News by Year: 2019

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Donald Hugh Davidson Jr., of Middleburg, entered a guilty plea to charges of First-Degree Murder, Attempted Sexual Battery (Victim Over 12 Years of Age With Force or Deadly Weapon), four counts of Sexual Battery (Victim Under 12 Years of Age), Lewd or Lascivious Molestation, Kidnapping, and Grand Theft Auto. Davidson faces the possibility of the death penalty for his crimes. Davidson waived his right to a jury trial for the guilt and penalty phases — the Honorable Don Lester will oversee a penalty hearing the week of June 10, 2019.

After more than a decade serving the people of the Fourth Circuit, Chief Assistant State Attorney Mac Heavener will return to federal practice and join the United States Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Tennessee. His last day with the State Attorney’s Office will be July 5, 2019.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Lark Dana Hodge, 23, of Jacksonville, was found guilty by a jury of Driving Under the Influence – Manslaughter. Hodge now faces a maximum of 15 years in Florida State Prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled before the Honorable Linda McCallum on June 24, 2019.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Curtis Anthony Fields, Jr., was found guilty by a jury of Grand Theft Auto. Fields was sentenced after trial by the Honorable Mark Borello to two years in Florida State Prison.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Tyrone Michael Mcgriff, of Neptune Beach, was found guilty by a jury of Sale, Manufacture, or Delivery of Cocaine Within 1,000 Feet of a Convenience Store. McGriff now faces a maximum of 30 years in Florida State Prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled to be set before the Honorable Marianne Aho on June 13, 2019.

The City of Jacksonville, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, State Attorney’s Office for the Fourth Judicial Circuit and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office unveiled the new Crime Gun Intelligence Center (CGIC) in a ceremony today in downtown Jacksonville.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Michael Ray Haim, of Waynesville, N.C., was sentenced by the Honorable Steven Whittington to life in Florida State Prison for the murder of his wife, Bonnie, in 1993. A jury found Haim guilty of Second-Degree Murder in April 2019.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Keith Antonio Brown, Jr., 20, of Jacksonville, was found guilty by a jury of Robbery by Sudden Snatching and Possession of Less than 20 Grams of Cannabis. Brown now faces a maximum of six years in prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled before the Honorable Linda McCallum the week of June 11, 2019.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Kojo Karume Al-Zubair Khayrallah, of Jacksonville, was found guilty by a jury of Written Threats to Kill or Do Bodily Injury and Written Threats to Conduct an Act of Terrorism. Sentencing is scheduled to be set by the Honorable Angela Cox the week of June 17, 2019.

Two years ago, law enforcement from each agency in the Fourth Circuit and community stakeholders signed a historic agreement to expand the use of juvenile civil citations. The results are clear: the smart justice program is working.