Jacksonville man arrested for sexual abuse in Clay, Illinois

CLAY COUNTY – Following a forensic interview and a lengthy investigation, Clay County Sheriff’s Office detectives arrested a Jacksonville man on Sept. 8 for sexually abusing and lewd and lascivious behavior of two children younger than 12.

According to one of two heavily redacted arrest reports, detectives found “the victim’s credible disclosure during her recorded forensic interview.” They also matched it with evidence obtained by detectives with the Rockford, Illinois, Police Department who were investigating another allegation of sexual abuse of a child younger than 12 reported on Aug. 11.

Dalton Jacob Williams, 23, was placed in the Clay County Jail on two charges of sexual battery of a child younger than 12 and lewd and lascivious behavior of a child younger than 12. He was denied bond.

His next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 13.

JSO tip leads to arrest of man suspected of selling cocaine

ORANGE PARK – After receiving a tip from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office that an Orange Park man threatened to “kill his stepchildren,” the Clay County Sheriff’s Office arrested him for possessing cocaine with the intent to sell and resisting law enforcement on Friday, Sept. 5.

JSO said Lanovel D. McCrone, 48, was also involved in several hit-and-run accidents in Duval County after taking his girlfriend’s car. The car became disabled, so McCrone called Uber for a ride home.

CCSO stopped him near the intersection of Deer View Lane and Tower Oaks Drive. He attempted to run away on foot, but he was caught near the intersection of Live Oak Hollow and Acorn Chase Drive.

Once he was detained, a deputy found a mitten containing cocaine about three feet away from where he was arrested.

McCrone’s bond was set at $100,005, and he still faces possible charges in Jacksonville.

He is due back in court on Oct. 7.

Stop for driving too slow leads to fentanyl trafficking arrest

MIDDLEBURG – A Clay County Sheriff’s Office deputy stopped a car traveling only 17 mph, where the posted speed limit was 35 mph on County Road 218 on Saturday, Sept. 6. That wound up leading to the arrest of a Jacksonville man on several drug-related charges, including trafficking fentanyl.

Montey Brian Looney, 42, was also charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving with a suspended license after the deputy noticed at least six cars stacked behind him on CR 218 and unable to pass.

A quick check revealed Looney’s license was suspended. A search of his car uncovered four containers of fentanyl, an assortment of foil, straws, scales, needles, pipes, two cases and a spoon.

Looney’s bond was set at $191,010. His next court appearance will be on Oct. 13.

CCSO: Man, nearly three times over limit, charged with DUI

ORANGE PARK – A man suspected of driving his car into traffic near the intersection of Wells Road and Blanding Boulevard on Saturday, Sept. 6, was charged with causing an accident with property damage or injuries while driving under the influence.

Stephen Halter, 72, of Orange Park, was accused of pulling out of the Rowes’ IGA parking lot and into the path of a GMC Denali. Halter’s car was struck on the driver’s side, and the impact caused his car to rotate counterclockwise and over the center raised concrete median.

As deputies spoke with the drivers of both cars, they noticed “he was exhibiting the following indicia of impairment: slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, watery eyes, lethargy in physical mannerisms, unsteady gait and the moderate odor of an unknown alcoholic beverage emanating from the defendant’s facial area.”

After failing a field sobriety test, his blood alcohol level was measured at .223 – nearly three times the legal limit in Florida – on two occasions at the Clay County Jail.

Halter, whose next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 30, was released after posting a $5,002 bond.