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.
Cops/Courts
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.
Fire Damages House on A1A in Flagler Beach and Injures a Firefighter
An electrical fire heavily damaged a two-story home at 1909 North Oceanshore Boulevard in Flagler Beach on Tuesday evening. One firefighter sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital. The blaze, which started in the attic, displaced homeowners Annette and Manuel Levine. The American Red Cross is assisting the family while the structure undergoes mitigation and renovation.
Hammock Community Association Sues County and Developer Over 204-Boat Storage Plan
The Hammock Community Association and neighbor Kathy Viehe filed a lawsuit against Flagler County and developer Bob Million. The complaint seeks to quash a site plan for a 204-boat storage facility at Hammock Harbour on State Road A1A in the Hammock. It alleges the county violated land use regulations and lacked substantial evidence. This follows a $550,000 settlement between the county and the developer over another lawsuit last month.
Judge Sets Bond At $250,000 For Palm Coast Student Accused Of Burying Newborn In Backyard
Circuit Judge Dawn Nichols set bond at $250,000 for 20-year-old Anne Mae Demegillo, a Palm Coast student accused of allowing her newborn to die and burying the infant. Demegillo must surrender her passport and remain in Flagler County under conditions resembling house arrest. The court noted her lack of criminal history and sloppy attempts at hiding her deed from her parents.
Fox News Contributor Joey Jones Drops In at Sheriff’s Annual Employee Meeting
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office welcomed Johnny “Joey” Jones this week as a guest speaker during the agency’s annual employee meetings, continuing FCSO’s focus on employee wellness and resiliency.
Palm Coast Resident Jyquis Toole, 25, Held On $450,000 Bond for 20 Child Abuse Material Charges
Jyquis Q. Toole, 25, remains in Flagler County jail on a $450,000 bond facing 20 counts of possessing child sexual abuse material. Authorities arrested the Palm Coast resident following a Snapchat tip. Investigators are reviewing dozens of additional images found on his devices. Formal charges from the State Attorney’s Office are pending forensic analysis of the seized electronics.
Sheriff’s Deputy Shoots Charging Dog On Farraday Lane as Children Witness It; Second Deputy Is Bitten
A Flagler County Sheriff’s deputy shot a Labrador-pit bull mix named Bear after the dog charged him during a welfare check in Palm Coast. Several children witnessed the shooting. Later, a supervising deputy was bitten while transporting the animal to emergency care. The nonprofit organization SMART is now seeking community donations to cover $7,000 in veterinary surgery costs for the recovering dog.
Stricter E-Bike Rules Set for DeSantis Signature
Florida lawmakers unanimously passed SB 382, a measure tightening regulations on electric bicycles. The bill, now heading to Governor Ron DeSantis, requires e-bike operators to slow to 10 mph within 50 feet of pedestrians on shared paths. It also mandates audible warnings before passing and establishes a safety task force. Additionally, law enforcement must compile detailed crash data, including operator age and licensing status.
Florida Bill Banning Masking Identity of Law Enforcement and Immigration Agents Fails
Florida’s “Visible Act,” designed to ban masked law enforcement during immigration raids, has failed in the state legislature. Following fatal shootings by masked ICE agents in Minnesota, advocates like Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith argue for transparency. While Florida has historic anti-mask laws dating back to 1951 to combat the Ku Klux Klan, experts remain divided on whether these statutes can legally apply to federal officers.
A 20-Year-Old Student Is Accused Of Watching Newborn Die Before Burying Body In Backyard on Florida Park Drive
Anne Mae Demegillo, 20, is facing aggravated manslaughter charges after allegedly giving birth in her Palm Coast home and watching the infant die in a toilet. Authorities discovered the baby buried in a shallow backyard grave after a social media tip. The Daytona State College student reportedly attended classes and a theater performance after hiding the body in a duffel bag before the burial.
