- April 25, 2024
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Daniel Paulo and David Trotta were both arrested on narcotics charges on July 20.
“Where there are trafficking amounts of drugs there are usually guns,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “This is another great example of technology helping us locate and apprehend a fugitive and seize poison before it could be sold in our community. I commend our team for their alertness in locating them and making their arrests. Here’s another reminder to stop bringing poison into our county because you will get caught and you will go to jail.”
The incident began when Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Community Policing Division responded on July 20 to investigate an alert for a subject with an active warrant.
The FCSO Communications Center alerted deputies of a possible wanted subject driving a gray Chrysler Pacifica who was driving northbound on U.S. 1. Deputies observed a vehicle matching the description of the suspect vehicle parked on the southwest corner of the Mobile Gas Station on south U.S. 1. As the responding deputy approached the parking lot, the driver activated the brake lights indicating the vehicle was starting to move. The deputy conducted a traffic stop to prevent the vehicle from leaving the area.
The driver, identified as Daniel Paulo, had an active Flagler County arrest warrant for Violation of Pre-Trial Release Services for a Domestic Violence charge. Paulo was removed from the vehicle and secured while the arrest warrant was verified by the FCSO Communications Center.
The passenger in the vehicle was then identified as David Trotta and was asked to exit the vehicle so it could be secured after Paulo’s arrest. Upon exiting the vehicle, Trotta uttered that he was seated on narcotics that Paulo handed to him to hide upon being approached by law enforcement. Deputies observed a clear bag containing a white crystal-like substance, appearing to be methamphetamine and a red digital scale.
During a search of Trotta, a glass pipe and small round plastic container with white powder inside was recovered, which tested positive for methamphetamine. The methamphetamine being concealed totaled approximately 20 grams.
A probable cause search of the vehicle resulted in two glass smoking pipes being located in the center console, bronze-colored steel wool was located on the passenger’s side floorboard, checks in the rear seating area were found along with a black combination case on the passenger’s side floorboard. The black case contained a firearm, a glass smoking pipe, and a small plastic container with methamphetamine.
This is not Paulo or Trotta’s first encounter with law enforcement in Flagler County. Paulo has been previously charged with Driving Under the Influence, Aggravated Domestic Battery, and Domestic Assault. Trotta has been previously charged with Driving While License Suspended, Burglary, Grand Theft, Dealing in Stolen Property, and Driving Under the Influence.
Paulo and Trotta were both arrested and transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility without incident. Paulo was arrested for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia/Equipment and Violation of Pretrial Release. He is being held on no bond.
Trotta was arrested for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia/Equipment, Possession of a Firearm by Convicted Felon, and Trafficking Methamphetamine with Possession of a Firearm. He is being held on a $55,500 bond.
