State Attorney John Durrett announces that several trials were conducted the week of May 30 to June 2, 2023.
Elijah Scott was found guilty by a jury of Sexual Battery: Force Not Likely to Cause Personal Injury on Wednesday afternoon. With the verdict, Elijah Scott faces a sentence of up to 30 years in the Department of Corrections. The Honorable Leandra Johnson will formally sentence Elijah Scott after a pre-sentence investigation is conducted by the Department of Corrections.
Elijah Scott was found to have unwanted sexual conduct with a victim that was reported to the Columbia County Sherriff’s Office after evidence was produced that he texted the victim he was sorry for taking advantage of her and later confessed to detectives with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office that he forced himself on her.
The Case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Jakob Trojbom and Assistant State Attorney Michael Pope
Monterance Dwon Kelsey was found guilty by a jury of Resisting An Officer With Violence. With the verdict, Monterance Dwon Kelsey faces a sentence of up to five years in the Department of Corrections. The Honorable Melissa G. Olin will formally sentence Monterance Dwon Kelsey at a hearing scheduled on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at 2:00pm.
On February 24, 2023, Monterance Kelsey was driving without a license plate attached to his vehicle. Officer Marcel Ferro with the Lake City Police Department conducted a traffic stop on Kelsey’s vehicle. During the investigation, Monterance Kelsey refused to exit his vehicle, despite numerous commands given to him by Officer Ferro and Officer Daniel Watts, also with the Lake City Police Department. While attempting to remove him from the vehicle, Monterance Kelsey tried to physically strike both Officer Ferro and Officer Watts, while they were both still conducting their investigation. Monterance Kelsey has been convicted of two prior felonies.
The case was investigated by the Lake City Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Phillip Kelley and Assistant State Attorney Eddylis Chico.
Norman Dale Queen was found guilty by a jury of Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon on a trial that began on Thursday and concluded on Friday. With the verdict, Norman Dale Queen faces a sentence of up to 30 years in the Department of Corrections as a Habitual Felony Offender. The Honorable Leandra Johnson will formally sentence Norman Dale Queen on August 14, 2023. Norman Dale Queen is an eleven-time convicted felon.
Norman Dale Queen was found to have caused a fight at the “R-Bar” with a victim by stealing his beer multiple times and stealing his cigarettes. A fight ensued outside the establishment and the Defendant struck the victim knocking him down. When the victim was on the ground Norman Dale Queen stabbed him multiple times with an automatic spring-loaded knife causing severe injuries to the victim’s arms, neck, and head. The Lake City Police Department was able to located the weapon used in the vehicle the Defendant was in, the surveillance video of the incident, and statements from the witnesses involved to help secure the conviction.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Michael Pope and Assistant State Attorney Chase Larsen
Dominic Terrell Brantley was found guilty by a jury of Arson in the First Degree on Friday afternoon. Brantley is an eight-time convicted felon with prior convictions for Robbery by Sudden Snatching, Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer, and Felony Battery, is scheduled to be sentenced on July 5th, 2023 following a presentence investigation by the Florida Department of Corrections.
Jones was found guilty of having willfully and unlawfully caused a fire in his grandfather’s home at the Amberwood Apartments on November 28, 2021. Testimony at trial established that the Defendant set the fire following an argument with family members. The Defendant fled the scene upon the arrival of law enforcement. The State Attorney’s Office has filed a Notice of Intention to Seek Sentencing Pursuant to Florida Statute 775.084 based upon the Defendant’s prior criminal record. The Defendant faces a maximum of life imprisonment.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Sean Crisafulli and Assistant State Attorney Phillip Kelley.
