Union to โwait and seeโ if discipline crackdown translates to less violence against Brevard teachers
Starting with Sheriff Wayne Iveyโs livestream last year at the Brevard County jail and followed by months of divisive debate, the chair of Brevard Countyโs school board believes the district is benefiting from its tough conversations on student discipline.
Suspect in Titusville armed kidnapping attempt was victimโs ex, planned to kill 4, sheriff says
A Titusville man arrested Wednesday intended to kill a woman and three other people in an effort to regain custody of his estranged children, among new details shared Friday by Brevard County law enforcement officials.
Brevard deputies shoot, kill gunman after pursuit on SR-528
A death investigation got underway overnight in Brevard County after a Merritt Island man led deputies on a pursuit late Wednesday, crashed due to a PIT maneuver on State Road 528 and died in an officer-involved shooting, according to Sheriff Wayne Ivey.
Brevard man accused of selling fentanyl that led to lethal overdose, sheriff says
A Brevard County man arrested this week, accused of first-degree murder in the January 2021 overdose death of a victim who investigators said he sold fentanyl to, is being held without bond this time around, according to Sheriff Wayne Ivey.
Off-duty Brevard deputy โjokinglyโ pulled trigger twice before fatally shooting roommate, affidavit shows
An off-duty Brevard County deputy who mistakenly shot and killed his roommate and fellow deputy as the two took a break from playing an online game with friends made his first appearance in court.
Brevard County recommends evacuations as Tropical Storm Nicole approaches Central Florida coast
Emergency officials are recommending people living on the barrier island and other low-lying or flood-prone neighborhoods to evacuate before Tropical Storm Nicole has the potential to make landfall on Florida's east coast.
Mother found living in โdisgustingโ hotel room with child faces child neglect, animal abuse charges in Brevard County
A woman is accused of keeping her 6-year-old son in a filthy hotel room with multiple pets, at least three of which were malnourished and emaciated, according to the Brevard County Sheriff's Office.
Sheriff: 2-month-old baby was โdirectly in the middleโ of deputy-involved shooting in West Melbourne
Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey said a 2-month-baby was โdirectly in the middle of the shootoutโ when a gunman stepped out of a vehicle and shot a deputy in the leg during a Monday traffic stop.
Dogfighting investigation leads to Merritt Island homicide arrest, Brevard sheriff says
The recent arrest of a 23-year-old man for a deadly shooting during a home invasion is also connected to the investigation of a dogfighting and drug trafficking ring, according to the Brevard County Sheriff's Office.
Brevard County teachers accused of using marijuana with students
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. โ Two Brevard County teachers gave their students marijuana and used it with them at their home, Sheriff Wayne Ivey said. Thereโs no evidence that any crimes took place on campus, according to Ivey. Brand and OโReilly-Brand were both arrested Thursday on charges of child neglect and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Agent Cory Jackson of the Brevard County Sheriffโs Office special victimโs unit at 321-633-8419. Use the form below to sign up for the ClickOrlando.com Strange Florida newsletter, sent every Friday.
Investigators find 3 credit card skimmers at gas stations in Brevard County
Sheriff Wayne Ivey said he spotted three hidden credit card skimmers at gas stations in Brevard County on Wednesday. BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. โ Sheriff Wayne Ivey said three hidden credit card skimmers were found at gas stations in Brevard County on Wednesday. AdIvey said the sweep prevented thousands of people from becoming victims to credit card fraud. Investigators said the best way to protect yourself from skimming devices is to pay with cash or with a credit card inside the store. [RELATED: Credit card skimmers on gas station pumps are now โundetectableโ]The sheriffโs office said criminals will sometimes use Bluetooth technology so a thief doesnโt have to get out of his car to collect the stolen credit card data.
