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.

The road ahead for each was not easy, but they stood before a courtroom of peers and cheers Friday as Drug Court graduates. The graduates were part of a group who completed an intensive treatment program that included drug testing, counseling, case management, and regular court appearances. Eligible participants are arrested on non-violent, drug-related charges. Successful completion of the program makes them eligible to have those charges dropped.

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.

In an effort to better serve the public, the State Attorney’s Office today announces it now has the ability to accept credit cards as payment for public records. The office is the first in Florida to offer this option.

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.