Suspicious Death At Florida Park Drive Home In Palm Coast Is Under Investigation, Sheriff Says
Flagler County Sheriff’s detectives are investigating a suspicious death at a residence on Florida Park Drive in Palm Coast. Deputies discovered the scene before dawn during a welfare check. Sheriff Rick Staly stated there is no threat to the community but declined to provide details on weapons or the victim’s identity. The home is owned by the Demegillo family.
Flickr Child Abuse Case Moves To Trial as Palm Coast Sex Offender Withdraws Plea, Objecting to Prison Term
Gary Durso, a 63-year-old Palm Coast sex offender, withdrew his guilty plea after a judge refused a sentence of house arrest. Durso faces a third-degree felony for allegedly uploading child sexual abuse material to Flickr. His prior conviction for traveling to meet a minor influenced the judge’s decision. A trial is set for May, where the defense will challenge the digital evidence.
4 Months in Jail, 5 Years Probation for Man Who Strangled Dog in Punishment; He’ll Be Added to Abuser Registry
Howard Taft Blair, 56, was sentenced to four months in jail and five years of probation for killing his dog, Nutmeg. The 15-month-old female was strangled during a visceral reaction to a dog fight. Judge Dawn Nichols cited poor judgment and potential substance abuse involving Xanax. Blair must pay fines, attend counseling, and is barred from future animal ownership or fostering.
10 Years in Prison for Melvin Adona for Hit-and-Run Deaths of Jacqueline Martin, 50, and Georgette Fisher, 59
Circuit Judge Dawn Nichols sentenced Melvin Adona to 10 years in prison and 10 years of probation for a 2023 hit and run in Bunnell. Adona, driving 70 mph after drinking, struck three pedestrians, killing Jacqueline Martin and Georgette Fisher while severely injuring Philip McClure. The defense and Adona himself claimed he “froze” in shock. The judge emphasized punishment, the loss of two lives, Adona’s concern for himself after the crash, and she singled out a deputy’s life-saving actions.
17-Year-Old Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison, 10 on Probation, for Armed Burglaries in West Flagler With 3 Accomplices
Alan Gabriel Jaramillo-Hernandez, 17, was sentenced to five years in prison and 10 years of probation for his role in 15 armed burglaries in West Flagler. Despite guidelines suggesting 13 years, Judge Dawn Nichols granted a downward departure. Jaramillo-Hernandez, who was 16 during the crimes, must pay restitution and avoid contact with three co-defendants, including his brother, while adhering to a curfew.
Palm Coast Council Approves $226,000 Design Plans to Transform Historic Fire Station 22 Into Museum
The Palm Coast City Council approved a $226,000 design contract to transform historic Fire Station 22 into a museum and home to the Palm Coast Historical Society and possibly a welcome center. Saved from demolition by the Palm Coast Historical Society and Council member Theresa Pontieri’s advocacy, the 1977 building will feature exhibition spaces, meeting rooms, and an art studio. Funding comes from fire impact fees as the city seeks grants to cover future construction costs for the site.
Florida Kills Billy Leon Kearse For The 1991 Murder Of Officer Danny Parrish
Florida killed 53-year-old Billy Leon Kearse on Tuesday for the 1991 murder of Fort Pierce Officer Danny Parrish. Kearse, who shot Parrish 13 times during a traffic stop, was the third inmate executed in Florida this year. The state Supreme Court recently rejected his final appeals, which claimed intellectual disability and improper jury influence caused by the presence of uniformed officers during his trial.
Every Bunnell Police Officer to Carry AED Following Major Grant From Firehouse Subs Safety Foundation
The Bunnell Police Department received a $20,930 grant from the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. This award provides 14 Zoll AEDs, first aid kits, and trauma kits, ensuring every officer and 2 civilian public safety officers are equipped for cardiac emergencies. Chief David Brannon emphasized that the new gear allows first responders to provide immediate life-saving measures to the community while on patrol.
