Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) deputies made 13 arrests this past weekend between 6 p.m. on Friday, April 19, 2024, and 6 a.m. on Monday, April 22, 2024. They handled 517 calls for service and made 64 traffic stops.
“During the 2024 Addressing Crime Together community meeting last week I told residents that while crime in Flagler County is still down over 50% since 2017, our biggest issues still stem from domestic disputes, and this weekend’s arrests show that,” says Sheriff Rick Staly. “In each of these cases, an arrest and even the crime could have been prevented if people handled disputes calmly or knew when to walk away and de-escalate the situation.”
Intoxicated Resident Batters Law Enforcement Officer in “F” Section
On Friday, April 19 just after 7 p.m., deputies responded to a duplex on Farraday Lane in Palm Coast after the Flager County Communications Center received a 9-1-1 call regarding a highly intoxicated female.
Prior to arriving at the residence, Deputy Parker located the woman, Julia Jones, 40, a Palm Coast resident, at the intersection of Farraday and Fawn Lanes. While speaking with her, deputies noticed she could not keep her balance and smelled strongly of alcohol. They asked her to stand next to the patrol car to keep from swaying into oncoming traffic and at that point she became extremely agitated and began screaming.
While deputies attempted to detain her to prevent further disturbance, she began spitting on the deputies and struggling to break free. After several minutes, deputies and medical personnel were able to gain control of Jones and place her in the back of the patrol car. During a search of her backpack, deputies located a small purple bag that contained three white pills that were identified as Acetaminophen and Hydrocodone.
Jones was arrested on charges of Disorderly Intoxication – Public Place, Cause Disturbance, Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer, and Possession of Hydrocodone. While enroute to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, Jones began banging her head repeatedly inside the vehicle and actively screaming. Deputies transported her to Advent Health for medical clearance before she was taken to jail.
Jones posted a bond of $7,500 and was released.
“This woman disrupted a peaceful neighborhood and then continued to berate and attack and spit on deputies,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “If you spit and attack a Deputy Sheriff we guarantee you a trip to the Green Roof Inn.”
For bodycam footage of the arrest: https://bit.ly/49OAx3p
Multiple Charges for Man in Custody Dispute
At approximately 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 20, deputies responded to a residence on Wood Acre Lane in Palm Coast. The resident claimed that nearly an hour prior, an unexpected male rang the doorbell, and when the resident opened the door to see who it was, the man forced his way inside and began repeatedly pushing, striking him, and slamming him into walls.
The resident said he recognized the man as Christian Smith, 25, another Palm Coast resident. The altercation ended when the victim’s sister arrived home and was able to separate the two men. The male victim then went to grab a knife from the kitchen to defend himself, but Smith had fled the scene.
While deputies were speaking with the victims, Corporal Petkovosek located Smith at the intersection of Wood Acre and Wood Ash Lanes. Smith said that he shares a “baby mama” with the individual that lives at the residence.
Deputies later spoke with the woman who stated that earlier in the evening, Smith had come to her residence on Ripcord Lane and appeared to be intoxicated. She told him she was going to leave with her two children, to which he told her “You’re not going anywhere” and grabbed her by the neck. She says she was able to get away and leave the residence with both children.
Smith was arrested for Burglary of an Occupied Dwelling, two counts of Simple Battery, False Imprisonment, Domestic-Battery, and Criminal Mischief. He was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility where he is being held without bond.
Smith was previously convicted of Burglary of an Unoccupied Dwelling in July 2018 and served five months in a Pasco County jail.
Man Arrested for Threatening Girlfriend’s Son with Deadly Weapon
On Sunday, April 21 just after 1:43 p.m., deputies responded to a residence on Fallon Lane in Palm Coast in reference to a weapons disturbance. The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center received a 9-1-1 call from a woman who reported her son and boyfriend were fighting, and said she heard someone say, “Why do you have a knife?”
Upon arrival, deputies separated both parties. Through investigative means, deputies determined that an argument began between the caller’s adult son and her boyfriend, Edward Duffy, Jr., 73, after the son had requested a code to the home security system.
During the argument, Duffy pulled a knife and lunged at the victim cutting his left forearm. The victim then told his mother to call 9-1-1 as Duffy continued attempting to stab him. The victim was able to pin Duffy against a table and hold him until deputies arrived.
Duffy was arrested for Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon and was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility. He is currently being held on $20,000 bond.
“Disagreements over the most trivial topics have a potential to turn deadly in domestic situations. That’s why it’s imperative to walk away when emotions run high before it escalates even further,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “In this case a conversation spiraled out of control and became an armed and dangerous fight. Fortunately, the victim wasn’t seriously harmed, and the perpetrator will have some time to practice anger management techniques during his time at the Green Roof Inn.”
