Anne Mae Demegillo will remain at the Flagler County jail following a judge’s ruling against restoring a $250,000 bond, now that a grand jury indicted the 21 year old on first-degree murder charges related to her newborn’s death. The capital felony status removes her legal entitlement to pretrial release. Defense attorneys unsuccessfully argued for her freedom based on lack of flight risk. Defense attorney Aaron Delgado has replaced Michael Politis.
Cops/Courts
Former Flagler Beach Fire Chief and Historical Museum President Robbie Creal Dies at Age 75
Former Flagler Beach Fire Chief Robbie Creal died at his North 5th Street home this weekend at 75. Creal served as fire chief for 26 years before leading the Flagler Beach Historical Museum. Police discovered his body Monday during a welfare check requested by his sister. Authorities found no signs of foul play. The local community remembers him for his extensive civic and historical contributions.
Can Green Card Holders Be Deported for Committing a Crime? Supreme Court Hears Arguments Wednesday.
The Supreme Court will determine if immigration officials need clear evidence of a crime to treat returning green card holders as seeking admission. Muk Choi Lau challenged his removal after being paroled due to pending charges. The 2nd Circuit ruled in his favor. Now the justices must decide if the government can rely on later convictions or must prove crimes at the border.
Palm Coast’s Lindsey Isaacs, 23, Arrested in Hit-And-Run That Killed Jorge Salinas, His Wife and a Motorcyclist
The Florida Highway Patrol arrested 23-year-old Lindsey Brooke Isaacs, a resident of Palm Coast’s Integra Woods apartments, for the October hit-and-run crash on I-4 that killed Deputy Flagler County Administrator Jorge Salinas, Nancy Salinas, and Joaquin Deno, a Deltona father of five. Investigators used license plate readers to locate Isaacs’s Dodge Durango. She previously sued to recover her car before these charges were filed.
Severely Injured Puppy Found In Flagler County Park’s Ditch Shows Signs Of Illegal Dog Fighting
A severely injured puppy was abandoned in a ditch at Shell Bluff park, suffering from deep wounds and infections consistent with illegal dog fighting. Caroline Johnson of SMART coordinated the rescue and transport to East Coast Animal Hospital, where Shelly continues her recovery and prepares for future adoption. There are no current leads on the dog’s recent history.
Palm Coast Man, 64, Arrested After Detectives Intercept Illegal Peer-To-Peer Child Abuse Downloads
Flagler County authorities arrested 58-year-old Scott Beverst for possessing child sexual abuse material after detectives intercepted illegal downloads through a public peer-to-peer network and traced the IP address to his Palm Coast house, where he lived with his parents. Beverst admitted familiarity with the dark web and specific abuse series as investigators found hundreds of files on his laptop. He remains in jail on a $250,000 bond.
Florida Supreme Court Elects John Couriel Chief Justice
The Florida Supreme Court has unanimously elected John D. Couriel for a two-year term as chief justice, beginning on July 1. He succeeds Carlos Muñiz, who will remain on the court after completing his second term as chief justice on June 30.
Flagler Beach Accepts $20,000 Gift from Susan Smith for 5 AEDs in Late Husband’s Memory
The Flagler Beach Fire Department and city government marked a $20,000 donation to the city’s Volunteer Fire Association to install five Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in public spaces throughout the city. Susan Smith presented the gift at City Hall to honors the memory of her husband, Mark Hietpas, who died in a rip current in the British Virgin Islands two years ago.
Jury Finds Henriqson Guilty On All 11 Child Sex Abuse Counts; Judge Sentences Him to 9 Life Terms
A Flagler County jury convicted 48-year-old Krystopher Henriqson on 11 counts of raping and molesting his former stepdaughter over three years, when she was betwen 9 and 12. DNA evidence and recorded phone confessions secured the verdict at the end of a three-day trial. Henriqson faces life in prison.
Victim, 13, Testifies Against Ex-Stepfather as Chilling Recorded Confession and DNA Evidence Pile Up
The now 13-year-old alleged victim testified today against her stepfather, Kristopher Hendriqson, in his second day of trial on capital rape charges stemming from allegations that he’d been raping and molesting her since she was 9. The prosecution presented recorded phone calls containing Henriqson’s confessions and forensic DNA evidence matching his profile that he’d left on the girl’s chest. Henriqson abandoned his self-representation after a poor start on Monday.
