A convicted felon is back behind bars in Marion County facing serious charges after deputies say he robbed a local discount store at gunpoint Sunday evening. The arrest comes less than two months after his release from state prison and just days after he posted bond on a separate set of charges.
According to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), the incident began around 7:30 p.m. on January 4 at the Dollar General located at 15090 S. U.S. Highway 441. Witnesses at the scene reported a frightening ordeal, describing a man in a ski mask storming the store, brandishing a firearm.
READ: ‘Blood Trail’ On Florida Beach: Man Arrested After Woman Found Dead In Wrapped In Blanket
The suspect, identified by investigators as 38-year-old Dexter Rayonne Jackson, allegedly demanded cash from the employees. Witnesses told deputies Jackson threatened to shoot everyone inside the business if they refused to comply. After staff handed over a bag of money, the suspect fled the scene.
The getaway was short-lived. MCSO Deputy Cetin arrived in the area just as the suspect was leaving and spotted a man matching the description. After a brief foot chase, deputies apprehended Jackson in the 15100 block of SE 91st Court Road.
At the time of his arrest, authorities say Jackson was still wearing the ski mask used in the heist. Deputies searched the surrounding area and recovered both the stolen cash and the firearm.
Jackson was booked into the Marion County Jail without bond. He faces multiple felonies, including Robbery with a Firearm, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, and Resisting Without Violence.
READ: Alone On U.S. 1: Toddler’s Highway Stroll Exposes Pattern Of Neglect In Florida
Records indicate a pattern of escalating criminal behavior for Jackson over the last few months. Detectives noted that Jackson was released from prison on November 12, 2025, after serving time for a 2017 conviction in Palm Beach County involving Grand Theft Auto, False Imprisonment, and Attempted Robbery.
Barely a month after his release from prison, on December 20, 2025, Jackson was arrested by MCSO deputies on charges including Fleeing or Attempting to Elude, Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer, and drug possession. He managed to post a $15,500 bond for those offenses, only to be arrested again less than two weeks later for the Dollar General robbery.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
