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
Stephen Jay Cowart, 67, of Starke was arrested by Starke police on March 28 for a probation violation.
Kenneth Warren Davis, 57, of Starke was arrested by Bradford deputies on March 29 for lewd and lascivious behavior.
Deangelo, Lamar Farmer, 23, of Glen St. Mary was arrested on March 29 for possession of marijuana and driving with a suspended or revoked license.
Threatened road workers
Bradford deputies arrested a 46-year-old Lawtey man after they say he threatened workers repairing a road in front of his home because they made too much noise.
Martin Robert Benjamin Gallion was arrested for improper exhibition of a firearm, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm or ammunition by a felon.
According to an arrest report, workers from FDOT contractor Bold City Bucket Works were trying to free a vehicle stuck in the sand near the defendant’s home on Northwest 271st Way, when Gallion exited his residence and complained about the noise they were making.
The business owner said he saw the defendant go back to his house and return to the workers, pointing a silver-colored handgun at them.
Gallion told deputies he did not point a gun at the workers but rather a remote-control device.
Ernesto Manuel Gonzalez Garcia, 23, of Jacksonville was arrested on March 25 for driving with a suspended or revoked license.
Parents arrested after kids found in parking lot
Starke police arrested the parents of two toddlers after the children were found wandering in the parking lot of the Bradford Motel and Campground.
Joshua Lee Hall, 27, and Melody Ray Jordan, 21 were arrested for child neglect.
According to an arrest report, a Bradford deputy told police that the deputy was flagged down by a witness who saw two children roaming the parking lot unattended.
“Once on scene,” wrote reporting officer Moses C. Bellamy, “I observed two young children under the age of 5 who appeared to be filthy, covered in dirt and feces and one was complaining about a cut underneath her foot.”
The officer added that Bradford EMS transported the children to a hospital for evaluation.
Bellamy reported that the parents told him they fell asleep thinking another adult was supervising the toddlers.
Edward Joseph Harkin, 33, of Brooker was arrested by Bradford deputies on March 26 for driving with a suspended or revoked license.
Threw woman into alligator-infested waters
Bradford deputies arrested a 48-year-old Hampton man after he threw a woman off the dock near the Hampton Lake boat ramp.
According to an arrest warrant affidavit, on March 17 the drenched victim told Deputy Lakeisha Lewis that she was sitting on the dock when Weston Christopher Hiam walked up to her saying he wanted to say goodbye.
“As (the victim) was trying to come to her feet, Hiam bear-hugged her and then threw her into the water,” wrote Lewis, adding, “this water is known to have alligators and water moccasins.”
The victim said that Hiam also fell into the lake and then fled the scene.
The victim said she was holding her cell phone and keys at the time of the incident and that her phone was significantly damaged.
Lewis added that Hiam was previously arrested for aggravated battery against the victim for causing a gash to her head, beating her and destroying her home. He is also on felony probation with an order to not have contact with the victim.
Carl Douglas Hunter, 35, was arrested by Bradford deputies on March 29 for an out-of-county warrant and vehicle theft.
Megan Elizabeth Lambert, 37, of Starke was arrested on March 26 for an out-of-county warrant.
Torrance Terrell Lee, 38, of Gainesville was arrested by Bradford deputies on March 29 for a probation violation.
Tiffany Ann Mixson, 43, was arrested by Starke police on March 26 for possession of drugs, possession of drug equipment, possession of marijuana and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription.
William John Ben Parrish, 39, of Starke was arrested by Bradford deputies on March 27 for DUI.
Grandmother and mom arm themselves because of harassing neighbor
Starke police arrested a 46-year-old Starke man after his backyard neighbor claimed he repeatedly harassed and threatened her.
Michael David Patrick was arrested for disturbing the peace and stalking.
Reporting officer Jarred Altman wrote in an arrest report that during the morning of Thursday, March 30, the defendant threatened her while she, her two grandchildren and their mother were in the victim’s backyard.
“(The victim) stated that she has had ongoing issues with Michael coming to the property line and making verbal threats towards her and her family members,” wrote Altman in an arrest report. “Michael also has a current trespass warning from the (West Madison Street) residence…due to ongoing issues.”
The victim told Altman that she is afraid to go outside due to the defendant’s behavior and threats.
“She stated that she feels the need to carry a gun outside with her for protection due to being in fear that Michael will harm her,” wrote the officer. “Michael willfully comes outside when he sees (the victim) walk out of her residence for the sole purpose of confronting (the victim) about the ‘voices in his head’ and yells and screams profanities at her.”
The mother of the two children told Altman she obtained a concealed weapons permit and a firearm because of the defendant’s ongoing threats.
Becky Lynn Reddish, 57, of Lawtey was arrested by Bradford deputies and Lawtey police on March 30 for DUI, hit and run and aggravated assault.
