FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: David Chapman
Phone: (904) 255-3004
Cell: (904) 524-6626
ChapmanD@coj.net
June 6, 2024
DUVAL COUNTY JURY FINDS COPELAND GUILTY OF TRAFFICKING COCAINE, METH
State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that a Duval County jury found Lavelle Copeland guilty of Trafficking in Cocaine; Trafficking in Methamphetamine; Possession of More Than 20 Grams of Cannabis; Possession of Controlled Substance Paraphernalia; and Resisting an Officer without Violence to his/her Person. With the verdict, Copeland faces more than 60 years in Florida State Prison. The Honorable London Kite will sentence Copeland at a later date.
On Feb. 10, 2024, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Street Level Narcotics Team served a search warrant at a home on Dunmire Avenue. As detectives entered the property, Copeland ran out the back door and jumped a fence. Officers chased Copeland and gave multiple orders to stop, but Copeland refused. He was taken down by an officer and arrested. JSO secured the home and began their search; they found powder cocaine in plastic bags in the kitchen weighing 58 grams; a large sum of cash; crack cocaine; crystal methamphetamine; cannabis; and more. Copeland’s cellphones were lying next to the drugs. Narcotics were scattered throughout the kitchen including a batch that was just cooked and was cooling in the sink. Paraphernalia used in the manufacturing, packaging, and weighing of narcotics were also found in the kitchen.
The case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Blake Adams and Stephanie Burke.