Eastside Gang Members Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces the Honorable Anthony Salem sentenced Marquez and Rashad Johnson to 30 years and Feon Davis to 12 years in Florida State Prison. The sentencing follows an Aug. 24, 2023, jury conviction on the brothers for Trafficking in a Controlled Substance; Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device; Possession of a Place for Trafficking; Sale of or Manufacturing of a Controlled Substance; three counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Sell; and Possession of more than 20 Grams of Cannabis with Intent to Sell. Prior to trial, Davis pleaded guilty to the court.

The three defendants are known gang members of 1200/Out East, which operates on Jacksonville’s Eastside. The State charged the Johnson brothers under Florida’s Gang Enhancement Statute, which exposed them to additional prison time. 

On March 11, 2021, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Narcotics Unit served a search warrant on an Eastside residence. No one was inside when the JSO SWAT team forced entry into the home. The defendants were tipped off to the pending bust and fled to a nearby convenience store where they hid. Surveillance footage captured the three running to the store and hiding. They were arrested at the store.

Narcotics detectives searched the home and seized more than 150 grams of eutylone, numerous pounds of marijuana, narcotics, and multiple firearms. Detectives also found drug paraphernalia used for manufacturing and trafficking drugs.

“This is an example why we built our Targeted Prosecution Unit,” said State Attorney Melissa Nelson. “In collaboration with law enforcement, two dangerous gang members have been taken off the street.”

The case was investigated by Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Lauren Anderson and Tom Mangan.