In the News

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Keith Collins, Jr., of Jacksonville, was found guilty by a jury of two counts of First-Degree Murder and Attempted First-Degree Murder. The jury will now determine whether Collins will receive the Death Penalty or Mandatory Life in Florida State Prison. The penalty phase is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Nov. 5, 2018.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Brian Kevin Littles, Jr., 23, of Jacksonville, was sentenced by the Honorable Steven Whittington to 35 years in Florida State Prison for crimes he committed in October 2017.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson has joined law enforcement leaders from around the country as the newest member of the Crime Gun Intelligence Governing Board, an initiative of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Eric Newberg, 48, was civilly committed as a sexually violent predator following a jury trial. Newberg will now be committed to the Florida Civil Commitment Center for long-term care, control, and treatment.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Roderick Stephan Love, Jr., 28, of Jacksonville, was found guilty by a jury of Attempted Second-Degree Murder and Armed Robbery, and Xavier Payne, 22, of Jacksonville was found guilty by a jury of Attempted Second-Degree Murder.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Joel Rodriguez-Carmona, 43, of Jacksonville, was found guilty by a jury of Armed Burglary, False Imprisonment, and four counts of Sexual Battery.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Anthony Deon’ta Finch, 24, of Jacksonville, was found guilty by a jury of Second-Degree Murder. As a prison releasee reoffender, Finch now faces a mandatory Life sentence in Florida State Prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled before the Honorable Russell L. Healey the week of Sept. 10, 2018.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Latonya Louise Folson and Kirk Ian Jackson were found guilty by a jury of Conspiracy to Traffic in Cocaine (400 grams or more). Both Folson and Jackson now face a maximum of 30 years each in Florida State Prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled to be set by the Honorable Angela M. Cox the week of Oct. 1, 2018.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Joshua Allen Whitfield, 26, of Jacksonville, was found guilty by a jury of First-Degree Murder. Whitfield now faces a mandatory Life sentence in Florida State Prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled before the Honorable Marianne Aho the week of Oct. 8, 2018.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Janae Yvette Taylor, 26, of Jacksonville, was found guilty by a jury of First-Degree Murder and three counts of Robbery. Taylor now faces a mandatory Life sentence in Florida State Prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled before the Honorable Linda F. McCallum the week Oct. 8, 2018.