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WEATHER ALERT

DARRYL DANIELS

Former Clay sheriff facing charges pressured staff for campaign contributions, FDLE says

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – Court documents filed last week revealed that embattled former Clay County Sheriff Darryl Daniels had senior staff solicit hefty campaign donations from members of the Sheriff’s Office as he ran for reelection last year. He also asked a Sheriff’s Office chief to help him fundraise within the department, according to the documents. Daniels then told Smith “I’m not leaving your side,” and said he would help her with her JSO case, documents show. She was taken to the sheriff’s office but released when senior staff refused to put her in jail. A day after Clay County Sheriff Darryl Daniels surrendered to law enforcement to face criminal charges stemming from a sex scandal investigation, Gov.

Ex-Clay County Sheriff Daniels enters not guilty plea

Daniels, 55, is charged with three misdemeanor counts of false statements to law enforcement and a felony count of evidence tampering, according to the latest charging documents. The charges stem from an investigation into Daniels’ relationship with Cierra Smith, his long-time mistress and a former corrections officer who was a subordinate of Daniels while he was chief of the Duval County jail. Daniels accused Smith of stalking him in May 2019 and authorities say he tried unsuccessfully to have her arrested. Court documents show investigators suspect Daniels tried to tamper with, hide or destroy data on his agency-issued cellphone that were related to the investigation. Daniels is also accused of lying to a deputy about his relationship with Smith and about his efforts to get an injunction against her.

Charges filed against ex-Clay County Sheriff Daniels

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Formal charges were filed Wednesday against former Clay County Sheriff Darryl Daniels, who was removed from office in August while under state investigation over an extramarital sex scandal. Daniels, 55, was defeated by Republican challenger Michelle Cook in the August primary following his arrest and subsequent suspension by Gov. The charges stem from an investigation into Daniels’ relationship with Cierra Smith, his long-time mistress and a former corrections officer who was a subordinate of Daniels while he was chief of the Duval County jail. Daniels accused Smith of stalking him in May 2019 and authorities say he tried unsuccessfully to have her arrested. Court documents show investigators suspect Daniels tried to tamper with, hide or destroy data on his agency-issued cellphone that were related to the investigation.

29-year veteran taking over as Atlantic Beach police chief

ATLANTIC BEACH, Fla. – There’s a new chief of police in Atlantic Beach. On Monday, Mayor Ellen Glasser and the Atlantic Beach City Commission confirmed City Manager Shane Corbin’s recommendation to appoint Victor Gualillo as police chief. Gualillo, a 29-year veteran with the Atlantic Beach Police Department who has led the department temporarily on three separate occasions, takes over for former Chief of Police Michelle Cook. She won that election last month when she defeated incumbent Darryl Daniels and a write-in candidate withdrew his candidacy. Cook was sworn in Sept. 1 to replace Daniels, who was suspended by Gov.

Head start: Gov. DeSantis appoints Cook as Clay County Sheriff

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. In order to give her a head start leading the agency, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday appointed former Atlantic Beach Police Chief Michelle Cook as the next Clay County Sheriff. MORE | Write-in dropout secures Michelle Cook seat as Clay County sheriff-electIts an honor for me as governor to appoint somebody who was elected anyways but gets a head start on this term. And so finishing out 2020 strong for the people of Clay County, DeSantis said. Cook assured Clay County residents they will be safe.

Woman files lawsuit against ex-Clay County deputy, accusing him of sexual assault

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – A woman who accused a Clay County deputy of trying to coerce sex out of her and then sexually assaulting her in 2016 filed a civil rights lawsuit against him this year, News4Jax has learned. The woman said Deputy Eliseo Adams, who has since resigned from the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, arrested her on a shoplifting charge at a Walmart on Blanding Boulevard in January 2016. Now the woman is seeking damages in a lawsuit against Adams, which also names suspended Clay County Sheriff Darryl Daniels. In this case, Daniels did not become sheriff of Clay County until November 2016, seven months after the IA investigation into the assault allegation was completed. But Daniels was head of the department in January of this year when the civil rights lawsuit was filed in Clay County court.

Suspended Clay County Sheriff Darryl Daniels pleads not guilty

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – An attorney for suspended Clay County Sheriff Darryl Daniels formally entered not guilty pleas on his behalf Wednesday morning at a scheduled arraignment. DeSantis suspends Clay County Sheriff Darryl DanielsGov. Under his suspension, Daniels is prohibited from performing any official duty or function of public office. He’s also prohibited from receiving any pay or allowance from any privileges of public office. The Clay County Sheriff’s Office told News4Jax, “The video was removed at the discretion of the Sheriff’s Administration.”Several other videos of Daniels have not been removed.

