contacting law enforcement.

LCSO deputies made contact with Wilder, who could not corroborate the reason for his presence at the residence. While questioning Wilder further about his presence at the home, he told deputies he was sent to the area to look for work in legal services.

Assistant District Attorney Steven Miller and District Attorney Bill Gladson prosecuted the case.