Alexander Xavier Rentz, 36, of Gainesville was arrested on March 27 for an out-of-county warrant.
Spat in correctional officer’s face
Bradford deputies arrested a 41-year-old Florida State Prison inmate after the Department of Corrections said the inmate spat in a correctional officer’s face.
Christopher Sanders was booked for battery of a facility employee by throwing, tossing or expelling fluids.
According to a FDC inspector general’s probable cause affidavit, on April 22, 2022, a lieutenant was using chemical force on the inmate after Sanders refused to submit to handcuffing procedures for the purpose of being placed on property restriction.
“Inmate Sanders was being placed on property restriction due to the disturbance he was causing on the wing,” wrote Inspector Carlton Milton in the affidavit. “Inmate Sanders is a 40-year-old black male who is serving a 27-year sentence for sexual battery and a 1-year sentence for throwing fluids at correctional staff.”
Troy Lee Sturgis, 53, was arrested on March 27 for trespassing.
Took $24K to replace dock, failed to complete job
Bradford deputies arrested a 52-year-old Starke man after he took $24,600 from a Sampson Lake resident to replace a dock, then failed to complete the work.
Joseph Stefan Wheeler was arrested for larceny.
According to an arrest warrant affidavit, the victim paid the defendant, operating under the trade name of Wheeler Custom Framing, $9,000 to start the job on March 9, 2021, $4,500 on April 23, 2021, $6,100 on June 9, 2021, and $5,000 on July 21, 2021.
“Mr. Wheeler stated in a text to (the victim) back in February 2022 that he would have the job completed by May 1, 2022, however, the dock is still incomplete, and no work has been done,” wrote Deputy Lekiesha Lewis in the affidavit. “(The victim) also stated that Mr. Wheeler does come by the home on occasion but fails to complete any work on the dock. Mr. Wheeler continues to ask for money but has failed to complete the agreement on the new dock.”
Union
Ira Lynn Holmes, 40, of Lake Butler was arrested by Union deputies on March 28 for burglary.
Randall Fitzhugh Howard, 25, of Lake Butler was arrested by Union deputies on March 28 for sexual assault on a victim 18 years or older.
Paul Alan Mosely, 53, of Raiford was arrested by Union deputies on March 28 for a conditional release violation.
Tommy J. Vasquez, 31, was arrested by Union deputies on March 29 for aggravated battery by a person detained in a prison, robbery and criminal conspiracy.
Deputies capture escapee
The Bradford County Sheriff’s Office said the Bradford-Union Drug Task Force arrested an inmate that had escaped from the Florida Department of Corrections.
The agency said on a social media post: On March 29th, 2023, at approximately (11:15 p.m.), the Bradford/Union Drug task force received intel that Barry Warren Jr. was staying at a residence in Lake Butler Florida.
The office added that the Bradford/Union SWAT team conducted a surround and call out of the residence where Warren was located. He was taken into custody and turned over to the Union County Sheriff’s Office.
Warren is serving a 1-year, 3-month sentence for possession of methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance and felony fleeing and eluding.
He was scheduled to be released in November 2023, but walked away from the Bridges of Santa Fe Community Release Center in Gainesville on March 19.
The center provides intensive substance abuse treatment services to men with a remaining sentence of 24 to 36 months.
Clay
Charles Ray Accordino, 36, of Keystone Heights was arrested by Clay deputies on March 29 for possession of not more than 20 grams of marijuana and possession of drug equipment.
Janice M. Blumenstein, 66, of Keystone Heights was arrested by Clay deputies on March 26 for DUI and possession of not more than 20 grams of marijuana.
Carrie Lynn Collier, 38, of Melrose was arrested by Clay deputies on March 30 for battery.
Katrina Ann Daniels, 20, of Keystone Heights was arrested by Clay deputies on March 30 for possession of methamphetamine, possession of not more than 20 grams of marijuana and possession of drug equipment.
Roy Christopher Martin, 58, of Keystone Heights was arrested by Clay deputies on March 25 for felony domestic battery by strangulation and resisting an officer with violence.
Christopher Clark Pheil, 33, of Keystone Heights was arrested by Clay deputies on March 25 for possession of not more than 20 grams of marijuana.
Joshua Caleb Reed, 35, of Melrose was arrested by Clay deputies on March 29 for domestic battery.
Kenneth John Waters, 38, of Keystone Heights was arrested by Clay deputies on March 30 for possession of methamphetamine, trafficking in four grams or more of fentanyl, possession of suboxone and possession of drug equipment.
Yoniseider Gonzalez-Alvarez, 21, of Keystone Heights was arrested by Clay deputies on March 30 for retail grand theft and resisting an officer without violence.
