The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office has arrested two St. Johns County teenagers on felony charges.
On April 27, 2026, SJSO and the St. Johns County School District received information through FortifyFL reporting two juveniles using the Telegram app to communicate about homemade weapons and devices and conspiring to commit an armed robbery.
FortifyFL is a platform designed to report suspicious activity and identify potential threats involving juveniles. The platform was created and funded by the 2018 Florida Legislature as part of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Safety Act.
Based on the information received, SJSO and the school district’s safety team initiated an investigation and identified the suspects as Switzerland Point Middle School students: Julian Davis (14) and Charles Williams (13). Both Davis and Williams’ homes were searched by the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office.
Between April 27 and 30, 2026, the SJSO Major Crimes, Bomb Squad, EOD K9 units, and Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms [ATF] conducted multiple searches of Davis’s residence on Tivoli Drive in St. Johns. During the searches, items discovered included: three homemade firearms, ammunition, suspected explosive components, makeshift handcuffs, handwritten notes depicting the construction of firearms and chemical reactions, handwritten diagrams, manifesto-style books, a tactical vest with white supremacy drawings, and other items of concern.
The ATF Forensic Science Laboratory tested the suspected explosive components recovered from the residence and determined the samples to contain homemade black powder, a mixture of erythritol tetranitrate [ETN], aluminum, sulfur, and charcoal, and urea nitrate. ETN and urea nitrate are homemade secondary high explosives with the ability to cause serious damage. All elements were produced using readily available household products and items purchased through the internet.
Detectives also located an extensive search history on Davis’s electronic devices indicating he was researching how to manufacture homemade firearms and explosives and learning about high-profile criminal incidents.
Based on the conversations between Davis and Williams, and the evidence located, detectives believe both juveniles conspired to commit an armed robbery. In addition, based on their actions, detectives also believe the information reported and law enforcement’s intervention intercepted a larger violent criminal incident from occurring in St. Johns County.
Davis was arrested and charged with Conspiracy to Commit Robbery with a Firearm, Make or Possess a Destructive Device Firearm (x2), Make or Possess a Destructive Device Explosive (x3), Throw, Project, or Discharge a Destructive Device Explosive, and Furnish or Attempt to Furnish a Firearm to a Minor. Davis is in custody in the St. Johns County Jail. Williams was arrested and charged with Conspiracy to Commit Robbery with a Firearm.
“The magnitude of information at the fingertips of our youth is a concern. Knowing what your children are consuming online and the activities they engage in should be a priority for parents. This incident is a perfect example of: if you see something, say something. Through our in-depth investigation in partnership with ATF and the St. Attorney’s Office, we are thankful to have prevented a tragedy in St. Johns County,” Sheriff Robert A. Hardwick said.
Both juveniles attended school in St. Johns County, but all actions occurred off campus and no threats were made towards any St. Johns County schools. Neither juvenile is permitted to return to any school.
“Although there was no direct threat made towards our schools, we are grateful for the actions taken by the Sheriff’s Office, ATF, and the State Attorney’s Office,” said St. Johns County School District Deputy Superintendent Paul Abatinozzi. “Collaboratively they each have played a role in keeping our schools and communities safe. This situation highlights the value of the FortifyFL app as a tool for students, families, and our community to report potential threats.”
This remains an active investigation.