Two-truck crash ends in fatality
LAWTEY – The Florida Highway Patrol reports that a two-vehicle crash in Western Clay County near Lawtey has claimed the life of a Hernando, Florida man.
FHP said the 44-year-old man, whose identity has been withheld until notification of next of kin has been completed, was pronounced dead at the scene at 1:34 p.m. on Jan. 24. The crash took place near the intersection of Richard Mosley Road and U.S. Highway 301 northbound.
The unidentified man was driving a box truck while traveling northbound behind a tractor-trailer truck driven by Marc R. Jones, 63, of Keystone Heights.
FHP said the front of the box truck struck the rear of the tractor-trailer when the semi attempted to make a right turn. Both vehicles traveled onto the right should where they came to rest.
FHP said no charges have been filed and Jones was taken to Orange Park Medical Center where he was treated for minor injuries.

CCSO uses taser to capture suspect
MIDDLEBURG – A Clay County Sheriff’s Office deputy had to use his taser earlier this week to capture a man who was believed to be in possession of heroin at a convenience store in the Oakleaf area, just north of Middleburg.
Police arrested Robert Tidwell Hill, 25, on Jan. 23 at 2:23 p.m. after an officer “observed the defendant drop a small plastic baggie containing an unknown white substance inside.” The incident took place at the Kangaroo store at 3895 Old Jennings Rd. which the officer said he entered to conduct a routine property check.
When the officer saw the plastic baggie, he asked Hill to stop, but Hill pulled away from the officer and “pushed off on my chest” before running out of the store towards a vehicle. After refusing verbal commands to stop and get on the ground, the officer used his taser to capture Hill who turned to try and avoid the taser. However, when he turned, one of the taser probes struck Hill about three inches above his let elbow and a second probe struck him about one inch above the left side of his mouth.
Hill faces charges of heroin possession, violence on a police officer and possession of drug paraphernalia. At press time, Hill remained held in the Clay County Jail with his bond set at $32,510.

Police find feces, syringes in home with child
LAKE ASBURY – What began as a call to police to check out a disturbance on a resident’s property ended Jan. 23 with the caller’s arrest for different felony charges.
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office arrested Joel Thomas J. Lanfair, 44, at 5 a.m. on Jan. 23 after an investigation. He faces one count each of child neglect without great harm, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon and possession of drug equipment.
According to the police report, the investigation began when the responding officer walked Lanfair’s property to check out a disturbance he had heard.
After finding no one intruding the property, the officer got permission to enter Lanfair’s home to look at the attic, which is where Lanfair had said he heard the noise coming from.
“I professionally asked the defendant if he was taking any medication or diagnosed with any psychological issues,” states the police report.
The officer also questioned Lanfair about “several ulcers on his arms and legs.” He also asked Lanfair if he had a history of methamphetamine use after sensing a chemical smell in the home.
A search of the home did not uncover any drugs, but a number of used and unused syringes left within reach of two children in the home, feces on the floor and “several areas with old rotting food, some even having a significant mold build to the food” in a bedroom.
The Department of Children and Families was called in to investigate the home and the safety of the children.
At press time, Lanfair remained in the Clay County Jail where his bond is set at $75,008.

Drug charges come after traffic stop
ORANGE PARK – A man from Washington state faces charges of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, marijuana possession over 20 grams, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving with a suspended license and failure to obey police orders to stop.
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office arrested Carlos Garcia Matos, 23, on Jan. 22, at 12:08 a.m. after he allegedly attempted to run over Officer James Tomlinson with his vehicle.
According to the CCSO report, Tomlinson attempted to pull Garcia Matos over after he failed to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of Debarry Avenue and Wells Road. Tomlinson turned on his patrol car lights to signal to Garcia Matos to pull over. Garcia Matos continued driving before pulling into a parking lot on 1855 Wells Road.
As Tomlinson approached the vehicle, Garcia Matos began to drive away. Tomlinson told Garcia Matos to stop but instead of stopping, he turned around and began speeding towards Tomlinson. Tomlinson said he had to jump out of the vehicle’s path to avoid being struck.
Police said, Garcia Matos fled the scene and drove to the Orange Park Mall. Several police units responded to the mall and began searching for Garcia Matos’ vehicle. The vehicle was eventually found near the AMC theatre entrance. Once Tomlinson arrived, he confirmed that this was the Garcia Matos’ vehicle.
A search of the car yielded a jar containing 30 grams of marijuana, as well as a digital scale and a grinder, both considered to be drug paraphernalia. Police also found a passport and a Social Security card, which was used to positively identify the suspect as Carlos Yeimi Garcia Matos.
During a search for Garcia Matos, the police were notified of a 911 call from Garcia Matos himself. The call was placed near the location that Garcia Matos failed to stop at a stop sign. Police responded to the location and found Garcia Matos there.
Garcia Matos was arrested and transported to the Clay County Jail where he currently remains held with a bond of $90,013.

