Reported by Angelina Nunez
October 2026 (part 2)
Editor’s note:This report contains allegations. All persons accused of a crime are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty.
Julian Alexander Davis
Background
A Fortify Florida tip led deputies to a 14-year-old accused of plotting an armed robbery and having accumulated suspected homemade firearms, ammunition and zip ties modified to serve as handcuffs. Fortify Florida is the state’s suspicious-activity reporting system, allowing students, parents, teachers and others to alert law enforcement and school officials about potential threats or concerning behavior.
Saint Johns resident Julian Alexander Davis, 14, was identified as one of two Switzerland Pointe Middle School students involved in a threatening text conversation about plans to rob someone at gunpoint, according to the arrest report. The conversation, dated April 16, 2026, allegedly included discussions about constructing firearms, using zip ties to restrain the intended victim and splitting up items taken during the robbery.
In one exchange, the other student allegedly wrote, “We should make him get out of his car,” followed by, “I’ll hold him at gunpoint while you ransack his shit.” Davis allegedly responded, “We should get zip ties.” The messages also included photos and videos of ammunition, firearm components and what appeared to be a homemade explosive device, according to the report.
After receiving the tip, detectives interviewed the other student and obtained a search warrant for Davis’ residence, according to the arrest report. Investigators said the search uncovered multiple suspected homemade firearms and ammunition, including shotgun shells and cartridge casings. Investigators noted that backgrounds visible in several photos allegedly sent during the conversation matched the flooring and area rug inside Davis’ bedroom.
Detectives determined there was probable cause to believe Davis was involved in a conspiracy to commit an armed robbery, and arrested him on April 30, 2026.
Current Court Status
Davis was initially held in secure detention as a juvenile. On June 25, 2026 the case was transferred to adult court, additional charges involving destructive devices were filed and an order to take him into custody was executed, resulting in his rearrest that same day.
A written plea of not guilty was filed July 2. A felony arraignment and pretrial are scheduled for October 8, 2026 before Judge Christopher S. Ferebee.
Charges
Robbery with a firearm
Two counts of making or possessing a destructive device firearm
Three counts of making or possessing a destructive device explosive
Throwing, projecting, or discharging a destructive device dxplosive
Furnishing or attempting to furnish a firearm to a minor
Raymond Paul Gray
Background
A ride to a homeless camp allegedly led to a man being struck with a hatchet, his car being stolen and a police pursuit ending in a crash.
According to the arrest report, Raymond Paul Gray and a woman flagged down a driver on West King Street on February 20, 2026 and asked for a ride to a homeless camp. After arriving, Gray allegedly struck the victim multiple times in the head with a hatchet before forcibly taking his car keys and driving away in his car.
A witness told deputies they saw Gray punching and kicking the driver and allegedly striking him with the back of a hatchet while the driver was on the ground. The victim was later treated at a Jacksonville hospital for multiple wounds to his head and shoulder.
Deputies later spotted Gray driving the stolen vehicle and attempted a traffic stop. The vehicle briefly stopped and then allegedly sped away. Deputies said Gray drove through a yard and wooded area before crashing through a fence and coming to a stop. He then fled on foot but was located nearby with help from the Sheriff’s Office Air Unit and arrested that same day.
Current Court Status
Gray was released on pretrial conditions with a no-contact order following his arrest.
The case remains pending, with the next docket sounding scheduled for November 3, 2026 before Judge Christopher S. Ferebee.
Charges
Attempted second-degree murder (weapon)
Armed carjacking (deadly weapon)
Fleeing or attempting to elude, high speed or reckless
Leaving the scene of crash involving damage
Criminal mischief
Resisting an officer without violence
George Kenneth Blackwell
Background
A 17-year-old was hospitalized after allegedly being beaten in the head with a heavy flashlight during a confrontation at his St. Johns County home. According to the arrest report, George Kenneth Blackwell, 43, the teen’s mother’s boyfriend, allegedly struck the teen in the head multiple times on August 18, 2026.
The teen told deputies he was involved in an altercation with his mother when Blackwell intervened. The teen said Blackwell struck him repeatedly with a heavy flashlight, leaving him struggling to speak and unable to form complete sentences. He eventually escaped the home and contacted a friend, who notified law enforcement.
Deputies said the teen had several visible bumps on his head and a significant bleeding laceration. The teen was later admitted to Flagler Hospital for treatment. When deputies attempted to contact Blackwell and the teen’s mother that evening, neither answered the door, according to the report. The following day, Blackwell was brought to the sheriff’s office, where investigators said he admitted to punching the teen and acknowledged using a flashlight to strike him, but claimed he was defending the teen’s mother. Blackwell was arrested August 19, 2026.
