Duval County Jury Finds Burns Guilty of Murder-for-Hire of his Wife
Jury Finds Ponder Guilty of Written Threats to Kill
Published on: July 20, 2023
Office of the State Attorney
Fourth Judicial Circuit of Florida
www.sao4th.com
Fourth Judicial Circuit of Florida
www.sao4th.com
Melissa W Nelson
State Attorney
311 West Monroe Street
Jacksonville, Florida 32202-4242
(904) 255-2500
State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that a Duval County jury found Jimmie Ponder guilty of one count of Written Threats to Kill or Do Bodily Injury. Ponder is facing up to 30 years in Florida State Prison due to his status as a Habitual Felony Offender. The Honorable Jeb Branham will sentence Ponder at a future hearing.
Between Sept. 22 and Sept. 24, 2022, Ponder sent text messages, videos, and voicemails to a woman threatening her and her safety. Ponder, in a text message, said he would kill her and her children. In a voicemail, Ponder said “You’re going to die (expletive).” The victim told an officer with Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office that Ponder wants a sexual relationship with her, but she denied him and that is what made him angry.
The case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Austin Kwikkel and Jennifer Braunstein.