In the News

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces today that Akeen Kadoni Paul, 22, of Jacksonville, was found guilty by a jury of Burglary to a Dwelling and Resisting An Officer Without Violence.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces today that Terrence Keith Payne, 44, of Jacksonville, was found guilty by a jury of Armed Sexual Battery. Payne now faces a maximum of Life in Florida State Prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled before the Honorable Steven B. Whittington the week of Nov. 6, 2017.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson today announces that the Honorable Angela M. Cox sentenced Chad Allen Grubb, 41, of Saint Augustine to 25 years in Florida State Prison for Carjacking (Armed with a Deadly Weapon) and Aggravated Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer; and 15 years in Florida State Prison for Aggravated Fleeing or Attempting to Elude a Law Enforcement Officer. The sentences are concurrent.

This past weekend, the Florida Press Club awarded David Chapman two prestigious awards during its 2017 Excellence in Journalism Competition.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson today announces that the Honorable Russell L. Healey sentenced Lorenzo Carol Alston, 24, of Jacksonville, to Life in Florida State Prison for Second-Degree Murder.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Tony Gerald Ellison, 52, of Jacksonville, pleaded guilty to two counts of Lewd or Lascivious Molestation. Pursuant to the plea to the judge, Ellison now faces a maximum of 30 years in prison with a 25-year mandatory minimum sentence in Florida State Prison followed by sex offender probation for life. Ellison will be sentenced the week of Nov. 27, 2017.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces today that Kevin Ryan Rojas, 21, of Jacksonville, was found guilty by a jury of Attempted First-Degree Murder of a Law Enforcement Officer, Attempted Manslaughter, two counts of Aggravated Assault, Grand Theft Auto, and Fleeing or Attempting to Elude a Police Officer. Rojas now faces a mandatory sentence of Life in Florida State Prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled before the Honorable James H. Daniel during the week of Nov. 27, 2017.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces today that Michael Keith Googins, 48, of Nassau County, was found guilty by a jury of Sale or Delivery of Oxycodone.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Victor Vaughn Reed, 51, of Jacksonville, was found guilty by a jury of three counts of Sexual Battery. Reed now faces a maximum of Life in Florida State Prison. A sentencing hearing has yet to be set.

Furthering her commitment to improving public safety and juvenile justice, State Attorney Melissa Nelson today announced the creation of a community-led effort tasked with the development of programming for juveniles that aims to reduce recidivism rates and crime.