Reported by Angelina Nunez
September 2026 (part 2)
Editor’s note:This report contains allegations. All persons accused of a crime are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty.
nicholas brandon gardner
Background
A dating app conversation with someone Nicholas Brandon Gardner believed was a 14-year-old girl ended with his arrest after he allegedly traveled to meet her. According to the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, Gardner contacted an officer who was working undercover and posing as a 14-year-old girl on a dating app.
After learning the person’s age, Gardner allegedly continued the sexually explicit conversation, acknowledging the age difference and asking what time her mother went to work. He also told the undercover officer, “Epstein would have liked you.”
Investigators said Gardner continued initiating explicit conversations before traveling to a predetermined location in St. Johns County to meet the person he believed was a minor. Gardner was arrested February 19, 2026.
Current Court Status
The originally scheduled felony pretrial hearing has been cancelled, and a felony plea and sentence is scheduled for September 1, 2026 before Judge Christopher S. Ferebee.
Charges
Traveling to Meet a Minor
Attempted Lewd or Lascivious Battery Involving a Victim Ages 12 to 16
Soliciting a Child or Person Believed to Be a Child for Unlawful Sexual Conduct Using Computer Services or Devices
Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communication Device
Harmful Communication to a Minor
Promoting Sexual Performance by a Child
tommy donald dacus hervert
Background
A St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office undercover operation led to the arrest of a man accused of sending nude photographs to an undercover officer posing as a 14-year-old on a dating website.
According to the arrest report, Tommy Donald Dacus Hervert contacted the undercover officer through a private chat. After the officer disclosed that they were 14, Dacus Hervert allegedly sent a fully nude photograph of himself and asked whether the officer was okay with seeing him naked.
Investigators later obtained cellphone records associated with the suspect’s private number, which helped identify him. An arrest warrant was issued, and the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office executed it on July 31, 2023, taking him into custody.
Current Court Status
Dacus Hervert has remained in custody without bond and without entering a plea since the case began in 2023. The case has been prolonged by repeated competency proceedings.
A felony pretrial hearing scheduled for September 29, 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
Transmission of material harmful to minors by electronic device
Unlawful use of a two-way communication device
Kalijzah Demetrius Clifo Bueckhanon
Background
A pregnant woman told St. Augustine Police she feared for her safety after her former partner allegedly tried to force his way into her home and broke a window. Kalijzah Demetrius Clifo Bueckhanon was arrested on August 1, 2026 after officers and deputies responded to a reported disturbance.
The victim, who was about 17 weeks pregnant with Bueckhanon’s child, told police he called her 43 times the previous night and the morning before arriving at her home, where her two young sons were also inside. She said Bueckhanon tried to force open the front door, striking her with it, before a nearby window was broken and he fled. Officers later found him running from the residence.
The victim also described previous incidents involving Bueckhanon, including allegations he had choked her and previously threatened her with a knife, according to the arrest report.
Current Court Status
Following his arrest, Bueckhanon was ordered held without bond while the court considered the state’s request for pretrial detention and motion to revoke bond. Felony arraignment is scheduled for August 31 before Judge Christopher S. Ferebee.
Charges
Aggravated battery on a pregnant victim
Criminal mischief
Resisting an officer without violence
Burglary with assault or battery
michael hill
Background
Michael Hill was arrested on September 19, 2025 after allegedly traveling to meet someone he believed was a 14-year-old girl during a St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office undercover operation targeting the online sexual exploitation of children.
According to the arrest report, an investigator was acting in an undercover capacity and posted an ad while portraying a 14-year-old female. Hill contacted the investigator and initially questioned whether she was affiliated with law enforcement.
After learning the purported age, Hill said it was not appropriate and accused the investigator of being police. Despite his suspicions, Hill continued the communications, asked where the investigator was located and discussed meeting in person. He requested an address and traveled to a predetermined location to meet the undercover investigator. Investigators also reported that Hill left a voicemail instructing the investigator to delete messages.
The report noted Hill referenced having been previously arrested during a separate undercover operation in Jacksonville, Florida, and identified himself as a previously listed sex offender.
Current Court Status
Hill entered no contest pleas to all counts before Judge Christopher S. Ferebee on August 24. Sentencing is scheduled for September 30, 2026.
Charges
Traveling to meet a minor
Attempted lewd or lascivious battery involving a victim older than 12 but under 16
Soliciting a child or person believed to be a child for unlawful sexual conduct using computer services or devices
Tampering with physical evidence
Unlawful use of a two-way communication device
Kevin Alonso Gandy
Background
An undercover operation targeting online contact with minors caught Kevin Alonzo Gandy after he agreed to meet someone he believed was 14, according to the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office arrest report.
Gandy allegedly communicated with an undercover officer posing as a 14-year-old girl on a social media app before moving the conversation to text messages and phone calls.
After the undercover officer disclosed her purported age, Gandy allegedly continued engaging in sexually explicit conversations. Investigators said Gandy and the undercover officer then agreed to meet at an apartment complex in St. Johns County. Gandy was arrested on September 20, 2025.
Current Court Status
Following his September 2025 arrest, Gandy was released on surety bonds totaling $90,000. He later pleaded not guilty and waived his right to a speedy trial.
