Machete-Wielding Florida Man Convicted Of 2015 Murder, Sentenced

TAMPA, FLA — A 41-year-old Spring Hill man who entered a Brandon marijuana grow house in 2015 with a machete has been sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of first-degree murder late Tuesday night, the Hillsborough County State’s Attorney Office announced Wednesday.

Yuniel Sentmanat-Gonzalez was found guilty of the felony after prosecutors used DNA evidence, including fingerprints as well as a witness’ identification of the Sentmanat-Gonzalez to secure the conviction.

Prosecutors said that Sentmanat-Gonzalez entered the home on May 14, 2015, when the victim and his girlfriend were at home. Six people wearing masks broke into the home, including several of whom had machetes while one of the suspects entered the house with a gun, prosecutors said.

The victim began fighting with the suspects, including one of which was wielding a machete. The victim was able to push all of the suspects out of a glass sliding door after the attack and the suspects escaped through the back yard. But the victim eventually died from his injuries, prosecutors said.

Despite being injured, the victim was able to pull the mask off one of the suspects and his girlfriend was able to see part of the victim’s face, prosecutors said Wednesday. The mask, which was left behind at the scene, contained the suspect’s DNA, which led to the arrest of Sentmanat-Gonzalez, who fingerprints were also lifted off a garbage back in the home.

“Our office has prioritized going after the most violent offenders, and this machete-wielding murderer certainly fits that bill. Our community is much safer with him behind bars for life,” Hillsborough State Attorney Andrew Warren said in a news release.

In addition to the first-degree murder charge, Sentmanat-Gonzalez – who was born in Cuba and listened to the verdict Tuesday night through the aid of an interpreter – was found guilty of burglary of a dwelling and attempted robbery.