We’re saying 𝐍𝐎 to scams! It’s something our officers are getting calls about every single day. Scams. Scam phones calls and texts. Fake emails and social media posts. All with the intention of tricking you and your family out of your money. It makes us upset when our Jacksonville residents fall victim to scams. The scam world is changing every day. Our Economic Crimes detectives work hard every day to hold scammers accountable for their actions. But we want to help you before the scammers get your info. We’re launching our new series, Scam Free Saturday, to raise awareness about the scams we’re seeing. Some weeks, we may feature a current scam case we’re actively working. Others, we may highlight a type of scam we think people need to be aware of. When you see our Scam Free Saturday posts, help us spread the message. Tell your loved ones, no matter what age they are, to be on alert for scams. No matter what, if something doesn’t feel right, trust your gut. Hang up the phone. Don’t click the link. If you do fall victim, call us right away. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about when it comes to scams; the sooner you call, the faster our detectives can track down your scammer. We’re saying no to scams, and you should too.

No matter how many minutes, hours, days or months pass, we will seek justice. This week, our Homicide detectives arrested a 24-year-old man for Murder after he shot another man at the beginning of the year. On Wednesday, January 28, District 4 Patrol officers responded to a shooting on 103rd Street near Britton Lane. While officers responded to that scene, 45-year-old Porfirio Rosario arrived at a local hospital with a gunshot wound. Sadly, he died from his injury shortly after arriving to the hospital. Evidence showed Rosario had been shot on 103rd Street while he was a passenger in a car. The driver of the car took him to the hospital. Our Homicide detectives immediately began speaking with witnesses and canvassing the area. An extensive investigation revealed 24-year-old Dominque Alexander as the suspect in Rosario’s death. Alexander was driving in another car and shot at the car Rosario was in. In March, we arrested for Alexander Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. He has been behind bars in the Duval County jail awaiting trial for that case. On Wednesday, October 21, we received a warrant for Alexander’s arrest in this case. Detectives arrested him for Murder, four counts of Attempted Murder, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Our hearts are with Rosario’s loved ones as we continue to fight for justice.

When someone is experiencing a mental health crisis, the right response can make all the difference. On this episode of Inside JSO, go behind the scenes of our Behavioral Crisis Response Unit. This unit pairs our specially trained officers with civilian licensed mental health professionals who ride together as “co-responders” to mental health calls. The officer provides safety for the counselor to go in and bring comfort and resources during what may be someone’s darkest moment. We believe mental health care and access to resources are crucial, and our Behavioral Crisis Response Unit helps bring that directly to the people who need them most. Moderated by our Multimedia Manager Ashley Harding, our Behavioral Crisis Response Unit episode of Inside JSO is available on YouTube and everywhere you get your podcasts.

Great K9s aren't born; they're trained well. Our Canine Unit spends countless hours training with their K9s for any situation. This is just one example of the many scenarios our K9 teams prep for: a suspect on the run. K9 Bico practiced taking down a suspect without getting distracted by the other officers We’re giving Bico a 10/10 for his performance!

We are so excited to officially unveil our new JSO headquarters at 532 Riverside Avenue, as well as our new Public Services building located at 450 Magnolia Street. This change means more than a new address. It means an opportunity to continue growing and supporting the more than 3,500 employees in our organization and the community we serve. After 49 years, we look back proudly on what we were able to accomplish at the Police Memorial Building and will continue to build on that foundation as we grow. Thank you to everyone who helped make this move possible. We are excited for what lies ahead and remain committed to our mission of serving and protecting our city.

Our Homicide Unit detectives arrested a 70-year-old man for Manslaughter just hours after a deadly shooting on Jacksonville’s Westside yesterday. Just after midnight on Monday, October 19, District 5 Patrol officers responded to a reported shooting at an apartment complex on West 13th Street. Officers found 27-year-old Dakaari Bray with a gunshot injury to his chest. Sadly, Bray passed away before he could receive medical attention. The patrol officers detained multiple witnesses so the Homicide Unit detectives could interview them. Detectives learned there was an argument between residents at neighboring apartment units which led to a fight. During that fight, 70-year-old Willie Smith pulled out a gun and shot Bray in the chest. Detectives arrested Smith for Manslaughter and Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon for his role in Bray’s death. By 3:30 p.m. the same day as the shooting, Smith was booked into the Duval County jail, where he is still behind bars. We’ll continue to work this investigation to bring justice to Bray’s family and friends.

Jacksonville’s beautiful parks are for residents to enjoy the outdoors. They are not a place for illegal or indecent acts. Our patrol officers received multiple complaints about people using Beach and Peach Urban Park in the Southside Estates area for illegal sexual activity. Our Vice Unit detectives took on the case and on Thursday, October 1, they set up in the park with an undercover detective to see the activity firsthand. In just one day, detectives arrested eight men after they approached the undercover detective and solicited a sexual act in the park. Some also exposed themselves while speaking to the detective. Arrested for Offering to Commit Lewdness: John Aguirre, 62 (also arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance) Peter Smith, 63 George Freeman, 72 Cedric Jones, 56 Alejandro Brioso Martinez, 37 (also arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance and Using Drug Paraphernalia) Tajmaus Johnson Jr., 28 Florentino De La Cruz, 47 (also arrested for Exposing Sexual Organs in Public) Elkin Espitia, 45 Why does this matter? When people use parks to commit sexual acts, it makes the park an unsafe space for children and families. We’re proud of our parks, and we’ll do whatever we can to protect them. If you see something suspicious, we’re only a call away (904.630.0500).

