Couple caught throwing drugs from car during chase

MIDDLEBURG – A couple were arrested after they were caught throwing drugs from their car on April 2 while they were being pursued by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office.
Lonnie William King, 43, and Emily Denyce Kirksey, 18, both of Middleburg, were charged with tampering with evidence, possession of 28.4 grams of methamphetamine with intent to sell, as well as possession of marijuana, fentanyl and Hydrocodone. Kirksey also was charged with reckless driving.
According to the arrest report, deputies tried to stop Kirksey after they saw her driving “carelessly and too closely to a vehicle in front of it” on County Road 218. Kirksey not only didn’t stop, but deputies saw someone inside the car throw a black bag and a mint tin from the sunroof during the chase. She finally was stopped, but not before driving into head-on traffic, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office said.
Both had to be removed from the car after they ignored orders to get out. Once they were in custody, deputies retrieved the black bag and mint tin. Inside they found a total of 28.4 grams of methamphetamine, along with plastic bags and a scale.
King’s bond was set at $113,018, while Kirksey’s was set at $115,773.

Man charged with DUI also booked for threatening CCSO

ORANGE PARK – Concerned motorists helped the Clay County Sheriff’s Office catch a man who appeared drunk and driving faster than 60 mph in a 25-mph zone on April 4.
Matthew Paul Byrd, who was released on bond five days earlier following his arrest for striking a sheriff’s office deputy, was charged with DUI, driving with a suspended license and threatening a deputy or corrections officer after he finally stopped his car in the middle of the road following a brief chase.
Byrd was combative with deputies, refusing to provide his name or take a field sobriety test. Deputies found cans of beer and a bottle of gin inside the car.
Once at the Clay County Jail, he became vulgar with an officer trying to administer a breath test. Once he was placed in a cell, he smashed a metal desk and used the leg to beat against a window, according to the arrest report. He also defecated on himself and throughout a shower room.
CCSO added vandalism charges after he was arrested.

Man caught with backpack of pot during traffic stop

ORANGE PARK – A routine traffic stop led to the arrest April 1 of an Orange Park man for trafficking marijuana.
Jamie Denell Hawkins Jr., 28, was charged with possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana, trafficking marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
According to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Hawkins’ car was stopped after it was seen on Wells Road “in a careless manner with no regard to surrounding drivers.”
When the driver, Antwann Taylor, finally stopped, deputies said the smelled a strong odor of marijuana.
Deputies found a backpack where Hawkins was sitting with nearly 60 grams of marijuana, along with several plastic bags and a scale.

May goes to jail after trying to hit CCSO deputy with elbow

MELROSE – A man was arrested during questioning for a reported domestic violence call after he refused to cooperate and trying to hit a Clay County Sheriff’s Office deputy with his elbow.
Dalton Marcus McClung, 22, was charged with resisting arrest with violence on April 2.
According to the arrest report, McClung had to be taken to the ground and subdued after a brief confrontation with a deputy.