Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) deputies made 21 arrests this past weekend between 6 p.m. on Friday, March 29, 2024, and 6 a.m. on Monday, April 1, 2024. They handled 630 calls for service and made 131 traffic stops.
Palm Coast Man Arrested for Assault and Battery After Weapons Disturbance
On Sunday, March 31, deputies responded to a disturbance with weapons on Night Hawk Lane in Palm Coast. After contacting the reporting party, deputies were advised that an argument had occurred between roommates. During the argument, the suspect, later identified as Oliver Taylor, 34, placed the victim in a chokehold that restricted his airway, punched him several times, and pointed a firearm to his stomach. After the argument, Taylor then ran into nearby woods and the victim exited the residence to call 9-1-1.
Deputies established a perimeter to search for Taylor. Several deputies and the K-9 Unit searched along the wood line, while drones and Flagler County Fire Rescue’s FireFlight helicopter assisted in the search. However, Taylor was not located.
A few hours later, Sergeant Parthemore was able to reach Taylor by phone. During the call, Taylor stated that he was in the woods walking back to the residence and would stay on the line until he got back to the residence.
Once at the residence, Taylor was arrested for Battery by Strangulation, Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon, Simple Battery, and Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon without Intent to Kill. He was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility (SPHIDF), where he is being held on a $42,500 bond.
“An argument should never escalate to the point that weapons become involved,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “I commend our deputies for utilizing all possible resources and making sure that this man was sent to the Green Roof Inn, where he can hopefully learn to control his temper and make better decisions.”
Suspicious Vehicle Call Leads to Narcotics Arrest
Also on Sunday, March 31, Master Deputy Gaddie responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle parked in front of a residence on Clove Avenue in Daytona North. Upon arrival, M/D Gaddie found a male asleep inside the vehicle with a brass knuckle-shaped stun gun on his lap. M/D Gaddie woke the man to engage in conversation, and he advised that he was waiting in the car for his girlfriend to return from her parent’s house, where he is not allowed.
The male provided his driver license, which identified him as Ryan Varnadoe, 48, of Port Orange, Florida. When verifying his identity, it was determined that Varnadoe was on felony probation from a
previous arrest in Volusia County and was not allowed to be in possession of weapons. Varnadoe was asked to exit the vehicle and the weapon on his lap was tested and confirmed to be an active
electronic weapon.
During a search of the vehicle, deputies located a hypodermic syringe and a small clear baggie containing residue that tested positive for heroin. When deputies informed Varnadoe of the
substances they located in the vehicle, he stated that he had given a ride to a narcotics dealer who had left the items there.
Varnadoe was arrested for Violation of Probation, Possession of an Electronic Weapon by a Convicted Felon, Possession of Heroin, and Possession of Paraphernalia, and was transported to the SPHIDF.
Upon arrival at the jail, M/D Gaddie explained to Varnadoe that if he had any narcotics on his person while he was booked, he would be arrested on an additional felony for Introduction of Contraband into a Jail Facility. Varnadoe then disclosed that he had narcotics hidden under his scrotum. There, deputies discovered a white glass container containing 3.1 grams of a white powder substance which tested positive for fentanyl and a plastic bag that contained a 0.5-gram clear crystalline rock which tested positive for methamphetamine. Varnadoe was additionally arrested for Possession of Fentanyl, Possession of Methamphetamine, and Tampering with Evidence. He is being held with no bond.
“A simple report of a suspicious vehicle turned into a noteworthy arrest of a convicted felon with a weapon and illegal narcotics,” said Sheriff Staly. “This is another example showing that ‘see something,
say something’ works.”
