State Attorney Melissa Nelson announced that 35-year-old Derek Fletcher was found guilty by a Clay County jury on charges of Fleeing or Attempting to Elude a Police Officer, Driving Under the Influence (DUI), and Resisting an Officer Without Violence. Fletcher, who faces up to five years in Florida State Prison, will be sentenced by the Honorable James Kallaher at a later date.
The charges stemmed from an incident on July 25, 2024, when a member of the Clay County Sheriff’s Office observed Fletcher driving a motorcycle with a malfunctioning taillight at DeBarry and Bartlett Avenues. Fletcher swerved into the opposite lane and onto the grass, prompting the officer to initiate a traffic stop. Instead of stopping, Fletcher continued to flee, eventually parking and attempting to walk away from the scene. When ordered to stop, Fletcher ignored the officer, cursed at him with slurred speech, and only complied after further orders.
Once detained, Fletcher admitted to drinking that evening, and officers observed signs of impairment. While in custody, Fletcher made threats against the arresting officer. The case was investigated by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Richard Natto and Hector Murcia Bustos.
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