Police: Palm Coast man charged with human trafficking, sexual battery of a minor

A Palm Coast man was arrested Thursday and charged with human trafficking, sexual battery of a minor and trafficking in fentanyl, according to the Flagler County Sheriff's Office.

David William Chenowith, 32 was being held Sunday at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility in Bunnell on $102,500 bond.

On June 21, the Sheriff's Office received a tip that Chenowith was involved in human trafficking, and during an investigation by the Major Case Unit, several minors between the ages of 14-16 were identified as trafficking victims.

On July 18, after an arrest warrant had been issued for Chenowith, the suspect was pulled over by authorities. During the traffic stop, officials discovered baggies containing marijuana, THC gummies and cartridges, cocaine and 9 grams of fentanyl, enough to kill 4,500 people, according to a Sheriff's Office press release.

Chenowith was charged with lewd and lascivious battery, victim 12-16 years old; human trafficking; unlawful sexual activity with a minor; and fentanyl trafficking.

"Let this be a reminder that if your hurt a child we will come after you," Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly stated in a press release.