Florida Snips & Snaps

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Sheriff's Corner 3

Sheriff's Office Solves 3 Cases
Angela Spears, Nassau County Sheriff PIO

The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office under Sheriff T. L. “Tommy” Seagraves was quite active Christmas week. Angela Spears, Public Information Officer reported the following:

Detectives with the Nassau County Sheriff's Office arrested Christopher Oneal Burks, 37, of Yulee on December 24, 2009 for possession of child pornography.

Mr. Burks had almost 500 images on his computer. They were graphic and very disturbing. Most pictures were of naked juveniles in explicit poses. Some of the juveniles were under the age of 12.

Mr. Burks confessed to having child pornography on his computer. He is currently being held in the Nassau County Detention Center on $100,002 bond.

Detectives with the Nassau County Sheriff's Office arrested a man on December 22, 2009 involved in several home burglaries.

Brandon Kyle Chancey, of Folkston, Georgia, was charged with two counts of burglary, three counts of grand theft and one count of armed burglary.

The crime spree started on December 6th at 45051 Robinwood Circle in Callahan. Mr. Chancey stole $1,800 worth of property from the home. Some of the items he took ncluded a laptop computer, jewelry and a digital camera. He later pawned the stolen items.

He also stole more than $2,200 worth of property from another home in Callahan. The burglary occurred on December 20th at 45233 Brown Street. Mr. Chancey stole a WII game system, video games, a laptop computer, jewelry, cash and several Christmas gifts. He also pawned several of these stolen items.

On December 21st, he kicked in the back door at 28102 Smokey Lane, off Andrews Road, in Hilliard where he stole a television, a play station, a handgun and jewelry. Witnesses saw him in a silver Chevrolet with dark tinted windows.

A deputy working with the Burglary Patrol Unit saw Mr. Chancey in the vehicle in the Andrews Road area the next day and arrested him.

The Burglary Patrol Unit consists of an increase of deputies in neighborhoods in Nassau County. They look for suspicious activity and do property checks.

Brandon Kyle Chancey is currently being held in the Nassau County Detention Center. His bond is set at more than $130,000. More charges against him are pending.

Detectives with the Nassau County Sheriff's Office foiled one thief’s plan before the Christmas holiday. They arrested Ed Ogilvie Young on December 22, 2009 on an auto burglary charge and a grand theft charge.

Mr. Young stole a GPS from a pizza driver’s car. The Pizza Hut employee, Kenith Douberly, left his car unlocked and went in the restaurant in Fernandina Beach on December 21st to get his next set of deliveries.

While he was inside, Mr. Young took the GPS out of the vehicle, got in a Chevrolet truck and took off.

The victim was able to get a partial tag number and identified the suspect in a photo line up. Mr. Young is currently being held in the Nassau County Detention Center. His bond is set at $26,508.

Sheriff Suggests Census Precautions

Residents in Nassau County will have people knocking on their doors and asking for information. U.S. Census workers are counting and gathering information about citizens all across the country. The Better Business Bureau advises everyone to cooperate. But, it’s important to be cautious.

I don’t want you to be a victim of identity theft or fraud. The Better Business Bureau has some tips on how to recognize the difference between a 2010 Census worker and a con artist. U.S. Census workers have a badge and confidentiality notice. They will verify address information. Please do not give them your social security number, credit card number or any personal financial information.

Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail or in person. They will not contact you via email. So, be aware of email scams.

If you are contacted by a person without the proper 2010 U.S. Census identification, please contact the Nassau County Sheriff's Office at (904) 225-5174.

Shaken Baby Arrest

Detectives with the Nassau County Sheriff's Office arrested a father on January 8, 2010 for abusing his four-month old son. Andrew Stephen Gmelin II has been charged with first degree aggravated child abuse.

Pediatricians determined the baby was a victim of Shaken Baby Syndrome. Detectives conducted an investigation and evidence led them to the suspect, Mr. Gmelin.

The baby is recovering at Wolfson Children’s Hospital.

Mr. Gmelin is currently being held in the Nassau County Detention Center. His bond is set at $100,002.