Very little has been publicly released about Leonard Patrick Gonzalez Sr.’s life before the crimes. What’s known is that he was the father of Leonard Patrick Gonzalez Jr., the mastermind and triggerman in the infamous Billings murders.

His role in the crime wasn't one of physical violence, but his participation in the orchestration and getaway plan was enough to earn him serious charges under Florida’s felony murder law. At the time of the crime, Gonzalez Sr. was likely brought into the plan by his son, further entangling the father-son duo in what became one of Florida’s most high-profile murder cases.

On July 9, 2009, a crew of eight people, including Gonzalez Sr., carried out a targeted home invasion against Byrd and Melanie Billings—a well-known local couple recognized for adopting children with special needs.

Gonzalez Sr.’s specific role was to wait at the front of the house as the designated getaway driver, while the masked men stormed the home armed with guns and ultimately killed both parents execution-style. The group made off with a safe and other valuables, unaware that the house was equipped with 16 surveillance cameras, which later helped lead to their swift arrest.

Although Gonzalez Sr. never fired a weapon, he was charged and convicted due to his involvement in the planning and execution of the armed robbery, which escalated to felony murder. He ultimately accepted a plea deal in exchange for a reduced sentence compared to his son and other direct participants.

He was sentenced to 17.5 years for two counts of second-degree murder (concurrent) and 17.5 years for home invasion robbery with a firearm (concurrent).

He died in prison on June 13, 2015, just six years into his sentence.