Potential Litigation Over Flagler Beach’s Annexation of Veranda Bay Isn’t Over Until Kim Carney Says It Is
Flagler County officials are reconsidering a previously assumed universal settlement regarding the Veranda Bay annexation. Commissioner Kim Carney, citing missing resident petitions, contends the annexation is illegal. Despite warnings from the county attorney about losing mitigation funds and a 153-acre conservation deal, the commission will hold a workshop to discuss legal action. The move, with guarded support from Commission Chair Leann Pennington, pending further deliberations, threatens to reignite conflict between Flagler Beach and the county.
DeSantis Signs Ex-Cop James Duckett’s Death Warrant for 1987 Murder of Teresa McAbee, 11
Governor Ron DeSantis signed a death warrant for James Aren Duckett, a former Mascotte police officer convicted of the 1987 rape and murder of 11-year-old Teresa McAbee. Duckett, 68, is scheduled to be killed by lethal injection on March 31 at Florida State Prison. This is the fifth warrant the governor signed this year follows a record-breaking 19 executions carried out in Florida in 2025.
Recently Released Felon Tased and Arrested Following Knife Attack on Flagler County Sheriff’s Deputy
Fifteen months after a prior arrest for assaulting deputies, 35-year-old Andrew Mark Williams was arrested again on Thursday following a violent standoff at an Ormond Beach home. After locking his elderly relatives out, Williams barricaded himself inside and slashed a Flagler County Sheriff’s deputy with a sharp kitchen knife. Deputies deployed a Taser to subdue him, leading to seven new felony charges including elder abuse.
Controversial Bill Allowing Armed Civilians On Florida College Campuses Advances After House Approval
The Florida House of Representatives recently passed a bill expanding the school guardian program to state colleges and universities. The legislation allows college presidents to designate faculty and staff to carry concealed weapons on campus. While supporters cite safety concerns following previous campus violence, opponents question the adequacy of the proposed training and highlight funding disparities for law enforcement between colleges and state universities.
Florida May Be Left Holding Bag for $608 Million Cost of ‘Alligator Alcatraz’
The Justice Department announced that a highly anticipated $608 million federal reimbursement from FEMA will not cover construction costs for Florida’s state-run migrant detention centers, including “Alligator Alcatraz.” Court filings reveal any potential funding would only apply to operational expenses, contradicting prior claims by the DeSantis administration. The funding delay occurs amid a major restructuring at the Department of Homeland Security under Secretary Kristi Noem.
Flagler Deputies Catch Fleeing Roommate Stabbing Suspect in Palm Coast
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Palm Coast man after he allegedly stabbed his roommate multiple times during a dispute on Pier Lane and fled. Deputies pursued the suspect, Jose Rafael Cortes Nieves, and deployed stop sticks to safely end the high-speed chase. Cortes Nieves confessed to the brutal attack and is currently being held on a $150,000 bond. The victim is now recovering.
Palm Coast Resident Arrested For Generating Child Sexual Abuse Material Using Artificial Intelligence
Robert Ezra Lamb, a 38-year-old Palm Coast resident, faces five felony charges for generating and possessing artificial intelligence-generated child sexual abuse materials. The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office arrested him following an Onlyfans cybertip. Detectives discovered Lamb used an application to digitally remove clothing from real images of an ex-girlfriend’s young daughter. The case highlights a global surge in realistic, AI-generated child exploitation content.
In Year’s Second Execution, Florida Kills Melvin Trotter, 65, For 1986 Murder Of Grocery Store Owner
Melvin Trotter, 65, was executed by lethal injection at Florida State Prison for the 1986 murder of Palmetto grocery store owner Virgie Langford. The Florida Supreme Court denied his stay of execution, rejecting claims about lethal injection procedures and his age. Catholic leaders unsuccessfully urged Gov. Ron DeSantis to commute the sentence, criticizing Florida for its accelerated pace of executions after a highly active year.
