Clay County Jury Finds Payton Guilty of Burglary, Domestic Battery

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that a Clay County jury found Jiquan Payton guilty of Burglary with Assault or Battery and Felony Battery (Domestic). With the verdict, Payton faces up to life in Florida State Prison. The Honorable Steven Whittington will sentence Payton at a later date.

On June 2, 2023, the victim called 911 to report her Orange Park apartment was being broken into while she hid in the bedroom. Payton kicked the door in, punched the victim in her head and back, and pulled off her wig. Payton and the victim share two children together and were in an on and off again relationship for four years. The dating relationship ended about three months before the attack, and the victim told officers with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office that Payton was angry she was dating someone new. Officers observed a footprint on the door and the jamb was splintered with the dead bolt latch on the floor. Payton has a documented history of domestic violence arrests against the victim.

The case was investigated by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Cara Devlin and Jamie Cona.