Middleburg man charged with sexual battery of 6-year-old

ORANGE PARK – A 56-year-old man was arrested on Sunday, July 6, after a warrant was issued, charging him with sexually abusing a 6-year-old girl.

Christopher Dean Simpson, of Middleburg, was charged with sexual battery of a minor after he was stopped during a traffic stop. After he refused to answer questions, he was taken to the Clay County Jail, where he is being held without bond.

According to the affidavit for the arrest report, deputies were called on June 26 to investigate a reported sexual battery on the girl. While they were there, her sister told deputies she was abused when she was 8, between 2007 and 2011, by Simpson.

Simpson is scheduled to appear in court on August 5.

Protesters arrested following brief fight on July 4

MIDDLEBURG – Two men were arrested when they argued during a protest near the corner of County Road 218 and Blanding Boulevard shortly before noon on July 4.

The protest featured extreme antisemitic and racial language. At some point, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office said Robert Michael Campbell, 33, of Middleburg, “intentionally” touched or struck three people near his place of business.

Campbell was charged with three counts of battery, while Luis Alberto Ortega, 29, of Middleburg, was charged with criminal mischief. Two other women were involved, but they weren’t charged, according to the arrest report.

According to the arrest report, Campbell was protesting when Ortega and two women approached him. Ortega tried to set Campbell’s sign on fire, and Campbell reacted by pushing Ortega to the ground.

The language was so disturbing that Sheriff Michelle Cook posted a photo of her holding a sign that read: “I love “most” people in Clay County except mean people with hateful signs.” She also wrote: “God Bless America and The 1^st Amendment” and “Happy 4^th of July.”

Bradford County woman charged with taking rental car

MAXVILLE – A Bradford County woman was arrested on Thursday, July 3, while driving a car reported stolen from Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

Ashley Morgan Crawford, 37, of Lawtey, was charged with grand theft auto after a Clay County Sheriff’s Office deputy pulled her over on County Road 218 after receiving the alert about the theft.

Crawford was taken to the Clay County Jail. Her bond was set at $5,003.

Clay County Fire Rescue assisting with flood rescue in Texas

AUSTIN, Texas - Clay County Fire Rescue Engineer John Long and Search and Rescue K-9 Officer Cable are assisting with the response to the catastrophic flooding in Texas. K-9 Cable got in a good rest on the plane. The agency is supporting their safe deployment and successful operation as they help Texas during this difficult time.