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Three members of a Jacksonville-based drug trafficking organization have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a violent retaliation shooting along Interstate 95 and a broader marijuana distribution conspiracy, federal prosecutors announced.
James Toney, 20, of Jacksonville, was sentenced to 16 years in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Harvey Schlesinger. Toney was convicted of conspiring to distribute marijuana, committing a drive-by shooting in furtherance of a major drug offense, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
In related sentences, Javon Davis, 27, received 7 years in federal prison, and Christian Guyton, 23, was sentenced to 8 years and 4 months, both for conspiracy to distribute and possess marijuana with intent to distribute.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe.
According to court documents, Toney, Davis, and Guyton operated as armed distributors for a Jacksonville drug trafficking organization (DTO) led by Nathaniel Hatcher III.
Prosecutors say the organization trafficked bulk marijuana from Northern California to Jacksonville through multiple methods, including:
Once in Jacksonville, the marijuana was stored, packaged, and distributed from short-term rental homes throughout the city. Authorities said members routinely carried firearms at these locations to protect drugs and proceeds.
Investigators also revealed that Desmond Maxwell, a former correctional officer, assisted the organization by illegally purchasing firearms for Hatcher and other members.
The violence stemmed from a failed drug deal on September 18, 2023, at a gas station on Old St. Augustine Road in Jacksonville. During the transaction, another group allegedly stole approximately $45,000 from Hatcher and Toney without delivering the promised marijuana.
Following the robbery, prosecutors say Hatcher contacted a former police officer who unlawfully accessed law enforcement databases to obtain personal information about the suspected thieves.
For nearly a month, Toney and other DTO members surveilled and cyber-stalked the individuals involved, exchanging text messages plotting retaliation.
On October 17, 2023, the situation escalated dramatically.
After tracking one of the robbery suspects leaving the Duval County courthouse, Toney and other members of the organization followed the victim’s vehicle onto I-95 South toward St. Johns County.
Authorities say the group used multiple vehicles — including a stolen sedan and an SUV — to box in the victim’s car in the left lane of traffic around 11:20 a.m.
Toney and Hatcher allegedly fired dozens of rounds of 7.62 caliber ammunition at the vehicle. Deputies later recovered approximately 25 spent shell casings, and ballistics testing confirmed two separate firearms were used.
The male victim sustained a gunshot wound but survived after being airlifted to a trauma center. A female passenger suffered injuries from shattered glass. The vehicle was heavily damaged, with bullet strikes to the passenger side, windshield, hood, interior, and engine block.
The suspects fled the scene.
Several other members of the Hatcher DTO have already been sentenced:
Maxwell has pleaded guilty to straw-purchasing firearms and faces up to 25 years in prison.
Jahson Hatcher has pleaded guilty to marijuana conspiracy charges and faces a mandatory minimum of 5 years.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the IRS Criminal Investigation Division, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the FBI, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Highway Patrol.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Elisibeth Adams prosecuted the case.
Federal officials said the case is part of Operation Take Back America, a Department of Justice initiative targeting organized crime and transnational criminal organizations through coordinated federal enforcement efforts.
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