Stolen Gun and Drunk Driver Headline Flagler County Arrests

A Georgia teen with a stolen firearm and a Palm Coast woman with a blood alcohol level over three times the legal limit were among the weekend arrests.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 2:22am

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Flagler County Sheriff's Office deputies made seven arrests over the weekend, with two incidents standing out for their serious nature. A 19-year-old Georgia man was caught with a stolen gun during a traffic stop, while a 25-year-old Palm Coast woman was arrested for DUI after striking multiple vehicles and fleeing the scene.

Why it matters

Illegal firearms and impaired driving pose significant public safety risks, and these arrests highlight the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in addressing these issues within the community. The stolen gun case also raises concerns about the proliferation of firearms obtained through illicit means.

The details

During a traffic stop, deputies found a firearm tucked in the waistband of Corey Brown, 19, of Gwinnett County, Georgia. The gun was later confirmed to be stolen, and Brown told deputies he had purchased it off the streets in Atlanta. In a separate incident, deputies responded to multiple calls about a crash involving a black Toyota Tacoma that had struck several vehicles and then fled the scene. The driver, identified as Marina Brandon, 25, of Palm Coast, was found partially clothed and disheveled, unable to speak clearly, and with a blood alcohol content of .250 — more than three times Florida's legal limit.

  • On Sunday morning, a deputy pulled over a Hyundai Santa Fe in the area of Lewis Drive and London Drive in Palm Coast.
  • On Sunday evening, the Flagler County Emergency Communications Center received multiple calls just after 5 p.m. reporting a crash involving a black Toyota Tacoma.

The players

Corey Brown

A 19-year-old from Gwinnett County, Georgia, who was caught with a stolen firearm during a traffic stop.

Marina Brandon

A 25-year-old from Palm Coast, Florida, who was arrested for DUI after striking multiple vehicles and fleeing the scene.

Rick Staly

The Flagler County Sheriff, who addressed the seriousness of the incidents and the dangers posed by illegal firearms and impaired driving.

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What they’re saying

“Purchasing a gun 'off the streets' in Atlanta is asking for trouble. Often, guns used in serious crimes, like murder, are passed around and sold on the street many times, and the person caught with it is left holding the bag for an even more serious crime. He learned the hard way that he shouldn't have come to Flagler County with a stolen gun and smoking pot.”

— Rick Staly, Flagler County Sheriff

“This incident shows just how dangerous drinking and driving can be. The driver not only chose to get behind the wheel while more than three times the legal limit, but also struck several vehicles and fled. When she sobers up, she should be thankful that she did not seriously injure or kill someone. I thank the witnesses for 'seeing something and saying something,' so we could get her off the streets.”

— Rick Staly, Flagler County Sheriff

What’s next

The judge in Corey Brown's case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow him out on bail.

The takeaway

These arrests highlight the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in addressing the proliferation of illegal firearms and impaired driving, which pose significant risks to public safety. The community's vigilance in reporting suspicious activity played a crucial role in these cases, underscoring the importance of the 'see something, say something' approach.