Two 19-year-old men and a 15-year-old boy have received lengthy prison sentences for their involvement in the 2023 murders of three teenagers in Marion County.
The defendants in this case – 19-year-old Robert Le’Andrew Robinson, 19-year-old Tahj Brewton, and 15-year-old Christopher De’l Atkins – all entered pleas earlier this year in connection with the shooting deaths of 17-year-old Michael Hodo, Jr., 16-year-old Layla Silvernail, and 16-year-old Camile Quarles.
Robinson and Brewton, who were 17 and 16 years of age respectively at the time of the murders, were sentenced to life in prison. Atkins, who was 12 years old when the fatal shootings occurred, was sentenced to 40 years’ imprisonment.
“Justice demanded nothing less than full accountability,” said State Attorney Bill Gladson. “These convictions honor the stolen lives of Layla, Michael and Camille while affirming that no one—regardless of age—may brutally take the life of another without facing the gravest consequences.”
Back on March 30, 2023, shortly after 10:50 p.m., Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the area of Forest Lakes Park on SE 183rd Avenue Road in Ocklawaha in reference to an injured female who was laying on the side of the road, according to MCSO.
Upon arrival, deputies located a 16-year-old girl, later identified as Layla Silvernail, who was unconscious near a dumpster. She had been shot in the head, and she was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. She later succumbed to her injuries at the hospital.
On March 31, 2023, at approximately 7:55 a.m., a 17-year-old boy was found deceased on the side of the road in the area of SE 94th Street and SE 188th Court in Ocklawaha. He was later identified as Michael Hodo, Jr., and he had sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the back of his head.
The following day, at around 12:40 p.m, the body of a third shooting victim, 16-year-old Camille Quarles, was found in the trunk of a 2015 Chevrolet Cruze. She had been shot twice while inside the trunk, and the vehicle was partially submerged at the edge of a pond in the area of Malauka Loop and Malauka Loop Trace in Ocklawaha.
According to MCSO, Detectives Andrew Canterberry and Ryan Stith led the extensive investigation into the homicides. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement and United States Marshall’s Office also provided evidence that helped lead to the arrests of Atkins, Robinson, and Brewton.
The triple-homicide case was presented to a grand jury in May of 2023. Robinson and Brewton were indicted on three counts of first-degree murder, and Atkins was indicted on one count of the same charge. In addition, the three defendants were all charged with armed robbery and evidence tampering.
The defendants were all charged as adults.
The youngest defendant, Atkins, pleaded guilty in April of 2025, and he agreed to testify against Robinson and Brewton. Last month, Brewton pleaded guilty to the charges, and Robinson avoided going to trial after pleading no contest.
Robinson, Brewton, and Atkins will be eligible for parole following a review in 2048, which is 25 years after their arrests.