- April 23, 2024
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Flagler County deputies have responded to 11 domestic violence incidents since June 2, leading to multiple arrests of domestic violence offenders behind bars at the Green Roof Inn.
“As these cases show, you never really know what goes on behind closed doors. Domestic violence has been one of my focuses since becoming sheriff,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “Since 2017, domestic violence has decreased 52%, but the recent spike in violent domestic incidents is alarming. Just since June 2, deputies have responded to 11 incidents, and we have multiple violent offenders, including a career felon, behind bars for harming their significant other. A reminder to Flagler residents that we take domestic violence very seriously, and every act will be investigated. And to victims of domestic violence: There is help, and the FCSO is here for you!”
"We take domestic violence very seriously, and every act will be investigated. And to victims of domestic violence: There is help, and the FCSO is here for you!”
— RICK STALY, Flagler County sheriff
On June 4, deputies responded to Integra Woods Boulevard to find two males fighting over rent and the keys to a vehicle.
Deputies made contact with several witnesses who all said that the victim was being chased by a man, that punches had been thrown and that the victim tried to get away from the other male.
The aggressor, a 46-year-old man, was arrested for Domestic Violence by Strangulation and Domestic Battery.
The following day, deputies responded to a Braddock Lane residence for a welfare check and made contact with 33-year-old Justin Burg, who appeared to be intoxicated.
Deputies tried to talk to Burg, but he refused, ignoring instructions and saying that he “can’t be detained.”
Deputies believed the incident was a domestic disturbance and that there were two victims.
Deputies spoke with both victims, who said Burg had been drinking all day and growing more aggressive, ultimately attacking a juvenile and the juvenile’s mother after multiple verbal arguments.
The victims said the arguments stemmed from household issues and that at one point, when both victim’s tried to walk away from Burg, he physically went after them both.
With a criminal history dating back to 2005 in Illinois, Burg has previously been charged with Transporting Dangerous Materials, Trespassing, DUI – Alcohol and DUI – Drugs.
Burg was arrested and taken to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility. He is facing charges of Domestic Battery and Felony Child Abuse and is being held on a $2,500 bond.
On Monday evening, June 6, deputies responded to a Biltvue Place residence after a victim called to report a domestic disturbance.
The victim told deputies that he and 31-year-old James Etienne were arguing over the location of his shoes when Etienne became aggressive by pushing the victim to the floor.
A struggle began when Etienne put his hands around the victim’s throat and the victim tried to get away several times.
Etienne grew more violent with the victim and went into the kitchen, grabbed a large butcher knife and threatened to cut the victim. Ultimately, the victim was able to get away from Etienne, ran into a bedroom and law enforcement was contacted.
Etienne was arrested.
Once he was secured, he resisted deputies, trying to get deputies to lose their grip on him and stating, “Do not touch me.”
He was ultimately carried to the patrol vehicle.
No stranger to local law enforcement and a Flagler County convicted felon, Etienne’s criminal history dates back to 2007.
He’s previously been charged with Robbery with a Firearm, Willful Wanton Reckless Driving, Violation of Probation, Driving Under the Influence, Refuse to Sign Citation, DUI – Property Damage, Flee/Elude Law Enforcement, Resisting Officer without Violence and Battery – Domestic Violence with Bodily Harm.
Etienne is facing charges of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Domestic Battery and Resisting Officer without Violence. He’s at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, being held on no bond.
At around 9:30 p.m. June 6, deputies responded to Deer Run Drive in Bunnell for another domestic disturbance.
The victim said that 52-year-old Charles Riggle came home intoxicated, and they got into an argument.
Riggle followed the victim into the bedroom and became violent, pushing her and grabbing her by the throat. The victim defended herself and was able to push him off, but another physical struggle began.
The victim went into the living room to grab a suitcase and found Riggle sitting at the table with firearm pointed at her, stating he was going to “end all of this and kill her.”
The victim ran outside and waited for another family member to arrive.
Deputies questioned Riggle, who appeared intoxicated and he said that while the victim was in the bedroom trying to call law enforcement, he'd tried to grab her phone from her.
While unsuccessful, he got on top of her.
He said that he did “wave a firearm around,” but didn't know if he pointed it at the victim.
The victim told deputies that similar incidents with Riggle had occurred in Pennsylvania, but he was never arrested.
He’s previously been charged in Pennsylvania with Receiving Stolen Property. Riggle was arrested and taken to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility.
The FCSO has a team of victim’s advocates and community partners to aid those who are victims of trauma, crimes and domestic violence.
Please join us Thursday, June 9, 2022, at 10 a.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn Town Center located at 55 Town Center Boulevard in Palm Coast for our Domestic Violence Summit, which is open to the public.
The summit brings together community partners to discuss ideas and initiatives for aiding the fight against Domestic Violence in Flagler County.