Matanzas High School Student Arrested For Snapchat Gun Threats
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office arrested a fourteen-year-old Matanzas High School student after he threatened to shoot two classmates. During an online argument over Snapchat, the teenager sent a video of himself displaying his father’s firearm and issued death threats. Authorities detained the boy following a lunchroom altercation, charging him with a felony for sending written or electronic threats to kill or do bodily injury.
Flagler Sheriff Among 18 Police Agencies Sharing $40 Million State Aid for Immigration Enforcement
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office is receiving $6,500 for 100 mattresses, $198,000 for 60 rapid ID devices, $46,000 for five in-car cameras, $7,500 for five handheld inmate-tracking devices, and $2,800 for 400 blankets. Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Cabinet approved the $40 million ask from local police agencies Tuesday morning. It’s part of a broader, $250 million state grant created last year to both encourage and reimburse local agencies participating in the sweeping illegal immigration crackdown pushed by President Donald Trump and at the state level by DeSantis.
Flagler Sheriff Solves 2003 Cold Case of Mary Lou Combs With Help From FBI Divers
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly announced the resolution of a 22-year-old cold case after a submerged vehicle was recovered from the Intracoastal Waterway. The car contained human remains and personal items linked to Mary Lou Combs, a mother of three who disappeared in August 2003. A massive multi-agency effort involving FBI dive teams helped locate the wreckage, finally bringing long-awaited closure to her grieving family.
Local Governments Clash With Federal Agencies Over Massive ICE Detention Centers
As the Trump administration rapidly expands immigration detention through a massive federal budget, local communities across the United States are vehemently opposing new plans to convert industrial warehouses into large holding facilities. Citing a profound lack of federal transparency, severe economic strain, and deep humanitarian concerns, city leaders are utilizing zoning laws, moratoriums, and public pressure campaigns to successfully block these highly controversial new developments.
Khalon Pierre, 16, Missing from His Palm Coast Home Since Friday, Killed by Train in Suspected Suicide
Khalon Pierre, a 16-year-old Palm Coast boy who was reported missing on Friday, died Saturday night in a collision with a Florida East Coast Railway freight train south of Bunnell. Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said that evidence from the scene, including train video, indicates the death was a suicide. The teenager had been seen on surveillance video at a nearby DeLand Walmart before the crash.
How Ring Doorbells Reveal the Future of Surveillance
Private companies are supplying “intelligence as a service” to government entities and others – and as the Amazon-owned Ring doorbell camera company found out when it advertised a new feature, the change is not without controversy. This broader surveillance economy that has emerged is driven by private companies, not governments.
Judge Grudgingly Grants City’s Emergency Delay in Home Builders’ Lawsuit Against Palm Coast Over Impact Fees
A circuit judge reluctantly granted Palm Coast an emergency delay in a critical lawsuit filed by the Home Builders Association over significantly increased development impact fees. The city requested the postponement after the builders submitted a second amended complaint, causing confusion over which document governed the proceedings. The HBA is concerned about financial cost of further delays, but the judge prioritized avoiding procedural errors that could lead to an appeal.
To Prevent Inmate Deaths, Flagler Sheriff Implements Biometric Monitoring in Real Time at Jail
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office has deployed OverWatch biometric sensors at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility to improve inmate safety. Funded entirely by inmate welfare funds at no taxpayer cost, the wrist-worn devices monitor real-time vitals like heart rate and oxygen levels. This technology allows staff to detect and respond rapidly to medical emergencies, drug withdrawals, and suicide risks between routine physical checks.
A Day After Blocking Diverting Emergency Money to Migrant Enforcement, House Backs Down
The Florida House on Tuesday backed down from its proposal to block emergency funds from being used on illegal immigration enforcement following harsh criticism from the DeSantis administration. This represents a massive pivot from the GOP-dominated House’s original proposal to exclusively use the Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund on natural disasters, an idea blasted as “moronic” by the state Attorney General James Uthmeier, a former aide to Gov. Ron DeSantis.