Bradford County

2 arrested for having shotgun at high school

BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Two men from outside Bradford County were arrested on Friday, March 6 after a school district employee spotted them exchanging a shotgun in a parking area adjacent to Bradford High School, prompting a temporary shelter-in-place order, the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office reported. Deputies responded at approximately 12:30 p.m. to the area…

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Dan Hildebran March 8, 2026
Bradford County

Melrose man charged in traffic crash death of Starke woman

BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] A Melrose man has been charged with negligent homicide more than two years after a crash that killed a Starke woman, following a Florida Highway Patrol investigation into the September 2023 collision. Brandon Reece Howard, 52, faces charges stemming from a crash that took the life of Natasha Puente Borrego, 42,…

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Dan Hildebran March 4, 2026
Bradford County

Ex-teacher gets 1 year, sexual offender tag

BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] A former Bradford Middle School teacher was sentenced to one year with the Department of Corrections, four years’ sexual offender probation, and will be designated as a sexual offender for life after pleading to charges stemming from messages and images he sent to a student. Matthew Dawson Watson, 26, was arrested…

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Dan Hildebran March 4, 2026
Bradford County

Recent arrests in Bradford, Union and Clay

The following individuals were recently arrested 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…

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Dan Hildebran March 4, 2026

Recent arrests in Bradford, Union and Clay

The following individuals were recently arrested 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…

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Cliff Smelley February 25, 2026

18 months for choking mother

BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] A 51-year-old Starke man was sentenced to 18 months after pleading to choking his mother and threatening to burn down her house. Jason Joseph Olive, 51, of Starke, was arrested by Bradford deputies on November 23 for battery, simple assault, and obstructing justice. According to the arrest report, the incident began…

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Cliff Smelley February 17, 2026

18 months for stealing from new neighbor

BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] Austin Melville, of Starke, was sentenced to 18 months after admitting to stealing from his new neighbor, who was moving into his Hampton neighborhood. The 28-year-old was arrested on June 26, 2025, for a probation violation, larceny, and burglary. According to an arrest report, the victim told deputies that around 20…

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Cliff Smelley February 17, 2026

6 years for burglary, possession of weapon

BY DAN HILDEBRAN [email protected] A 50-year-old Lawtey woman was sentenced to 6 years after pleading to stealing items from an unoccupied home. Stacie Roxanne Bentley was arrested on July 21, 2025, and charged with three counts of burglary of an unoccupied dwelling, grand theft of less than $5,000, dealing in stolen property, and possession of…

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Cliff Smelley February 17, 2026

Recent arrests in Bradford, Union and Clay

The following individuals were recently arrested 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 Marquese…

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Cliff Smelley February 17, 2026