INSIDER
‘Wanna-be gang banger:’ Brevard babysitter arrested with enough fentanyl to kill thousands
Read full article: ‘Wanna-be gang banger:’ Brevard babysitter arrested with enough fentanyl to kill thousandsDeputies said that during a search of his apartment, they found "a significant amount of drugs" near two small children.
Insider extra: See Brevard deputies question real estate investor who claims he was falsely arrested
Read full article: Insider extra: See Brevard deputies question real estate investor who claims he was falsely arrestedTwo brothers checking out a home up for auction were arrested and charged with burglary in Brevard County.
‘First step toward justice:’ Family reacts to arrests after teen fatally shot in Mims
Read full article: ‘First step toward justice:’ Family reacts to arrests after teen fatally shot in MimsThe Mims teenagers facing murder charges in the shooting death of 16-year-old Da’Mari Wilson, identified by his family, faced a Brevard County judge Tuesday.
Opossum found in girl’s bathroom at elementary school, Brevard deputies say
Read full article: Opossum found in girl’s bathroom at elementary school, Brevard deputies sayAn opossum was found in a girl's bathroom at Indialantic Elementary School, prompting a school resource deputy to take action, according to the Brevard County Sheriff's Office.
‘Thinking of killing him for a while:’ Merritt Island woman accused of stabbing roommate
Read full article: ‘Thinking of killing him for a while:’ Merritt Island woman accused of stabbing roommateA woman suspected of stabbing her roommate with two knives at once was arrested in Merritt Island, according to the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.
NASA contractor accused of using government credit cards to steal $12K of gas, deputies say
Read full article: NASA contractor accused of using government credit cards to steal $12K of gas, deputies sayA NASA contractor is accused of stealing over $12,238 worth of gas by using government credit cards, according to the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.
Citizens help catch fleeing suspect in Brevard County
Read full article: Citizens help catch fleeing suspect in Brevard CountyDeputies said thanks to citizens sending Ring doorbell video of King running through a neighborhood and constantly alerting deputies of King’s whereabouts, they formed a perimeter to catch him.
WATCH: New video shows stolen U-Haul speeding through Melbourne traffic during chase
Read full article: WATCH: New video shows stolen U-Haul speeding through Melbourne traffic during chaseNewly released video shows Melbourne police chasing a woman in a stolen U-Haul, driving erratically through traffic and crashing into a gate of a school at one point.
Toddler nearly drowns after babysitter left 6 children unattended at pool, Palm Bay police say
Read full article: Toddler nearly drowns after babysitter left 6 children unattended at pool, Palm Bay police sayA 3-year-old girl nearly drowned when her babysitter left the child and five others unattended at a community pool Saturday, according to the Palm Bay Police Department.
Man arrested after woman found partially dismembered, Orange County deputies say
Read full article: Man arrested after woman found partially dismembered, Orange County deputies sayDeputies arrested a 37-year-old man Thursday who they believe killed a woman found partially dismembered in Orlando, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
Family of teen killed in Brevard deputy-involved shooting plans to file lawsuits
Read full article: Family of teen killed in Brevard deputy-involved shooting plans to file lawsuitsNow that the state attorney’s office has decided not to file criminal charges against a Brevard County deputy who fatally shot two teens, the family of one of the victims is making plans to file a pair of lawsuits.
SWAT team arrests armed man who barricaded himself inside Melbourne church
Read full article: SWAT team arrests armed man who barricaded himself inside Melbourne churchMELBOURNE, Fla. – A man armed with a gun, who barricaded himself inside a Melbourne Church Sunday, was arrested by SWAT team members after a standoff lasting hours. Soliman is a known individual at the church, officers said. Officers said they were able to distract Soliman long enough so church members could flee the area. According to officers, Soliman barricaded himself just outside the front door of the church and threatened to commit suicide. Around 12 p.m., Soliman was taken into custody by members of the SWAT team.
FDLE turns over investigation into Brevard deputy-involved shooting of 2 teens to prosecutors
Read full article: FDLE turns over investigation into Brevard deputy-involved shooting of 2 teens to prosecutorsBREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – State investigators have turned over their findings to prosecutors regarding the deputy-involved shooting that resulted in the death of two teens shot in a Cocoa neighborhood in November. In the days after the Nov. 13 shooting, Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey said two deputies were attempting to conduct a traffic stop of what they believed to be a stolen car. On Feb. 5, the FDLE turned over its investigative findings to the Brevard County State Attorneys Office. [RELATED: Sheriff: Brevard deputy ‘forced to fire,’ fatally shooting 2 teens in car]The 18th Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office confirmed they are in receipt of the FDLE investigative findings regard the use of deadly force by Santiago-Miranda. Dash camera video released by the sheriff showed the two deputies attempting to stop the vehicle and yelling “stop” seven or more times before the shooting.