Daniels pleads not guilty as shakeups continue at Clay County Sheriffs Office

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. Changes at the Clay County Sheriffs Office as former Sheriff Darryl Daniels has a court date over his arrest earlier this month. Daniels did not show up in court on Wednesday morning, instead, he had an attorney enter a plea of not guilty for him. Daniels attorney let the judge know the ousted Sheriff is pleading not guilty on the charges he lied to investigators following his arrest just days before the primary election for Sheriff. Following his arrest, Daniels put a video on the Sheriffs Offices YouTube page professing his innocence. Daniels has maintained his arrest was politically motivated and has not spoken publicly since releasing a statement from his campaign on election night.

More changes at Clay County Sheriff’s Office as undersheriff retires

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – Clay County Undersheriff Ray Walden has left the department, the day after suspended Sheriff Darryl Daniels was defeated in his bid for reelection. The Sheriff’s Office said Director of Services Ricky Wright will take over as interim undersheriff. Ron DeSantis after he surrendered to law enforcement to face criminal charges stemming from a sex scandal investigation. Michelle Cook defeated the embattled sheriff in the Republican primary for sheriff of Clay County on Tuesday. According to the agency’s website, Walden is a 31-year law enforcement veteran who held senior-level positions with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.

Write-in loophole secures Michelle Cook seat as Clay County sheriff-elect

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. Michelle Cook is now Clay Countys sheriff-elect, but that wasnt the case in the hours just after the election. On Wednesday, the write-in candidate -- Frank Bourrie -- withdrew from the race with a handwritten note, securing Cook as sheriff-elect. Its designed to wipe out the write-in loophole when it comes to statewide elections. Darryl Daniels has been suspended as the Clay County sheriff since he faces charges and was arrested less than a week ago. On a side note, there was a write-in candidate in the superintendent of schools race in Clay County.

Primary winners in St. Johns, Clay sheriff races get jump-start setting agendas

The likely successors to St. Johns County Sheriff David Shoar and Clay County Sheriff Darryl Daniels the voters selected in the primary wont officially take office until January, but they are already outlining their policing agendas. Michelle Cook, who defeated incumbent Darryl Daniels to win the Clay County primary, and Rob Hardwick, who easily won the seat Sheriff David Shoar is vacating in St. Johns County, are both Republicans. Cook, a Clay County native, brings decades of experience as a Jacksonville police officer and Atlantic Beach police chief to the Clay County Sheriffs Office. And transparency is just an everyday philosophy.She said she wants to focus on making Clay County a place where families want to live and businesses want to invest. ... As long as we can work together, there is nothing St. Johns County cant handle together.Hardwick said he wants to hire more deputies and add more technology as well as grow the departments bond with the community.

No immediate changes to Clay County school security after primaries

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. A big question on the minds of parents in Clay County is the safety of students following the election of a new sheriff and the acting school superintendent winning the Republican primary. A public feud between Clay County Sheriff Darryl Daniels, who has been plagued by scandal and was suspended five days before Tuesdays primary, and former Clay County School Superintendent Addison Davis, who left to become school superintendent in Hillsborough County, led to the creation last year of the Clay County District Schools Police Department. The school police force is led by Chief Kenneth Wagner, whos a former law enforcement officer with more than 20 years of experience. Parents reported, we dispatched 19 Clay County school police officers to search for the individual, as well as working with the Clay County sheriffs department, and were blessed that individual was found, Broskie said. The decision to keep the school police force ultimately lies in the hands of the Clay County School Board, which takes up the issue annually.

Michelle Cook defeats Darryl Daniels in Clay County’s sheriff’s race

GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. – Michelle Cook has defeated suspended Darryl Daniels in the Republican primary for sheriff of Clay County. Cook, a Clay County resident who worked at the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office for more than 20 years and most recently was chief of the Atlantic Beach Police Department, got 37% of the vote in a six-way race. Cook joined The Morning Show on Wednesday to discuss her Primary victory (press play below to watch):The race for Clay County sheriff had always promised lots of possibilities with five challengers lining up to unseat incumbent Daniels. “There’s a lot of drama,” Clay County voter Deirdre Martin said Tuesday. I told him who he might want to vote for.”All Clay County primary races

Kat Cammack wins 10-candidate primary for Congress; Rutherford, Lawson survive challenges

Cammack’s 25% of the vote propels her into the general election to face Democrat Adam Christensen, who narrowly prevailed in his three-way primary. “I am so honored to have earned the trust and support of the voters,” Cammack said in a statement Tuesday night. He will face Republican Gary Adler, who won that primary, in November. In District 6, which includes southern St. Johns and all of Flagler and Volusia counties, Clint Curtis narrowly won a Democratic primary. He will face incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Daytona, who drew no primary opponent.

