Friday, March 17th:
*Initial Appearance Hearing (@ am ET) - FL - Jared Galen Bridegan (33), father of 4 ambushed & killed (shot 4 times), his 2-year-old daughter was just feet away in the back seat, Jacksonville Beach, Feb. 16, 2022. *Mario Enrique Fernandez Saldana (34) arrested & charged (3/16/23) with 1st degree murder, conspiracy to commit 1st degree murder, solicitation to commit a capital felony & child abuse. Held without bond. In Orange County jail waiting for transfer to Duval County.
According to the arrest warrant, bank records showed three handwritten checks that Fernandez wrote to Tenon. It also reads “phone records show that Tenon & Fernandez had 35 phone contacts in February, 30 contacts in March & five to nine contacts in May & June, 2022.”
3/16/23 Update: Mario Fernandez Saldana was arrested in connection with Jared’s death. He’s charged with second degree murder with a weapon, conspiracy to commit first degree murder, solicitation to commit a capital felony & child abuse. State Attorney Melissa Nelson said a Fourth Circuit Grand Jury returned the following indictments against Fernandez Saldana: 1st degree murder: Punishable by death or mandatory sentence of life in prison; conspiracy to commit 1st degree murder: Punishable by up to 30 years in prison; solicitation to commit a capital felony: Punishable by up to 30 years in prison; and child abuse: This charge stems from the fact that Bridegan’s then-2-year-old daughter Bexley was directly in harm’s way during the shooting, Nelson said. Fernandez Saldana’s arrest warrant originally listed a charge of 2nd degree murder with a weapon. Florida law requires a grand jury indictment to upgrade charges to 1st degree murder. Assistant State Attorney Christina Stifler presented the case concurrent with the Tenon plea & Fernandez-Saldana arrest to upgrade the charges to 1st degree prior to today’s announcement, the State Attorney’s Office said.
3/17/23 Update: Initial appearance in Orange County court. He will be transferred to Duval County jail to face his charges.
*Henry Arthur Tenon (61/now 62) – Plead guilty (3/17/23) to 2nd degree murder & will testify against Saldana. Status hearing on 3/21/23.