In the News

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Jihad Abdul Smith, of Jacksonville, was found guilty by a jury of First-Degree Murder and Tampering with Evidence. Smith now faces a maximum sentence of life in Florida State Prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled to be set before the Honorable Mark Borello the week of June 3, 2019.

We are pleased to announce that the Fourth Circuit State Attorney’s Office 2018 Annual Report has been published. It is uploaded to the sao4th.com website and is now live.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Daniel Christopher Dickerson, of Jacksonville, was found guilty by a jury of Armed Robbery and Solicitation to Commit Murder and/or Kidnapping. He also pleaded to the court on a Tampering with a Victim/Witness after the verdict. Dickerson now faces a maximum of life in Florida State Prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled before the Honorable Angela Cox the week of May 20, 2019.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces today that Stephen Webster Bentley, of Jacksonville, was found guilty by a jury of Second-Degree Murder. Bentley now faces a maximum of life in Florida State Prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled before the Honorable Bruce R. Anderson, Jr. the week of May 13, 2019.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Paul Moore, 52, of Jacksonville, was found guilty by a jury of Sexual Battery, Lewd or Lascivious Molestation, and Showing Obscene Material to Minors. Moore now faces a mandatory sentence of life in Florida State Prison.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Michael Ray Haim, 53, of Waynesville, N.C., was found guilty by a jury of Second-Degree Murder. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled before the Honorable Steven B. Whittington at a later date.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Glenn Lavern Sullivan, 49, of Jacksonville, was found guilty by a jury of Sale of Cocaine. Sullivan now faces a maximum of 30 years as a Habitual Felony Offender in Florida State Prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled before the Honorable Linda McCallum the week of May 20, 2019.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Nakia Campbell, of Jacksonville, was found guilty as charged by a jury of Attempted Second-Degree Murder and Armed Burglary with Assault or Battery. Campbell was sentenced to 35 years in Florida State Prison by the Honorable Lester Bass on April 9, 2019.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Trevonte Montie Phoenix, 18, of Jacksonville, has pleaded guilty to the court to Second-Degree Murder. Pursuant to the plea agreement, Phoenix now faces a range of 20 years to life in Florida State Prison. The Honorable Mark Borello will sentence Phoenix on a date to be determined.

For the first time in Florida, an investigation spearheaded by a prosecutor’s conviction review unit has led to the release of two incarcerated men convicted in a decades-old murder. After an extensive analysis by the office’s Conviction Integrity Review (CIR) unit, the State Attorney’s Office has determined it no longer has confidence in the integrity of the convictions or the guilt of Clifford Williams Jr. and Nathan Myers in the 1976 murder of Jeannette Williams.