In the News

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.

As Northeast Florida continues to rebuild and regroup following Hurricane Irma, law enforcement in Duval, Clay, and Nassau counties are partnering with the Fourth Circuit State Attorney’s Office to enhance efforts to arrest and prosecute individuals who used the storm as a backdrop to commit crimes of opportunity.

The State Attorney’s Office will be open Thursday, Sept. 14, following several days of closure due to the effects of Hurricane Irma.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that 16 new Assistant State Attorneys have joined Florida’s Fourth Judicial Circuit.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Timothy D. Burroughs, 34, of Jacksonville, was found guilty by a jury of Dealing in Stolen Property and False Verification of Ownership on a Pawnbroker Transaction Form.