FLAGLER COUNTY, FL – March 16, 2020 - According to a new report on FOX35Orlando.com , a Florida man in Flagler County, Florida, has been arrested and charged for the crime of ¨Impersonating an Officer.” According to the Flagler County Sherriff´s Department, the man was arrested only a few days after he was arrested for the same crime. The Flagler County Sheriff's Office stated that the man was arrested a few days ago, on March 9, 2020, for Shoplifting and Impersonating a Law Enforcement Officer.
After the man´s second arrest, police interviewed attendants who work at the toll bridge and claimed that they had witnessed or seen the suspect engage in “Impersonating an Officer.” One toll bridge attendant stated that the suspect would often try to flash a badge in order to avoid having to pay the $2 bridge toll. The toll bridge attendant also stated that the suspect had attempted this frequently times over the past several months and that the suspect often identifies himself as a United States Air Marshall. The toll bridge attendant also stated that the last time the suspect attempted to fool the attendant into a free toll, the attendant showed the suspect a news article of the suspect´s recent arrest for impersonating a law enforcement officer. The attendant stated that the suspect put away his badge and paid the bridge toll fee in full.
The Flagler County Sherriff´s Department stated that sheriff´s deputies arrested the suspect on March 13, 2020, at his known residence.
According to a statement made by Sheriff Rick Staly, the suspect did not learn his lesson after being arrested for the same crime last week. Sheriff Staly stated that the suspect was back to his “some tricks” only two days after being arrested and then released. The sheriff also stated that the suspect can now see what it is like to be in jail and be an inmate.
The suspect is facing new and additional charges. The suspect has been charged with Impersonating an Officer and Felony Violation of Pre-Trial Release. The suspect is being held without bond.
Violation of Pretrial Release Laws, Charges and Penalties in Florida
Under Florida Statute § 903.0471, a court may revoke a pretrial release and order pretrial detention if the court finds probable cause to believe that an alleged offender committed a new crime while the defendant is on pretrial release. Also, any alleged crimes committed during a pretrial release could result in the defendant being held on “no bond” status until the defendant´s first court appearance. If bond is made available, the bond amount is usually set much higher than the bond amount that was originally set by the judge. However, alleged offenders who are arrested for a serious criminal offense in the State of Florida are usually held in custody until the suspect is able to appear before a judge.