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In a surprising twist of faith and crime, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office revealed that narcotics were being circulated during inmate church services, a scheme that ultimately led to the arrest of three inmates.
On Wednesday, the sheriff’s office announced the apprehension of these individuals following an investigation into illicit drug activities within the county’s jail in Bunnell, Florida. The probe began on March 17 after deputies received tips about narcotics sales allegedly taking place among inmates.
Through their investigation, the authorities identified Joshua Siedel, aged 32, and Caleb Tucker, aged 30, as the primary culprits orchestrating the distribution of drugs. It was uncovered that Tucker had been facilitating financial transactions with other inmates, alongside Siedel, over a period of several weeks. Alarmingly, these exchanges reportedly took place during the religious services provided to the inmates.
During a church service on Tuesday, deputies reportedly witnessed a transaction involving Siedel and a fellow inmate, Stephen Horton, aged 46. Horton appeared to be purchasing Suboxone, a medication typically used to treat opioid addiction, using coffee packets as a form of barter. This drug, according to the sheriff’s office, had been procured through “pharmaceutical diversion,” adding a layer of complexity to the already clandestine operation.
Amid Tuesday’s services, the sheriff’s office said that deputies caught a transaction between Siedel and another inmate, Stephen Horton, 46, where he appeared to be buying Suboxone using coffee packets as a form of currency. It is said that the drug was obtained through “pharmaceutical diversion.”
As part of the investigation, both Siedel and Tucker’s cells were searched. In Siedel’s cell, Suboxone “packaged for distribution” was found, while in Tucker’s cell, fentanyl residue was identified.
“This guy thought he was the El Chapo of the Green Roof Inn, but luck ran out for him and his accomplices this St. Patrick’s Day,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “Now they’ll rack themselves up plenty of prison time, all for some cookies and chips. These dirtbags thought they could distribute drugs inside the Green Roof Inn. We don’t tolerate poison peddlers or illegal drugs in the community, and I sure as hell won’t tolerate it in our jail.”
Siedel was originally arrested in September 2025 on charges of criminal mischief, failure to appear, and four counts of violation of probation. He now faces additional charges of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, sale of a Schedule III controlled substance, and possession of Schedule III contraband by an inmate in a correctional institution.
Tucker was originally arrested in November 2025 on charges of second-degree burglary, possession of drug paraphernalia, tampering with evidence, and possession of fentanyl with intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver. He now faces additional charges of possession of fentanyl and sale of a Schedule III controlled substance by an inmate in a correctional institution.
Horton was originally arrested in September 2025 on charges of trafficking fentanyl, two counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He now faces additional charges of tampering with evidence, possession of a controlled substance by an inmate in a correctional institution, and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription.