Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) deputies made 21 arrests this past weekend between 6 p.m. on Friday, March 8, 2024, and 6 a.m. on Monday, March 11, 2024. They handled 750 calls for service and made 184 traffic stops.
“This past weekend, our deputies had their hands full sifting through fraudulent documents at traffic stops in addition to other calls for service,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “When you’re driving on the roadways in Flagler County without a license, a legitimate license, we’ll arrest you every time.”
Another Illegal Immigrant with Warrant for Deportation Arrested with Fake ID
On Saturday, March 9, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office apprehended an illegal immigrant who was a fugitive from justice with an outstanding warrant from the FBI.
Just before 9 a.m., Deputy First Class Kotowski conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of State Road 100 East and Belle Terre Parkway after observing a silver Fusion with a temporary tag that had not been registered with the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles.
The driver presented a Venezuelan driver’s license with the name Angel Antonio Larrazabel-Fuestes but told the deputy that he did not have a passport. When DFC Kotowski asked for the vehicle registration paperwork, the driver presented a dealer issued In-Transit Certificate which appeared to be fraudulent and tied to a fictitious company. The temporary tag attached to the vehicle was also determined to be counterfeit.
During the investigation, deputies located another Venezuelan ID card in Larrazabel-Fuestes’ wallet, but it had some inconsistencies with the other and was poorly laminated. The name on the ID card also contained a different last name, and instead listed him as Angel Antonoio Larrazabal-Fuentes. Through investigative means, it was determined that Larrazabel-Fuestes had an FBI Warrant for Removal pending with ICE.
Larrazabel-Fuestes was arrested for Driving Without a License, Counterfeit Tag, and Unlawful Possession of a Driver’s License. He was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility where he is currently being held on $3,500 bond.
“Just two days prior, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office captured an illegal immigrant and fugitive from justice. This weekend, we arrested one that had had been evading deportation using fake IDs and fake vehicle tags,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “Capturing two in one week is a reflection on what is occurring across the country and I applaud my deputies for spotting these fake documents right away. If you’re hoping to evade deportation, the only sanctuary you’ll find here is in a jail cell at the Green Roof Inn.”
For Bodycam footage of the arrest: https://bit.ly/43gS7eF
Two Caught Speeding on 95 with Fraudulent License
On Sunday, March 10, deputies conducted a traffic stop on a gray Dodge Charger with a North Carolina license plate that was travelling north on I-95 near mile marker 286 at 91mph.
The deputy made contact with the driver, later identified as Conscience Abba, 18 who said he did not have his driver’s license with him. A check of his information confirmed who he was but that his Maryland Driver’s License had expired in August of last year.
The passenger, Desmond Umeozulu, 19, immediately provided his Maryland Driver License.
While speaking with both men, deputies observed a strong smell of burnt cannabis coming from inside the vehicle. Both men were seated on the guard rail as deputies conducted a probable search of the vehicle. During this time, a deputy noticed Umeozulu had another ID card protruding from his pocket. It was an Indiana Driver’s License that showed the name Desmond Cordell, 23. Umeozulu said it was a fake and turned it over to deputies.
Abba was arrested for Expired Driver’s License More than 6 Months, while Umeozulu was arrested for Possession of a Fictious Driver’s License. Both men were transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention facility and were later released on $500 bond each.
