By-Line: Joseph Bober, FCSO
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit, with assistance from the FSCO and Putnam County Sheriff’s Office SWAT teams, served a narcotics-related search warrant in the 5000 block of Nutwood Avenue in Bunnell, closing down the drug operation and making four arrests.
Sheriff Rick Staly stands alongside a sign stating, “This Drug House Closed For Business” posted following a narcotics-related search warrant in the 5000 block of Nutwood Avenue in Bunnell.
Detectives obtained the search warrant following an undercover operation. During the search of the residences, which consisted of four RVs and a modular home together on one property, detectives located and seized methamphetamine, cannabis, drug paraphernalia, and multiple firearms.
Inside one RV, detectives encountered a child and two dogs living in deplorable conditions. Both dogs appeared to be emaciated and had untreated skin infections that caused extensive fur loss. The Florida Department of Children and Families responded to the scene and took custody of the child. Flagler Animal Services responded and took custody of the dogs.
David Price, 38, and Clara Sands-Benefield, 30, who resided in the RV where detectives found the child and dogs, were arrested for Child Neglect and Animal Cruelty. Price was additionally arrested for Possession of Marijuana (20 Grams or Less) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. They were transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where they were later released on $4,000 and $3,000 bonds, respectively.
Margaret Rush, 55, was arrested for Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. She was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where she was later released.
Howard Crouch, 53, was arrested for Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where he is being held on a $3,500 bond.
David Price, Clara Sands-Benefield, Margaret Rush, and Howard Crouch
(Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility Mugshots)
“This was such a prolific neighborhood nuisance a nearby home had posted a sign in their yard saying, ‘drug house next house’,” said Sheriff Rick Staly, who was on scene during the search warrant. “I thank the community for your tips as this property made my Sheriff’s High-Interest Target list, a naughty list you do not want to be on! This was another excellent job by our SIU and SWAT teams, as well as our partners at the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office who assisted us, to safely serve this warrant and shut down another drug house. If you are a poison peddler in Flagler County, we’re coming for you next, so I suggest you take your drug dealing business elsewhere before we shut it down, send you to the Green Roof Inn, and put a sign in your yard letting all your neighbors know we did so.”
Anyone with information on suspected narcotics activity or drug dealers in Flagler County is encouraged to contact FCSO by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-888-277-TIPS (8477), emailing TIPS@flaglersheriff.com, or submitting a tip through the FCSO website or app.