Sheriff Says He’ll Request 13 New Deputies as he Touts Helicopter, Drones, ICE Partnership and Crime Drop
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly reported a 54 percent crime decrease since 2017 during his annual Addressing Crime Together presentation last week. He intends to request 13 new deputies. His report detailed a new Bell 505 helicopter acquisition and expanded drone first-responder programs and defended the agency’s collaboration with federal ICE agents while highlighting successful inmate rehabilitation programs at the jail.
World Cup Security Will Cost Over $80 Million in Florida
The FDLE request involves $8.1 million in a Federal Emergency Management grant to be used for monitoring, tracking and detection through unmanned aircraft systems. Another $73.7 million Federal Emergency Management grant was awarded to the Florida Division of Emergency Management. Most of the money, $63.6 million, will reimburse local law enforcement agencies for overtime expenses.
Trial Begins With Major Disruptions as Self-Representing Henriqson Delivers Improper Opening Statement
Kristopher Henriqson’s trial on child rape and molestation charges started with along delay as Henriqson, representing himself, attempted to deliver an improper 12-page opening statement. Judge Dawn Nichols ordered the prosecution to highlight acceptable portions after repeated jury recesses, reducing the statement to less than a minute.
Reimagining Itself, Flagler Beach Approves New Transportation Fees To Start Funding $38 Million ‘Mobility’ Plan
Flagler Beach commissioners unanimously approved new mobility fees on new construction to fund a $38 million transportation plan. The initiative shifts the city away from car-centered infrastructure toward a multi-modal environment accommodating pedestrians and cyclists. The fee schedule targets residential and commercial developments.
Florida Universities’ Collaboration with ICE Is Making Students Less Safe
At least 15 Florida public universities have signed agreements to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, authorizing campus police to perform certain federal immigration functions including questioning and arresting suspected undocumented students. Faculty members report an intensifying climate of anxiety and uncertainty across campuses and a damaged sense of belonging for international students while undermining the role of universities.
Kevin Cichowski, Exonerated at Trial in October, Faces 7 New Violent Charges. He’s Also Running for Governor.
Flagler County deputies arrested Kevin Cichowski following a domestic disturbance involving two elderly victims. The 46-year-old gubernatorial candidate allegedly battered the victims with a cane and a cellphone. Cichowski threatened to kill law enforcement before surrendering to the Sheriff’s Office. He went to trial on domestic violence charges last October and was found not guilty.
Flagler Sheriff’s Detective Ardit Coma Files Federal Lawsuit Against Ormond Beach For Alleged False Arrest
Flagler County Sheriff’s Detective Ardit Coma filed a federal lawsuit against Ormond Beach and the officer, Sgt. Caleb Braun, who allegedly falsely arrested Coma after a December traffic stop for speeding escalated into a felony charge of fleeing and eluding. Attorney Anthony Sabatini filed the suit on Wednesday in the Middle District of Florida, arguing the city maintains a custom of improperly escalating routine stops into unlawful felony arrests.
Accused Rapist Henriqson Fumbles to Monday Trial and Risk of Life in Prison as He Persists with Self-Representation
After trying various ways to again delay a trial that’s been postponed since last fall, former Palm Coast resident Kristopher Henriqson, 48, faces trial Monday for numerous capital and life felony charges involving the alleged rapes of his stepdaughter over three years, when she was between 9 and 12. Circuit Judge Dawn Nichols denied his request for another continuance and cautioned him in two hearings this week against continuing to represent himself in two hearings this week. Henriqson has made numerous missteps in the case.
Ex-AdventHealth Nurse Avoids Prison Time in Plea to 5 Years’ Probation for Fraud and Unlicensed Practice
Autumn Marie Bardisa received five years of probation for practicing nursing without a license at AdventHealth Palm Coast. The 29-year-old treated over 4,000 patients using a stolen identity. Judge Dawn Nichols withheld adjudication and endorsed the plea deal, saying Bardisa had the the necessary medical training, excelled at her job, but showed incredible poor judgment. Bardisa eventually earned her license, but is surrendering it as part of the plea deal.
Grand Jury Indicts Anne Mae Demegillo on First Degree Murder Charges in Infant’s Death
A Flagler County grand jury indicted 20-year-old Anne Mae Demegillo on a first-degree murder charge this afternoon. Investigators discovered digital evidence on her phone including searches for Casey Anthony and infant mortality. Demegillo previously faced manslaughter charges after her newborn daughter died in a toilet in early March. She turned herself in this evening.
