- October 31, 2024
-
-
Loading
Loading
Story courtesy of the Flagler County Sheriff's Office, by Public Affairs Manager Brittany Kershaw.
Management at the Bulow Camp Grounds approached a member of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Citizens Observer Patrol, who was conducting a routine patrol in the campground on June 5, about a suspicious jeep parked on camp property. Management had already asked the driver and passenger of the vehicle to leave — but they refused.
The COP located the jeep and then immediately radioed the COP dispatcher with the vehicle’s tag number, description and exact location and requested a patrol deputy to respond. Deputies arrived on scene and found the driver of the vehicle, Heather Staffa, 40, asleep at the wheel.
Staffa was awoken by deputies and after confirming her identity, placed her under arrest for an outstanding warrant for violation of probation for possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of methamphetamine and tampering with evidence.
Staffa has a criminal history with the FCSO that dates back to 2011.
A purple purse was found in Staffa’s vehicle, which contained a glass pipe that had a white crystal-like residue inside of it. There was also a small glass vial containing a white crystal-like substance that later tested positive for methamphetamine.
Staffa admitted to deputies that the narcotics found inside the purse belonged to her. When asked what she was doing at the campground, she told deputies that she was getting ready to go to rehab later that day but wanted to take a shower first.
“This is a great example of how a routine patrol by one of our volunteer COP’s and an observant resident reporting suspicious behavior can lead to taking a wanted fugitive off the streets,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “Thanks to the excellent job done by our COP this repeat offender was apprehended. Hopefully this literal ‘wake-up call’ will get her back on the right and she will use the STRIDE programs
available at the jail to help overcome her addiction.”
Staffa is being held at the Flagler County Jail.
