Date: September 22, 2026
Prepared by: Joseph Bober, Public Information Officer
Email: PIO@flaglersheriff.com
Release #: 2026 – 203
The last remaining subject from Operation Offenders: Endgame is behind bars, as Warren Franklin, 58, of Palm Coast, was arrested after he was located by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Apprehension Unit. All 44 subjects of the operation have now been arrested.
During compliance checks conducted during the operation, an enforcement team attempted to contact Franklin at his registered address in Palm Coast and discovered he no longer lived at the residence and had failed to update his address. Detectives traveled to another possible Palm Coast address, where they determined that Franklin had been recently staying with his girlfriend in Deland.
Detectives contacted Franklin on the phone, who told them he was working and agreed to return to the residence later that evening. When detectives returned at the agreed time, Franklin failed to show. Detectives called him again, and he told them he was driving and would be back soon. When he still failed to return, detectives attempted to call him a third time. Franklin did not answer, leading detectives to determine he had absconded. Detectives obtained a warrant for Franklin’s arrest for two counts of failure of a sex offender to properly register.
On Sept. 21, the FCSO Fugitive Apprehension Unit tracked Franklin through investigative means to an address in New Smyrna Beach. Deputies coordinated with the New Smyrna Beach Police Department, who quickly arrested Franklin on his warrant. He was transported to the Volusia County Branch Jail, where he is being held on a $50,500 bond.
“This pervert lasted longer on the run than any of the others, but in the end they all learned the same thing: The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office is inevitable, and you always get caught,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “Operation Offenders: Endgame has officially concluded with 45 arrests, and it was a rousing success thanks to the great work of our team and our law enforcement partners. This last pervert, who is a career offender who knows he must register but refuses to comply, needs to not pass go and go directly to prison.”
Photo 1: Warren Franklin in handcuffs while being arrested in New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Monday, Sept. 21, 2026.
Photo 2: Warren Franklin (Volusia County Branch Jail mug shot)
Franklin has a lengthy arrest history, with 35 felony arrests including burglary with battery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and possession of a controlled substance. He has also been arrested multiple times for failure of a sex offender to properly register. His previous arrests have resulted in 20 felony convictions.