School Report Leads To Arrest Of Girl’s Father Accused Of Beating her with Tongs
Flagler County deputies arrested 30-year-old Christopher Kleiner on a felony child abuse charge following a school report to state authorities that he allegedly struck his daughter with metal tongs after a dispute involving a Nintendo Switch. Investigators observed bruising and welts inconsistent with the father’s claims of accidental injury.
Tag Team: Dad Chris Calio Retires from Flagler Fire Rescue as Son Nick Begins Career
Flagler County Fire Rescue Firefighter Paramedic Chris Calio retired on April 1, no joke, and had the privilege of spending the day with his son, Nick Calio – brand new to the department at Fire Station 16 on the Volusia County border. Also on shift were Chris Calio’s best friends: Noah Hunt and Jake Gonzalez.
R.J. Larizza Hosts Former Rivals as Unveiling of 4 State Attorneys’ Portraits Stirs Old Battles and Triumphs
State Attorney R.J. Larizza Friday unveiled a portrait gallery at an event honoring four storied Seventh Judicial Circuit former State Attorneys: Dan Warren, Stephen Boyles, John Tanner and Steve Alexander. Warren’s son Raymond, a former prosecutor and public defender, recalled his father’s role in the summer of 1964, seminal in the state’s civil rights history, and Tanner used the occasion to discuss his 1963 manslaughter indictment by Warren, and subsequent enmity with the state attorney.
Appeals Court Will Decide if Flagler Beach Shopping Center Can Legally Ban Coastal Family Church Services
Coastal Family Church is appealing a court injunction prohibiting services at its Flagler Beach shopping center location. The property management company cites private covenants banning public assembly to justify the restriction. The church argues the ban violates First Amendment rights and constitutes selective enforcement. The high-stakes legal battle pits foundational private property rights against constitutional religious protections.
DeSantis Demands Impeachment Of a Judge as he Signs ‘Missy’s Law’ Ending Some Pre-Sentence Releases
Gov. DeSantis signed Missy’s Law to prevent the release of violent felons awaiting sentencing. The legislation is named after Melissa Mogle, a child killed by her stepfather after he was released on bond. DeSantis called for the impeachment of Judge Tiffany Baker-Carper for her role in that release.
In Remarkable Display of De-Escalation, Sheriff’s Deputy Bryan Carter Talks 22-Year-Old Down from Gun Suicide
Isaac Malone Lewis, his own gun to his head, was in a two-hour standoff with Flagler County deputies on Burning Ember Lane Monday following a series of domestic incidents. Deputy Bryan Carter negotiated with him and ensured a peaceful surrender. Lewis now faces felony charges for stalking and fleeing police. Sheriff Rick Staly credited the successful resolution to comprehensive de-escalation training.
St. Johns County Grand Jury Indicts Convicted Felon Christian Barrios For Two Execution-Style Murders
A St. Johns County grand jury indicted Christian Barrios today for the first-degree murders of Melissa Wood and Jason Chatham. Authorities say Barrios shot the pair outside a Ponte Vedra Walgreens after suspecting infidelity. Following the shooting, he stole a vehicle and fled to Nassau County before his capture. Barrios allegedly confessed to the killings. A judge will soon decide on sealing that confession.
Former Flagler Beach Facilities Director Bryan Moisao Sues City, Alleging Wrongful Retaliatory Termination
Former Flagler Beach facilities director Bryan Moisao filed a lawsuit against the city, alleging wrongful termination and whistleblower retaliation following his discharge last September. Moisao alleges City Manager Dale Martin fired him for reporting operational misconduct despite receiving a good performance evaluation. The city personnel board previously dismissed his administrative complaint despite discrepancies in two separate evaluations, one of which he’d never seen.
Over 1,300 ‘No Kings’ Protesters at 3 Locations in Flagler Beach and Palm Coast Proclaim Diversity of Opposition to Trump
Demonstrators gathered in Flagler Beach and two locations in Palm Coast Saturday to participate in the third set of anti-authoritarian “No Kings” protests, part of some 3,100 such protests across the country. More than 1,300 people voiced opposition to the Trump administration through signs and chants. A small counter-protest emerged at Palm Coast Parkway. Participants expressed concerns ranging from civil rights to immigration issues, but the movement’s political effectiveness ahead of the November election is unclear.
As War and ICE Fuel Momentum, Throngs Expected at No Kings Rallies in Palm Coast and Flagler Beach Saturday
Organizers in Flagler County scheduled three separate No Kings rallies in Palm Coast and Flagler Beach, joining millions expected to participate in over 3,000 demonstrations across the nation and beyond Saturday. The non-hierarchical protests draw on thematic opposition to recent foreign and domestic policies and the president’s authoritarianism.
