Man charged with using knife to keep wife from leaving

ORANGE PARK – A domestic dispute turned dangerous when the Clay County Sheriff’s Office said a man held his separated wife at knifepoint and threatened her on Sunday, May 10.

In addition to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and domestic battery, Francisco Mercado, 56, of Orange Park, was also charged with kidnapping, adult false imprisonment and hindering communication with law enforcement after CCSO said he took his wife’s phone from her and wouldn’t allow her to leave their apartment.

According to the arrest report, although they lived together, their relationship was listed as “separated” by CCSO. Mercado became angry when she received a cellphone call, and he demanded to see her text messages. He held her against her will with a knife and said he would kill her if her friend showed up, according to the arrest report.

During the argument, she managed to get the phone away from him long enough to dial 911, but Mercado grabbed the phone during the call. Deputies were alerted to a 911 hang-up while en route.

Mercado’s bond was set at $427,514. His next court appearance was set for June 9.

 CCSO: Deputy kills attacker during DCF call in Oakleaf

OAKLEAF – The Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the State Attorney’s Office are investigating an officer-involved shooting on Saturday, May 9, that resulted in the death of a man on Pebble Stone Court in Oakleaf Plantation.

Sheriff Michelle Cook said the Clay County Sheriff’s Office was assisting the Department of Children and Family Services at a residence at approximately 4 p.m. when a routine check of names revealed one of the people had an out-of-state warrant.

Morris Anthony Davis, 48, was wanted in Mississippi for murder, according to CCSO. When confronted, Davis armed himself with two knives, fled to a neighbor’s yard and confronted deputies. Attempts to deescalate the situation were unsuccessful, including him being struck with tasers multiple times. Sheriff Michelle Cook said after Davis threw one of the knives at a deputy, he was shot. Davis died at the scene after life-saving measures were unsuccessful.

“I don't know if it was a placement or what,” she said. “DCF called; they said, ‘Hey, we need backup,’ Cook said.

“We got there, and our deputies started asking for the parties involved to give their names and birthdays, which is normal, right? One of the people who was there came back with a potential out-of-state warrant. They're talking to the guy and they're trying to confirm with NCIC, is this warrant valid? I don't know if he got frustrated because he realized they've discovered the warrant or if he's frustrated for any other reason.”

Then the frustration turned into a deadly confrontation.

“He grabbed two knives out of the kitchen and started basically arguing with the deputies,” Cook said. “The argument ended in the backyard. He literally busted through a wooden fence into the neighbor's backyard, arguing with the deputies. And then he threw the knife at one of the deputies, and the deputy (D. Brown) shot him.”

The sheriff’s office released the following statement Tuesday afternoon:

“We are aware of the video circulating on social media regarding the shooting – the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, in conjunction with the State Attorney’s Office, is conducting an independent investigation into the shooting and circumstances. Deputy Brown has been placed on administrative leave per department policy, and CCSO will conduct a formal review of the use of force incident upon the conclusion of the independent investigations by FDLE and SAO.”

Orange Park man accused of fighting with sheriff’s office deputies

ORANGE PARK – Clay County Sheriff’s Office deputies had to wrestle an agitated man to the ground after a family member said he became unruly, and while they attempted to detain him, he tried to punch and spit on the deputies, according to the arrest report.

David Rosado, 39, of Orange Park, was charged with resisting law enforcement with violence on Monday, May 11. He was being held at the Clay County Jail with a $45,503 bond after deputies were forced to place a spit mask on his face.

Rosado also faces outstanding warrants out of Duval County, according to the arrest report.

Woman charged after two people reported to be in her line of fire

MIDDLEBURG – A 55-year-old woman was being held at the Clay County Jail with a $501,006 bond after sheriff’s office deputies responded to a call for shots fired on Bee Hive Road on Wednesday, May 6.

Sherry Lynn Garrison, of Middleburg, was charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after two people apparently were either targeted or near the direction of the shooting, according to a heavily redacted arrest report.