OCALA, Fla. (WFLA) — A Florida deputy was found guilty on Thursday in the fatal shooting of his girlfriend back in 2024.
On the night of September 19 last year, at about 11 p.m., the Ocala Police Department received a distress call from 33-year-old Leslie Boileau Jr. He reported that his girlfriend had been shot in the head while they were in the process of cleaning guns.
At the time, Boileau Jr. was a Marion County deputy, a position he had held for eight years.
When officers arrived, they discovered Boileau Jr. holding his girlfriend, 25-year-old Polina Wright, who was unfortunately declared dead at the scene.
During questioning, Boileau Jr. explained to investigators that he and Wright had just returned from an early dinner where they had a few drinks. Once home, Wright had asked him to show her how to clean and handle firearms properly.
Boileau Jr. told police that when he went to demonstrate the use of his rifle, the gun went off, striking Write in the forehead.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office arrested Boileau Jr., and he was immediately terminated from his position.
The State Attorney’s Office reported that, following a trial that lasted several days, the jury found Boileau Jr. guilty of manslaughter involving a firearm. He could now face a sentence of up to 30 years in prison.
“This verdict emphasizes that the law applies to everyone, and those whose negligence or recklessness results in a loss of life must face consequences,” stated Bill Gladson, State Attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit. “We offer our heartfelt sympathies to Ms. Wright’s family and express gratitude to the jury for their dedication, as well as to the law enforcement officers who handled this case with professionalism and diligence.”
This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Richard Buxman and Tucker O/Neill.
