Duval County Jury Finds West Guilty of Illegally Possessing a Gun

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that a Duval County jury found Demario West guilty of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. With the verdict, West faces up to 15 years in Florida State Prison. The Honorable Jonathan Sacks will sentence West at a later date.

On Nov. 5, 2023, an officer with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office was on patrol on Phillips Highway when he saw a car without a tag leaving the back of a motel. The officer enacted his emergency lights and the driver — West — sped off and hit a parked car. West got out of the car in black clothing and a beanie and ran. The officers gave loud verbal commands for West to stop, but West did not and attempted to jump a fence. An officer tackled him to the ground; West continued to resist. West was eventually taken into custody, and an officer found a loaded firearm where West fled his car and next to his beanie. West’s DNA was on the firearm.

The case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Dillon Rheuby and Loana Nardoni.