Man Found Guilty of Aggravated Battery With Weapon

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that James Dykeman was found guilty by a jury of Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon. With the verdict, Dykeman faces up to 15 years in Florida State Prison. The Honorable Tatiana Salvador will schedule a sentencing hearing during the week of Feb. 28, 2022.

In the late evening hours of March 24, 2019, law enforcement responded to a West Beaver Street truck stop in reference to a person who had been cut. The victim was transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Dykeman, a truck driver by trade, got into an argument with the victim. A third individual arrived to diffuse the situation, but while he talked to the victim Dykeman approached and stabbed him multiple times in the leg before returning to his truck and driving away. Management from the convenience store reported to law enforcement it found a black folding knife and provided surveillance footage that showed Dykeman run toward the area where the knife was found before returning to his truck and driving away. Law enforcement reviewed the footage and confirmed Dykeman disposed of the knife before driving away. Law enforcement was able to identify the other man as Dykeman’s boss and was able to contact Dykeman, who relayed his version of events. Based on the surveillance and evidence, an arrest warrant was issued for Dykeman, who was arrested by Seminole County Sheriff’s Office.

The case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Brittany Johnson and Jalisa Curtis.