“His strong faith and dedication to making our community a better place inspired those around him. Mr. Austin will forever be remembered and respected for his achievements throughout his lifetime,” said State Attorney Angela Corey.

In 1963, Austin was appointed by Gov. Farris Bryant as the first Public Defender of the Fourth Judicial Circuit. Then, in 1969, Austin was elected to the office of The State Attorney. Austin served as the State Attorney of Florida’s Fourth Judicial Circuit for nearly 20 years.

After serving as State Attorney, Austin continued to contribute to the Jacksonville community by serving as General Counsel for the City under Mayor Hans Tanzler. Austin helped to form Jacksonville’s consolidated city government.

In 1990, Austin was encouraged to run for mayor and served one term. During that term, he was successful in bringing the Jacksonville Jaguars to our city, creating the River City Renaissance program, building a new performing arts center, creating the Sulzbacher Center for the Homeless and revitalizing the Jacksonville Zoo. It was also Austin’s leadership and vision that led to the creation of the Jacksonville Children’s Commission and the complete restructuring of the Jacksonville Housing Authority. Austin also served on many boards and commissions including The Jacksonville Journey anti-crime initiative.

On April 23, 2011, Mr. T. Edward Austin died peacefully in his home at the age of 85.

The post Courtroom Dedicated To Ed Austin appeared first on Office of The State Attorney, 4th Judicial Circuit.

Marcus Jackson

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Marcus Everette Jackson, 23, was convicted Friday morning in the 2011 murder of 19-year-old Terrell Holsey. Jackson was convicted on one count of Murder in the First Degree, one count of Attempted Murder in the First Degree and one count of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

In November 2011, Jackson confronted the two victims, who were walking down the street, about a prior altercation they had. After threatening them, Jackson shot at the victims at least ten times. Holsey was shot and killed by a single bullet wound to the head. The other victim was not hurt. Jackson then fled the crime scene.

In January 2012, Jackson was seen driving a stolen vehicle around the same area where the homicide occurred. When police retrieved the vehicle, they found items belonging to Jackson, including a cell phone, which contained information showing the defendant was responsible for the incident.

Jackson was previously convicted for Possession of Cocaine in April of 2011. As a re-offender, Jackson faces life in prison. He will be sentenced the week of June 24.

Assistant State Attorneys Brittany Mauerberger and Janeen Mira prosecuted the case.

The post Felony Re-Offender Convicted In Teen’s Murder appeared first on Office of The State Attorney, 4th Judicial Circuit.

Keith Deontay Love

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Keith Deontay Love, 23, was sentenced to 50 years in prison with a 25 year minimum mandatory Friday morning for the rape and attempted rapes of three young women. The prison sentence is followed by a lifetime of Sex Offender Probation. At Friday’s hearing, Love was also designated a Sexual Predator.

Love pleaded guilty last month to charges of Sexual Battery with a Firearm, Kidnapping with a Firearm, Attempted Sexual Battery with a Firearm, Attempted Sexual Battery and False Imprisonment.

In June 2010, Love struck up a conversation with a 23-year-old woman while she waited for public transportation. During that conversation, Love persuaded the victim to allow him to drive her home. During the drive, Love refused to take the victim home and drove her to a cemetery where he demanded sex from the victim. The victim physically fought back and was able to run away and call the police for help.

Two months later, Love observed his next victim, another 23-year-old woman, walking across the street. Love asked the victim if she needed a ride. The victim declined his offer, which angered him. Love then forced the woman into his car and drove her to a nearby park where he raped her at gunpoint. After the rape, the victim contacted police and gave officers the tag number of Love’s vehicle.

Three days later, Love kidnapped his next victim, a 17-year-old girl he met on Facebook. The kidnapping took place after the teen sent a text message to Love attempting to end their internet relationship. Love went to the victim’s home, kidnapped the teen, and took her to a vacant parking lot. Love then attempted to rape the victim at gunpoint. The teen was able to get out of the car and call the police for help.

After all three attacks, detectives were able to link the cases using the tag number and descriptions of Love given by all three female victims.

Assistant State Attorneys Cameron French and Adair Rommel prosecuted the case.

The post 23-Year-Old Sentenced To 50 Years In Rape, Attempted Rape Case appeared first on Office of The State Attorney, 4th Judicial Circuit.

Tavoris Simmons

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Tavoris Kintrell Simmons, 31, was convicted Wednesday evening on charges of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree and Discharging a Firearm from a Vehicle.

In April 2012, Simmons drove to the victim’s home to collect money. When the victim, Eric Rand, replied that he did not have money, Simmons became enraged. Simmons then fired at least eight shots at Rand before he fled the scene. Rand was hit in the stomach area and has recovered from his injuries.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office tracked down Simmons in his vehicle minutes after the shooting. As police pulled him over, Simmons threw the gun used in the shooting out of the window.