Former Brevard jail tech brought meth in for inmate she had sex with, sheriff says
Read full article: Former Brevard jail tech brought meth in for inmate she had sex with, sheriff saysBREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – A Brevard County Jail corrections technician was arrested Friday after a months-long investigation during which investigators determined she was bringing drugs into the jail and having a sexual relationship with an inmate, Sheriff Wayne Ivey said. Ivey said the investigation began in October 2020 when corrections officers were trying to determine how drugs, including methamphetamine, were getting into the jail facility. Ivey said investigators were able to determine that a corrections technician, Jaleena Dixon, 28, was helping bring contraband into the facility. Ivey said the drugs Dixon is accused of bringing into the jail were then given to Brown and he attempted to sell it to other inmates. AdThe sheriff said it appears the suspects briefly knew each other outside of the jail but developed their relationship in the jail.
Merritt Island man fatally shot after breaking into home, deputies say
Read full article: Merritt Island man fatally shot after breaking into home, deputies sayMERRITT ISLAND, Fla. – A 32-year-old man was shot and killed after the residents of a Merritt Island home returned to find him inside their house, according to the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office. Brevard County deputies began conducting a death investigation into a shooting that occurred at a Merritt Island home overnight Tuesday. When deputies arrived, the homeowner walked outside to tell deputies his son was holding Dodge at gunpoint until authorities arrived. Deputies said when they were preparing to enter the home, another altercation occurred inside and Dodge was shot, according to the news release. The sheriff’s office did not identify the residents involved or the person who shot Dodge.
Deputy involved in deadly shooting of teens told his wife’s lover to ‘wear a bulletproof vest,’ police say
Read full article: Deputy involved in deadly shooting of teens told his wife’s lover to ‘wear a bulletproof vest,’ police sayNeither the sheriff’s office nor the Titusville Police Department responded to inquiries about the case. The records detailing the investigation and the April incident were released to FLORIDA TODAY by the State Attorney’s Office after a record’s request. The allegations led the sheriff’s office to temporarily remove Santiago-Miranda from his duties, placing him on administrative leave, according to the report. Neither the sheriff’s office nor the FDLE have confirmed if the vehicle driven by Crooms was stolen or mistakenly targeted as contended by relatives of the teens. The shooting has drawn national attention along with calls for more accountability and transparency from the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.
’Why was the first thing to shoot?’ Community mourns Cocoa teens killed in deputy-involved shooting
Read full article: ’Why was the first thing to shoot?’ Community mourns Cocoa teens killed in deputy-involved shootingCOCOA, Fla. – The families of two Cocoa teenagers are grieving and demanding answers after both died last week in a deputy-involved shooting in Cocoa. Despite the release of the deputy’s names and some video, the community held a rally and vigil for the teens in Cocoa on Wednesday, demanding more transparency from the sheriff. Family and community members came out Nov. 18, 2020 in Cocoa to hold a vigil for two teens killed in a deputy-involved shooting. (Image: Jerry Askin/WKMG) (WKMG 2020)Family of both teens have hired notable civil rights attorney Ben Crump to represent them. The Sheriff’s Office is still investigating whether the vehicle the teens were in was the suspected stolen vehicle.
Sheriff: Brevard deputy ‘forced to fire,’ fatally shooting 2 teens in car
Read full article: Sheriff: Brevard deputy ‘forced to fire,’ fatally shooting 2 teens in carBREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey says one of his deputies was “forced to fire” on a car in a Cocoa neighborhood, fatally shooting a 16-year-old and 18-year-old last week. The sheriff’s office didn’t confirm the deaths of 18-year-old Sincere Pierce and 16-year-old Angelo “AJ” Crooms until Monday. The sheriff’s office declined to identify the deputies involved and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement also declined, saying that would need to come from the sheriff’s office. [RELATED: Civil rights attorney Ben Crump representing families of teens killed in Brevard deputy shooting]Investigators said the vehicle was first observed at Clearlake Road and Dixon Boulevard and moments later in the area of Ivy Street. According to the Ivey, Santiago-Miranda has been employed with the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office since February 2017, Hendren has been employed with the sheriff’s office since June 2018.
