Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies made 13 arrests this past weekend between 6 p.m. on Friday, August 23, 2024, and 6 a.m. on Monday, August 26, 2024. They handled 636 calls for service and made 195 traffic stops.
Gunfire in Bunnell Damages Neighbor’s Vehicle and House, Narrowly Missing Deputies on Scene
At approximately 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 24, Deputy Zalak was dispatched to a residence on County Road 305 in Bunnell after a resident reported hearing gunfire coming from the direction of his neighbors’ house, about three lots over, through his wooded property line. He stated that both his vehicle and house had been hit, and the gunfire lasted for approximately 20 minutes before stopping.
The victim’s GMC Yukon Denali had five bullet holes near the rear driver and passenger doors and the windows had been shattered from the bullets. Deputies also observed at least four bullet holes in the garage door where the Yukon was parked and in the carport.
As deputies were on scene investigating, the gunfire resumed, and rounds were heard coming through the wooded area towards the general direction of the deputies. The rounds could be heard whizzing close by and hitting nearby trees in very close proximity to where deputies were on scene.
Flagler County FireFlight was launched and assisted in locating the subjects, identified as Keith and Molly Stanton, at a neighboring house. It was determined they were target shooting without a berm and the rounds were traveling through the wooded area between the properties.
Keith stated that he and his wife Molly were shooting a single action 38 revolver that held six rounds in the direction of a burnt and rotted wood pile from their porch. He believed the wood pile was a sufficient berm and that he only needed to be 500 yards away from the closest house; however, the residence of the victim was visible from his wood line. Additionally, the wood pile did not appear to have fresh bullet holes, but deputies found multiple holes from what appeared to bullets on trees, approximately 7-10 feet off the ground.
The deputies observed approximately 14, .223 spent cartridges, as well as a spent 9mm shell casing in bushes near the suspect’s porch that he had told deputies he was shooting from. Also observed on the porch were two bullets of separate unknown calibers, on a table.
Based on the information and evidence collected at the scene, charges on both Keith and Molly Stanton were submitted to the State Attorney’s office for culpable negligence.
“Thankfully, nobody, including my deputies, was hurt or killed because of the irresponsibility and disregard for safety that was shown by these two,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “I commend the great teamwork shown by Flagler County Fireflight and our deputies.”
View bodycam footage here: https://bit.ly/4dFYexA
Palm Coast Man Arrested for DUI after Concerned Citizen “Sees Something, Says Something”
A concerned citizen contacted Flager County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center at approximately 9 p.m. on August 24, to report an older model silver sedan traveling northbound on Belle Terre that was unable to maintain its lane. The vehicle was traveling off the road, into oncoming traffic and traveling approximately 25 MPH in a 50 MPH zone, according to the caller, who was also able to provide a Florida tag.
The driver was identified as Colin Crowley, 19, of Palm Coast, who spontaneously stated that his parents did not want him to leave the residence because he had consumed alcohol. Deputies noted a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from within the vehicle and found a large empty bottle of Captain Morgan behind the driver’s seat. They also observed that Crowley’s eyes were bloodshot and watery, and a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage came from his breath as he spoke. He was also unsteady on his feet and appeared to be focusing on his feet before and after every question, attempting to stay balanced and to not appear intoxicated.
Crowley was arrested for operating a motor vehicle under the influence (DUI). While at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, a DUI investigation and medical assessment continued, but Crowley was unwilling to speak to law enforcement. A breath test was administered to Crowley which resulted in a BrAC of .123. A second breath sample resulted in a BrAC of .120. The legal limit in Florida is .02 for drivers under the age of 21. Crowly later pated a $1,000 bond and was released from the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility.
“This guy never should have been drinking and he certainly should have listened to his parents,” said Sheriff Staly. “Instead, he visited the Green Roof Inn. Thanks to the concerned citizen who ‘saw something and said something,’ and to our deputies for apprehending him, we were able to get him off one of our busiest roadways before someone could get hurt or killed.”
Orlando Man with Honduran Passport, No Valid License, Arrested for Driving with Multiple Suspensions
Shortly after 7 p.m. on August 24, Deputy Tassy observed a black Ford F250 pick-up truck fail to stop at the 4-way intersection of Hammock Dunes Parkway and Camino Del Mar Parkway. After conducting a traffic stop at Palm Coast Parkway and Fairways Circle, he requested a driver’s license, but the driver had difficulty understanding. His passenger translated to the driver the request, and the driver stated that he did not possess a license. He handed the deputy a Honduran passport and was later identified as Selvin Yovani Escalante Valenzuela, 34, of Orlando.
A check of his passport revealed that he previously had a Florida license that was cancelled and suspended. His suspensions, which occurred from Dec. 26, 2019 to Jan. 6, 2020, included multiple indefinite suspensions for failure to pay traffic tickets.
Escalante Valenzuela was arrested for Operating a Motor Vehicle, knowing he had a Cancelled and Suspended License and was designated as a habitual traffic offender (DWLS Habitual). He was transported to the Flagler County Inmate Detention Facility without incident and later posted $1500 bond and was released.
“Deputy Tassy did a great job with getting this guy off our roads,” said Sheriff Staly. “Obviously, he thinks the laws do not apply to him and he can just drive without a license. If you do, you will be arrested and taken to the Green Roof Inn.”
