Flagler County Sheriff’s Weekend Roundup: December 7

By-Line: Joseph Bober, FCSO

Deplorable Home Conditions Lead to Arrest, Sheriff Staly Warns Drivers with Suspended Licenses to Stay off the Road

Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies made 23 arrests this past weekend between 6 p.m. on Friday, December 13, 2024, and 6 a.m. on Monday, December 9, 2024. Deputies handled 828 calls for service and made 160 traffic stops.

Disturbance with Weapons Leads to Search Warrant, Child Neglect Arrest After Deputies Find Deplorable Conditions and Gun within reach of Children

On Saturday, December 7, the FCSO Communications Center received a report of a disturbance with weapons. According to the reporting party, a verbal altercation occurred in the driveway of a residence on Fanwood Court in Palm Coast between a group inside a vehicle and two subjects outside the vehicle. During the altercation, one of the subjects outside the vehicle, a 16-year-old male, brandished a firearm, pointing it at the driver’s forehead. The other individual, Donovan McKelvin, 19, began kicking the vehicle, denting the driver’s door.

When deputies arrived, they spoke to each group involved in the incident. The groups gave similar accounts of the incident. However, the subjects outside the vehicle, as well as the juvenile’s mother who was inside the residence during the incident, claimed the weapon involved was a BB gun. Meanwhile, all subjects inside the vehicle advised they did not see any indication on the weapon, such as an orange tip commonly observed on BB guns, that would lead them to believe it was anything other than a real firearm.

After the deputies’ investigation, the juvenile was arrested for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. McKelvin was determined to have caused over $1,000 in damage to the vehicle and was arrested for Criminal Mischief – Over $1,000. Both were taken to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility for processing. McKelvin was released on a $2,500 bond. The juvenile was turned over to the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice.

Later that day, detectives served a search warrant at the residence to locate the firearm believed to be used during the incident. During their search, deputies located a loaded Smith & Wesson firearm on top of a stack of DVDs in an entertainment center in the living room. The firearm was unsecured and accessible to four children who lived in the home.

Inside the residence, deputies discovered deplorable living conditions. Trash and spoiled food items were littered on the floor and furniture. The home did not have any running water, and the non-working toilets were filled with feces and urine. Additionally, the home was infested with fleas, roaches, and spiders.

Deputies also found multiple bags containing narcotics residue, including cocaine and marijuana, inside the garage and bedroom. Drug paraphernalia and prescription medication were also scattered throughout the residence.

Amanda Gaisford, the primary owner of the residence, was arrested for four counts of Child Neglect. She was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where she was held on a $10,000 bond.

The Florida Department of Children and Families responded to take custody of the children and made arrangements for their care. Additionally, Palm Coast Animal Control responded to take custody of three cats within the residence.

“This house was in disgusting condition that nobody should be subjected to, especially children,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “I am happy that we were able to get these children out of this house before any of them seriously hurt or accidentally killed themselves by stumbling upon a loaded firearm in the living room or became seriously ill due to the deplorable living conditions and exposure to illegal narcotics.”

Multiple Motorists Arrested for Driving with Suspended Licenses

During the dayshift on Sunday, December 8, deputies made three arrests after motorists were discovered driving with suspended licenses following traffic stops.

Mitchell Dorn, 41, of Deltona, was pulled over at approximately 7 a.m. by a deputy conducting traffic enforcement along Belle Terre Parkway after he was observed driving without lights while it was still dark outside. Dorn advised he did not have a valid driver’s license. He was arrested for Driving While License Suspended – Habitual Offender. Dorn’s driver’s license has been suspended, revoked, or canceled 23 times. He has been arrested by FCSO twice for driving with a suspended license.

A deputy conducting a security check at North Jiffy in Bunnell around 8 a.m. noticed a male acting suspiciously and appearing nervous upon seeing the deputy’s patrol car. Through investigative means, the deputy determined that the male resembled Stephen Rogers, 46, of Palm Coast, whom they knew to be a habitual traffic offender who did not currently possess a driver’s license. When the male entered the vehicle and turned onto State Road 100, the deputy conducted a traffic stop. After confirming that the male was Rogers, he was arrested for Driving While License Suspended – Habitual Offender. Rogers’s license has been suspended, revoked, or canceled 10 times. He has been arrested by FCSO three times for driving with a suspended license.

Around 11 a.m., a deputy conducting proactive patrols in the area of the Country Store and Citgo gas station on County Road 305 in Bunnell observed a male exit the store and enter the driver’s seat of a blue Mustang. Through investigative means, the deputy determined the male resembled Mark Thomas, 41, of Bunnell, whom he knew did not currently possess a driver’s license. After the male left the gas station, the deputy conducted a traffic stop. During the stop, the male identified himself as Thomas and immediately stated that he “doesn’t think he has a license.” After his identity was confirmed, he was arrested for Driving While License Suspended with Knowledge – 3rd or Subsequent Offense. Thomas’s license has been suspended, revoked, or canceled 7 times. He has been arrested by FCSO five times for driving with a suspended license.

During the same period, a fourth motorist was arrested by the Bunnell Police Department for Driving While License Suspended – 2nd Offense.

Sheriff Staly warns drivers not to drive with a suspended license. “If your license has been suspended, revoked, or canceled, and you know that you should not be driving, don’t think you can get behind the wheel of a car without getting caught. Our deputies will not let you put other motorists in danger because you aren’t currently licensed to operate your vehicle. If you get in the driver’s seat, know that you’ll earn a backseat trip to the Green Roof Inn.”