Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) deputies made 23 arrests last weekend between 6am on Friday, August 4th, 2023, and 6am on Monday, August 7th, 2023. Over the weekend, deputies handled 849 calls for service and made 145 traffic stops.
“Criminals keep thinking they can hide in even remote areas of Flagler County without us noticing,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “That just means our courtesy shuttle is staying busy taking fugitives and poison peddlers to the Green Roof Inn. There’s no room to hide when you have a solid team like our FCSO.”
Two Fugitives Wanted Out of Putnam County Arrested in Flagler County
On Friday, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) contacted FCSO advising they information that a fugitive, Casey Howe, 49, and Robert Rowland, 48, were staying on a property located on Gwen St in the remote Flagler Estates area in Northwest Flagler County, and that both had active warrants. FCSO Deputies met with PCSO and conducted surveillance on the property.
After an FCSO Drone observed a white pickup truck leaving the property, units on scene attempted to stop the vehicle but it fled into St. Johns County. The truck later returned to the Flagler County property, where FCSO Deputies located Rowland inside an RV. K9 Deputy Beausoleil and his K9 Partner Axle located the second subject, Howe, hiding in the wood line. He was taken into custody and multiple knives were found in his possession.
Howe had active warrants from Putnam County for Failure to Appear for Trafficking Methamphetamine and Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, while Rowland had a Writ of Bodily Attachment for Failing to Pay Child Support in Putnam County.
Howe and Rowland were arrested for warrants and taken to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility (SPHIDF). They are being held on no bond while they await transfer to Putnam County.
“This was great teamwork by both Sheriff’s Offices and our team,” added Sheriff Staly. “This is another example that we work together to get dirtbags and put them in jail.”
To watch video of Howe’s and Rowland’s arrest, click here.
Massachusetts Fugitive Captured by FCSO
Early on Monday morning, FCSO DFC Hartley responded to a Commercial Burglary Alarm at a business on Old Kings Rd. While at the scene, DFC Hartley located a man sleeping inside a red Kia sedan and identified him as Jose Gerardo Serrano, 40.
After checking state and national databases, Dispatchers advised that Serrano was a fugitive from Nantucket, Massachusetts. He was wanted for two charges of Indecent Assault and Battery on a Child under 14, and one count of Enticing a Child Under 16.
Serrano was arrested as a Fugitive from Justice and transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility. He is being held on no bond.
“This pervert chose the wrong county to sleep in his car,” said Sheriff Staly. “Now he has a room at the Green Roof Inn while he waits for his return to Massachusetts to face these serious charges.”
Man Arrested After Attempting to Discard Drugs from Golf Cart
On Sunday, while FCSO Deputy Wilkinson was patrolling the Moody Boat Launch he observed a suspicious person on a golf cart. While approaching the golf cart, the male, later identified as Marcus Roller, 29, turned away from Deputy Wilkinson and appeared to toss something from the cart.
Upon contacting Roller, Deputy Wilkinson observed a white straw and a lighter on the ground next to the golf cart. After a brief conversation with Roller, a search was conducted which located approximately .61 grams of Cocaine and 1.01 grams of Fentanyl.
Roller was arrested and transported to SPHIDF for Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Fentanyl, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He is being held on no bond.
Palm Coast Man Caught with Drugs During Traffic Stop
On Sunday, Deputy Huzior conducted a traffic stop near Mahogany Blvd and Honeytree St on a white Mazda 3 being driven by Brent Christopher Heath, 40. As soon as Deputy Huzior approached the vehicle, he could smell the strong odor of Marijuana emanating from inside, so a probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted. A prescription bottle was located with a golden-brown oil substance inside that tested presumptive positive for Fentanyl and THC.
Heath was arrested and then claimed he was having a heart attack. He was checked on scene by a medical unit but could not be adequately evaluated due to his actions and demeanor, so he was transported to AdventHealth South by Deputy Huzior. Heath was later transported to SPHIDF after being medically cleared.
Heath was arrested for Possession of Fentanyl (Trafficking), Possession of Hashish, Possession of Paraphernalia, and Failure to Obey Law Enforcement. He is being held at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility on $1,000 bond.
Heath is no stranger to law enforcement. He has a long history of arrests in Flagler County, including several previous arrests for Battery, Domestic Violence Battery, Grand Theft, Dealing in Stolen Property, Attempt to Escape, Burglary, Possession of Counterfeit, Child Abuse, and Resisting an Officer with Violence.
“This poison peddler is a serial criminal and won’t learn his lesson,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “Time for him to turn his life around or face serious jail time.”
