JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Duval County judge is set to hear testimony next month in a public records lawsuit filed by the family of Charles Faggart, a man who died after an incident inside the Duval County Jail.
Faggart was taken from the jail to the hospital on April 7, 2025, following an incident inside the facility. He died three days later. Eight corrections officers and one sergeant involved in the incident were reassigned to positions in the courthouse, Records Unit, and Property and Evidence Unit as the investigation continues.
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What the lawsuit seeks
The lawsuit, filed against Sheriff T.K. Waters and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, seeks to compel the agency to comply with Florida’s Public Records Act. According to the family’s attorney, JSO has failed to turn over records related to Faggart’s death — including surveillance video, incident reports, investigative records and other evidence — despite requests made more than a year ago.
The evidentiary hearing is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, at 9 a.m. at the Duval County Courthouse. The family’s attorney tells us the court will consider testimony and evidence regarding whether the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office improperly withheld public records — meaning records the law requires be made public — and whether those materials must now be released.
Mother vows to keep fighting
Faggart’s mother, Tracey Karpas, has been vocal about the toll the unanswered questions have taken on her.
“I’m still waiting to hear anything about my son, so we’re just praying that we get the rest of the stuff,” Karpas said in April.
“I will go to my grave fighting. I will. I don’t think there’s any harder fight,” she added.
The Faggart family said it remains committed to pursuing every legal avenue available to uncover the truth about what happened to Charles and will continue seeking answers, transparency and accountability until justice is achieved.