ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — A man convicted of orchestrating a burglary that netted approximately $350,000 in jewelry and other valuables from a Ponte Vedra Beach home has been sentenced to 20 years in prison, prosecutors announced.
During a hearing Friday, Estevez Wheaton was sentenced as a Habitual Felony Offender to 20 years in state prison followed by 10 years of probation.
A St. Johns County jury found Wheaton guilty in April of Burglary of a Dwelling, Grand Theft over $100,000, Dealing in Stolen Property, Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle, and Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communication Device.
According to evidence presented at trial, Wheaton planned and carried out the burglary on Jan. 29, 2023, while the homeowner was away on vacation.
Investigators said Wheaton disconnected the home’s surveillance cameras before stealing a safe containing personal documents and approximately $350,000 worth of jewelry. Authorities said he also stole the victim’s vehicle and used it to transport the stolen items back to his own vehicle.
Prosecutors said that within hours of the burglary, Wheaton posted photographs of some of the stolen jewelry on Facebook and Instagram in an attempt to sell the items.
Detectives also recovered video evidence showing Wheaton on the victim’s property before the burglary and found a map containing directions to the residence.
The case was investigated by the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant State Attorneys Jennifer Lieb and Bailie McLaughlin prosecuted the case on behalf of the State of Florida. Circuit Judge Christopher Ferebee presided over the case and imposed the sentence.