Jury Finds Savino Guilty of Trafficking Drugs, Fleeing from Officers

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that a Duval County jury found John Savino III guilty of Trafficking in Methamphetamine; Fleeing or Attempting to Elude a Law Enforcement Officer; Possession of Controlled Substance Paraphernalia; and Possession of Less Than 20 Grams of Cannabis. With the verdict, Savino faces up to 30 years in Florida State Prison. The Honorable Meredith Charbula will sentence Savino at a later date.

On Jan. 3, 2024, officers with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Tact Team witnessed Savino performing multiple hand-to-hand drug deals in a parking lot on Beach and Southside Boulevards. As he drove away from that location, officers tried to pull Savino over. Savino came to a slow roll and his passenger ran out of the vehicle, then Savino began to speed away from officers. Officers later found his car parked in a neighborhood and Savino nearby. Savino was then taken into custody. When officers searched him, they found a cellphone and keys to the vehicle. A container was located inside the dash on the driver’s side with three bags of crystal meth, a bag of cannabis, a razor blade, and a receipt that had “John” written on it. Additionally, measuring cups, a propane tank, a torch, and a scale were also located inside Savino’s car.

The case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Brian Hollen and Nick Salatino.