Wheel of Fugitive? Sheriff Iveyโs signature Facebook โshowโ features non-fugitives
Altogether, FLORIDA TODAY found that the non-fugitives were incorrectly featured a cumulative 135 times out of 448 slots across 45 episodes. โItโs designed to engage our community and it has worked almost to perfection,โ Ivey told FLORIDA TODAY in 2017. A Florida Today infographic showing non-fugitives featured in an episode of "Wheel of Fugitive." (Rob Landers and Alessandro Marazzi-Sassoon)Sometimes, portraying a non-fugitive on โWheel of Fugitiveโ simply could be an issue of bad timing. โCertainly, thatโs something that the county commission in Brevard County should be concerned about,โ he said.
Dogs ate chips of wood, feces, plastic as owner starved them to death, sheriff says
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. โ The Brevard County sheriff walked a man into jail Wednesday morning after an animal cruelty investigation showed the owner starved his dogs to death. โHe literally starved them to death over a period of several weeks,โ Sheriff Wayne Ivey said during a Facebook live stream. The sheriff said a necropsy revealed the dogs had chips of wood from furniture, plastic bottles, band aids and even a plastic bag in their stomachs. The dogs also suffered severe malnutrition and a gross loss of muscle, resulting in a cruel death, investigation records show. AdAs the sheriff walked Fritsch into the jail, Fritsch is overheard saying, โYou donโt know the whole story.โThe sheriff dismissed Fritsch claims saying that innocent animals suffered under his care.
FDLE turns over investigation into Brevard deputy-involved shooting of 2 teens to prosecutors
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. โ 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 โforced to fire,โ fatally shooting 2 teens in car]The 18th Judicial Circuit State Attorneyโs 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 โstopโ seven or more times before the shooting.
Former Brevard jail tech brought meth in for inmate she had sex with, sheriff says
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. โ 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.
Suspicious person hospitalized following deputy-involved shooting in Cape Canaveral
Two Brevard County deputies were involved in a shooting Sunday morning, according to officials. Deputies said they received several calls about a suspicious person in the area. Deputies responded to the womanโs home and did not locate anyone and cleared the scene. Deputy-involved shooting in Cape CanaveralโThe suspicious person was then challenged by the second deputy who responded to the lethal threat with deadly force,โ deputies said. Anyone who may have information about this incident is asked to call Agent Don Reynolds of the Brevard County Sheriffโs Office Homicide Unit at 321-633-8413.
After fatal Brevard deputy-involved shooting, News 6 investigates policies on firing into a vehicle
(Scroll down to see how your local sheriffโs policy on shooting into a motor vehicle.) Flagler County Sheriffโs Office, Response to Resistance / De-escalation Techniques โ See page 9. Osceola County Sheriffโs Office, Response to Resistance and Aggression โ See page 9. Seminole County Sheriffโs Office, Response to Resistance โ See page 5. Volusia County Sheriffโs Office โ See page 10.
โWhy was the first thing to shoot?โ Community mourns Cocoa teens killed in deputy-involved shooting
COCOA, Fla. โ 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 deputyโs 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 Sheriffโs Office is still investigating whether the vehicle the teens were in was the suspected stolen vehicle.
Second deputy never fired gun in shooting that killed 2 teens, sheriffโs office says
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. โ The Brevard County Sheriffโs Office clarified Wednesday that the second deputy involved in a shooting that killed two teens never fired her gun. On Wednesday, the sheriffโs office clarified the third occupant was not harmed in the incident and has not been charged. They have since been interviewed and released from the investigation, according to a spokesperson with the sheriffโs office. The sheriffโs office clarified Wednesday that authorities do not know who the guns belong to or if they were stolen. This detail would be determined as part of the FDLE investigation, the sheriffโs office said.
Sheriff: Brevard deputy โforced to fire,โ fatally shooting 2 teens in car
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. โ Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey says one of his deputies was โforced to fireโ on a car in a Cocoa neighborhood, fatally shooting a 16-year-old and 18-year-old last week. The sheriffโs office didnโt confirm the deaths of 18-year-old Sincere Pierce and 16-year-old Angelo โAJโ Crooms until Monday. The sheriffโs office declined to identify the deputies involved and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement also declined, saying that would need to come from the sheriffโs 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 Sheriffโs Office since February 2017, Hendren has been employed with the sheriffโs office since June 2018.
