A federal jury in San Francisco has found Leion Butler, 21, guilty of voluntary manslaughter in the shooting death of a man in the Presidio on November 12, 2023. The verdict came after a two-week trial before U.S. District Judge Susan Illston.
According to court documents, Butler, a sex worker, shot the victim once in the eye after he asked for a refund and asked Butler to get out of the car. Butler then stole the victim’s vehicle, drove it to Hunters Point, and attempted to wipe away fingerprints and DNA. Physical evidence, including the murder weapon, was scattered throughout the morning.
The jury found Butler guilty of voluntary manslaughter, but acquitted him of murder in the second degree. Butler is currently being held in custody and is scheduled to be sentenced on June 27, 2025. The maximum statutory penalty for a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1112 is 15 years and a fine of $250,000, plus restitution if appropriate.
The investigation into the case was led by the FBI, which promptly and thoroughly investigated the crime from the moment the victim’s body was found in the Presidio. Acting United States Attorney Patrick D. Robbins extended his condolences to the victim’s family and praised the FBI’s swift actions in the case.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani stated that the conviction demonstrates the FBI’s commitment to seeking justice for victims of violent crime. He also commended the tireless investigative work and collaboration with law enforcement partners that led to Butler’s conviction.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelsey Davidson and George Hageman prosecuted the case with the assistance of Helen Yee, Jessie Chelsea, Marina Ponomarchuk, and Janice Pagsanjan. The prosecution was the result of a monthslong investigation by the FBI.
Leion Butler, who is currently being held in custody, is facing a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, plus restitution if appropriate. He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 27, 2025.
Key Facts
- State: California
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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