By-Line: Joseph Bober, Public Information Office, FCSO
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office has arrested an 18-year-old Palm Coast man for sending threats to a high school student over text.
On Aug. 12, a school resource deputy at Matanzas High School was approached by a student who reported that he had received threatening text messages from Karl Wessley, 18, of Palm Coast. Wessley was determined to be a former Matanzas student who graduated in 2025.
Deputies reviewed the text messages, which included a photograph of two pistols, a rifle, and an AK-47. Following the photograph, Wessley wrote messages including, “But if you want me to kill you, I can, I ain’t scared” and “I could shoot you with which one.”
Due to the nature of the threats, the case was assigned to the Major Case Unit for investigation.
On Sept. 18, detectives located and interviewed Wessley at his residence. During the interview, Wessley stated that he had sent the messages because he believed the victim was spreading rumors about him. He also told detectives that he did not own any firearms and had taken the photo from the internet. Following the interview, detectives obtained a warrant for Wessley’s arrest for written or electronic threats to kill.
Later that day, deputies arrested Wessley on his active warrant. He was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where he is being held on a $5,000 bond.
Karl Wessley (Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility mug shot)
“We take every threat seriously and do not tolerate any threat to kill,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “I commend the student for speaking up to their school resource deputy so that law enforcement could investigate the matter and arrest this man for making a stupid threat.”
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