Woman pleads guilty to accessory charge in connection with 2024 murder of JSO corrections officer

A woman pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact on Tuesday in connection with the murder of an off-duty Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office corrections officer in October 2024. (Copyright 2025 by WJXT News4JAX - All rights reserved.)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A woman pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact on Tuesday in connection with the murder of an off-duty Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office corrections officer in October 2024.

Makayla Huggins changed her original not-guilty plea to guilty during a court appearance on Tuesday morning. According to investigators, Huggins was driving the car from which Demaurea Grant shot off-duty Officer Brad McNew at a Northside truck stop.

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Officer Brad McNew (Jacksonville Sheriff's Office)

Police say Grant led police on a manhunt that stretched all the way to Gastonia, North Carolina, where he was ultimately arrested. The city is close to six hours away from Jacksonville.

According to JSO, McNew had just gotten off duty and was in plain clothes when he was shot. He had been with JSO for 24 years.

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Grant, who remains in jail in North Carolina, was originally charged with second-degree murder in McNew’s death, but that charge was upgraded to first-degree in late January. He is awaiting extradition to Duval County to face the murder charge.

Demaurea Leon Grant, 29 (Copyright 2024 by WJXT News4JAX - All rights reserved.)

He has also been indicted on three other charges, including discharging a firearm from a vehicle, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

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Huggins sentencing date was set for May 19 at 9 a.m.


About the Author
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Marcela joined News4JAX in 2023. She grew up in Mexico and eventually moved to California to pursue her dream of becoming a journalist. Now, she is a proud San Diego State University alumna who has many years of experience in TV and digital journalism.

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