Palm Coast Man Sentenced to 14 Years

Palm Coast’s David Chenowith has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for a slew of child sex crimes. The 33-year-old L Section resident signed a plea agreement on Tuesday that will have him serve 14 years behind bars plus 20 years of sex offender probation upon his release. The plea deal has Chenowith pleading guilty to four charges: lewd/lascivious battery on a victim 12 to 16 years of age, unlawful sexual activity with a minor, and two counts of promoting sexual performance by a child. When he starts his sentence, Chenowith will go in with credit for 398 days already served. Also part of his sentencing is a mandate that he not have any future contact with the victim or their family. As of Thursday, Chenowith is at the county jail awaiting transfer to the Florida Department of Corrections. Chenowith was first brought to the attention of law enforcement in June 2024, when he was alleged to have molested a 16-year-old girl. An investigation by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office found he had reportedly been involved with that teen since she was 15, forming a relationship in which he’d trade marijuana, cash, food, and clothes for sexual activity. When interviewed by FCSO detectives, Chenowith reportedly admitted to sexual activity with the girl. He also is said to have paid her money for explicit pictures and videos. An arrest warrant for Chenowith was obtained on July 18th, 2024. He was booked into the county jail that day after being pulled over and arrested in north Palm Coast. Between July 2024 and April 2025 he was charged with a total of 50 offenses. Many of those include numerous counts of lewd/lascivious battery on a victim 12 to 16 years old, promotion of a sexual performance by a child, possession of child pornography, and unlawful usage of a two-way communications device. For good measure, he was also charged with fentanyl trafficking and the possession hashish and another Schedule 1 substance. “Thanks to the hard work of our deputies, detectives, and the [prosecutor], this predator will have a long time in prison to think about his actions,” said Flagler Sheriff Rick Staly. “While it’s a relief that he has been removed from society, at least temporarily, I firmly believe that anyone who takes the innocence away from a child should stay behind bars forever so they can never harm another child ever again.” Prior to this case, Chenowith has an extensive history of bookings at the county jail. Previous charges include domestic battery, burglary, grand theft of a motor vehicle, grand theft over $300, carrying an unlicensed firearm, cocaine possession with intent to sell, and trespassing.