A judge advised two of three suspects in a downtown Jacksonville killing that their charges may be enhanced to a hate crime.

A 39-year-old Black man was found shot to death about 6:45 a.m. Tuesday behind a dumpster in the 500 block of Ashley Street.

Thursday the Sheriff's Office announced the arrests of three men, all white, in the case — Ryan Christopher Nichols, 19, Daniel James DeGuardia, 18, and Holden Emery Dodson, 21. Nichols was charged with second-degree murder and altering records of physical evidence, and DeGuardia and Dodson with accessory after the fact in the murder.

The three co-defendants appeared before Circuit Court Judge Kim Sadler on Thursday. Nichols was ordered to be held without bail, while DeGuardia's was set at $503,000 and Dodson's at $203,000.

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Sadler told DeGuardia and Dodson that both of their charges could be upped to hate crimes. No further details on that have been released, and the incident report also made no indication of it. So it remains unclear what type of hate crime it may have involved.

Florida statutes explain that hate crimes center on "prejudice based on the race, color, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, homeless status, or advanced age of the victim." They are subject to harsher penalties.

Court records show St. Johns County addresses for all three in the last few years.

The arrests also follow a massive police presence Wednesday in the Stonehurst neighborhood of St. Johns County involving the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. Authorities told First Coast News it was a joint investigation regarding a homicide.

A gray Jeep Grand Cherokee was towed from a home on Hawkinge Court. A short time later and 10 miles from there, another scene involving emerged at a home on Grove Bluff Road in Fruit Cove.

Tuesday's shooting death in Jacksonville also came around the same time and about 2 miles away from another victim being shot and killed. A 36-year-old Black woman was found near a vehicle in the area of Boulevard and West 22nd Street. The Sheriff's Office even discussed both homicides during the same briefing that day. However, Sgt. Josh Catir reiterated they are not related.

Anyone with information in either case can contact the Sheriff’s Office at (904) 630-0500 or First Coast Crime Stoppers at (866) 845-8477 (845-TIPS) to remain anonymous and be eligible for rewards. Or email JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org or rewards@fccrimestoppers.com.

Times-Union Metro Editor Scott Butler contributed to this report.

This story first appeared First Coast News.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville accessory suspects in murder could face hate crimes