CCSO: Informant helps catch man trafficking methamphetamine, cocaine

MIDDLEBURG – A landscaper from Groveland was caught selling methamphetamine and cocaine to a confidential informant working with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday, June 12, the agency said.

Phabien Vachon Wilson, 46, was charged with trafficking in both drugs after the controlled purchase was completed in a parking lot of a store on Branan Field Road.

According to the arrest report, after the purchase of 16 ounces of methamphetamine and two ounces of cocaine for $5,200, a search of Wilson’s car uncovered 13 grams of marijuana and more methamphetamine in the center console of his car.

He was charged with two additional counts of trafficking methamphetamine and cocaine on June 13 as the investigation continued.

Wilson’s bond was set at $1.75 million. His next court appearance is scheduled for July 6.

Expired license tag leads to methamphetamine trafficking arrest

MIDDLEBURG – A traffic stop for an expired license tag led to the arrest of a Middleburg woman for trafficking methamphetamine and driving with a suspended license.

Chelsea Rose Busbee, 34, was booked into the Clay County Jail, and her bond was set at $351,505 after a deputy saw her driving on Old Jennings Road on Wednesday, June 11, with a West Virginia license plate. A check on the tag revealed it expired more than six months ago.

After the stop, a check of Busbee’s driver’s license revealed that it had been expired several times, with the latest expiration being on Aug. 21, 2023.

After K-9 Tiko alerted deputies to the likely presence of an illegal narcotic inside the car, a search uncovered a plastic bag with 30.08 grams of methamphetamine inside a Styrofoam cup. Any amount of presumed methamphetamine weighing more than 14 grams is considered trafficking.

Busbee’s next court appearance will be on July 14.

Human remains discovered during search for missing man

ORANGE PARK – The Clay County Sheriff’s Office reported it responded to 2165 Carter Braxton Road as part of a follow-up in the missing person investigation of Alfred Waymon Munson. During the search, a CCSO Human Remains Detection canine team led investigators to a wooded area near the residence, where human remains were located.

The remains have been transported to the District 4 Medical Examiner’s Office for identification and further examination. At this time, an identification has not yet been confirmed.

Throughout the investigation, detectives determined that Munson was last seen on May 24. On May 27, Munson’s vehicle – a blue, two-door 2001 Honda Civic – was found abandoned on Camp Francis Johnson Road near the intersection of Bottomridge Drive.

Based on current investigative findings, there is no indication of any ongoing threat to the public.

In a release, the agency said, "The Clay County Sheriff’s Office sincerely thanks the community for its continued support and cooperation. Assistance from the public has been instrumental in the progression of this case."

Anyone with information related to Munson, his whereabouts, or associates in late May, or the investigation at 2165 Carter Braxton Road, is encouraged to contact the sheriff’s office at (904) 264-6512. Tips may also be submitted anonymously through the SaferWatch app or to First Coast Crime Stoppers at (866)-845-TIPS (8477).

Woman charged with hit and run, DUI, drugs in Green Cove

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – A Gainesville woman was charged with driving under the influence after crashing at least twice on Saturday, June 14, and attempting to walk away, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office reported.

Shanita Hill, 50, was charged with possession of cocaine, marijuana, oxycodone and drug paraphernalia, resisting arrest, two counts of leaving the scene of an accident involving property damage, two counts of DUI with property damage and driving without a valid driver's license after a Clay County Sheriff’s Office Public Safety Aide was stopped by a concerned resident at the side of the Speedway at 3254 U.S. Highway 17 about a collision that had just occurred.

According to the arrest report, a woman was attempting to drive away, but the PSA told her to remain at the scene until deputies arrived. She instead started to walk toward Winn-Dixie, but she was detained in the store.

Meanwhile, other deputies were responding to a hit-and-run reported at River Road and County Road 315.

Hill failed a field sobriety test after deputies reported “she had a very strong smell of an alcoholic beverage.”

A search uncovered two oxycodone pills, two plastic bags containing a total of .61 grams and a total of 142.14 grams of marijuana.

Her bond was set at $41,028.

Man trying to beat red light jailed for causing 3-car crash, leaving scene

ORANGE PARK – The Clay County Sheriff’s Office said a 20-year-old’s attempt to beat a red light triggered a three-car accident that caused a power outage near Blanding Boulevard and Londonderry Drive on Saturday, June 14, and caused $75,000 in damage to traffic and electrical equipment.

Tye Valentino Lawlor, of Atlantic Beach, was charged with four counts of reckless driving, battery on a sheriff’s office deputy, three counts of leaving the scene of an accident with property damage, resisting law enforcement and two counts of leaving a vehicle unattended following an accident with property damage after several witnesses said he tried to beat a changing traffic light and ended up colliding with two other cars. As a result of the crash, the traffic signal at Blanding and Londonderry lost power, along with the surrounding residential and businesses, when one of the power lines fell on one of the victim’s cars.

When deputies arrived, witnesses said Lawlor started walking away. When deputies ordered him to stop, he refused, CCSO said. When they attempted to detain him, Lawlor reportedly “shoved his right shoulder backwards” into one of the deputy’s heads. He then resisted attempts to be handcuffed until deputies used elbow strikes to distract him.

Lawlor was also given a ticket for failing to obey a traffic signal. His bond is $70,022.

Christian schoolteacher accused of luring child for sex

ORANGE PARK – A teacher from Calvary Christian Academy was arrested on Wednesday, June 11, after the Clay County Sheriff’s Office said he used a computer to set up a sexual encounter with a child.

Joshua David Dice, 34, was charged with using a computer to seduce or lure a child by misrepresenting his age, traveling to meet a minor for sex and using a cellphone to facilitate a felony after CCSO said Dice set up a rendezvous with a child at a gymnasium on Blanding Boulevard.

Detectives arrested Dice after spotting his car parked next to a truck on the side of the gym.

According to Calvary’s website, Dice was no longer listed as a teacher at the Christian school.

Dice’s next court appearance will be on July 15. His bond was set at $225,009.

Pedestrian killed after stepping onto U.S. 17 in Orange Park

ORANGE PARK – A 45-year-old Jacksonville woman died early Sunday after she walked into traffic on U.S. Highway 17 at Eldridge Avenue, the Florida Highway Patrol reported.

According to the agency, she was struck by a pickup driven by a 22-year-old man from Middleburg at 2:40 a.m. She was taken to HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

The highway patrol doesn’t release the names of anyone involved in accidents.