Man Found Guilty of Illegally Possessing Firearm

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Willie Cook was found guilty by a jury of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon; he also found to be a Habitual Violent Felony Offender. With the verdict and offender status, Cook faces up to 30 years in Florida State Prison. The Honorable London Kite will sentence Cook at a later date.

On Dec. 28, 2024, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office responded to 8^th Street West in relation to a shooting. When they arrived, officers determined the incident had taken place at a Kings Road auto parts business. Officers interviewed the witnesses and victim, who said they returned to their car from another nearby business where Cook worked as a bouncer. One of the witnesses was previously in a relationship with Cook, who got into the backseat of the car to confront the witness, and had to be removed. When he was removed, he pulled out a pink handgun. Surveillance from the business captured Cook pulling out the gun. As a multiple-time convicted felon, Cook was not legally allowed to possess a firearm.

The case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Loana Nardoni and Katherina Brown.