A 20-year-old Hstings man was arrested Thursday after St. Johns County deputies say he robbed a person at gunpoint during a planned firearm sale arranged through social media.
According to the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, Joseph William Silcott was taken into custody Thursday following an armed robbery investigation that began earlier that afternoon.
Deputies said the victim had arranged through Snapchat to purchase a firearm from Silcott. The two agreed to meet at the victim’s residence, where Silcott arrived in a black Saturn SUV shortly after 1:30 p.m.
Investigators say the victim entered the rear passenger seat of the vehicle to complete the transaction.
During the meeting, the victim handed Silcott $400 in cash — consisting of fifteen $20 bills and two $50 bills — in exchange for the firearm, according to an arrest report.
Instead of completing the sale, deputies say Silcott pulled out a handgun and pointed it directly at the victim with his finger on the trigger.
Authorities said Silcott threatened to “paint the car with him” if the victim did not immediately get out.
The victim exited the SUV as instructed. While doing so, investigators say Silcott attempted to strike him with the pistol before fleeing the scene while keeping the victim’s money.
Deputies later located the Saturn SUV and conducted a traffic stop. Authorities say Silcott ran from the vehicle but was apprehended shortly afterward.
Silcott admitted meeting with the victim but initially denied having a firearm. He told investigators he had simulated a gun by pointing a flashlight at the victim.
But investigators say the victim described where the weapon had been hidden inside the vehicle’s console.
Deputies later dismantled the console and found a loaded .357-caliber handgun concealed inside, according to the report.
Authorities also determined Silcott is a convicted felon who had been released from prison in March 2025 after serving a three-year sentence for firearm-related offenses.
He was booked into the St. Johns County Jail and faces charges of armed robbery with a firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and resisting an officer without violence.
He is being held without bond.
