Arrests made in death of Keystone Heights father beaten over a pair of shoes, investigators say

KEYSTONE HEIGHTS, Fla. — New court records reveal a Keystone Heights father was beaten to death over a pair of shoes in November 2019.

Months after Stephen Perry’s murder, at least five arrests have been made.

Kalvin Roe, who investigators said was the ringleader, was charged with murder July 30.

On Aug. 28, Travis Roe, 41, Caleb Roe, 22, were charged with murder. Days later, 28-year-old Augustino Morales, a friend of Roe, was also charged with murder Sept. 1.

Court records show Jesse Roe was charged with accessory to murder on Aug. 14.On Nov. 21, 2019, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office said Stephen Perry was driving with a friend when they were stopped by a man with a gun who demanded Perry get out of the vehicle. The report said Perry got out of the vehicle and hit Kalvin Roe in the face. Detectives said Perry was then ambushed by the group on Bills Way.

Deputies were told bats, ax handles, and pool cues were used to pummel Perry until he was lifeless. The report said Perry was thrown into the back of the truck where a man, whose name we are not sharing because he hasn’t been charged, “continued to assault Perry’s lifeless body.” Perry was dumped on the side of Bellamy Rd. and left for dead. Perry passed away on Nov. 28, 2019, at Orange Park Medical Center. His death was ruled by the Duval County Medical Examiner’s Office as a homicide.

Investigators said Perry was beaten to death over a pair of shoes he gave to Kalvin Roe’s girlfriend for her son. The arrest report said Roe became “severely jealous” of the victim and began making threats. Detectives said the threats escalated over the period of a couple of weeks. On the day of the assault, investigators said Roe told Perry “he was going to die tonight.” The report said Roe “organized a group of people to kill the victim.”Jesse Roe told investigators the attack on Perry was planned days before, but it fell through. The affidavit said right before the attack, the group talked “about what they were going to do” and “staged themselves around the property” waiting for Perry’s arrival.

After the attack, deputies said Roe fled to Georgia where he was caught by the Echols County Sheriff’s Office. Roe was originally charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

The report mentions the names of witnesses or people who may have played a role in Perry’s murder. Action News Jax is working to learn if more arrests could happen.

Cox Media Group