Current Court Status
Blackwell was released under pretrial conditions that include GPS electronic monitoring and a domestic-violence no-contact order. He entered a not-guilty plea on August 21, 2026.
A felony pretrial hearing is scheduled for October 27, 2026, before Judge Christopher S. Ferebee.
Charges
Aggravated child abuse
Inna Kasyanova
Background
Inna Kasyanova, 37, allegedly told her 10-year-old daughter in Russian, “Eat your food, or I will stab you,” while pointing a knife directly at her. Kasyanova’s mother, who was also present, recorded the encounter, according to the arrest report.
The video reportedly showed the girl crying and eating her food while sitting approximately five to six feet away from Kasyanova, who was pointing a knife at the child. During an interview, the girl told investigators she feared for her life and continued crying while describing the incident. Kasyanova was arrested on July 31, 2026.
Current Court Status
Kasyanova pleaded no contest on September 9, 2026 to child abuse and domestic-violence battery. Judge Christopher S. Ferebee withheld adjudication and sentenced Kasyanova to 24 months of reporting probation, with a concurrent 12-month term for battery.
Charges
Child abuse
Battery (domestic violence)
Moatasembellah Mohamed Mohamed Zaky
Background
A St. Augustine caregiver for Homestead LLC is facing charges after investigators allegedly found more than 900 files of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on his cellphone, including material involving victims described as toddlers.
Moatasembellah Mohmaed Zaky, 30, became the focus of a St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office investigation after the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children received cyber tips from Snapchat and Kik in September 2024 and January 2025 involving suspected child sexual abuse material, according to the arrest report.
Investigators traced Kik records to Zaky and executed a search warrant at his St. Augustine home, where he allegedly admitted to viewing CSAM. A forensic examination of Zaky’s cellphone reportedly uncovered more than 900 CSAM files. The material is disturbing in nature, involving multiple child victims, some described as crying and in distress.
While reviewing Zaky’s online chat history, detectives also discovered a WhatsApp conversation between him and an unknown online user. According to the arrest report, Zaky sent CSAM images to the user and wrote, “u like?” and “I love kids.” The user reportedly responded with, “I don’t like kids.” Zaky was arrested on May 21, 2025.
Current Court Status
Following his May 21, 2025 arrest, the defendant’s case remained pending for more than a year. A felony docket sounding is scheduled for December 1, 2026 before Judge Christopher S. Ferebee.
Charges
21 counts of possession of sexual performance by a child (enhanced)
One count of unlawful use of a two way communication device
Robert Tate Janasek
Background
A 33-year-old St. Johns County man who allegedly pursued a sexual encounter with someone he believed was a 14-year-old boy is back in custody after allegedly violating the terms of his probation, according to court records.
Robert Tate Janasek was arrested in October 2023 following an undercover investigation by the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office. According to the arrest report, an undercover detective was posing as a 14-year-old boy when Janasek initiated a sexually explicit conversation through an online commerce site. Janasek continued communicating with the undercover detective after being told the person was underage.
The conversation quickly escalated, with Janasek requesting inappropriate photos, sending explicit images of himself and discussing plans to meet in person. Janasek was sentenced to probation in 2024. In November 2025, he admitted to violating probation, prompting the court to impose stricter conditions on his release. He allegedly violated those conditions again, resulting in his rearrest in March 2026.
Current Court Status
In July 2024, Janasek pleaded no contest to two felony charges and was adjudicated guilty. He was sentenced to 364 days in county jail on the solicitation charge and five years of sex offender probation on the charge of transmitting material harmful to minors by electronic device.
The case was reopened for probation violations in 2025 and again in 2026. Janasek admitted the violations, including at a September 10, 2026 hearing before Judge Christopher S. Ferebee. The court reinstated his sex offender probation and ordered him to serve 364 days in county jail without credit for prior time served. He must also complete sex offender treatment within 30 days of release and have GPS monitoring placed before his release.
Charges
Soliciting a child or person believed to be a child for unlawful sexual conduct using computer services or devices
Transmission of material harmful to minors by electronic device.
John Ryan Tyrrell
Background
A St. Augustine woman told investigators she woke to a sexual assault, according to an arrest report. John Ryan Tyrrell, 51, of Nashville, is accused of sexually battering the woman, who investigators said was physically helpless, at a Sevilla Street Airbnb on November 22, 2025.
