Jury Finds Dimaio Guilty of Illegal Possession of Weapon, Drugs

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that a Nassau County jury found Dominic Dimaio guilty of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon; Possession of Methamphetamine; and Possession of Controlled Substance Paraphernalia. With the verdict, Dimaio faces up to 30 years in Florida State Prison if classified as a Habitual Felony Offender. The Honorable Jeb Branham will sentence Dimaio at a later date.

On Dec. 22, 2024, a Nassau County deputy stopped a car on U.S. Highway 1 and Ewing Park Road for a traffic violation. The officer called for backup after he noticed the three people in the car were acting abnormal. Dimaio was driving the car. The officer instructed Dimaio to exit his car, which he refused. The officer unlocked and opened the car door, and Dimaio got out of the car. The officer asked Dimaio if he had any weapons on him, which he replied he was unsure what was in his pockets. During a pat down, the officer found a knife, pipe with drugs, gun solvent, and a weapon mounted pistol light in his pockets. Dimaio was detained, and other officers who arrived on scene then searched the vehicle where they found a pistol, an empty AK-47 magazine, and a cigarette packet containing a baggie of drugs. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement laboratory tested the drugs; results came back positive for methamphetamine. Dimaio was previously convicted of felonies including Attempted First-Degree Murder and Aggravated Assault; therefore, he is not legally allowed to possess firearms or ammunition.

The case was investigated by the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Joel Powell and Doug Baer Jr.