Jail inmate charged with making 303 phone calls to victim against court order
Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Zyvione Jacolby Speed-Mitchell, 24, who has been in the Alachua County Jail since May 10, has been charged with 303 counts of making phone calls to his victim despite a court order to have no contact with her.
Speed-Mitchell was arrested on May 10 and charged with domestic battery and resisting arrest without violence, along with violating his probation in a previous domestic battery case.
According to a report from an Alachua County Sheriff’s Detective, despite an order from Judge Susan Miller-Jones at his 9 a.m. First Appearance hearing to have no contact with the victim, Speed-Mitchell called her at 10:17 a.m. the morning after his arrest.
Between May 10 and August 26, Speed-Mitchell allegedly called the victim 303 times from the jail’s phone system, which provides free calls to inmates. The report alleges that Speed-Mitchell apologized for his actions on the calls but “continued to use possessive and controlling behaviors toward the victim.”
The detective requested that Speed-Mitchell’s calls and visits be limited to his attorney.
The domestic battery charges were dropped this morning. On July 17, Judge Kristine Van Vorst signed an order that required the victim to appear as a witness, but the victim could not be found, so the order was not served.
Speed-Mitchell has three felony convictions (one violent) and one misdemeanor conviction (one violent). He has served one state prison sentence for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and was released in 2022. At the time of his May arrest, he was on probation for domestic battery, and he is currently being held without bail for violation of probation, but his attorney has filed a motion for his release because formal charges were never filed in the domestic battery case that was the reason for the violation of probation (not only were formal charges never filed, the initial charges were dropped today).
Judge Mark Moseley set bail at $25,000 on the first count and $500 each for the other 302 counts, for a total of $176,000, and ordered that Speed-Mitchell’s phone and video access be limited to his attorney.
Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.Â
This is what happens when you don’t monitor jail phone lines.
Well, this warms my heart knowing these inmates are using the free phones and allowed free phone calls. Thanks to my minions at the Alachua County commission.
It is not just in Gainesville. It is state law. Talk to the Republican majority
Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature. The program, which limits free phone calls to only once a month
Marion County makes you pay for the phone calls. I think the state law limited the phone call usage by Inmates.
I can block a number on my phone. Case solved.
Now he’ll just use someone else’s pin number to make his calls. I pastry, one call.
free phone calls what a joke they are in jail for a crime dont reward them
He most probably belongs there, but he has not been convicted.
His parents should be there for giving him 4 names.
Also, calls are timed and only allowed at certain times, any calls made long distance are paid collect calls
Free phone access has worked as well as expected. Time to cut them off, now.
ACLUSPLCDNC 👺🤡👹👿💩
It’s not even on the ballot. It is a law. Just like free meals and limited healthcare, and free water to shower with.Instead of pretty pictures use the time to educate yourself
Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature. The program, which limits free phone calls to only once a month
There is no such program in affect
Our city and county Commissioners are the ones who put free calls in place. You need to listen to some of the meetings when it pertains to the jail and the inmates. Talk about bleeding hearts and blind eyes.
that’s right , i know cause i worked there as a nurse for many years
Perfect example of while you are in jail your freedoms are supposed to be limited. It’s not summer camp.
Thank God those phone calls were free.
Hey Ken Cornell! This is a result of your fight to give the incarcerated unlimited calls. You were told by Sheriff Gainey and you didn’t listen. It is time for you and the commissioners listen to the professionals. Another example of your idiotic decisions.
This guy is a loser who has no respect for the law.
I’m in the phone booth, it’s the one across the hall.
If you don’t answer, I’ll just ring it off the wall.
I know he’s there, but I just had to call.
Don’t leave me hanging on the telephone.
Don’t leave me hanging on the telephone.
Sounds more like a failing of jail management to me. Free phone use is not the issue. Failure to monitor the situation involving someone charged with domestic abuse is. Was Gainey against the policy? Yes. So did his attitude carry on to staff? Probably. Did any of these professionals think maybe we should monitor calls? They know 303 calls were made, so obviously they had the ability, but not the will to do their jobs.
He needs a arts and craft package from Hobby Lobby..