The woman had been drinking at several downtown bars and later told investigators she had little to no memory of the night. Surveillance footage from several bars reportedly showed her becoming increasingly intoxicated, possibly drugged and stumbling.
Investigators said Tyrrell directed the Uber to his Airbnb after the woman could not identify her residence. The Uber driver later told investigators he was concerned about her condition and found the age difference between the victim and the defendant odd.
The woman told investigators she later woke to Tyrrell allegedly having sexual intercourse with her, told him no and then lost consciousness again. Afterward, investigators say Tyrrell and his friend thoroughly cleaned the Airbnb leaving two days before the rental agreement ended. Tyrrell was arrested on March 5, 2026.
Current Court Status
Tyrrell pleaded not guilty on March 31, 2026, and posted a $2 million cash bond on April 1, 2026. Prosecutors later sought to revoke the bond and have him held in pretrial detention, but the request was denied. His next pretrial hearing is scheduled for Oct. 8 before Judge Christopher S. Ferebee.
Charges
Sexual battery
Mark Keith West
Background
A 71-year-old man is accused of engaging in sexually explicit conversations with an undercover investigator posing as the father of a 14-year-old boy during a St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office child exploitation sting.
According to the arrest report, Mark Keith West contacted the undercover investigator through an online dating site on September 19, 2025. After being told the boy was 14, West allegedly continued the conversation and discussed sexual activity involving the teenager. Investigators said West asked about the child’s sexual preferences and whether the child had previously been restrained. West was arrested in October 2025.
Current Court Status
After his arrest in October 2025, West posted a combined $50,000 surety bond and was released. On September 8, 2026, he entered a no-contest plea.
The case remains pending, with sentencing scheduled for October 28, 2026 before Judge Christopher S. Ferebee.
Charges
Soliciting a parent, legal guardian or custodian of a child for unlawful sexual conduct using a computer or device
Unlawful use of a two-way communication device
Joseph Randy Young
Background
Investigators say Joseph Randy Young, 39, continued communicating with an undercover officer posing as a 13-year-old girl, even after being told her age.
Young connected with the undercover officer through an online dating site. Their conversations began May 15 and continued through May 27, 2026. According to the arrest report, the conversations became sexually explicit, with Young allegedly requesting sexual photographs and sending an explicit image of himself.
After the undercover officer identified herself as 13, Young allegedly acknowledged her age but continued communicating with her. Investigators say he also discussed traveling to meet the undercover officer. An arrest warrant was issued June 22, 2026, andYoung was arrested by the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office on August 10, 2026.
Current Court Status
After Young’s arrest, he posted bond with conditions prohibiting contact with minors and use of the internet. His next felony pretrial hearing is scheduled for October 8, 2026 before Judge Christopher S. Ferebee.
Charges
Soliciting a child or person believed to be a child for unlawful sexual conduct using computer services or devices
Attempted promoting sexual performance by a child
Transmission of material harmful to minors by electronic device
Harmful communication to a minor
Unlawful use of a two-way communication device
Matthew David Barrington
Background
A St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office undercover sting led investigators to Matthew David Barrington after he allegedly engaged in sexual conversations with an undercover officer posing as a 14-year-old girl, according to an arrest report.
Barrington, 30, allegedly contacted the undercover officer through a dating site in July 2022. After learning the persona was 14, Barrington initially encouraged her to communicate through Snapchat before moving to text messages. He allegedly discussed meeting in person to engage in sexual activity.
During the conversations, Barrington wrote, “I would say we could hang out or something, but I could get in big trouble.”. He also allegedly instructed the undercover officer to delete their messages and keep their communication secret, writing, “I’m so serious tho this cannot get out to anyone like your parents cannot find out.” Court records show Barrington was officially arrested on April 6, 2023.
Current Court Status
Following his April 2023 arrest, Barrington pleaded not guilty and was released on a $12,500 bond. The case proceeded to a jury trial in February 2024, where he was found guilty of child solicitation. Barrington was sentenced in May 2024 to up to 24 months in prison, with 108 days of credit, followed by 36 months of reporting probation with sex-offender conditions.
The case was later reopened following probation violations. Barrington admitted to a first violation in May 2026, and the court reinstated his probation with a requirement to complete a substance-abuse evaluation within 30 days of release. Barrington admitted to violating probation again on September 8, 2026. The court revoked his probation and sentenced him to 11 months and 29 days in county jail, with 85 days of credit. The case remains open for probation violation proceedings before Judge Christopher S. Ferebee.
Charges
Soliciting a child or person believed to be a child for unlawful sexual conduct using computer services or devices
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