Through the diligent work of several law enforcement agencies, State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Mario Fernandez-Saldana was arrested and indicted by a Duval County grand jury for First-Degree Murder, Conspiracy to Commit First-Degree Murder, Solicitation to Commit a Capital Felony, and Child Abuse. All the charges are related to the February 2022 murder of Jared Bridegan.
Fernandez-Saldana was arrested in Central Florida on March 16, 2023, by a law enforcement
team comprising ATF, the Jacksonville Beach Police Department, and Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Concurrent with his arrest, Fernandez-Saldana was indicted by a Duval County grand jury.
Immediately prior to Fernandez-Saldana’s arrest and indictment, his co-conspirator, Henry Tenon, pleaded guilty to Second-Degree Murder with a Weapon in the crime and has agreed to testify truthfully against any accomplice.
Fernandez-Saldana is the husband of Bridegan’s ex-wife, Shanna Gardner.
Click the following links to view documents pertaining to the arrest: