A 25 year-old St Augustine woman originally thought to be the victim of a Christmas Eve home-invasion robbery is spending her New Year’s holiday in the St Johns County Detention Facility in lieu of $152,500 bail and facing charges that she participated in the crime.
Fire Rescue Chief Carl Shank told Historic City News reporters in St Augustine that he wishes all St Johns County residents a safe and Happy New Year — although he issued a word of caution to those who are considering fireworks as part of their New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Sheriff David B Shoar reported to Historic City News today that deputies, acting on a tip, located and identified a 31 year-old St Johns County fugitive who is wanted for multiple felony charges as well as an outstanding warrant alleging aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and battery.
St Augustine pilot Hoke Smith and his two passengers, a heart surgeon and a transplant technician from Mayo Clinic, were killed early this morning when the helicopter they were flying crashed into the woods in southern Clay County.
Historic City News has received word that the two Palm Coast teenagers, who said they were kidnapped from The Hammock yesterday evening, have been located in the Orange Park area by Clay County sheriff’s deputies shortly after 1:00 a.m. this morning.
County Commissioners approved a request from Sheriff David B. Shoar yesterday to transfer $18,000 to the Law Enforcement Trust Fund – Aid to Private Organizations account from Reserves for the support of the St. Augustine Society.
Earlier today, a man convicted of making sexually explicit interstate telephone calls that threatened to injure minor children, was sentenced by Judge Marcia Morales Howard to serve 20 years in federal prison for his crimes, according to US Attorney Robert E. O’Neill.
United States Attorney Robert E. O’Neill announced to local Historic City News reporters that 64 year-old Andrew J. Hitas, Jr., a resident of Palm Coast, pled guilty to a federal charge of receiving child pornography over the Internet.
