Six charged in jail fight

BY JENNIFER CABRERA

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Javari Doven Baptiste, 18; Willonte Derrion Dunn, 19; Rahzon Tee-Yon Fennell-Demeritte, 19; Finnex Dorian Comic Jackson, 31; Micheal Latrelle Simpson, 22; and Terrell Robert Timmons, 19, were charged with battery by a person detained in a jail facility after a fight yesterday at the Alachua County Jail.

Surveillance video of the fights reportedly showed Baptiste and Jackson briefly exchanging words in the recreation yard at about 11:10 a.m. before squaring off and exchanging punches. Simpson allegedly approached from the rear and punched Jackson in the back and head area, then pulled Jackson’s shirt off. At about this time, Baptiste and Jackson fell to the ground, with Baptiste on top, apparently in a stalemate. They were then surrounded by Simpson, Timmons, Dunn, and Fennell-Demeritte, and Simpson, Timmons, and Dunn allegedly began punching and kicking Jackson all over his body while he was on the ground.

Just before Baptiste and Jackson separated, Fennell-Demeritte allegedly kicked Jackson three times. Before Baptiste disengaged, he allegedly kicked Jackson in the upper body.

All six then entered their dorm, and while inside, Jackson allegedly tried to punch Baptiste, who reportedly started to retaliate but then raised his hands. Jackson allegedly grabbed Baptiste around the waist and walked with him toward a shower area, and at that point, detention officers entered the room and separated the men.

Baptiste reportedly said Jackson had spit on him, starting the fight; he said he didn’t ask the others to join in the fight. He had an injury to his chest that appeared to be a bite and wanted to pursue charges against Jackson.

Fennell-Demeritte reportedly said he was close to the fight but was only eating his food; he denied hitting Jackson or having any injury from the fight.

Jackson reportedly said he was fighting Baptiste when the others “jumped” him; he admitted biting Baptiste at one point. He reportedly said he didn’t know any of the others and denied having issues with them but that Baptiste had “called him out of his name” before they started fighting. Jackson had multiple injuries and wanted to pursue charges against all of the others.

Dunn, Simpson, and Terrell reportedly declined to speak to deputies about the incident.

Baptiste was originally arrested as a juvenile and charged with attempted murder following the shooting at the American Legion on June 24, 2021. He has a previous charge for battery by a person detained in a jail facility and is one of 11 defendants who were charged in a racketeering case in June 2022. Judge Mitchell Bishop added $50,000 to his existing bail, which is over $3.5 million.

Dunn was arrested on August 17, 2022, for a carjacking at Food Max. Judge Bishop added $50,000 to his existing bail of $780,000.

Fennell-Demeritte was booked into the jail on January 11, 2023, and charged with home invasion robbery and attempted murder after allegedly shooting a man at The Enclave, leaving him paralyzed. Judge Bishop added $50,000 to his existing bail of $2 million.

Jackson was arrested on March 26, 2023, and charged with stabbing a woman in the face. Judge Bishop added $50,000 to his existing bail of $100,000.

Simpson, a suspect in an Ocala homicide, was arrested on June 11, 2022, and charged with two counts of possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon. Judge Bishop added $50,000 to his existing bail of $1 million.

Timmons was arrested as a juvenile and charged as an adult with aggravated assault and discharging a weapon in connection with a shooting in April 2020. He entered a plea of nolo contendere to the charges and was sentenced to four years of probation in March 2021, with adjudication of guilt withheld. He was arrested in Orlando in June 2021 and charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and tampering with evidence; he entered a plea of nolo contendere to violating probation and was sentenced to 150 days in jail, then released to complete his probation. A urine sample came back positive for marijuana in November 2021, but his probation officer recommended continuing the probation because it was his first violation. He was arrested on January 29, 2022, in Orange County for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; on March 13, 2023, he was sentenced to 36 months in state prison after pleading nolo contendere to violating probation and is awaiting transport to a Department of Corrections facility.

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. 

  • It was a 5 on 1 kind of deal. All were just mad because they know they’ll be someone’s girlfriend in prison soon.

  • The names are fabulous! Fayzon Tee-Yum Comic DeMerit—von Criminalè So much care into the flashy names yet so little care in the upbringing.

  • Sucker punchers…..can’t wait for this 6 pack of miscreants to be released back into our community.

  • Where can anyone move to in order to escape these animals?
    It’s a growing epidemic and their Mommies are in complete denial.
    It’s only the beginning!

  • They’re all going to end up killing somebody looks like they probably have already. Lock them up throw away the key! Protect innocent people from them! DEFECTIVE MFers!!!!

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