- May 2, 2024
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+ Palm Coast man arrested for soliciting sex with minor
The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office arrested 15 men last week, including one Palm Coast resident, over a five-day operation called Operation No Soliciting.
Vyacheslav Azarov, 43, of 32 Bridgehaven Drive, was arrested for using a computer service to seduce a parent or guardian for sexual activity with a minor.
His arrest was the result of an undercover operation that was designed to find people who use the Internet to sexually exploit children. It is the second one of its kind held in St. Johns County during the last two years.
Azarov is held on $150,000 bail. Suspects from Ormond Beach, Daytona Beach and St. Augustine were also arrested.
During the sting, undercover detectives posed online as juveniles or their parents to arrange for unknown suspects to meet them at an undercover house located in northwestern St. Johns County.
Between March 13 and March 17, the 15 individuals solicited a parent or minor online and came to the undercover home in attempt to participate in sexual activity with children between the ages of 13 and 14.
For a complete listing of the men arrested, their charges and bond amounts, see PalmCoastObserver.com.
+ Nude man arrested in Flagler Beach
A man was arrested Monday after walking down a street in Flagler Beach wearing nothing but a green baseball cap.
A witness alerted the Flagler County Sheriff's Office after he saw a white male with numerous tattoos on his arms and back, later identified was James William Wise of Palm Coast, walking along North Central Avenue and North 17th Street. The witness told deputies he asked the man if he was OK, but got no response, according to a charging affidavit.
The witness told a deputy that Wise, 46, ran between two houses before reappearing wearing a pair of blue, see-through shorts.
The deputy later searched Wise’s vehicle and found a firefighter’s jacket belonging to Flagler County Fire/Rescue neatly folded in Wise’s backseat. Wise said he found the jacket near his home in Palm Coast and that he has not had time to turn it in.
Wise was arrested on charges of indecent exposure and of possession of lost and abandoned property, both misdemeanor offenses. He was booked into the Flagler County Inmate Facility on $750 bond.
+ Sheriff appoints Bovino as new commander
Sheriff Jim Manfre announced Wednesday the appointment of Lt. Paul Bovino to the position of commander of the Neighborhood Services Division.
The promotion takes effect immediately. Bovino fills the position left vacant by Cmdr. David O’Brien, who retired March 8.
“Paul has an extensive law enforcement background and has proven leadership qualities that I think will greatly benefit this agency,” Manfre said in a statement.
Bovino, 39, joined the Sheriff’s Office in 1996. He is a graduate of Flagler Palm Coast High School and received his law enforcement training through the St. Augustine Technical Center.
In 2001, he was promoted to deputy first class and created the agency’s first Special Weapons and Tactics team. He received a promotion to the rank of corporal in 2003 and then to sergeant the following year. In 2007, he was promoted to lieutenant. And in 2011, he was promoted again, this time to the rank of captain.
In 2012, he was selected as the executive commander of law enforcement services.
As commander of the Neighborhood Services Division, he will command the largest division — road patrol — within the Sheriff’s Office. He will report directly to Undersheriff Rick Staly.
“I appreciate the sheriff’s confidence in my ability,” Bovino said. “I look forward to serving the community in my new position.”
Bovino will retain overall responsibility of the SWAT team.
+ Man jumps from Flagler Beach bridge
An unidentified male jumped off the Flagler Beach bridge in an apparent suicide attempt Tuesday night, according to Lt. Robert Weber, public information officer for the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
The subject has not been identified. A trauma alert was called in on the subject, who was then transported via the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office’s Air One helicopter to Halifax Medical Center, Weber said.
Amid complaint, jail mail policy changed
The jail mail at the Flagler County Inmate Facility has been changed, Flagler County Sheriff Jim Manfre confirmed Wednesday.
Based on legal advice, Manfre said letters are now being accepted at the jail as incoming mail, not just outgoing mail. The previous policy stated inmates could only receive post cards.
The mail will continue to be sorted and searched for contraband or any sign of information that can be deemed criminal, Manfre said.
+ Palm Coast hosting photo contest
Now through May 31, Palm Coast is hosting a contest open to photographers of all skill levels. Entrants can submit up to five photos for each of the contest’s four categories. The grand prize includes 12 one-day family passes to Florida State Parks and more. Other prizes will be awarded to first-, second- and third-place winners. Photos will be used for marketing and promotional purposes. For more information, visit www.discoverpalmcoast.com/photocontest.
