For Immediate Release

January 13, 2018

DEFUNIAK SPRINGS, Fla—  A woman calls 911 as she witnesses a suspect fight a deputy during a traffic stop.

On Friday, January 12^th at 9:30am a Walton County Sheriff’s deputy noticed a vehicle at the intersection of West Violet Lane and Girl Scout road with no license plate. The deputy conducted a traffic stop and addressed the driver, later identified as Dekian Rashawn Clinch, 23.

Clinch told the deputy he did not need a license plate or a driver’s license to travel and made other statements indicating he was in line with being a sovereign citizen. The deputy attempted to detain the subject who then began to resist arrest. The two ended up in the street where a good Samaritan passing by called 911.

“He’s fighting the deputy tooth and nail,” the caller said. “They’re in the middle of the road.”

Backup was dispatched; however, the deputy was able to get Clinch into custody. A probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted and a backpack was found containing approximately 110 Xanax bars, numerous oxycodone and hydrocodone pills, two bags of suspected powder cocaine, paraphernalia, and a loaded Smith and Wesson handgun.

Clinch was arrested for possession with intent to sell, possession of a controlled substance, resisting arrest, and drug paraphernalia. He was transported and booked into the Walton County Jail.