Flagler deputies make 13 arrests, handle 853 calls for service
Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies made 13 arrests and handled 853 calls for service between Friday evening, January 2, and Monday morning, January 5, while also conducting 203 traffic stops. Two women face felony charges following separate incidents involving physical altercations.
On Saturday night, deputies arrested 44-year-old Julia Smith of Palm Coast after responding to a physical disturbance at a residence in the B-Section of Palm Coast. When deputies arrived, Smith stated she had everything under control but would not provide additional details. Deputies noticed her finger and wrist were bleeding and called Flagler County Fire Rescue to evaluate her injuries.
A male victim at the scene was initially reluctant to speak with deputies because he did not want anyone to get in trouble. A female victim told deputies the incident began as a verbal argument in the kitchen before becoming physical when Smith struck the male victim. According to the female victim, Smith then armed herself with a steak knife and brandished it at the male victim while making verbal threats. Smith threw the knife toward the female victim and later picked it up again and began stabbing the wall. Deputies found the knife on the floor, consistent with the female victim’s account.
Deputies observed several injuries on the male victim’s face, neck, back, and legs. He eventually told deputies that Smith had choked him during the argument while holding the knife toward his chest. He also described past incidents in which Smith had been physical with him.
Deputies arrested Smith for domestic battery, domestic battery by strangulation, and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill. She was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility and is being held on $46,000 bond.
“Nobody should be in fear for their safety in their own home,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “If you are the victim of domestic violence, we have many resources to help, and it is important to speak up so that deputies can help end the cycle of violence.”
The male victim was treated for his injuries by Flagler County Fire Rescue. The female victim was not injured.
On Sunday, deputies arrested 44-year-old Nicole Watson of Ormond Beach after responding to a reported physical disturbance at a residence in the R-Section of Palm Coast. One of the victims called 911 and told dispatchers that a woman had pulled up to the residence and began hitting her and her boyfriend.
The male victim told deputies that Watson pulled into the driveway so aggressively and at such a high speed that he thought she was trying to hit him and his girlfriend with her vehicle. He said Watson began yelling and cursing at him while striking him in the back and head after she exited the car. When Watson noticed the female victim was recording her with a cellphone, she turned her attention to her, knocked the phone out of her hand, and struck her in the face several times before they were separated.
Earlier that morning, Watson had called the Sheriff’s Office to request help removing the female victim from the residence because she was making another person inside uncomfortable. When deputies explained they could not simply remove the woman from the home, Watson became upset and stated she would physically remove herself. Deputies warned her that she would face battery charges if she did so.
“This woman is now facing a felony and two misdemeanor charges because she chose to take the law into her own hands,” said Sheriff Staly. “Our deputies warned her that she’d be breaking the law, but, unfortunately for her, their warning fell on deaf ears. You cannot simply break the law because you do not agree with it. Perhaps now that she’s had some time to cool off at the Green Roof Inn, she’ll think twice before losing control again.”
Deputies arrested Watson for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill and two counts of battery. She was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility and is being held on $7,000 bond.
