Callahan Gains Deputies
Sheriff T.L. “Tommy” Seagraves, Jr., and Mayor Shirley
Graham announced today that Deputies Ernie Cole and Ray Rhoden are now
primarily working within Callahan. Specifically assigning deputies to Callahan and Hilliard
was a project both the mayor and the sheriff have worked on for more than five
years.
Sheriff Seagraves reported that a grant is paying for officers’ salaries and equipment in both Hilliard and Callahan. This grant will cover their activities for the next two and a half years.
He said that both towns will retain their existing substations. Deputies assigned to Hilliard and Callahan will primarily work those towns but will be available to assist other officers during emergencies.
Both deputies, born in Callahan, have been in the department for some time. Ernie graduated from West Nassau High School in 2003 and Ray in 1992. Ray first became a police officer in 1999 in Fernandina Beach.
Sheriff Seagraves pointed out that he thought it important
that officers familiar with Callahan be assigned. Mayor Graham said they were already have made
an impact in town and have been meeting local businessmen.
In the photo, Ernie is on the left and Ray on the right.
More Charges Filed
Nassau County FL Sheriff T. L. “Tommy” Seagraves, Jr., reported today that Detectives have filed more charges against a man already in jail for possessing child pornography. On January 14, 2010, they arrested Christopher Oneal Burks, 37, for two counts of lewd and lascivious battery.
Upon further investigation, detectives discovered Mr. Burks had sex with two juvenile females in 2004.
Investigators arrested Mr. Burks on December 24, 2009 for possessing almost 500 graphic
images of juveniles. Most of the pictures were of naked children in explicit poses. Some of
them were under the age of 12.
Mr. Burks remains in the Nassau County Detention Center. His bond is now set at $200,006.
For more information, contact Angela Spears, Public Information Officer, at (904) 548-4050.
Second Suspect Arrested in Elderly Assault
Detectives with the Nassau County Sheriff's Office arrested a second suspect for forcing his way
into an elderly man’s home and beating him up. They arrested Tommy Wells, 22 of Fernandina
Beach, on January 26, 2010. He has been charged with home invasion robbery and battery on a
person over 65 years of age.
On November 20, 2009, an 82-year-old man opened the back door of his home in Fernandina
Beach. Wells and Owen Wiggins, 25 of Fernandina Beach, hit him several times and demanded
money. The suspects stole cash and credit cards from the victim and then fled from the scene.
The victim had minor injuries.
Detectives were able to identify Wells and Wiggins through surveillance video that showed them
using the victim’s credit cards at different locations within 24 hours of the robbery.
Detectives arrested Wiggins on January 2, 2010. They charged him with home invasion robbery
and battery on a person 65 years or older. He remains in the Nassau County Detention Center on
a bond of $100,004.
Wells fled to Roseville, Michigan. Investigators followed several leads and were able to track
him down. Wells was brought back to Nassau County on Tuesday (January 26th). He is now in
the Nassau County Detention Center. His bond is set at $100,004.
