The following individuals were arrested recently by local law enforcement officers in Bradford, Union or Clay (Keystone Heights-area) counties. All defendants are considered innocent until convicted in a court or until pleading guilty or no contest. Information in this report is from law enforcement agencies and court documents, which are public records. Bradford Willie Berry, … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] The State Attorney’s Office dropped a battery charge against Bradford County Commissioner Kenny Thompson on Wednesday, June 26, six months after accusing the 63-year-old of groping an auto parts delivery person at his Lawtey automobile repair shop. While investigating the allegation, an inspector for Florida’s Department of Law Enforcement reported that … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] The founder and operator of a Melrose-area animal rescue has been accused of using the nonprofit’s funds to buy land and a mobile home for herself. On June 27, the State Attorney based in Daytona Beach charged Edna Elaine West with two counts of failing to apply contributions consistent with solicitations. … Read more
The following individuals were arrested recently by local law enforcement officers in Bradford, Union or Clay (Keystone Heights-area) counties. All defendants are considered innocent until convicted in a court or until pleading guilty or no contest. Information in this report is from law enforcement agencies and court documents, which are public records. Bradford Tyler Henry … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] The Florida Department of Law Enforcement said it arrested Benjamin Gerard Smith, 57, of Live Oak, and Donald Howard, 57, of Starke, on felony charges for possessing and transmitting child sexual abuse material on July 18. The state agency said Smith and Howard are retired correctional officers. “After retiring from his … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] A 40-year-old Starke man was sentenced to five years behind bars after he pleaded to burning down his parents’ home. Jeffery Paul Gaudette pleaded to arson of an occupied dwelling. After being accused of the felony in September 2021, the defendant was ruled incompetent to proceed twice before a judge said … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] STARKE— A 36-year-old Starke man first sentenced to two years in prison for hit-and-run was sent back to state custody for five more years after violating his probation. In September 2021, Bjee Martin Fisher pleaded no contest to the April 26, 2021, offense of failing to remain at a crash site … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] A former convenience store clerk was sentenced to 120 days in jail and three years’ probation after she pleaded to stealing from her former employer. Talissa Sharay Davis, 31, of Starke, was arrested in 2023 for burglary and larceny. She pleaded to both charges on June 5. According to a sworn … Read more
The following individuals were arrested recently by local law enforcement officers in Bradford, Union or Clay (Keystone Heights-area) counties. All defendants are considered innocent until convicted in a court or until pleading guilty or no contest. Information in this report is from law enforcement agencies and court documents, which are public records. Bradford James Robert … Read more
BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Crystal Brielle Pinckney, 30, of Starke, was sentenced to nearly three-and-a-half years in prison after pleading to setting a Starke apartment on fire. According to a September 8, 2023, arrest report, the defendant quickly confessed after police and firefighters were called to the Pine Forest Apartments on West Madison Street. “While … Read more
