In the News

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces the return by a grand jury of indictments charging eight defendants with First-Degree Murder. With the indictments, each defendant faces a sentence of mandatory life in prison, unless the State provides notice of its intent to seek the death penalty, in accordance with Florida law.

With compassion and commitment, Carl Harms goes above and beyond for families of slain victims during their greatest time of need. Harms’ dedication as a victim specialist is well known within the Fourth Judicial Circuit, but he has now received accolades on a grander scale.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Kameron Letroy Holmes, 25, of Jacksonville, was found guilty by a jury of Second-Degree Murder. On March 23, 2018, Holmes was sentenced to Life in Florida State Prison by the Honorable Russell L. Healey.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Renard Terrell Gauldin, 21, of Jacksonville, was found guilty by a jury of two counts of Armed Robbery, and one count of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. On March 16, 2018, Gauldin was sentenced to 35 years in Florida State Prison by the Honorable Mark Borello.

We are pleased to announce that the Fourth Circuit State Attorney’s Office 2017 Annual Report has been uploaded to the website and is now live.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that the Honorable Angela M. Cox sentenced Kevin Hilaire, 21, of Jacksonville to 18 years in Florida State Prison for Armed Robbery, and Possession of a Firearm by an Adjudicated Delinquent. His sentence includes a 10-year mandatory minimum for the use of a firearm during the armed robbery.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Ezequiel Soriano Lopez, 26, of Jacksonville, was found guilty by a jury of Second-Degree Murder and sentenced to Life in Florida State Prison by the Honorable Steven B. Whittington.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Travis Christopher Jakubowski, 28, of Ponte Vedra Beach, was found guilty by a jury of Armed Sexual Battery, and Burglary with Intent to Commit Assault or Battery, and sentenced to 30 years in Florida State Prison by the Honorable Linda F. McCallum. Jakubowski also has been designated a sexual predator.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Gloria Williams, 52, of Walterboro, S.C., pleaded guilty to Kidnapping, and Interference with Custody. Pursuant to the plea agreement, Williams now faces a maximum of 22 years in Florida State Prison. She faces 22 years on the kidnapping count and five years on the interference count, with the sentences running concurrently.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Louis Eugene Payton, 30, of Jacksonville, was found guilty by a jury of Armed Robbery, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. He was sentenced to 30 years in Florida State Prison by the Honorable Linda McCallum. His sentence includes a 20-year mandatory minimum for discharging a firearm during the armed robbery.