2 teens killed in Brevard deputy shooting; few details about what led to gunfire
Read full article: 2 teens killed in Brevard deputy shooting; few details about what led to gunfireCOCOA, Fla. – Three days after a Brevard County deputy-involved shooting in Cocoa, the sheriff’s office has confirmed two teenagers were killed during the incident. Few details were released by the Sheriff’s Office, Cocoa police or the Florida Department of Law Enforcement on Nov. 13 after gunfire erupted in a Cocoa neighborhood around 10:30 a.m. The sheriff’s office didn’t confirm the deaths of 18-year-old Sincere Pierce and 16-year-old Angelo “AJ” Crooms until Monday. “At that time a deputy involved shooting incident occurred,” a news release from the sheriff’s office reads. The sheriff’s office has not released the name of the deputy who opened fire.
Brevard Sheriff’s Office changed restraint chair, spit hood policy after vet’s death
Read full article: Brevard Sheriff’s Office changed restraint chair, spit hood policy after vet’s deathBoth Qaiser and the Sheriff’s Office criminal investigation have dismissed the spit hood having any role in Edward’s death. The policy change also now requires deputies to fill out use-of-force reports when spit hoods are deployed. You change it immediately.”Bedard said the policy change was almost certainly a result of Edwards' death. It became public only after FLORIDA TODAY brought its lawsuit against the sheriff’s office to release the video. Attorney Birk said the sheriff’s office had no reason to fear making the amendment public would be evidence of wrongdoing.
FDLE investigating Brevard deputy-involved shooting reported in Cocoa
Read full article: FDLE investigating Brevard deputy-involved shooting reported in CocoaCOCOA, Fla. – A deputy-involved shooting was reported Friday afternoon in Cocoa but few details have been released from local or state law enforcement. The shooting happened at Stetson Drive near Exeter Drive around 1 p.m. Cocoa police said it happened within the city but it was a Brevard County deputy-involved shooting. In video obtained by News 6, a woman can be heard crying and multiple Brevard County Sheriff’s deputies and Cocoa police officers are seen around a home on Stetson Drive. “It happened in our city so we asked FDLE to investigate as with all police shootings that occur in our jurisdiction,” a Cocoa Police Department spokesperson said. Brevard County Sheriff’s Office officials said its crime scene unit was assisting FDLE.
Judge signs order for release of Gregory Edwards video on Friday
Read full article: Judge signs order for release of Gregory Edwards video on FridayBREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – The Gregory Edwards video will be made public, News 6 partner Florida Today reports. Edwards resisted being booked into the Brevard County Jail Complex in Sharpes, leading to an altercation with at least seven deputies. The sheriff’s office said its release could endanger the safety of deputies and inmates at the jail. FLORIDA TODAY filed a lawsuit against the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office in July seeking the video. There are very compelling issues,” Dugan said, emphasizing a needed balance between the public’s right to the video and the sheriff’s security concerns.
Brevard jail video of inmate death won’t be released before Election Day
Read full article: Brevard jail video of inmate death won’t be released before Election Day“They are making a very reasonable argument that the public needs to know what happened at the jail,” Brevard circuit court Judge David Dugan said Friday. Edwards was charged with hitting a charity Santa Claus at a West Melbourne Walmart on Dec. 9, 2018. The criminal defense lawyer and former public defender said he watch the video to see what Edwards said and what he did once inside the jail. “And then I would look at the response,” Edmond said. The judge then has to approve the agreement before video can become public.
Judge pushes Brevard sheriff, Florida Today to resolve Gregory Edwards video lawsuit
Read full article: Judge pushes Brevard sheriff, Florida Today to resolve Gregory Edwards video lawsuitBREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – Days before a scheduled civil trial pitting Florida Today against the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office over the release of the Gregory Edwards jail video, Circuit Judge David Dugan continued the case while pushing both sides toward resolving the matter, reports News 6 partner Florida Today. In delaying the trial, Dugan said he hoped that both sides could come to an agreement. [RELATED: Billboards honor combat veteran Gregory Edwards who died in Brevard custody]Gregory Edwards, a U.S. combat veteran, died Dec. 10, 2018, while in the custody of the sheriff’s office. Attorney Jessica Travis, representing FLORIDA TODAY, accused the sheriff’s office of dragging its feet. Ivey’s refusal to release the video and the subsequent lawsuit is the latest friction in FLORIDA TODAY’S relationship with the sheriff.
Brevard deputy involved in crash while responding to another wreck
Read full article: Brevard deputy involved in crash while responding to another wreckBREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – A Brevard County sheriff’s deputy was involved in a crash Tuesday while they were responding to an unrelated traffic wreck, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office said. The deputy was responding to a vehicle and pedestrian crash on Fay Boulevard in Port St. John when the crash occurred, authorities said. The deputy was taken to a local hospital and expected to be OK. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
Man arrested after allegedly traveling to meet minor for sexual exploitation, deputies say
Read full article: Man arrested after allegedly traveling to meet minor for sexual exploitation, deputies sayA 50-year-old Titusville man has been arrested for allegedly traveling to meet the parent of a child for the purpose of having sex with the parent’s child, according to the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies took into custody Michael Gorycki, who traveled to a location in Brevard County to meet the child’s parents, only to instead be met by deputies at the site. Gorycki had an email conversation with what turned out to be an undercover agent before traveling to the site, deputies said. Gorycki was charged with violation of community control and is being held without bond, deputies said. Gorycki is also currently on probation following his release from prison on June 12, where he was serving an 11-month sentence for aggravated assault, deputies said.
