Online Sextortion Scheme Victimizes Palm Coast Juvenile, Traffic Stops Result in DUI Arrest, Woman Who Allowed Unlicensed Teen Sister to Drive Across State Arrested
Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies made 62 arrests this past weekend between 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 4, 2024, and 6 a.m. on Monday, July 8, 2024. They handled 944 calls for service, made 244 traffic stops, and conducted 9 boat stops and 2 inspections.
Palm Coast Juvenile Falls Victim to Sextortion Scheme Online – FCSO and FBI Hosting a Seminar on How to Protect Your Children from Online Predators
On July 7, deputies spoke with a Palm Coast juvenile and his parents who reported an online sex offense.
The 13-year-old male from Palm Coast received an Instagram request a few days ago from an unknown person with an Instagram account. He received three nude photographs and videos of what appeared to be the girl he believed he was talking to. The person he was messaging requested nude videos in return, and the juvenile complied and sent three.
The other person then requested money in exchange for not sending the photos out to the victim’s Instagram followers, at which time the juvenile blocked the account. He then received a voice message from a male attempting to scare him into submission. The victim’s cellphone has been taken as evidence and further investigation by FCSO’s Digital Forensics Unit.
“You never really know who you’re communicating with online, and the FBI has seen a huge increase in sextortion cases involving children and teens,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “Parents need to teach their kids online safety and to never send nude photos to anyone. There are plenty of criminals out there waiting to trick them. You never know if the person behind a keyboard is really who you think you are talking to. Remember, if you don’t want to read it or see it publicly don’t send it or type it.”
On August 21, 2024, the FCSO Community Engagement Section will be hosting “Be Smart with Your Kids’ Smartphone,” presented by the FBI’s Jacksonville Regional Office, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the Flagler Auditorium. Plan now to attend.
I-95 Traffic Stop of Ft. Pierce Sisters Leads to Arrest with Multiple Charges
A traffic stop on southbound I-95 on the afternoon of July 6 led to an arrest after it was discovered the adult passenger allowed her unlicensed teenage sister to drive across the state with two unsecured children in the vehicle.
Lourdes Isabell Arriaga Espinoza, 21, of Ft. Pierce, allowed her 16-year-old sister to drive her Chevrolet Equinox while they were on their way to Ft. Pierce, Florida. During the traffic stop, deputies observed a 3-year-old and a one-year-old child not properly secured or in a car seat as required by law.
Arriaga Espinoza admitted that she was aware of the dangers she allowed. Also, deputies checked her criminal history and discovered that she is currently on misdemeanor probation for DUI – Influence of Alcohol or Drugs for 12 months starting on April 30, 2024.
She was arrested for two counts of Child Neglect Without Bodily Harm, Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, Permitting an Unauthorized Minor to Operate a Motor Vehicle, and On-site Violation of Probation. She posted an $8,000 bond and was released from the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility. Her 16-year-old sister was issued a citation for a No Driver’s License.
“I-95 is our number one crash location in Flagler County, usually with serious injuries,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “By allowing an unlicensed driver, this young adult put herself, her sister, the young children, and other drivers in a very dangerous situation. Hopefully, she will change her ways and become more responsible, so she doesn’t put them and other drivers at risk again.”
View bodycam here: https://bit.ly/3xMLfdW
Proactive Patrols Lead to DUI Arrest of Ft. Lauderdale Man, Almost Twice the Legal Limit
Shortly after 3:30 a.m. on July 7, while conducting proactive patrols at 16th Road East and North Ocean Shore Boulevard, Deputy Wilkinson noticed a vehicle with no taillights and no tag light.
While investigating the driver, Osman Orlando Paz Rosales, 30, of Ft. Lauderdale, was found to have never been issued a driver’s license. Deputies also noticed the odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath. Paz Rosales admitted to drinking 13 beers between 9:00 p.m. the previous night and 1:40 a.m. the morning of the arrest. He also stated he was driving to pick up cigarettes. Paz Rosales provided two breath samples that were almost twice the legal limit of 0.08. Breath 1 resulted in .144, while Breath 2 was .143. He was arrested for Operating a Motor Vehicle without a Valid License and DUI – Breath Alcohol Level of 0.08 or Higher. He posted a $650 bond and was released from the Green Roof Inn.
“Thanks to our increased presence and proactive enforcement, our deputies only made one arrest for DUI over the long 4th of July weekend. I want to thank the community for being responsible drivers and heeding our warnings to have a designated driver. I also thank all our employees that worked the holiday away from their family so our community could enjoy a safe celebration,” added Sheriff Staly.
