Spring Hill man gets 50 years for bombing, arson
BROOKSVILLE – A Spring Hill man was sentenced to 50 years in prison Monday morning after a jury found him guilty last month of first-degree arson and discharging a destructive device resulting in harm.
Fifth Circuit Court Judge Anthony Tatti sentenced Kraig Alan Schoonover, 31, of Baldwin Street, for the two felony charges, both of which fall under mandatory minimum provisions of the Prison Releasee Reoffender Punishment Act.
Schoonover received 30 years for arson and 20 years for unlawful throwing, placing, or discharging a destructive device or bomb with 196 days credit for time served in the Hernando County Jail.
Prior to sentencing, a finger printing expert with the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office was called to the witness stand Monday, and testified in support of evidence linking Schoonover’s fingerprints to those of his prior arrest and booking at Hillsborough County Jail.
The Florida State Legislature established the Prison Releasee Reoffender Punishment Act in 1999 as part of the “10. 20. Life” law, which includes a list of 18 felonies that, if an inmate is found guilty of within three years of release from prison, will be subject to mandatory minimum sentencing guidelines.
Schoonover has been convicted of four prior felonies, court records show.
Tatti asked Schoonover if there was anything he wished to say before sentencing.
“No, sir,” Schoonover said.
Schoonover’s family members sobbed as Tatti read the sentences.
In addition to the two consecutive prison terms, Schoonover was also ordered to pay more than $20,000 to the owner who leased the home that was bombed with Molotov cocktails, and $996 to one of the first-party victims inside the home at the time of the arson.
Schoonover has 30 days to file a written notice of appeal, which he expressed interest in doing during his sentencing Monday.
Schoonover also has a misdemeanor hold out of Citrus County, and requested he be sent directly to Florida Department of Corrections rather than Citrus County Jail. A deputy at the sentencing said Florida Department of Corrections is conventionally thought of as being more liberal in their treatment of inmates than county jails are.
“I suspect because it’s a neighboring county they’ll take you there first,” Tatti said, adding that he has no authority to act on Schoonover’s request. “Good luck.”
Schoonover stood and looked back at his family.
“I love you, mom,” he said, then he walked through the door.
Florida Department of Corrections data shows Schoonover began serving a three year sentence in March 2006 for three counts of selling or manufacturing a controlled substance and one count of fraud.
Shortly after release, Schoonover was sentenced February 2010 to a two-year prison term for two counts of drug trafficking in Hillsborough County, prison records show.
He was also sentenced March 2010 for felony failure to appear in Pasco County Court and on two counts of fraud.
Schoonover was most recently incarcerated at Central Florida Reception Center – East Unit, where he was released August 2011.
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