19-year-old found dead in car in Brevard, deputies say
Read full article: 19-year-old found dead in car in Brevard, deputies sayBREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – A 19-year-old man was found dead Saturday evening in a vehicle in Brevard County, according to sheriff’s officials. On Monday, the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office dive team searched a pond near where the victim’s body was found. Brevard sheriff’s deputies wait for dive team to arrive to Viera apartments to search a pond for evidence next to the parking spot where deputies say a teenager’s body was found in a car on July 4. "Our goal with the task force is get to these kids before they get to these situations that are taking their lives," Ivey said. The sheriff said that since the announcement of the task force, teams are getting involved with different youth organizations and camps.
Sheriff Ivey talks transparency on Edwards case but actions tell another story
Read full article: Sheriff Ivey talks transparency on Edwards case but actions tell another storyThe Florida Attorney General, however, had ruled in previous cases that medical records had to be made by a health care practitioner. The photographs were taken by a BCSO employee and maintained by the Sheriff’s Office. The State Attorney’s Office and the medical examiner’s office are independent from the Sheriff’s Office. In August 2019, Alex Fischback, now a commander of the BCSO’s eastern precinct, was head of administrative services for the sheriff’s office. Bracey: I don't know if the use of force report is in here or not.
Brevard man lied about carjacking leading to deputy-involved shooting, investigators say
Read full article: Brevard man lied about carjacking leading to deputy-involved shooting, investigators saySheriff’s Office investigators have since determined the report of a carjacking was not true, according to an arrest report. Officials with the Sheriff’s Office said they believe Lightsey wanted to stage a carjacking in order to get out of the rental car payment. After being shot multiple times, Dixon was later booked into the Brevard County Jail, officials said. According to a news release, Ferrante has been a member of the Sheriff’s Office since November 2002. The shooting was the second Brevard County deputy-involved shooting of the year.
2nd suspect taken into custody for February carjackings, deputies say
Read full article: 2nd suspect taken into custody for February carjackings, deputies sayA second suspect in a series of carjackings that took place in February has been arrested, according to the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies took into custody 26-year-old Jalen Smith for his role in multiple carjackings that started in Titusville on Feb. 18. Another suspect, 25-year-old Lanorris Habersham, was arrested on Feb. 20. Smith and Habersham then allegedly fled from the truck and carjacked another victim before fleeing the area, deputies said. Habersham is in Brevard County Jail with no bond, while Smith is awaiting extradition back to Brevard County Jail, deputies said.
Air Force contractor suing Brevard County sheriff for racial profiling
Read full article: Air Force contractor suing Brevard County sheriff for racial profilingBREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – A veteran communications contractor with Cape Canaveral Air Force Station is suing Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey and a former county deputy for false arrest and false imprisonment in connection with a late-night drug arrest. The evidence photo shows two crack cocaine rocks were tested and confirmed at the scene of the arrest. He said he was passing time before his midnight shift at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. According to his attorney, his security status was interrupted because of the arrest but he has since been reinstated to full security clearance. “We are looking for the damages to his civil rights: Unlawful stop, unlawful search of his vehicle and his unlawful arrest, detention and incarceration.”The Brevard County State Attorney’s Office said probable cause for the stop and arrest did exist.
VOTE: Which Orlando-area law enforcement agency had the best social media dance challenge video?
Read full article: VOTE: Which Orlando-area law enforcement agency had the best social media dance challenge video?News 6 has compiled a list of the videos Central Florida law enforcement agencies have created for the "Lip Sync" or "In My Feelings" challenges. Posted by Brevard County Sheriff's Office, Florida (Official) on Wednesday, July 11, 2018Flagler County Sheriff's Office's Lip Sync ChallengeFCSO Lip Sync Challenge You knew it was coming! FCSO has ACCEPTED the LEO Lip Sync Challenge and we are calling out all of our LEO brothers and sisters to participate as well! Now we're calling on Orange County Sheriff's Office, Florida, Kissimmee Police Department and UCF Police Department Let's see what you got! We are challenging Mount Dora Police Department - MDPD, Indian River County Sheriff's Office and Seminole County Sheriff's Office.