FDLE summary sheds light on why Sheriff Daniels is facing charges

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. In a summary of its investigation, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement lays out how it followed a cellphone trail to suspended Clay County Sheriff Darryl Daniels. A 50-page document released by FDLE reveals explicit details on why Daniels is facing criminal charges. On Monday, Walsh addressed the residents of Clay County. RELATED: What happens if Sheriff Daniels wins re-election? In its report, the FDLE writes about a forensic examination for Sheriff Daniels CCSO-issued cellphone.

What happens if Sheriff Daniels wins reelection?

GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. – Heading into last week, the race for Clay County sheriff already promised lots of possibilities with five challengers lining up to unseat Sheriff Darryl Daniels. RELATED: DeSantis names FDLE veteran as interim Clay County sheriff | Governor suspends DanielsWhile DeSantis has named a temporary replacement to lead the Clay County Sheriff’s Office in Daniels’ absence, all of these recent developments have people wondering what happens if Daniels wins Tuesday’s primary? RELATED: Woman at center of investigation says Daniels ‘should be held accountable’It’s worth mentioning that Daniels does not need a majority of the vote to win the primary on Tuesday. If Daniels wins, a few things will happen. Unless there’s a big development with Daniels’ legal fight, Chambless said, then the embattled sheriff would likely be sworn into office in January when the new term takes effect.

Woman at center of Darryl Daniels investigation: ‘He should be held accountable'

A woman at the center of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s investigation into Clay County Sheriff Darryl Daniels said she never thought she would be involved in all of this. According to FDLE, Daniels sent harassing text messages to Armeshia Johnson and illegally used a law enforcement database to track down her personal information. She said she knew of her boyfriend’s past — that his ex-wife is Smith — and she knew Daniels’ name. At one point, Johnson said, Daniels sent her a Facebook message saying, “Happy birthday sexy booty.”“It caught me by surprise,” Johnson said. I know it’s me.”Johnson said Daniels also sent text messages, asking to meet up with her in Texas.

Gov. DeSantis names FDLE’s Matt Walsh as interim sheriff of Clay County

Ron DeSantis suspended embattled Clay County Sheriff Darryl Daniels, arrested Thursday night on criminal charges stemming from a sex scandal investigation, the governor appointed Special Agent Matt Walsh of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement as interim sheriff. He’s now got five months to make his mark in Clay County, when whoever wins the November election takes over in January. He is prohibited from receiving any pay or allowance and from any privileges of public office during the suspension. “I started thinking (the) Clay County sheriff has to kill a female, young female in her vehicle. King noted in his letter: “I do not know Sheriff Daniels, his politics, his opponents, nor for that matter any citizen in Clay County.

Gov. DeSantis suspends Clay County Sheriff Darryl Daniels

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – A day after Clay County Sheriff Darryl Daniels surrendered to law enforcement to face criminal charges stemming from a sex scandal investigation, Gov. He is prohibited from receiving any pay or allowance and from any privileges of public office during the suspension. RELATED: Making sense of the charges against Clay County Sheriff Darryl DanielsThe Florida Department of Law Enforcement confirmed an internal investigation last year into a corrections officer, Cierra Smith, who had been Daniels’ mistress while he was her supervisor. News4Jax on Friday spoke with Rep. John Rutherford, R-Florida, a former Jacksonville sheriff who worked with Daniels during his time at the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. King noted in his letter: “I do not know Sheriff Daniels, his politics, his opponents, nor for that matter any citizen in Clay County.

Making sense of the charges against Clay County Sheriff Darryl Daniels

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A day after Clay County Sheriff Darryl Daniels surrendered to law enforcement to face criminal charges stemming from a sex scandal investigation, newly released court documents are shedding light on the allegations against him. Through his attorney and a video statement posted on social media Thursday, the sheriff has maintained his innocence. In the video clip, the sheriff questioned the timing of the criminal charges, calling it “very suspicious.”RELATED: Facing 4 charges, Sheriff Daniels turns himself in | Why bring charges during an election? While deputies placed Smith in handcuffs, no criminal charges were filed against her. RELATED: Sheriff Daniels accuses corrections officer of stalking him | Sheriff Daniels’ ex-lover: What I did was wrongAttorney Latoya Williams-Shelton, who represents Smith, said her client was licensed to carry a concealed firearm.

Will governor remove Darryl Daniels? Why charge him in the middle of an election?

Many don’t believe it was a coincidence that it happened so close to election day. If you are Brad King, (the special prosecutor) appointed by the governor, why aren’t you having that conversation with the governor? “Let the governor exercise his constitutional right to remove a sheriff if the evidence is that strong. Make your prosecutorial decisions; make your decisions as a governor -- but mingling the two in the middle of an election is a rather unusual combination,” Falgatter said. And of course, if he loses the election, they don’t need to make that threat.

