Nelson Restructures Targeted Prosecution to Enhance Response to Violent Crime

As organized groups and individuals continue to commit violent crimes in Jacksonville, State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces the expansion of the office’s Targeted Prosecution Unit to further identify, investigate, and prosecute these offenders.

Nelson established the Targeted Prosecution Unit in early 2017 to address those who have demonstrated they are more dangerous and violent to the community than most. Starting Feb. 1, the office will reorganize the unit to further bolster efforts against violent crime.

“This reinforces the great work being done in Targeted Prosecution and provides more resources to combat and eliminate our city’s violent crime,” said State Attorney Melissa Nelson. “The goal remains to keep the public safe and this decision directly falls in line with that priority.”

Targeted Prosecution will be divided into two divisions — proactive and reactive. The division’s proactive group will continue to conduct longer-term investigations, such as the multiyear effort that culminated in the arrests of more than 40 individuals in the Rollin’ 20s street gang. This proactive team will continue to be led by Director Matt O’Keefe.

The reactive group will use every legislative tool available to address our community’s most serious, violent offenders and those who use firearms to carry out their crimes. It will work closely with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, our state and federal partners, and the Crime Gun Intelligence Center opening in spring. This reactive team will be led by Director Mark Caliel, who is stepping away from his role as Circuit Court director to oversee this important initiative. Joining Caliel in the reactive division will be the office’s Senior Trial Attorneys, a group of prosecutors who will continue to pursue violent, non-homicide defendants and serious repeat offenders.

“I am thankful that Mark is shifting his focus to lead this very important endeavor with some of our rising talent,” said Nelson.