POLK COUNTY, Fla. (TCN) — A 32-year-old man has been sentenced to multiple life terms following his conviction of three counts of murder.
On July 17, 2020, three men — 27-year-old Brandon Rollins, 30-year-old Keven Springfield, and 23-year-old Damien Tillman — were found dead near a Florida lake. Before he died, Rollins called his father for help. All three victims died at the scene.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, a bag from Dollar Tree with a receipt inside was found at the crime scene. Investigators spoke to employees, who showed video surveillance footage of Rollins making a purchase. Rollins, a regular customer known by employees, had reportedly said he was going fishing. Also seen on surveillance footage was Tony Wiggins, who was identified later as a suspect.
A search warrant executed at the property shared by Tony Wiggins; his girlfriend, Mary Whittemore; and his younger brother, William “Robert” Wiggins, revealed weapons and ammunition that belonged to Tony Wiggins. According to the sheriff’s office, Tony Wiggins was a convicted felon and was arrested on suspicion of firearm and ammunition possession while the investigation continued.
Evidence found during the execution of the search warrant matched ballistic evidence found at the scene of the triple homicide, according to the sheriff’s office, and the Wiggins brothers and Whittemore were interviewed. According to the sheriff’s office, their stories contradicted one another’s.
Court TV reports prosecutors believe the triple homicide occurred following a fight over a truck. Tony Wiggins’ truck was found in Springfield’s possession, and an investigation revealed the truck’s engine had been removed and put into a truck belonging to Tillman.
WTVT reports prosecutors believe Tony Wiggins followed Tillman after seeing him at the dollar store; Tillman was meeting the other two victims to go night fishing. A dispute over the truck’s engine followed, and prosecutors believe Tony Wiggins fired at least 10 rounds during the ensuing homicide.
Tony Wiggins was charged with first-degree murder and evidence tampering in addition to the possession of ammunition and possession of a firearm by a felon counts. William Wiggins was charged with accessory after the fact and evidence tampering, and Whittemore was charged with three counts of accessory after the fact, according to the sheriff’s office.
At the time he was charged, Tony Wiggins’ criminal history contained 230 felonies and 15 convictions. He had spent time in state prison twice, per the sheriff’s office.
According to the sheriff’s office, following the triple homicide, the suspects reportedly went to McDonald’s to eat. WTVT reports Tony Wiggins’ truck was washed shortly after the deaths.
Court TV reports the jury in Tony Wiggins’ trial voted against the death penalty. On Oct. 9, Judge Jalal Harb sentenced him to multiple life terms without the possibility of parole, to be served consecutively.
Following impact statements made by family members of the victims, Tony Wiggins’ attorneys stated that he did not plan to address the court, according to Court TV. As the impact statements were read, the outlet reports Tony Wiggins could be seen smiling.
WTVT reports that after the sentencing, Rollins’ mother, Dottie Payton, said, “It felt like there was a piece of my heart that wasn’t broken, that was put right back together. … I was excited. We waited six years for this verdict and we got it today.”
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