Duval County Jury Finds Joyner Guilty of Illegal Possession of Gun

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces a Duval County jury found Deonte’ Joyner guilty of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon and Resisting Officer Without Violence to His/Her Person. With the verdict, Joyner faces up to 30 years in Florida State Prison, as the State intends to seek sentencing as a Habitual Felony Offender. The Honorable Mark Borello will sentence Joyner at a later date.

On April 16, 2024, a patrol officer saw a driver run a stop sign and turn onto Phillips Highway. The officer got behind the car and turned on his emergency lights to pull the driver over for a traffic stop. The driver pulled over by the intersection of Executive Park Court. The odor of marijuana was coming from the car; a search through law enforcement databases revealed the passenger of the car had active warrants for his arrest. The officer placed the passenger under arrest. The officer then asked Joyner, who was in the backseat, to step out of the car. He at first refused, but he eventually got out of the car and said he would not allow the officer to search him. The officer saw a bulge in Joyner’s waistband. The officer performed a pat down for weapons; as the officer felt the object in Joyner’s waistband, Joyner turned his body away and flailed his arms. The officer grabbed his waist while Joyner attempted to run. The officer took Joyner to the ground and a firearm fell from Joyner’s waistband. Joyner was placed in handcuffs, and the gun was confiscated as evidence. The gun had a loaded magazine and a round loaded in the chamber. Joyner has a prior felony conviction and is not legally allowed to possess a firearm.

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