2 teens killed in Brevard deputy shooting; few details about what led to gunfire
COCOA, Fla. โ Three days after a Brevard County deputy-involved shooting in Cocoa, the sheriffโs office has confirmed two teenagers were killed during the incident. Few details were released by the Sheriffโs 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 sheriffโs office didnโt confirm the deaths of 18-year-old Sincere Pierce and 16-year-old Angelo โAJโ Crooms until Monday. โAt that time a deputy involved shooting incident occurred,โ a news release from the sheriffโs office reads. The sheriffโs office has not released the name of the deputy who opened fire.
โHe was dead on that jail floor:โ Gregory Edwardsโ brother reacts to release of arrest video
But it was not the first time Douglas had seen the jail security footage, or at least, some it. Ivey refused to release the security video showing what happened to Edwards, citing security exemptions to the stateโs public records laws. The video Ivey showed him was at most 20 minutes long and focused on the altercation up until Edwards was placed in the restraint chair, Douglas said. โWe actually showed it to Greg Edwards' brother. In fact, I think he was upset at his brother (Edwards), for, for what he had just witnessed from it,โ Ivey said.
Video shows Gregory Edwards' confrontation with Brevard deputies before his death
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. โ Nearly two years after his death in custody, the public is getting a look at what happened to Gregory Edwards after he was taken to the Brevard County Jail Complex. Video showing Edwards in a confrontation with deputies at the jail was released Friday as the result of a lawsuit filed by News 6 partner Florida Today. Florida Today has provided its analysis on the video, which you can read by clicking or tapping here. All due to the fact that each of these agencies failed to support the inaccurate representations and narrative as reported by the Florida Today. Sheriff Wayne Ivey Posted by Brevard County Sheriff's Office, Florida (Official) on Thursday, November 12, 2020The Brevard County Sheriffโs Office has also posted an edited video that includes narration from Sheriff Wayne Ivey.
Brevard Sheriffโs Office changed restraint chair, spit hood policy after vetโs death
Both Qaiser and the Sheriffโs Office criminal investigation have dismissed the spit hood having any role in Edwardโs death. The policy change also now requires deputies to fill out use-of-force reports when spit hoods are deployed. You change it immediately.โBedard said the policy change was almost certainly a result of Edwards' death. It became public only after FLORIDA TODAY brought its lawsuit against the sheriffโs office to release the video. Attorney Birk said the sheriffโs office had no reason to fear making the amendment public would be evidence of wrongdoing.
US Army veteran died in custody after his arrest. Brevard Jail video shows what happened
They did not follow policy that demanded โcontinuousโ monitoring of him once he was strapped in the restraint chair, which can restrict breathing and circulation. In December 2018, Gregory Edwards, a combat veteran with PTSD, was found unresponsive in his jail cell after a fight with deputies. But the jail video tells a story that is not so straight forward. Restraint and neglectPer restraint chair protocol, a deputy controls Edwards' head as he is secured into the chair. Richard Zimmerman, puts it over Edwards' head, but the pepper spray is never removed from Edwards' face.
Video of Gregory Edwards, veteran who died in custody at Brevard jail, to be released
VIERA, Fla. โ The Gregory Edwards video will be made public Friday. Edwards resisted being booked into the Brevard County Jail Complex in Sharpes, leading to an altercation with at least seven deputies. The Sheriffโs Office said its release could endanger the safety of deputies and inmates at the jail. Florida Today filed a lawsuit against the Brevard County Sheriffโs Office in July seeking the video. The agreed-upon video will allow the public to see what happened to Edwards from the moment he entered the Brevard County Jail with only certain security features being redacted.
Public could get to see Gregory Edwards jail video next week
Edwards died Dec. 10, 2018, while in the custody of the sheriffโs office. After failing to get the video through public records requests, FLORIDA TODAY filed a lawsuit against the Brevard County Sheriffโs Office in July seeking the video. The sheriffโs office again refused to release the video, citing security exemptions to the stateโs public records law, saying that the safety of deputies and inmates at the jail was at stake. โIโm at a loss for why thatโs unreasonable.โAttorney Jessica Travis, representing FLORIDA TODAY, expressed frustration at the requested delay. Edwards resisted being booked into the Brevard County Jail Complex in Sharpes, leading to an altercation with at least seven deputies.
