Man Found Guilty of Kidnapping, Attempted Sexual Battery, Other Crimes

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that a Duval County jury found Javonte Jennings guilty of Kidnapping with a Weapon, Armed Robbery, Attempted Sexual Battery with a Weapon, and Aggravated Assault. With the verdict, Jennings faces up to life in Florida State Prison. The Honorable Anthony Salem will sentence Jennings at a later date.

On June 22, 2020, members of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office responded to a Southbank parking garage for an armed robbery. A woman took her lunch break in her truck on the fifth floor of the garage. She was on her phone and eating when Jennings opened her door and pointed a gun at her. Jennings demanded money and her cellphone. He pushed her into the passenger side of the truck and climbed into the driver’s seat. Jennings forced her to kiss him before driving the truck to the fourth floor of the parking garage, where he attempted to take her pants off. He was unsuccessful and pulled the victim out of the car and attempted to drag her to a nearby stairwell. She was able to distract Jennings long enough to jump back in the truck and quickly drive to the second floor of the garage, where she ran for help into a nearby business.

The case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Kelli Shobe and Jessica Russell.