City Manager Names Fire Chief Kyle Berryhill Interim Deputy in Place of Departing Lauren Johnston
Palm Coast City Manager Mike McGlothlin appointed Fire Chief Kyle Berryhill as the interim deputy city manager today, replacing Lauren Johnston, who is joining the local school district in April. Bradd Clark will lead the fire department during the transition. Berryhill’s long tenure with the city and previous stints as acting manager provide institutional memory for a city staff seeking continuity, leadership, and stability.
Sheriff’s Gala Raises $70,000 for Employee Assistance Trust
During a night that included dancing, dinner, and honoring Flagler County’s finest, more than 170 guests celebrated the 2026 Sheriff’s Gala and raised over $70,000 to support the Flagler Sheriff’s Employee Assistance Trust. The annual black-tie event, which was held on March 21 at Hammock Beach Resort, raised money to aid Flagler County Sheriff’s Office employees in times of unexpected need.
Woman’s Arrest Over Stolen Palm Coast Lots Reveals Murky Financial Trails and Cryptic Country Music Ties
Authorities arrested 63-year-old Cheryl Annette Jefferson on a Flagler County warrant for orchestrating a multi-state property fraud scheme involving over $421,000. Investigations began after a New York woman discovered her Palm Coast lot was sold without her knowledge. Jefferson claims she acted on behalf of famous country music artists. Detectives traced stolen funds to cryptocurrency accounts and identified additional fraudulent transactions across Florida, Georgia, and Colorado.
Cyclist Ronald Lynn Broaddus Dies After Sunday Afternoon Collision With Pickup Truck On U.S. 1
Sixty-four-year-old cyclist Ronald Lynn Broaddus died Sunday following a collision with a Ford F-150 on U.S. 1. The crash occurred near the Flagler-Volusia county line as Broaddus attempted to cross into the median. Emergency responders transported him to Halifax Hospital with critical injuries.
9th Annual Addressing Crime Together Meeting and Sheriff’s Citizens Academy
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office hosts two community events this spring to promote transparency and engagement. The Citizens Academy begins March 31. The free multi-week program offers residents a look at agency operations and includes patrol ride-alongs. Sheriff Rick Staly also holds the ninth annual Addressing Crime Together meeting on April 9, focusing on local crime trends and safety initiatives for 2026.
Palm Coast Council Candidate Darlene Shelley Preparing to Sue City and Council Member Theresa Pontieri Over ICI Vote
Darlene Shelley filed a lawsuit against Palm Coast and Council Member Theresa Pontieri. The legal action–hung up in an errors cue at the clerk’s office for now–challenges an approved housing expansion in the E Section. Shelley alleges the council violated due process and transparency rules. She also claims Pontieri holds a conflict of interest regarding first responder housing. Pontieri dismissed the claims as frivolous and politically motivated.
She Was in Labor at a Florida Hospital. Then She Was in Zoom Court for Refusing a C-Section.
Cherise Doyley faced a bedside judicial hearing during active labor after refusing a C-section at a Jacksonville hospital. Doctors cited uterine rupture risks, yet Doyley prioritized her autonomy and recovery concerns. The court eventually authorized emergency intervention without her consent in a case that highlights how fetal personhood policies can strip pregnant patients of constitutional rights, leading to forced medical treatments and controversial legal precedents.
Palm Coast Driver Killed In Rear End Collision With Tractor Trailer On State Road 11
A 37-year-old Palm Coast man died Friday morning after his Subaru struck the rear of a tractor-trailer on State Road 11 as the truck was making a turn onto a logging road. The collision occurred between Bunnell and Cody’s Corner. Emergency responders extracted the unresponsive driver, but paramedics pronounced him deceased at the scene.
19 Questions Regarding ICE Detention In Flagler Jail Reveal Significant Gaps In Public Information
The Flagler County jail is one of the state’s busiest holding facilities for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, collaborating with federal agencies in the Trump administration’s sweep of undocumented migrants. FlaglerLive submitted 19 questions to the Sheriff’s Office about the agency’s participation, costs and other issues related to the collaboration with ICE. Some questions were answered, others deferred to ICE, which did not respond.
