Former Fleming Island High pitcher killed in car crash

PONTE VEDRA BEACH – The Fleming Island community is currently mourning the death of former baseball star Aaron “Hawk” Hawkins, 20, who was killed in a head-on collision on July 19.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Hawkins was driving northbound on State Road A1A when a southbound car driven by a 38-year-old Ponte Vedra Beach man veered into Hawkins’ lane, causing a head-on collision.

Both drivers died at the scene, according to FHP, while two passengers in Hawkins’ car sustained serious injuries. FHP didn’t release the names of the passengers.

A statement on the Fleming Island High School Baseball’s page on Facebook said, “Hawk was a fierce competitor, a loyal teammate, and an outstanding young man who represented FIHS with pride and character. His impact on this program and all who knew him will not be forgotten.”

Hawkins graduated in 2024.

Man arrested after setting up date with CCSO detective for child sex

OAKLEAF – A Jacksonville man was arrested on July 18 after he set up a date with a child, not knowing he was really texting with a detective with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office.

Cameron Kejuan Taylor, 29, was charged with using his computer to seduce a child for sex, travelling after using a computer to seduce a child for sex and using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony after CCSO said he used the app Skip the Games to arrange a meeting with what he thought was a child.

Members of the CCSO Fugitive Task Force were waiting for Taylor at the prearranged location on Canaveral Trace. When he backed his car into a parking spot, he was detained.

Taylor’s bond was set at $451,509.

Man arrested for armed robbery after short standoff with SWAT

ORANGE PARK – A man wanted for armed robbery ended a standoff with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office’s SWAT team on July 15 after he barricaded himself in an apartment on Burwick Avenue.

Emmanuel Jair Griggs, 24, of Jacksonville, surrendered to face the robbery charge, as well as possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Detectives were obtaining an arrest warrant when Griggs locked himself into an apartment. When surrounded by the SWAT team, Griggs eventually surrendered.

His next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 18. Until then, he will remain in the Clay County Jail without bond.

Dark car windows, speeding lead to drug trafficking arrest

ORANGE PARK – A Jacksonville woman was charged with trafficking liquid methadone and fentanyl after she was stopped on Blanding Boulevard on July 17 for speeding and for having windows that were too dark.

Samone Lenay Virginia Coffer, 36, was also charged with possession of crack cocaine with the intent to sell, manufacture or deliver, possession of xylazine and drug paraphernalia and resisting arrest.

A Clay County Sheriff’s Office deputy stopped Coffer after he followed her at 60 mph in a 45-mph zone. He also noticed her windows exceeded the tint level allowed in Florida.

According to the arrest report, deputies had to use a stun gun to pull Coffer out of her car after she refused to exit the vehicle. They noticed her clutching a plastic bag which contained crack cocaine.

K-9 deputy Mak conducted a free air sniff around the car and alerted of the likely presence of illegal narcotics. A subsequent search uncovered baggies with fentanyl in the door and under the driver’s seat, methadone, crack cocaine and a scale in a purse, hydrocodone bitartrate and a scale and a cut straw in a jewelry case.

Coffer was out on bail after being charged with trafficking fentanyl, child neglect, fleeing and eluding law enforcement and resisting arrest in Duval County.

Also, a test revealed her side windows and windshield were too dark.

Her bond was set at $373,016.