Prosecutor: No ultimatum given to Sheriff Daniels

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. The special prosecutor handling the criminal case against Clay County Sheriff Darryl Daniels pushed back Friday against the suggestion that he gave Daniels a choice to either resign and cancel his reelection bid or be arrested, saying there is no truth to that claim. His attorney said Daniels has no plans to step down and will continue to seek reelection. I do not know Sheriff Daniels, his politics, his opponents, nor for that matter any citizen in Clay County. Under the terms of the deal offered by King, Daniels would have been required to resign, withdraw his bid for reelection, forfeit his law enforcement certificate and never run for sheriff in Florida again. As part of that deal, the prosecutor would have agreed not to pursue the criminal case against Daniels.

Timeline: Events that led to arrest of Sheriff Darryl Daniels

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. Clay County Sheriff Darryl Daniels turned himself in to authorities on Thursday after being given an ultimatum by a special prosecutor to either resign or be arrested. Sheriff Daniels was accused of abusing his power, involving a subordinate he was having a romantic relationship with. On May 6, 2019, Daniels filed a stalking report against Jacksonville corrections officer Cierra Smith -- accusing her of following him in her personal vehicle in the Oakleaf Plantation area. Smith filed a report with the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office, but would show up at a community event, following Daniels when he left. Though Sheriff Daniels wife walked by his side, hand-in-hand during an interview with News4Jax at the Jacksonville International Airport in May, his wife would file for divorce about two months later, at the end of July.

Attorney: Sheriff Daniels former mistress plans to sue for wrongful arrest

GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. Cierra Smith, the woman at the center of the official misconduct complaint against Clay County Sheriff Darryl Daniels, is planning to sue the embattled lawman, according to her attorney. Daniels accused Smith of stalking him with a gun near his Oakleaf Plantation home in May 2019. Smith said she was 21-years-old when she began to have an affair with Daniels. As far as Im concerned, what he does in moving forward is his prerogative, she said Friday morning. The thought process is that if they are going to proceed with criminal charges, we are going to proceed civilly as well.

Darryl Daniels opponents sound off after Clay County sheriffs arrest

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. Clay County Sheriff Darryl Daniels arrest doesnt stop an election from taking place, though it comes just days before Floridas primary. The decision of Clay County voters may have gotten harder Thursday, or clearer, depending on the perspective. RELATED: Clay County Sheriff Darryl Daniels turns himself in, faces 4 chargesWell, I think its a shame that this investigation went on so long. The fact that it happened in Clay County, was the highest ranking law enforcement officer in Clay County, to me, it just makes it doubly sad.About half of the voting in Clay County has already occurred, Taylor said. As a resident like you, I ask that you keep Clay County strong, and I will do the same.

Clay County Sheriff Darryl Daniels turns himself in, faces 4 charges

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – After an investigation that went on for over a year, charges were filed against Clay County Sheriff Darryl Daniels on Thursday and he surrendered to authorities. Daniels’ attorney Matt Kachergus said his client does not plan on resigning his position and still plans to seek reelection. She began a relationship with Daniels when she worked for him when they were both at the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the affair continued after he was elected sheriff. Daniels is currently up for reelection in Clay County. DOCUMENTS: Arrest warrant | Arrest reportRELATED: Darryl Daniels’ political opponents sound off after Clay County sheriff’s arrestGov.

Early voting begins Thursday in Clay County

GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. Seven early voting locations will open in Clay County at 8 a.m. Thursday for people to cast ballots in the Florida Primary. VOTERS GUIDE: The candidates who want your voteFour countywide races are on the ballot in Clay County sheriff, superintendent of schools, clerk of court and tax collector. One-term Sheriff Darryl Daniels has drawn five opponents in the August Republican Primary: Ben Carroll, Michelle Cook, Harold Rutledge, Mike Taylor and Catherine Webb. For school superintendent, there are three Republicans and a write-in candidate competing for the office vacated by Addison Davis, who left Clay County to become superintendent of schools in Hillsborough County. Early voting sites in Clay County - all sites open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Aug. 15.

Darryl Daniels on ongoing investigation: It feels political'

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. As a more than yearlong investigation continues, Clay County Sheriff Darryl Daniels says he did nothing wrong. Daniels is accused of illegally ordering the arrest of his former mistress. Now, News4Jax has learned the investigation is changing hands, and Daniels said it feels political extending into an election year. RELATED: Special prosecutor appointed to Clay County sheriff investigationIt is baffling to me how something as simple as a simple investigation with a few a few people to be interviewed has taken over a year, Daniels said. And, you know, the truth will come out and, you know, folks who have formulated an opinion based on that narrative.