Hate crime? Jacksonville judge says it could be for accessory suspects in murder
A judge advised two of three suspects in a downtown Jacksonville killing that their charges may be enhanced to a hate crime.
A 39-year-old Black man was found shot to death about 6:45 a.m. Tuesday behind a dumpster in the 500 block of Ashley Street.
Thursday the Sheriff's Office announced the arrests of three men, all white, in the case — Ryan Christopher Nichols, 19, Daniel James DeGuardia, 18, and Holden Emery Dodson, 21. Nichols was charged with second-degree murder and altering records of physical evidence, and DeGuardia and Dodson with accessory after the fact in the murder.
The three co-defendants appeared before Circuit Court Judge Kim Sadler on Thursday. Nichols was ordered to be held without bail, while DeGuardia's was set at $503,000 and Dodson's at $203,000.
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Sadler told DeGuardia and Dodson that both of their charges could be upped to hate crimes. It's unclear why not Nichols.
It also remains unclear what type of hate crime it may have involved, whether it was race, homelessness or sexual orientation.
"I’m not the state, it's up to them, of course, what charges they bring," Sadler told First Coast News. "But it was just a bunch of white guys chasing a Black guy and I didn’t see any reason for it."
Florida statutes explain that hate crimes center on "prejudice based on the race, color, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, homeless status or advanced age of the victim." They are subject to harsher penalties.
Sheriff's Office public information officer Christian Hancock said that while the investigation is still active, there is "no information at this time" that points to a hate crime.
A law enforcement source with direct knowledge of the case also says there is no evidence of a hate crime, according to First Coast News.
What do the arrest reports say?
Court records show St. Johns County addresses for all three in the last few years, although Dodson's currently was in Jacksonville. The arrest reports list Nichols as Grove Bluff Road in Saint Johns, DeGuardia on Hawkings Court in St. Augustine and Dodson on Collins Road in Jacksonville.
There were multiple 9mm shell casings at the scene including an extended magazine with live rounds beside the victim and evidence that the dumpster also had been hit. There are a lot of redactions in the arrest reports, but security video shows a Jeep Grand Cherokee arriving in the area of 100 North Julia Street about 2:25 a.m. and parking. Three white males get out and start walking, then about 2:45 a.m. the victim is seen being chased by one of the males near the Jeep. A couple of minutes later the three are seen arriving back to the Jeep, getting inside and quickly driving north on Julia.
They’re seen driving on adjacent streets presumably searching for the victim. At 2:50 a.m. the victim is observed running north on Clay Street and the Jeep in the other direction. One gets out in pursuit of the victim, who is seen trying to hide behind the dumpster before the report is redacted likely for the shooting.
Another video of the men at a 7-Eleven on Julia Street also showed a distinctive vanity plate on the Jeep with an American flag and some words later determined to be “9/11/2001 we will never forget.” The vehicle was tracked down to DeGuardia’s mother. Additionally, it was further revealed that Dodson reported his 9mm Glock lost later that night. Another associate was determined to be Nichols and all their addresses were located and warrants issued.
The takedowns the next day, and another shooting
The arrests also followed a massive police presence Wednesday in the Stonehurst neighborhood of St. Johns County involving the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. Authorities told First Coast News it was a joint investigation regarding a homicide.
A Jeep Grand Cherokee was towed from a home on Hawkings Court. A short time later and 10 miles from there, another scene emerged at a home on Grove Bluff Road in Fruit Cove.
Tuesday's shooting death in Jacksonville also came around the same time and about 2 miles away from another victim being shot and killed. A 36-year-old Black woman was found near a vehicle in the area of Boulevard and West 22nd Street. The Sheriff's Office even discussed both homicides during the same briefing that day. However, Sgt. Josh Catir reiterated they are not related.
Anyone with information in either case can contact the Sheriff’s Office at (904) 630-0500 or First Coast Crime Stoppers at (866) 845-8477 (845-TIPS) to remain anonymous and be eligible for rewards. Or email JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org or rewards@fccrimestoppers.com.
Times-Union Metro Editor Scott Butler contributed to this report.
This story first appeared First Coast News.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville accessory suspects in murder could face hate crimes