Simmons now faces a minimum mandatory 25 years and up to life in prison. He will be sentenced the week of June 24.

Assistant State Attorneys Katie Deal and David Thompson prosecuted the case.

The post Jury Convicts Man In 2012 Attempted Murder appeared first on Office of The State Attorney, 4th Judicial Circuit.

Larry Gerome Jossey, Jr.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Larry G. Jossey, Jr., 35, was convicted this week on a charge of Armed Robbery.

In February 2012, Jossey devised a plan to rob and carjack an individual. While his 16-year-old son and a 17-year-old friend were in the car, Jossey went to a local gas station to find someone to rob. Jossey spotted a 62-year-old man who was at the store buying headache medicine for his wife. Jossey followed the victim home, and when the victim exited his car, Jossey and his son held him up with a handgun. Jossey then took the victim’s money and car.

Police found a stranded vehicle near the scene of the crime, which led them to Jossey’s house. Police found the victim’s stolen car at the defendant’s home.

Larry Jossey Jr. faces mandatory life in prison because he is a Habitual Felony Offender and a Prison Release Re-Offender. Jossey has felony convictions for Driving with a License Suspended or Revoked, Battery Upon a Pregnant Female and Carrying a Concealed Firearm. He will be sentenced June 18. Jossey’s son, Larry Jossey III, pleaded guilty to a charge of Armed Robbery. He will be sentenced next month.

Assistant State Attorneys Brian Brady and Brooke Brady prosecuted the case.

The post Father Convicted In Armed Robbery He Committed With Son appeared first on Office of The State Attorney, 4th Judicial Circuit.

Cordero Anthony Webber

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Cordero Anthony Webber, 24, was convicted Thursday evening on one count of Manslaughter of a Child and one count of Aggravated Child Neglect.

In November 2011, five-month-old Cordero Webber Jr. was at home with his father and mother, when Kierra Hayes Laird found her son was not breathing. Evidence showed the infant suffered a blow to his head and died at home.

Doctors discovered multiple bruises and abrasions on the baby’s cheeks, chin, head and ears. The child suffered from severe malnutrition. His brain was half the normal size, having stopped growing due to the trauma. Doctors also found the baby had healing rib fractures from a prior injury.

Laird pleaded guilty to a charge of Child Neglect. She will be sentenced the week of June 17. Webber faces up to 45 years in prison and will be sentenced the week of July 8.

Assistant State Attorneys Rich Mantei and Lisa DiFranza prosecuted this case.

The post Jury Convicts Father In Child’s Death appeared first on Office of The State Attorney, 4th Judicial Circuit.

Ernie Montilla

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Ernie Montilla, 35, was convicted Wednesday evening on two counts of Sexual Battery and one count of Attempted Sexual Battery.

Between November 2001 and November 2003, Montilla committed multiple acts of sexual battery on a young boy. The abuse happened when the victim was four and five years old. The victim did not report the crime until 2011 because he was too scared to tell police. The boy testified that he knew what happened was bad, and he thought he would be sent to “juvie”. When the child was alerted to another possible victim, he contacted authorities.

Montilla faces mandatory life in prison and will be sentenced the week of June 17th. Assistant State Attorneys Catherine Licandro and Terence Martin prosecuted this case.

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Jerrold Stewart

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jerrold Stewart, 44, was convicted Wednesday evening on one count of Custodial Sexual Battery.

In August 2010, Stewart raped a 17-year-old girl. The teen was recovering from surgery and was still feeling the effects of the anesthesia when the crime occurred. Authorities were alerted to the crime after the victim complained of pain and went to the hospital.

Stewart faces 30 years in prison. He will be sentenced the week of June 20th.

Assistant State Attorneys Rachel Algee and Adair Rommel prosecuted this case

The post 44-Year-Old Convicted in Teen’s Rape appeared first on Office of The State Attorney, 4th Judicial Circuit.

Joycelyn Glover

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Joyce Anita Williams, 61, and Joycelyn Glover, 61, were convicted Wednesday evening for their involvement in the shooting of their niece, 34-year-old Kiwana Daniels.

Williams was convicted on charges of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree and Carrying a Concealed Firearm. The jury found Glover guilty on a charge of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

In December 2012, Williams and some friends were playing cards and talking in the front yard when a verbal altercation occurred between her, Glover and the victim. The argument started when the victim became upset with what Williams and Glover were saying about her children. The defendants pushed the victim, and Glover pulled out a gun. Seconds later, Williams pulled out another gun and shot Daniels in the stomach.

Williams faces a minimum mandatory of 25 years in prison. Glover faces five years in prison. Both defendants will be sentenced the week of June 17.

Assistant State Attorneys Brittany Mauerberger and Alexis Sykes prosecuted the case.

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