Jacksonville, FL — Six men have been arrested and three more are being sought on gun charges, in the latest effort by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office to cut back on violent crime.
Sheriff Mike Williams says all of the suspects- who are either convicted felons or adjudicated delinquents- have been seen on locally-produced rap music videos holding what police believe to be real guns. Under the law, these suspects would not be allowed to be in possession of firearms, and Williams says they will work with experts to show the weapons in the videos are real, although he says the suspects claim they are not.
Each of the suspects and the gangs JSO says they are affiliated with have been involved in recent shootings, according to Williams.
“These groups they are affiliated with are some of the most violent in the City, and these individuals are some of the most violent people in those groups,” Williams says.
He declined to give any information on what shootings the suspects are believed to be involved in, including when they took place and if there were any deaths.
Williams says these rap music videos that are being created locally and posted on social media and sites like YouTube are ways for gangs and groups to insult, provoke, and threaten each other.
“As social media has become more and more prevalent in our society, we have seen this medium being used with increasing frequency to spread threats of violence between groups and gangs here in our community. These messages are intended to threaten and intimidate others, and are most often relayed through rap music videos produced by gangs and groups who film them here in our city and then share them on social media,” Williams says.
He says JSO can link many videos directly to violent crime, including shootings.
VIDEO: JSO releases sample of rap music video involved in their investigation
While the videos themselves are not illegal, Williams says they have collaborated with the State Attorney’s Office and other partners to identify convicted felons in the videos doing illegal acts, like holding guns. He says the videos are considered evidence.
JSO continues to investigate these suspects, and they’re asking you to come forward if you have any information. You can contact JSO at 904-630-0500 or JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org. You can also submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.
SUSPECTS:
19-year-old Tyler Jackson was arrested in January for possession of a weapon or ammunition by a convicted felon.
28-year-old Nicholas Parker was arrested in January for possession of a weapon or ammunition by a convicted felon.
26-year-old Ronnie Myrick was arrested in December for possession of a weapon or ammunition by a convicted felon.
17-year-old Tyler Simmons was arrested in November for possession of a firearm by a juvenile delinquent found to have committed a felony act.
17-year-old Bryan Smith was arrested in November for possession of a firearm by a juvenile delinquent found to have committed a felony act.
29-year-old Christopher Parker was arrested in May for possession of a weapon or ammunition by a convicted felon.
The outstanding suspects are 28-year-old Breion Dubois, 24-year-old Dejuane Hayden, and 22-year-old Keith Rivers, who are all wanted for possession of a weapon or ammunition by a convicted felon.