Three Gainesville men indicted by Alachua County Spring Term Grand Jury

Staff report based on a press release from State Attorney Brian Kramer

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Three Gainesville men were indicted by the Alachua County Spring Term Grand Jury on Wednesday, July 30.

Moses McCoy

Moses Elliott McCoy, 34, was indicted for sexual battery on a person under 12 by a person 18 or older. The Spring Term Grand Jury reviewed evidence, which included testimony from law enforcement investigators, from a 2022 incident in the City of Gainesville. The Spring Term Grand Jury returned a True Bill, indicting McCoy.

Marquis Byrd and Dalvin Smith

Marquis Byrd, 30, and Dalvin A. Smith, 28, were indicted for first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and Byrd was also indicted for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

On January 9, 2024, the Gainesville Police Department responded to a call about a shooting at 3643 SW 20th Avenue. Officers found Rohntavious Hayes, deceased, with injuries from gunshot wounds. Detectives later identified Byrd and Smith as suspects in the unlawful killing of Hayes. The Spring Term Grand Jury reviewed all the evidence, which included law enforcement testimony, and returned a True Bill indicting Byrd and Smith for first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. Byrd has also been indicted for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

State Attorney Brian Kramer, along with Assistant State Attorney Brooke King and Assistant State Attorney Christopher Elsey, presented the cases to the Grand Jury, and Judge Kristine Van Vorst received the findings from the Grand Jury. McCoy, Byrd, and Smith were remanded to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office Department of the Jail and are being held without bond.