A long-term investigation into allegations of misconduct reached a breaking point this week when local and federal law enforcement moved to arrest a high-ranking naval officer on Florida’s First Coast.
Jonathan Saburn, a 44-year-old Commander currently serving as the Deputy Director of Naval Academy Sailing, was taken into custody while on duty at Naval Station Mayport.
The arrest marks the conclusion of a sensitive multi-agency effort involving the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Navy Criminal Investigative Services (NCIS).
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The legal proceedings against Saburn stem from a series of serious allegations, including child abuse, lewd or lascivious exhibition, and lewd or lascivious molestation.
Detectives began pulling on these threads back in July 2025 after a victim came forward to report incidents that had occurred years prior.
Over the course of several months, investigators traced the reported abuse across county lines, uncovering evidence of inappropriate behavior and physical contact that allegedly took place in both St. Johns and Duval counties while the victim was a minor.
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The Navy has not yet issued a formal statement regarding Saburn’s future status with the service, though the nature of the charges usually triggers immediate administrative action.
Saburn’s role at the Naval Academy is a prominent one, making the timing of his arrest at a major Florida installation even more jarring for the local military community.
For now, the Commander remains behind bars at the Duval County jail, where he is being held without bond as he awaits his first appearance before a judge.
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