Office of State Attorney
Alexcia Cox

15th Judicial Circuit
Serving the Citizens of Palm Beach County

Office of State Attorney
Alexcia Cox

15th Judicial Circuit
Serving the Citizens of Palm Beach County

Sentencing Alert

Sentencing Alert News Graphic

July 9, 2025

Man Sentenced to 40 Years for Murder

The State Attorney’s Office announces that Kirkland Lehto, 27, was sentenced Wednesday to 40 years in prison for second-degree murder with a firearm.

On April 25, a Palm Beach County jury found Lehto guilty in the 2021 death of a 31-year-old man whom he had just met. The defendant shot the victim as they rode in a truck that was driven by a friend near Loxahatchee.

The sentence imposed by the court includes a 25-year mandatory prison term, to be served day for day without any gain time.

Assistant State Attorneys Courtney Behar and Bethany Johnson prosecuted the case.

For further information contact:

Marc Freeman

mfreeman@sa15.org

(561) 355-7263

Main Office Location

401 North Dixie Highway
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Main Number: 561-355-7100
Fax Number: 561-366-1800
StateAttorney@sa15.org

North County Office

3188 PGA Blvd.
Palm Bch Gardens, FL 33418
Main Number: 561-624-6630
Fax Number: 561-624-6548

South County Office

200 W. Atlantic Ave., Ste 100
Delray Beach, FL 33444
Main Number: 561-274-1490
Fax Number: 561-274-1498

Belle Glade Office

38844 State Road 80
Belle Glade, FL 33430
Main Number: 561-996-4820
Fax Number: 561-992-1055

Criminal Justice Complex

3228 Gun Club Road
West Palm Beach, FL 33406
Main Number: 561-688-4640
Fax Number: 561-688-4646