First Coast News is learning new details about a gruesome crime involving a missing pregnant teenager and her accused uncle.
Johnathan Quiles, the uncle of 16-year-old Iyana Sawyer, was charged with her murder and the murder of her unborn baby on Thursday, according to the family's attorney, John M. Phillips.
The newly released paperwork suggests that Quiles planned out the death of a person and their unborn child on or between December 19 and 20th of 2018. The paperwork said a handgun was used to commit the crime. The indictment did not name Sawyer. Sawyer was last seen on surveillance video December 19, leaving Terry Parker High School.
Phillips released the following statement on behalf of the family on Monday:
"The Indictment and True Bill by the Grand Jury were apparently uploaded to Core this morning and we’ve had requests for comment. As we said last week, Johnathan Quiles was indicted for the murder of Iyana Sawyer and her unborn child. We understand the media has questions about the Indictment, including it mentioning a firearm. However, we do not have further comment at this time.
We are cooperating with the State Attorney’s Office and Sheriff’s Office and appreciate their dedicated service. Justice starts with the criminal prosecution and conviction of Iyana’s killer. This is one of the greatest tragedies I have ever worked on and the truth will be told in a courtroom. It could very well lead to the death penalty for the person who did this. Preserving full and fair justice is the priority.
Ms. Mobley continues to ask for prayer, peace and privacy."
Crime Analyst Mark Baughman believes the handgun is connected to Iyana Sawyer’s disappearance.
“It could’ve been somebody who saw him in possession of a firearm or could’ve been an admission he made to somebody that eventually got to law enforcement, so they were able to charge him with that firearm charge,” Baughman said.
“They may have maybe not found her body, but they may have found something that has her DNA on there in something that they combed through, and that’s a good possibility here which also just affirms what they believe that’s where he put her body.”