State Attorney Ed Brodsky announced today that Kyle Sebastien Loeffler was sentenced to the maximum punishment of five years in the Florida Department of Corrections following his conviction of Robbery By Sudden Snatching.  The crime was committed on March 12, 2025, and investigated by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.  The sentencing hearing was held at the Manatee County Courthouse on September 10, 2026.

The defendant was sentenced to five years in the Florida Department of Corrections following his conviction for Robbery by Sudden Snatching stemming from an unprovoked attack on a 14-year-old girl on her way to school.

On March 12, 2025, at around 8 A.M. the 14-year-old victim was walking to school with her uncle, who is wheelchair bound due to a physical disability. As the victim crossed the street on her way to school, the defendant quickly approached her from behind, tackled her to the ground, and forcibly ripped her backpack from her, and fled the area.

Law enforcement found the defendant half a mile away wearing the victim’s backpack.  He was positively identified by the victim and her uncle.  The incident was captured on video surveillance at a nearby gas station.

At the sentencing hearing, the State recommended the maximum sentence of five years in prison.  The defense requested that the defendant be placed into a halfway house for mental health treatment.  The victim’s mother addressed the Court and described the significant impact this crime has had on her daughter and her family.

After hearing the evidence and seeing the surveillance video, the Court sentenced the defendant to five years in the Florida Department of Corrections, the maximum sentence permitted for a third-degree felony offense of Robbery by Sudden Snatching.

The lead prosecutor in the case, Assistant State Attorney Michael Anolfo commented,

“A 14-year-old girl should never have to fear being attacked on her way to school.  This defendant took advantage of a young and vulnerable victim, and I am grateful the Court held him accountable by imposing the maximum sentence allowed by law.  This case serves as a reminder that those who victimize our community will be held accountable.”

If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact Assistant State Attorney Michael Anolfo in the Manatee County office at (941) 747-3077.