Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A jury today found 23-year-old Xaviyaun Jacquez Williams guilty of first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, and attempted felony murder, sentencing him to life imprisonment.

On January 18, 2021, deputies from the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office arrived at a home in the Linton Oaks neighborhood where they discovered 22-year-old Trevaughn Wilkerson had been shot; he later succumbed to his injuries.

The investigation revealed that Wilkerson and another individual were inside an SUV trying to arrange a drug purchase with Williams. The second individual recounted seeing Williams exit a vehicle, brandishing a handgun, and demanding drugs and cash. Upon Wilkerson’s refusal to obey, Williams shot him through the SUV’s window. The second individual added that Williams shot at him as well, but the firearm malfunctioned and no bullets were discharged. Williams reportedly stole a bag of drugs and several hundred dollars in cash from Wilkerson before fleeing the scene.

Today, a jury found Williams guilty of first-degree murder for Wilkerson’s death, a lesser included offense of attempted second-degree murder for shooting the second victim, and attempted felony murder for shooting the second victim during a robbery attempt.

It is often the case that defendants who go to trial and are found guilty by a jury receive severe sentences, and Judge William Davis sentenced Williams to three lengthy sentences, all consecutive to each other (i.e., one sentence is served before the second one starts): a life sentence for first-degree murder, 30 years for attempted second-degree murder, and a life sentence for attempted felony murder.

Cornelius Christopher Allen, Jr., who allegedly helped Williams search the SUV for items to take from the victims, and Jonah Alexander Maultsby, who allegedly served as lookout, were also arrested in connection with the case. Allen was found mentally incompetent to proceed to trial and was released to his family in June 2021; a sworn complaint from March 2023 charged Allen with unlawfully carrying a concealed firearm after he was found with a gunshot wound, but he has not been booked on that charge. Maultsby was charged with accessory after the fact, entered a plea of nolo contendere to robbery, and was sentenced to nine months in jail in 2021; he is currently in the Alachua County Jail, facing charges of human trafficking and sexual battery on a victim under the age of 12.