Hilliard man charged with aggravated assault
MIDDLEBURG – A Hilliard man faces charges of aggravated assault and two charges of simple battery after an incident involving a fight involving two women.
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office arrested Dustin Dewitt Spaulding, 29, on Jan. 21, at 8:44 p.m. after a report of an aggravated battery led officers to a house in the 5000 block of Wedgefield Court.
The police report said Spaulding was in the living room waving a small gun in the air while yelling. One of the victims ran into the living room after hearing Spaulding yell. Spaulding’s fiancé was with Spaulding at the time. The victim told Spaulding and his fiancé to get out of her house. When the two women began fighting and wrestling on the ground, Spaulding intervened and allegedly punched one of them in the side of her stomach.
When police arrived, they sorted out the stories and found probable cause to arrest Spaulding. Spaulding was transported to Clay County Jail. After complaints of pain in his hand, police took Spaulding to the Orange Park Medical Center.
After being cleared from the hospital, Spaulding was brought back to the Clay County Jail where he currently remains held with a bond of $110,007.

Armed robber collared
ORANGE PARK – An Orange Park man faces a charge of armed robbery with a firearm after an investigation by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office.
Officers took out a warrant for Ge’Von Marcell Smith, 23, on Jan. 20, six days after the alleged holdup that occurred at 311 Blanding Blvd.
According to the arrest warrant, on Jan. 14, at 6:21 p.m., Smith approached a man who was sitting in his vehicle at an ATM machine at 311 Blanding Blvd near Orange Park. The victim asked Smith, “can I help you?” Smith then allegedly pulled a gun from his waistband and pointed it at the man’s head and demanded money.
In an effort to defend himself, the vitim attempted to disarm the subject. Police said the man was able to get out of his vehicle and restrain Smith by kicking him in the face and putting him in a chokehold. This chokehold eventually knocked Smith out. At this point, the victim returned to his vehicle to call 911 but while doing so, Smith regained consciousness and fled the scene to a nearby apartment complex.
CCSO officers arrived at the scene and tracked Smith to the apartment homes located at 222 Blairmore Blvd. where police dogs eventually lost track of him.
Smith was arrested six days later but it is unclear whether police found him or if he turned himself in.
At press time, Smith remained in the Clay County Jail where he is held without bond.

Man in critical condition after crash
CLAY HILL – A Rotonda West, Florida man was listed in critical condition at the Orange Park Medical Center after a two-vehicle that took place in the early morning of Jan. 21.
The Florida Highway Patrol said Sarah Aldrich, 21, of Jacksonville, was driving a 2013 Dodge Dart traveling southbound on U.S. Highway 301 around 4:10 a.m. without her headlights on when her vehicle crashed into Christopher Roughton’s vehicle.
Because Aldrich did not have her headlights on, Roughton was not aware of her vehicle until it was too late. The front of Aldrich’s vehicle struck the front of Roughton’s 2011 Toyota Camry, causing Roughton to spin into the outside grass shoulder. Aldrich’s vehicle spun into the median where her vehicle crossed into the other lane, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Aldrich sustained minor injuries while Roughton suffered severe bodily injuries. Both were transported to the Orange Park Medical Center after the crash.
FHP said charges are pending.