2 people charged in 2023 drive-by shooting on I-95 in St. Johns; federal authorities say they were linked to drug trafficking – 104.5 WOKV

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Florida – Two people are now facing federal charges in connection with a Drive-by shooting on Interstate 95 in October who, according to the Federal Prosecutor's Office, was linked to drug trafficking activities.

A grand jury has indicted Nathaniel Thomas Hatcher III, 28, and James Toney, 20, both of Jacksonville, U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg said during a press conference Wednesday.

Hatcher and Toney are accused of committing a drive-by shooting and discharging a firearm in connection with a violent crime.

Shortly after the shooting on October 17, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office published footage from a dashboard camera The video shows the moment when, according to officials, four masked people in a red car opened fire on a white Mercedes, injuring two people.

Handberg said authorities are still searching for the other two people in the car.

Hatcher is also accused of:

• Conspiracy to distribute 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana
• Conspiracy to fake the purchase of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense
• Providing materially false information when purchasing firearms
• conspiracy to launder money,
• Witness tampering
• Obstruction of justice

Toney is also charged with conspiracy to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana.

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According to a press release from Handberg's office, the arrests of Hatcher and Toney are part of a drug trafficking investigation that has resulted in other indictments, including:

• Al'Donta Easterling26, of Jacksonville, is charged with conspiracy to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Handberg said Easterling worked with Hatcher and Toney on a drug trafficking enterprise for over a year and a half, using short-term rental apartments in Jacksonville as hideouts.
• Desmond Maxwell28, of Jacksonville, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit drug trafficking. A fake purchase of a firearm occurs when someone buys a gun for someone who is not allowed to buy one. Handberg said Maxwell made fake purchases for Hatcher and Maxwell knew the firearms were being used to protect drug stashes. He faces up to 25 years in a federal prison.
• Yaquasia Del Carmen28, of Jacksonville, has pleaded guilty to distributing 100 pounds or more of marijuana and money laundering. DelCarmen is Hatcher's girlfriend and she transported marijuana on flights from California to Jacksonville, Handberg said. While in prison, Hatcher instructed DelCarmen to threaten others who would testify against him. In June, she signed a plea agreement and faces up to 40 years in federal prison.
• TagJon Major21, of Jacksonville, was charged with illegal possession of a machine gun and possession of a stolen firearm. Major is currently in state custody.

Meghan Moriarty of Action News Jax was at the press conference and will review the timeline of these arrests at 5 p.m. on CBS47 and FOX30 Action News Jax.

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