CCSO needs information about homicide on C.R. 218 and N. Mimosa Ave.

 MIDDLEBURG – The Clay County Sheriff’s Office and Clay County Fire and Rescue responded to a vehicle fire near County Road 218 and N. Mimosa Ave. on Monday, April 6. After the fire was extinguished, the body of an unidentified male was discovered in the vehicle. The medical examiner’s office has performed an autopsy and ruled the manner of death as a homicide.

The sheriff’s office’s preliminary investigation has shown that the vehicle was possibly parked in the same location from the morning of Sunday, April 5. However, the fire did not start until Monday afternoon.

This is still an active and ongoing investigation. If anyone has video surveillance during those time frames or has any information about this event, they are encouraged to call the Clay County Sheriff’s Office at (904) 264-6512 and ask for Det. Nicole Mosley. You can also remain anonymous by calling First Coast Crime Stoppers by dialing (866) 845-TIPS (8477), or by submitting a tip through the SaferWatch app.

Teacher from Orange Park charged with possessing child porn

 ORANGE PARK – A former Temple Christian Academy teacher was arrested on suspicion of at least 50 child pornography-related charges on Wednesday, April 15, following an investigation by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office.

Johnny Howardlee Robinson III, 34, of Orange Park, was fired as a math teacher and athletics coach from the private school in Jacksonville when it learned of his arrest of 19 counts of possessing, controlling or viewing depiction of child sexual conduct, 20 counts of in-state electronic transmittal of child pornography, five counts of transmitting harmful information to minors and six counts of using a two-way communication device to facilitate felony.

According to CCSO, a Clay County District Schools student reported to a School Resources Officer in December 2025 that she was receiving sexually explicit text messages and images from unknown phone numbers, and the unwanted communications continued through January 2026.

The sender said they were classmates. The sender also mentioned her friends. When the girl blocked the number, the messages continued from a different phone number.

An investigation revealed the messages were sent using a Voiceover Internet Protocol phone number – a method of calling or texting typically made through an internet connection rather than a traditional cellphone or landline. VoIPs are generally used to conceal the identity of the sender.

The sheriff’s office’s Internet Crimes Against Children Detectives were able to identify Robinson as the suspect.

A search of his phone revealed multiple images of child sexual abuse materials.

He was charged with five counts of using his cellphone to facilitate a felony and five counts of transmitting harmful information to minors on April 15, and the additional charges were filed on Thursday, April 16.

According to a heavily redacted affidavit for arrest report, detectives met Robinson in the parking lot of an apartment complex on March 30 and interviewed him while he left his cellphone in a van registered to Temple Christian Academy.

During the interview, CCSO obtained a warrant to enter the van, seize the cellphone and explore it for evidence related to transmitting harmful material to a minor and using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.

The cellphone was taken and examined, which led to a bevy of additional charges.

Robinson’s bond was set at $375,030. He is scheduled to return to court on May 12.

CCSO: Middleburg man accused of having child sexual abuse material

 MIDDLEBURG – After an extensive investigation, a 38-year-old man was arrested by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office on 10 counts of knowingly possessing and intentionally viewing child sexual abuse material, four counts of digital voyeurism and one count of using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.

The CCSO SWAT team served a search warrant at Tracy Dean Burke’s residence on Orchid Avenue on Thursday, April 16. Detectives received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and immediately began their investigation. During the investigation, child sexual abuse material, along with computer generated child sexual abuse material was discovered.

A search warrant was obtained as a result of this investigation, which was conducted by CCSO’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit, with assistance from the North Florida INTERCEPT task force and Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS). The occupants of the residence exited and were detained without incident.

The occupants were interviewed by CCSO ICAC detectives while the residence was processed for evidence. As a result of this investigation, probable cause was developed to arrest Burke.

Burke’s bond was set at $505,030.

The investigation is still ongoing. Anyone with information that might be of assistance in this investigation is encouraged to contact Det. Lance Parker at lparker@claysheriff.com or call (904) 264-6512. You can also remain anonymous by calling First Coast Crime Stoppers by dialing **TIPS or by submitting a tip through the SaferWatch app.

CCSO investigating Saturday night murder-suicide on Fleming Island

 FLEMING ISLAND – A couple was found dead on Saturday, April 18, of an apparent murder-suicide, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office reported Monday afternoon.

Ashtin Durham, 34, and Jessica Valentin-Rivera, 36, both died of gunshot wounds, CCSO said. A firearm and shell casings were recovered at the scene. Initial indications are the incident was domestic-related.

While Durham and Valentin-Rivera weren’t married, they had two children, but they were not common. They currently are with family members. Neither were at the couple’s apartment during the shooting.

CCSO was called after Durham’s family said they received a concerning message from him. There was no answer when they arrived to make a welfare check. After several attempts, they entered the home on County Road 220 and found the bodies.

According to a release from the sheriff’s office, the shooter hasn’t been revealed.

The case is still an active and ongoing investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Clay County Sheriff's Office at (904) 264-6512 and ask for Det. Blake Jones. You can also remain anonymous by calling First Coast Crime Stoppers by dialing (866) 845-TIPS (8477), or by submitting a tip through the SaferWatch app.

Woman busted for DUI, running from deputies, possessing pot, gun

MIDDLEBURG – A Clay County Sheriff’s Office deputy who was responding to a call about a possible intoxicated woman wound up arresting her after she was determined to be impaired, carrying a weapon during the commission of a felony, resisting arrest, possessing marijuana, refusing to submit to a blood alcohol test and attempting to flee law enforcement with lights and siren active.

Keyashu Markesha Palmer, 34, of Orange Park, was arrested after deputies needed to execute a Precision Immobilization Maneuver (PIT) to spin her out on Blanding Boulevard near Ripple Effect Martial Arts and PNC Bank on Saturday, April 18.

Although she attempted to get away, deputies used their cars to pin her from continuing to flee.

Once she was detained, an inventory of the car uncovered a half bottle of vodka, three baggies of marijuana weighing a combined 19.63 grams and a 9mm handgun.

Palmer refused to submit to a blood alcohol test, but she still was arrested for driving under the influence. A further investigation revealed she struck another car and left without reporting the accident, CCSO said in the arrest report.

Her bond was set at $66,009.

Couple sentenced for masquerading as nurses tied to a veteran’s death

 GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Two people who were hired to care for a Fleming Island veteran were sentenced to prison after they were found guilty of posing as licenses nurses after a man, retired U.S. Marine Kensworth Moody, died in 2024 while in their care.

Julien Stewart Williams, 31, was sentenced to 20 years, while Alexiea Lynn Irwin, 31, was sentenced to two years, followed by two years of house arrest and six years of probation after Moody’s family questioned Williams’ care while he worked with BrightStar Care.

According to court records, Williams didn’t react or call for help when Moody struggled to break.

Last month, Williams pleaded guilty to criminal use of personal identification, 13 counts of practicing without a license and neglect of an elderly person. Irwin pleaded guilty to criminal use of personal identification and 14 counts of practicing without a license.