By-Line: Joseph Bober, FCSO
Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies made 16 arrests this past weekend between 6 p.m. on Friday, February 21, 2025, and 6 a.m. on Monday, February 24, 2025. Deputies handled 709 calls for service and made 229 traffic stops.
Fugitives Arrested for Retail Theft Warrants, Narcotics Possession
On Friday evening, Problem Area Crime Enforcement Unit detectives conducted a traffic stop on North State Street in Bunnell after determining through investigative means that the vehicle’s owners were both fugitives with active warrants for retail theft.
The vehicle’s driver, Kyle Stafford, 30, of Palm Coast, and the vehicle’s passenger, Michelle Eads, 41, of Palm Coast, were identified and confirmed to have active warrants. During the stop, detectives also located methamphetamine and a scale inside the vehicle.
Both Stafford and Eads were arrested for Retail Theft (Over $750), Possession of Methamphetamine, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. They were transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where they were both later released on $3,500 bond each.
Kyle Stafford and Michelle Eads (Flagler County Jail Mugshots)
“Great work by our PACE team getting this duo who thought they could steal from one of our community’s businesses off the street,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “If you are driving around Flagler County with an active warrant, we will track you down, find you, and put you in the Green Roof Inn.”
Battery Suspect Fleeing on Ankle Monitor Arrested for Domestic Violence Again
Also on Friday evening, the FCSO Communications Center received a report of a dating violence incident. Deputies responded and spoke with the victim, who stated that the suspect, Gerrell Smith, 37, of Palm Coast, had strangled her during an argument. After the altercation, the victim fled to a nearby business where she contacted law enforcement.
After speaking with the victim, deputies learned that Smith was on a GPS ankle monitor and was on pretrial release for a previous domestic battery and child abuse arrest. They also determined that Smith possessed a firearm during the incident.
With assistance from the Real Time Crime Center, deputies tracked Smith until he was located by PACE Unit detectives driving on Cypress Point Parkway in Palm Coast. When other units arrived in the area, the PACE Unit conducted a high-risk traffic stop on Belle Terre Parkway. Smith was secured and arrested without incident.
Smith was arrested for Battery by Strangulation and Violation of Pretrial Release. He was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where he is being held without bond.
Gerrell Smith (Flagler County Jail Mugshot)
“This abuser gets the dumb criminal of the week award for again committing an act of domestic violence and then trying to flee while wearing an ankle monitor from a previous arrest,” said Sheriff Staly. “Excellent job by our deputies, dispatchers, and our Real Time Crime Center to locate and apprehend him. Every woman should stay away from this abuser.”
