The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) reported 12 arrests between 6 p.m. on Friday, April 10, and 6 a.m. on Monday, April 13, 2026. During that same window, deputies handled 963 calls for service and conducted 170 traffic stops. Three of those stops led to felony drug arrests, each stemming from routine enforcement before escalating into more serious discoveries.

Stop 1: Speeding leads to meth and drug paraphernalia — Flagler Beach

On Saturday night, a deputy conducting traffic enforcement near North Ocean Shore Boulevard and Surfview Drive in Flagler Beach pulled over a white Chevrolet for speeding. The driver was identified as John Tiller, 56, of St. Augustine. A female passenger was also in the vehicle.

Deputies detected the smell of marijuana during the stop and asked both occupants whether they had a medical marijuana card. Neither did. A search of Tiller turned up a THC dab pen and a small plastic bag containing a clear, crystal-like substance that field-tested positive for methamphetamine. Inside the vehicle, deputies found suspected THC wax concentrate and additional drug paraphernalia, including items stored in a container inside a Crown Royal bag on the driver-side floorboard. The female passenger was not found to have any illegal substances and was released.

Tiller was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of cannabis (20 grams or less), and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility and is being held on $3,500 bond. Tiller has a prior arrest history that includes possession of cannabis and drug paraphernalia.

“When deputies smell marijuana or see indicators of drug activity during a stop, they’re going to take the time to investigate. I commend our deputies for looking beyond the initial stop.”

— Sheriff Rick Staly, Flagler County Sheriff’s Office

Stop 2: Counterfeit tag and controlled substance pills — Palm Coast

On Sunday afternoon, a deputy near Belle Terre Parkway and Whippoorwill Drive in Palm Coast stopped a silver 2022 Toyota Corolla after observing an expired registration and a tag decal that appeared to be a replica. The driver was identified as Marta Pina, 48, of South Daytona.

Deputies confirmed the vehicle’s license plate had expired in April 2023, more than three years prior, and determined the validation decal on the tag was likely counterfeit. After Pina was informed she would be taken to jail, she asked deputies to retrieve her purse from the vehicle so it could go with her. Deputies searched the purse and found a bag containing six round white tablets identified as lorazepam, a Schedule IV controlled substance. Pina said the pills came from a valid prescription but could not provide documentation to prove it.

Pina was charged with possessing a counterfeit tag validation sticker, expired registration over six months as a second or subsequent offense, and possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance. She was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility and is being held on $2,650 bond. Deputies also issued traffic citations related to the stop.

“Counterfeit tags and a homemade registration decal are crimes, used to avoid tolls, attempt to trick law enforcement and, likely, continuing to drive without insurance. If you’re driving in Flagler County with a counterfeit registration decal and controlled substances, expect to be stopped, expect to be investigated, and expect to go to the Green Roof Inn.”

— Sheriff Rick Staly, Flagler County Sheriff’s Office

Stop 3: Broken headlight reveals armed teen with drugs and cash — Palm Coast

Late Sunday night, a deputy near U.S. Highway 1 North and Old Kings Road North observed a silver Ford Crown Victoria with an inoperable passenger-side headlight and initiated a traffic stop at U.S. Highway 1 North and Sawmill Branch Boulevard. The driver, Philip Mercado, 19, of Callahan, was alone in the vehicle.

Deputies detected a strong odor of marijuana. Mercado initially said he had a small amount of marijuana in the car, then changed his account to say he had picked up a few ounces in Jacksonville, along with a THC vape. He stated he did not have a medical marijuana card and said there were no firearms in the vehicle.

A search of the car told a different story. Deputies found approximately 93.57 grams of marijuana, multiple digital scales, and $1,358.50 in cash. They also recovered a vape device and a bong with residue that field-tested positive for THC. Additionally, deputies found approximately 6.84 grams of mushrooms, which were submitted to a laboratory for testing — with additional charges possible depending on the results. Two loaded handguns with additional magazines were also found in the vehicle.

Mercado was arrested for possession of marijuana with intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver; possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony; possession of a controlled substance (cannabis concentrate); and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility and is being held on $18,000 bond. Mercado was also issued a traffic citation for driving with a suspended license and received a verbal warning for the broken headlight.

“Drug dealers come to our community to make a quick buck and leave behind addiction, violence, and heartbreak. A simple stop over a headlight took an armed drug dealer off the street and made Palm Coast safer. Dealer be warned, don’t come to Flagler County to sell your illegal drugs as you’re going to take a trip to the Green Roof Inn.”

— Sheriff Rick Staly, Flagler County Sheriff’s Office

All three individuals face charges that are allegations at this stage — no convictions have been established. More information about the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office is available at flaglersheriff.com. The “Green Roof Inn” referenced by Sheriff Staly is the local nickname for the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility.