On Friday, the air was heavy and humid over Wahneta, like the stillness that precedes a storm or, perhaps, a revelation.
What appeared to be a minor traffic stop—a gray Jeep SUV from New York pulled over for an infraction—shattered the illusion of normalcy, revealing a deeper underside evocative of a scene from The Walking Dead.
Polk County Sheriff’s deputies soon discovered a stash of illegal items and outstanding warrants.
A gray Jeep SUV with New York plates was pulled over for a minor traffic infringement. The driver, Darrell Jones of Bartow, was 42 years old, and the passenger, Danielle Dolney of New York, was 44.
According to the data, Jones’ driver’s license has been suspended since 2023. Dolney, the Jeep’s registered owner, revealed to deputies that she did not have the proper insurance.
Deputies determined that Dolney had two open Polk County warrants for her arrest, which escalated the situation. These warrants were issued for violating pretrial release on burglary and grand theft charges, as well as failing to appear on two counts of trespassing on a construction site and two counts of theft from a construction site.
A search of the vehicle revealed a disturbing collection of contraband. Deputies discovered methamphetamine and a pipe, prescription drugs that did not have a valid prescription, and marijuana. The most disturbing discovery was a baseball bat wrapped in barbed wire stowed below the driver’s seat (think Negan’s bat, “Lucille,” from The Walking Dead).
Jones is not permitted to possess a modified weapon because he is a convicted felon.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested Jones as well as Dolney. Jones is charged with driving with a suspended license and being a felon in possession of a weapon, while Dolney is charged with outstanding warrants, drug infractions, and no insurance.
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