Electricity theft leads to drug arrest
MIDDLEBURG – A Middleburg man was arrested after being found in a residence containing almost 100 marijuana plants.
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office arrested Esmel Diego, 53, on July 25 after finding 96 marijuana plants on his property in the 3000 block of Hidden Oaks Drive in Middleburg following a report that power had been diverted at the property.
The officers investigated as a power diversion is usually a coverup for a marijuana grow operation, according to the report.
When they arrived at the residence, they smelled marijuana coming from the garage and saw Diego behind the home. After the man was brought to the front of the house he was interviewed and arrested. Officers investigated the property and recovered a total of 96 marijuana plants exceeding 25 pounds in weight.
Diego faces a felony for marijuana trafficking in an amount more than 25 pounds and is being held on a $100,000 bond. He was scheduled to appear in court Wednesday morning for a bond hearing.

Orange Park man arrested for armed robbery
ORANGE PARK – An Orange Park man faces four felony charges after police say he and his girlfriend robbed a man at gunpoint.
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office arrested Antonio Michael Napoli, 21, on July 25 after he allegedly attempted to rob a victim of money while wielding a revolver.
Investigators also found him to be in possession of methamphetamine, along with his girlfriend, Susan Canas Smeal Beasley, who police arrested on July 25.
According to the report, the victim had sold Napoli some jewelry for $280. The victim got in Napoli’s car and recognized Beasley in the passenger seat. Napoli then pulled out of the victim’s driveway against his will and began to drive away.
Napoli then pointed a revolver at the victim and told him to hand over the $280. The victim scooted to the driver’s side of the vehicle because the handle was missing the passenger’s rear side door. Napoli shot at the victim and told him not to move, so the victim remained in the rear passenger side and convinced Napoli that he had money at his residence to give him.
Napoli drove the victim back to his house, where the victim later called the police. Napoli left the house, but was later apprehended at his home.
After questioning, police transferred Napoli to the Clay County jail, where he remained without bond.

Woman faces charges of dealing methamphetamine
ORANGE PARK – An Orange Park woman is in the Clay County Jail after an informant allegedly purchased methamphetamine from her on three separate occasions.
The Clay County Sheriff’s Department arrested Susan Canas Smeal Beasley, 40, on July 25 after a two-month investigation.
According to the report, a police informant purchased three grams of methamphetamine from Beasley on three separate occasions between June 5 and June 28.
On June 5 and June 20, the informant allegedly met with Beasley at a Chick-fil-a restaurant on Wells Road. On June 28, the informant allegedly met Beasley in the Pet Smart shopping center also located on Wells Road.
The substance the informant acquired tested positive for methamphetamine according to the report.
Deputies arrested Beasley at her apartment and transported her to the Clay County Jail, where she remained on a $15,009 bond.

Sex charge for Middleburg man
MIDDLEBURG – A Middleburg man has been arrested on a warrant that was issued after he was found to have made inappropriate contact with an underage girl online.
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office arrested Casey Robert Page, 23, on July 20 at his home after interviewing him following the accusations that he had traded nude photographs with a young girl.
Page met a 14-year-old Colorado girl on Facebook last year when he was 22-years-old. The two began sending each other photos of their genitals via Facebook Messenger, as well as discussions of specific sexual acts. The girl’s real age was posted on her profile, and the defendant was aware that she was a minor, according to the report.
Page faces two felonies, one for soliciting a child for unlawful sexual conduct using a computer and one for transmission of material harmful to a minor. He is being held on $50,000 bond and will appear in court on August 16.

Man arrested for sexual cyber harassment
GREEN COVE SPRINGS – A man sought in a case of sexual cyber harassment against a Green Cove Springs victim turned himself into police last week after deputies obtained a warrant for his arrest.
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office arrested Thomas Dewey Westberry, 21, on June 20 after he allegedly posted private nude photos of an 18-year-old woman that she had sent him.
After an argument, Westberry allegedly threatened and later did post those photos online, according to police reports. When the victim saw the photos, which contained her face, she called the Sheriff’s Office.
Westberry turned himself in after deputies obtained a warrant for his arrest.
Deputies transferred Westberry to the Clay County Jail on a $1,502 bond. Westberry had posted bail by press time.

U-turns ends in DUI, drug charges
ORANGE PARK – A Middleburg man was arrested while driving under the influence with a car full of drugs after causing a traffic accident on Branan Field Road.
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office arrested Daniel George Stamer, 35, on July 21 after he attempted a u-turn and drove into the path of a pregnant woman’s car, causing a traffic accident and minor injuries to the woman.
After the accident, deputies noticed the smell of marijuana coming from Stamer’s vehicle and his breath. After searching his car for the source of the smell, deputies found 18 grams of meth, 7.5 grams of cocaine, a handful of different illegally-obtained prescription medications and all necessary equipment to split up and distribute the drugs. Stamer refused field sobriety and breathalyzer testing.
Stamer faces three felonies for methamphetamine trafficking, cocaine possession, and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, and misdemeanor charges for drug paraphernalia, DUI and damage to property and driving on a suspended or revoked license. He is being held in the Clay County Jail on $89,000 bond and has a court date on Aug. 30.


Hollner arrested for robbing store
GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Authorities say a tip led detectives with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office to arrest a man wanted for breaking into LensCrafters.
Police arrested arrested Richard Michael Hollner, 49, of Jacksonville Beach on July 24 and charged him with burglary to a business and possession of drug paraphernalia.
He is charged with breaking into LensCrafters at 88 Blanding Blvd. near Orange Park where he allegedly stole several pairs of Oakley sunglasses from the store on July 16.
At press time, he remained in the Clay County Jail where his bond is set at $27,505.

Search for suspect underway
KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – Detectives with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office are looking for Timothy Ray Little, 49, of Keystone Heights. He is wanted for kidnapping, aggravated battery, robbery and grand theft auto.
On July 9, Little and his girlfriend argued over money for drugs, according to a CCSO press release.
Police said he held the woman against her will and beat her up when she refused to give him money. Little then stole her vehicle and left the home in Keystone Heights.
It is believed the suspect frequents poker games in Keystone Heights, Middleburg and Palatka. If you have any information on Timothy Ray Little’s whereabouts, please contact the Clay County Sheriff’s Office at (904) 264-6512.

Citizens asked for info in Nike heist
ORANGE PARK – The Clay County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the community’s help to identify a man who walked into a shoe store on July 22 and stole several pairs of Nike shoes.
Police said, it was shortly after noon, when a man robbed the Shoe Carnival at 510-20 Blanding Blvd., near Orange Park The suspect entered through the front door and walked directly to where the name brand shoes were located.
He filled a large, black trash bag with 11 boxes of Nike shoes. When a sales associate confronted him, the suspect displayed a firearm located in his waistband. He then left the store and entered the passenger side of a white, four-door, newer model Chevy Malibu.
The suspect is described as a black male in his mid-20’s, with dreadlocks, and is approximately 5 feet, 8 inches tall, weighing 150-160 pounds. He was wearing a white shirt with a denim vest and blue cut off pants.
Contact the Clay County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency number at (904) 264-6512.