State declines formal charges against former Fernandina Beach detective who was accused of sexual battery
The State Attorneyโs Office has declined to file formal charges against a former Fernandina Beach Police Department (FBPD) detective, who in June was accused of drugging and sexually assaulting a woman, according to court documents obtained Thursday by News4JAX.
Jogger saved by stranger, Fernandina Beach Police Department after medical emergency
FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. โ Do you believe in Christmas miracles? A longtime resident and visitor to the City of Fernandina Beach was out for his morning run when he experienced sudden cardiac arrest. Mark was treated on scene and then transported to Baptist Medical Center Nassau where he was cared for by emergency room staff. โDue to the willingness of citizens, the quick response of the Fernandina Beach Police Department, and Fernandina Beach Fire Department, Mark and his family will be celebrating another Christmas together,โ a Facebook post said. Mark said he looks forward to getting back to running, cycling, and visiting his favorite island coffee shop.
Man reported missing in Fernandina Beach found dead
FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. โ The Fernandina Beach Police Department on Monday said officers were working to track down a missing 77-year-old man, who may have dementia. Later in the evening, the Police Department said the body of Johnal Jones was located outside the city limits. Investigators were working to determine a cause of death, but foul play was not suspected, police said. Jones was reported missing by his wife on Sunday evening, the Police Department said. Before being located, he was last seen on 9th Street around 9:30 p.m. on Friday.
Northeast Florida law enforcement agencies receive reports of stolen, damaged campaign signs
Election Day is just over a month away, and reports of people stealing and damaging campaign signs are sweeping Northeast Florida. Some residents told News4Jax their signs were stolen from their yards and even vandalized and brought back. I was saddened.โThe Union County Sheriffโs Office said it believes children are involved, so school resource officers are also taking part in the investigation. The Sheriffโs Office also told News4Jax that it has received about six additional reports of presidential campaign signs that were stolen out of yards, as well as reports of local candidates with their signs stolen. โThis occurs every election,โ the Sheriffโs Office said.
Nassau Sheriff: Man shot, killed by officer during drug bust outside Yulee liquor store
NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. A man was shot and killed Friday afternoon by an officer with the Fernandina Beach Police Department during a drug bust outside Casey Liquors on U.S. 17, according to Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper. Later, family identified the man as 44-year-old Jarvis Sullivan of Camden County. Leeper said the officer fired his weapon, striking the man and killing him. According to the Florida Department of Corrections, Sullivan spent one year in jail on drug charges. But I still want to know all the details in what actually happened.Leeper said the Sheriffs Office was waiting to notify next of kin before releasing the mans name.
3 arrested in Fernandina Beach drug house bust
Three people were arrested Thursday after the Nassau County Sheriff's Office and the Fernandina Beach Police Department combined to arrest three people at a home in Fernandina Beach. According to the Nassau County Sheriffs Office, narcotics detectives from NCSO and FBPD served a search warrant at a home on Stewart Avenue in the Amelia City area of Fernandina Beach after complaints of drug activity. Chad Anthony Ledford, 38, from Fernandina Beach, was arrested and accused of sale of a controlled substance, theft of a motor vehicle and keeping a place where controlled substance is kept/sold/used declared a public nuisance. Rachel Lee Jennings, 34, and Michael Allen Couey, 49, both of Fernandina Beach, were also arrested and face multiple charges. Copyright 2019 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.
53 people arrested in 'Operation Cold Summer'
YULEE, Fla. - After an investigation that spanned several months, detectives in Nassau County announced Wednesday that 53 people have been arrested after numerous undercover drug stings. Narcotics detectives with the Nassau County Sheriff's Office and Fernandina Beach Police Department were part of Operation Cold Summer. According to Sheriff Bill Leeper, the 53 people were arrested on various drug charges and all have prior arrests. Items seized during the operation include over four pounds of meth, 11 grams of heroin mixed with fentanyl, 14 grams of crack cocaine, about four pounds of marijuana, six firearms, a vehicle and $8,688. "If you are selling illegal drugs in Nassau County you can stop now, leave the county, or keep looking over your shoulder because we are coming after you," Leeper said.
Police: Gunman fires into crowd, kills man he knew
FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. - A Jacksonville man died Thursday evening after a gunman drove up, got out of a car and fired into a group of people in Fernandina Beach. Zachary Verdier Jamison, 32, fired four rounds into the crowd of people at the intersection of South 9th and Elm streets around 7:22 p.m., according to the Fernandina Beach police report. "When the guy came by shooting, (Richo) happened to be in the way," said the victim's uncle, Arizona Perkins. According to Perkins, Richo and Jamison grew up around each other. WATCH: Man shot, killed in Fernandina Beach was 'quiet, smiling guy,' uncle saysJamison was located at his home, picked up by Nassau County Sheriff's Office deputies and transported back to Fernandina Beach for questioning.
Sheriff: Growth a huge factor in Nassau County's crime increase
NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. - Crime is up in Nassau County, one of the fastest-growing Northeast Florida areas. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement's 2018 Uniform Crime Report released Monday found Nassau County's overall crime increased 8.4%, with the Nassau County Sheriff's Office seeing a 9.5% increase and the Fernandina Beach Police Department seeing a 3.8% increase. Sheriff Bill Leeper told News4Jax on Tuesday that population growth is a huge factor in the crime increase. He said Nassau County is the ninth fastest-growing county in Florida and that with a low crime rate already, any increase in crime seems significant. "Its no secret that Nassau County is growing," Leeper said.
Fernandina Beach police cracking down on speeding near historic district
FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. โ In Fernandina Beach, police are cracking down on speeding in a residential area near the historic district. On Monday, the Fernandina Beach Police Department said officers started conducting traffic enforcement on South Third Street, from Ash Street south to Gum Street. "My sister has called and called and called and called. And we have three children and two pets," said Angela Fullerton, a Fernandina Beach resident. Jane Shroads, who lives in Fernandina Beach, agreed, saying she's glad police are cracking down on speeding.
Fernandina Beach police offer tips to avoid Medicare scams
By April 2019, Medicare cards will no longer show Social Security numbers, the Fernandina Beach Police Department said Monday. Hang up if someone calls, claiming to be from Medicare, asking for a Social Security number or any bank information. Medicare wonโt call you and ask these questions. Having your Social Security number removed from your Medicare card helps fight medical identity theft and protect your medical and financial information. For more on the new changes to your Medicare card, visit Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.