Sister-in-Law, Boyfriend Arrested in Businessman's Slaying

TAMPA, Fla., July 29, 2005 — -- A slain Florida businessman's sister-in-law and her boyfriend have been arrested in his killing, three days after he was found in his van.

Nathaniel Jackson and Victoria Jackson had been sought by authorities since Jeffrey Dampier Jr.'s body was found Tuesday night at the end of a dead-end road in Seffner. Victoria Jackson is the sister of Dampier's wife Crystal, and detectives caught up with her and her boyfriend in Jacksonville Thursday night, where officials said they surrendered without a fight.

"Between 9:30, 10 p.m. last night, we got information that these two fugitives were going to be at a relative's house," said Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office spokesman J.D. Callaway. "We alerted the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office; their deputies went out there. It was somewhat of an uneventful situation. We found Mr. Nathaniel Jackson coming out of the house; he was arrested. Ms. Victoria Jackson was found in the back seat of the vehicle, and she was also arrested."

Dampier, 39, owned Kassie's Popcorn, a sweets shop named after his daughter. He moved his whole family to Florida after winning a $20 million jackpot in an Illinois lottery.

Dampier, investigators said, was kidnapped by the couple before he was killed. He was found with his hands behind his back and they believe robbery was behind his slaying.

Detectives said the suspects, who share a common last name but are not related to each other, were found with a lot of cash.

"They left after the homicide with thousands of dollars on them," Callaway said. "In Jacksonville last night, Mr. Nathaniel Jackson was found with about $1,500 in his pocket. Where the rest of that money is, we don't know."

Nathaniel Jackson and Victoria Jackson were scheduled to appear in Duval County court Friday afternoon and face charges of first-degree murder, aggravated assault, armed carjacking and two counts of armed kidnapping.

Reported by ABC News affiliate WFTS in Tampa, Florida.