Sex offenders and predators don’t get to celebrate. These cooler temperatures have us counting down the days to Halloween. Jack-o-lanterns, costume parties, and plenty of candy… just not for the roughly 3,000 sexual predators and offenders here in Jacksonville. Our Offender Tracking Unit is making sure of it. No, our Offender Tracking Unit isn’t the fun police. It’s their job to make sure these sexual predators and offenders are abiding by the rules. ❌No passing out candy ❌No Halloween decorations ❌No costumes near kids ❌No Halloween parties where kids may be present Something as simple as a single carved pumpkin may seem harmless, but when it comes to your kid’s safety, it’s very serious to us. Offender tracking is a year round job for our detectives, and as long as sex offenders and predators live in Jacksonville, they’ll work to protect you.

Missing Adult: Help us bring 73-year-old Calvin Mishaw home safe. Mr. Mishaw was last seen on Edenfield Road near University Boulevard North Monday morning around 8:30 a.m. His family tells us he is showing signs of Dementia. Due to his age and health factors, we want to make sure he gets home safely. Mr. Mishaw is 5’11” and 225 pounds. He has brown eyes and salt-and-pepper hair with a goatee. He was last seen wearing a white polo shirt with a black collar, black pants, and black socks with slides. If you see Mr. Mishaw or know where he is, call us at 904.630.0500. Please share this post so we can spread the word faster!

Our District 3 Town Center Patrol officers arrested an 18-year-old after he stole more than $800 worth of merchandise from a store while carrying a loaded gun. On Friday, September 18, our officers who patrol the St. Johns Town Center responded to one of the stores for a reported theft. The store told our officers a young man in a white hoodie stuffed more than $800 worth of merchandise into his backpack. Our officers left the store and immediately spotted a suspect who matched the description, with the backpack still on. When our officers tried to stop him, he took off running. We were able to catch up to him, and we identified him as 18-year-old Je'Caryous Beasley. When our officers searched Beasley's backpack, they found a loaded gun at the top of the bag, with a live round in the chamber. The gun even had an illegal switch, making it fully automatic. We also found the stolen merchandise inside the bag. We arrested Beasley for Grand Theft and Carrying a Concealed Firearm, both felonies. We also arrested him for misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana and Resisting an Officer Without Violence.

Solved Sunday: From crime to time. Our team at the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office works these cases around the clock to put together the pieces to get these suspects in handcuffs. Thanks to their effort and tips from the community, these suspects have been caught and now have to answer for their crimes. Gregory Johnson, 41 Date of Incident: September 30 Arrested: October 14 Arrested for: Uttering Forged Bills, Checks, Drafts, or Notes, Counterfeit Bank Bills, Checks, Drafts or Promissary Notes On Wednesday, September 30, Johnson visited a gas station on New Kings Road. Using counterfeit bills, he purchased multiple items and received change from the cashier. Thanks to a Crime Stoppers tip, officers were able to identify Johnson and locate him at another store he frequents. He was featured on our Unsolved Crimes page. Javaris Johnson, 27 Date of Incident: August 22 Arrested: October 13 Arrested for: Burglary, Fraudulent Use of Credits Cards Ernie Tatem, 29 Date of Incident: August 22 Arrested: October 13 Arrested for: Possess/Receive/Retain Stolen Credit or Debit Card Between Saturday, August 22, and Sunday, August 23, Johnson broke into multiple apartments in a senior living facility. He pretended to be a maintenance worker to convince the residents to let him in. He would stay for a few minutes and steal debit or credit cards out of the residents’ wallets. Johnson used the cards to make numerous fraudulent purchases. Tatem was seen with Johnson making a purchase at a sporting goods store using one of the cards. The pair was stopped together after Tatem was driving recklessly. They were both taken into custody. Johnson and Tatem were featured on our Unsolved Crimes page. Ricky McClenton, 27 Date of Incident: September 11 Arrested: October 12 Arrested for: Coordinate with Others the Commission of Retail Theft On Friday, September 11, McClenton and two other suspects visited a department store on Monument Road. They each took a shopping cart and would meet up in the aisles to hide merchandise. The total value that the suspects stole was over $1,900. Less than a month later, McClenton and another suspect went back to the same department store. They stole an additional $750 worth of merchandise. They hid the items in shopping bags before leaving the store. McClenton also had an active warrant and has been connected to numerous thefts throughout Jacksonville. Officers were able to locate and arrest him. The other suspects are still out there. McClenton was featured on our Unsolved Crimes page. Don’t forget to visit our Unsolved Crimes page (unsolvedcrimes.jaxsheriff.or…) or submit a tip to Crime Stoppers. You could be eligible for a cash reward. You never know who you might recognize!