An arrest order was issued in October 2025 and executed by the Duval County Sheriff’s Office on April 2, 2026, resulting in the defendant being taken into custody in Duval County. A $25,000 surety bond was subsequently posted on April 14.
A felony pretrial hearing is scheduled for October, 2026 before Judge Christopher S. Ferebee.
Charges
Traveling to Meet a Minor
Attempted Lewd or Lascivious Battery
Soliciting a Child or Person Believed to Be a Child for Unlawful Sexual Conduct Using Computer Services or Devices
Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communication Device
Luis Angel Abreu
Background
A 25-year-old man allegedly offered $400 for sexual exchanges with a 16-year-old girl after initiating a conversation with her through Snapchat, according to an arrest report from the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office.
The girl’s sister reported the messages to deputies on March 24, 2025, providing screenshots of the exchange. Luis Angel Abreu allegedly continued the sexually explicit conversation even after acknowledging the girl was underage.
During an interview with investigators, Abreu allegedly acknowledged the Snapchat account belonged to him and admitted having the conversation. Investigators say he maintained he did not know the girl was under 16, despite messages in which he appeared to acknowledge her age. Abreu was arrested almost one year later, on March 12, 2026.
Current Court Status
Following his arrest, Abreu posted a $15,000 surety bond on March 16, 2026, and was released under a pretrial release no-contact order.
Abreu pleaded no contest to both charges on August 21, 2026 and was sentenced to 180 days in county jail, followed by four years probation, by Judge Christopher S. Ferebee.
Charges
Harmful communication to a minor
Soliciting a child for unlawful sexual conduct using computer services or devices
Cedric tajma simmons
Background
Cedric Tajma Simmons was accused of arranging a weekend encounter with someone he believed was a minor during a St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office undercover operation targeting the online sexual exploitation of children.
According to the arrest report, an undercover investigator posed as a 14-year-old girl and was contacted by Simmons through an online ad. Simmons allegedly asked if he could “kidnap” the undercover investigator for the weekend.
After the investigator disclosed the purported age, Simmons allegedly responded by asking if she was “down to have a sexual weekend.” The two then arranged to meet, with Simmons indicating another female would also be present, according to the report. Simmons allegedly continued communicating in a sexually explicit manner before his arrest on October 21, 2025.
Current Court Status
Simmons was found not guilty following a jury trial on August 28, 2026 before Judge Christopher S. Ferebee. Documents pertaining to Simmons’ motion to exclude evidence of prior crimes, trial notes, jury selection and jury instructions have been requested, and updates will be provided here.
Charges
Soliciting a child for unlawful sexual conduct using computer services or devices
Unlawful use of a two-way communication device
james rondell bellamy
Background
A basketball game at Putnam Academy of Arts and Sciences School ended with a student bleeding from the mouth and missing a front tooth after authorities said teacher James Rondell Bellamy struck him during the game.
According to a St. Johns County arrest report, Bellamy was playing basketball with students when he became frustrated with one student and told him to get back on the court, reportedly saying, “get your black ass back out on this court.” Bellamy allegedly then threw the basketball toward the student and struck him in the mouth with his elbow, knocking out the student’s front tooth.
School officials reviewed surveillance footage capturing the incident and provided it to investigators. Bellamy was arrested on December 4, 2023.
Current Court Status
After his arrest, Bellamy was released on a $5,000 surety bond. On November 1, 2024, he pleaded no contest to the second-degree felony child abuse charge, with adjudication withheld, and was sentenced to five years of probation. The first-degree misdemeanor battery charge was not pursued.
In 2025, Bellamy violated probation after failing to appear in court and was arrested in June. He was later released on his own recognizance and admitted to violating the terms of his probation. The court reinstated his probation under the same conditions.
He remains under Veterans Treatment Court supervision, with his next hearing scheduled for September 4, 2026 before Judge Howard O. McGillin.
Charges
Second-degree felony child abuse
First-degree misdemeanor battery
Dylan Tyler Copsey-Saunders
Background
A 20-year-old St. Johns County man is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to charges stemming from his encounters with a 13-year-old girl he allegedly contacted through Snapchat.
Copsey-Saunders allegedly communicated with the victim through Snapchat and arranged to pick her up on multiple occasions, during which they engaged in sexual contact. According to the arrest report, the victim reportedly believed Copsey-Saunders was 17 years old and homeschooled.
Investigators later obtained digital evidence and forensic data documenting the communications between Copsey-Saunders and the victim. Copsey-Saunders was arrested on October 29, 2025.
Current Court Status
The defendant pleaded guilty on August 4, 2026 to two felony counts: traveling to meet a minor and lewd or lascivious battery. No plea has been entered for the remaining four felony counts. Sentencing is scheduled for September 10, 2026 before Judge Christopher S. Ferebee.
Charges
Two counts of traveling to meet a minor
Two counts of lewd or lascivious battery (sex act, 12 YOA but less than 16)
Unlawful use of a two-way communication device
Use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony
helpful links
-
Check your neighborhood here.
-
Check out SJCSO’s community programs and sign up for real-time crime alerts in your area.
-
Search court records.
-
Check us out.
-
-
Get seen in The Saint.
Contact us for marketing info.
contact@thesaintmagazine.com
-
Stickers. T-shirts. Shot glasses.
Coming soon.