Jacksonville Man Found Guilty of Resisting an Officer with Violence

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Chad Vaughn Moreland, 38, of Jacksonville, was found guilty by a jury of Resisting an Officer with Violence. Moreland now faces a maximum of 10 years as a Habitual Felony Offender in Florida State Prison. He has seven prior felony convictions, including two prior felony convictions for Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer. A sentencing hearing is scheduled before the Honorable Mark Borello on Sept. 18, 2017.

On April 3, 2017, Officer Semones of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office ran the tag of a vehicle parked in the parking lot of a Lem Turner Road discount store. The report came back indicating the vehicle was stolen. Semones parked his patrol car behind the stolen vehicle and attempted to make contact with Moreland, who was seated in the driver’s seat of the vehicle. However, Moreland fled on foot. Semones pursued him through a residential neighborhood until he eventually caught the defendant. Moreland initially said he would comply with Semones’ commands, but then proceeded to again flee. Semones again caught up to Moreland, who fought back, including biting the officer in the arm. When Moreland began to run again, he was Tasered and handcuffed.

The case was investigated by Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Leah Hogg and Jessica Narducci.