Date: October 16, 2026
Prepared by: Tonya Woodworth, Director of Public Information
Email: PIO@flaglersheriff.com
Release #: 2026 – 223
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a woman employed as a City of Palm Coast animal control officer following an investigation into the fraudulent use of a city-issued credit card to pay for personal unauthorized veterinary expenses.
Deputies began investigating the incident on Oct. 15, after East Coast Animal Hospital employees notified city administrators that Chelsie Willis, 36, of Fort McCoy, used her city-issued credit card on Sept. 18 to pay a veterinary bill under her own account for her personal dog, Layla.
FCSO General Assignment Unit detectives began a criminal investigation and determined that Willis had arrived at the clinic for an appointment for Layla on Sept. 18. While there, she proceeded to pay expenses charged to the City of Palm Coast account using her city-issued credit card and then used that same credit card to cover the expenses charged to her personal account.
According to witnesses, Willis returned to the veterinary clinic on Oct. 6 and requested that her dog’s account be removed from her personal account and added to the City of Palm Coast’s account. Her request was denied, and she was advised that doing so would be a violation of company policy and a falsification of records. Witnesses immediately contacted city administrators, who then contacted FCSO.
Records from East Coast Animal Hospital and the City of Palm Coast confirm the unauthorized charge of $386.64.
On Oct. 16, detectives arrested Willis for the fraudulent use of a credit card (greater than $100).
Photo 1: A General Assignment Unit detective arrests Chelsie Willis in Palm Coast, Fla., Friday, Oct. 16, 2026.
Photo 2: Chelsie Willis (Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility mug shot)
“This arrest was the result of a series of very poor decisions that evolved into an attempted cover up. Public service is a privilege, not a personal piggy bank,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “This arrest should serve as a reminder that we will investigate fraud and misuse of public funds. I commend the workers at East Coast Animal Hospital for reporting their concerns to the City and our investigators that quickly invested this case of public fraud and theft.”
“The City takes the misuse of public funds extremely seriously. When we learned of the potential misconduct, we acted immediately and worked with the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office to complete the investigation and ensure appropriate action was taken. This behavior is disappointing and does not reflect the integrity and accountability we expect of every City employee. We appreciate the Sheriff’s Office’s partnership in resolving this matter,” said Deputy City Manager Jim Macfarlane.
Willis was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where she is being held on a $2,500 bond.