Flagler County Sheriff Participation in Federal Immigration Sweeps Raises Questions About Local Taxpayer Costs
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly says local taxpayers will be left bearing no burden for participation in federal immigration sweeps. Signed agreements with Immigration and Customs Enforcement indicate the county remains responsible for salaries, benefits, training and other costs, and neither the Sheriff’s Office nor federal agencies are providing specific financial data, including about the cost of housing migrants at the county jail as transparency remains elusive.
At Least 205 Migrants Have Been Detained at Flagler County Jail So Far This Year as Part of ICE Sweeps
At least 205 individuals arrested as part of the Trump administration sweep of undocumented migrants have been detained at the Flagler County jail so far this year, based on a day-by-day analysis of jail bookings by FlaglerLive. Records remain heavily redacted despite state public records laws. Local deputies now act as federal agents through the 287(g) program, with significant activity continuing daily. The jail reportedly offers better conditions than federal holding centers, but verification and transparency remain difficult to impossible.
Florida Attorney General Uthmeier Explains Why Some Felons’ Gun Rights Are More Equal Than Others
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed a supplemental brief supporting the Second Amendment rights of nonviolent felons to overturn the conviction of Christopher Morgan for firearm possession. Uthmeier argues historical traditions do not support disarming nondangerous individuals.
DeSantis Labels Sheriff Proposal for Undocumented Immigrant Path To Citizenship As ‘Incoherent’ and Ill-Advised
Governor Ron DeSantis rejected a proposal from Florida sheriffs seeking a citizenship path for noncriminal undocumented immigrants. DeSantis labeled the plan incoherent and urged law enforcement to remain aligned with strict state and federal enforcement policies. Despite this rebuke, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd maintains that a solution is necessary for those contributing to society. The disagreement highlights a growing rift within the Republican party.
Bunnell Pastor Charles Cowart Receives Probation for Axe Incident After his Wife Pleads for Leniency
Charles Cowart received three years of probation on Wednesday following an incident involving an axe and aggravated assault charges. Judge Dawn Nichols issued a downward departure sentence after Cowart’s wife requested the charges be dropped. In a separate case, Nichols sentenced John Weis to one year in prison for molesting a 13-year-old girl at Flagler Beach’s Wickline Park.
High Mass: Flagler County Inmates Were Running Drug Operation During Jail Church Services
Three convicted felons face new charges following an undercover investigation into a drug-dealing operation within the Flagler County jail. Joshua Siedel and Caleb Tucker allegedly distributed drugs to other inmates during church services in exchange for commissary items. Detectives used surveillance footage and tactical searches to dismantle the scheme.
Flagler Sheriff’s CSI Supervisor Savannah MacLellan Graduates Elite Leadership Academy
The five-day program in Orange Park focused on mentorship and career advancement for women in law enforcement. MacLellan joined the agency in 2023 and earned a promotion to lead the evidence unit in 2025. She oversees a team of civilian technicians.
Florida Kills Michael Lee King for 2008 Kidnapping and Murder Of Denise Lee Following 911 Failures
Florida authorities killed Michael Lee King Tuesday for the 2008 kidnapping and murder of Denise Amber Lee. The case spurred significant legislative reforms regarding 911 emergency dispatcher training through the Denise Amber Lee Act. DeSantis has signed warrants for two additional executions for other convicted murderers later this spring.
Florida Sheriffs Led by Polk’s Grady Judd Sharply Criticize Federal Mass Deportation Efforts
Florida law enforcement leaders on the State Immigration Enforcement Council now advocate for a path to legal status for undocumented residents without criminal records. Council chair Grady Judd expressed concerns that federal agents are sweeping up productive individuals who contribute to the economy. The group suggests a 5-year process involving civil fines and English proficiency. This shift contrasts with previous support for aggressive deportation.
Flagler Beach E-Bike Rules: Age Limit, Mandatory ID, Ban from All Sidewalks and Beaches
Flagler Beach city commissioners approved the first reading of a strict ebike ordinance that prohibits ebikes on city sidewalks and beaches, requires riders to carry government identification and prohibits riders younger than 11. Fines for violations start at $100. Commissioners are debating speed limits and beach access zones to keep the ordinance from being too onerous, yet remain enforceable.
Florida Lawmakers Pass Bill To Arm University Professors
The Florida House passed a legislative package authorizing professors and university appointees to carry firearms on campus. This measure extends the School Guardian Program to public colleges. Lawmakers resolved a dispute regarding private religious school security by focusing exclusively on higher education. The bill mandates university threat-management teams and faculty training for behavioral warning signs.