Convicted Felon Found Guilty of Illegally Possessing a Firearm

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that a Duval County jury found Charles Horne guilty of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. With the verdict, Horne faces up to 30 years in Florida State Prison with a 10-year mandatory minimum, as the State will seek designation and sentencing as a Habitual Felony Offender and Habitual Violent Felony Offender. The Honorable Mark Borello will sentence Horne at a later date.

On Feb. 14, 2026, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office responded to a Beach Boulevard business after Horne discharged a firearm. When officers arrived, a witness said Horne had gone into the business, sat down, and a gun fell out of his pocket. When the gun hit the ground, it fired. Horne then picked up the gun and walked away. Horne is a convicted felon and not legally allowed to own or possess a gun.  He was arrested in April after detectives found him walking down a Northwest Jacksonville street.   

The case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Jamie Sobalvarro and Raquel Stokes.