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Man Gets 20 Years In Prison In Deadly Brothel Robbery

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By TOM BRENNAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 12, 2009

TAMPA - A Lakeland man was sentenced to 20 years in prison today for his role in the March 2006 robbery of a Dover brothel in which a man was killed.

Ramon A. Luna III, 26, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, four counts of robbery and three counts of kidnapping.

In exchange for Luna's plea, prosecutors reduced the murder charge from first-degree, which carried a mandatory life sentence.

Under Florida sentencing guidelines, the eight felonies to which Luna pleaded guilty called for 51 years imprisonment without the plea deal.

Luna admitted brandishing a 12-guage shotgun when he and two other men forced their way into the brothel March 18, 2006. Denis Villalobos, 27, was killed in the break in; Assistant State Attorney Michelle Doherty said Villalobos worked at the brothel.

Prosecutors said the shotgun found at Luna's home did not fire the fatal shot.

After shooting Villalobos, the three men forced customers and workers face down on the floor and bound them with duct tape. They took cell phones, purses and about $200 in cash.

Also arrested was Miguel Omar Maldonado, 24, of 2830 Cherry St. W., who is scheduled to stand trial Tuesday. The third man has not been arrested and has not been identified by authorities.

Luna and Maldonado were to be tried together, but with separate juries, before Hillsborough County Circuit Judge William Fuente. Prosecutors and defense attorneys said that was because Luna and Maldonado each told police the other was the triggerman.

Luna's plea agreement doesn't require him to testify against Maldonado.

The guilty plea came after prosecutors and Luna's attorney spent most of the day trying to select a jury.

Luna accepted the deal as potential jurors were about to be winnowed into the final panel.

Reporter Tom Brennan can be reached at (813) 259-7698 or tbrennan@tampatrib.com.

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