Brevard County voters re-elect Republican Sheriff Wayne Ivey
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. โ Republican Wayne Ivey has been declared the winner of the Brevard County sheriff race. The race marks the first time in eight years that Brevard County residents cast their votes for sheriff. Sheriff Wayne Ivey, who was first elected in 2012, faced Democratic challenger Alton Edmond this year after Ivey ran unopposed in 2016. The winnerโs responsibilities will include leading the men and women of the Brevard County Sheriffโs Office, which, according to the agencyโs Twitter, provides law enforcement services to more than 510,000 residents on Floridaโs East Coast, and managing the agencyโs multi-million dollar budget. Hereโs how to track your ballot]Hereโs what you need to know about the candidates:Wayne Ivey (R)Republican incumbent Wayne Ivey has more than 40 years of law enforcement experience in Florida, according to his campaign site.
Brevard jail video of inmate death wonโt be released before Election Day
โThey are making a very reasonable argument that the public needs to know what happened at the jail,โ 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. โAnd then I would look at the response,โ Edmond said. The judge then has to approve the agreement before video can become public.
Brevard sheriff, Florida Today reach tentative agreement for release of Gregory Edwards video
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. โ Attorneys for the Brevard County sheriff and the Florida Today newspaper have reached a tentative agreement for the release of video from inside the Brevard Jail on the day a U.S. combat veteran died while in custody. Gregory Edwards died Dec. 10, 2018, while at the Brevard County Jail Complex in Sharpes. In July, the newspaper sued the Sheriffโs Office for the videoโs release. On Friday, the newspaper and the sheriffโs office attorneys reached a tentative agreement for the release of the video. Outside the hearing Friday, people carried signs and posters calling for the Sheriffโs Office to release the video.
Meet the candidates: Hereโs whoโs running for Brevard County sheriff
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. โ Brevard County voters will decide in the general election whether their current sheriff will serve another term or if theyโd like to give someone else a chance to be their top cop. [LIVE RACE RESULTS: Scroll to bottom of story to see all race returns starting at 7 p.m. on Nov. 3]The race marks the first time in eight years that Brevard County residents will cast their vote for sheriff. Sheriff Wayne Ivey, who was first elected in 2012, is facing Democratic challenger Alton Edmond this year after Ivey ran unopposed in 2016. Hereโs how to track your ballot]Before the November election, get to know more about the two candidates vying for the position. Hereโs what you need to know:Wayne Ivey (R)Republican incumbent Wayne Ivey has more than 40 years of law enforcement experience in Florida, according to his campaign site.
Judge pushes Brevard sheriff, Florida Today to resolve Gregory Edwards video lawsuit
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. โ Days before a scheduled civil trial pitting Florida Today against the Brevard County Sheriffโs 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 sheriffโs office. Attorney Jessica Travis, representing FLORIDA TODAY, accused the sheriffโs office of dragging its feet. Iveyโs refusal to release the video and the subsequent lawsuit is the latest friction in FLORIDA TODAYโS relationship with the sheriff.
US government: Russia, Iran have obtained some voter registration data, aiming to interfere in election
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. โ ***8 p.m. update 10/21/2020***The Associated Press reports Russian and Iran have obtained some voter registration data, the AP report shows the move was made to interfere in the Presidential election. Brevard Supervisor of Elections Lori Scott says she wants to reassure voters that their vote is private, what is public record are the voter registration rolls. โI personally and my fellow supervisors have lobbied to try and protect voters' personal information," Scott said. (WKMG)Flagler County Supervisor of Elections Kaiti Lenhart said voters have notified her office concerning the same intimidation emails. We are committed to making sure every Floridian can vote and every vote is counted," Waibel said.
Teens, 16 and 19, charged in fatal Brevard County shooting
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. โ An adult and a teen have been charged in the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Daniel Ramos, according to Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey. The Sheriffโs Office said the victim went to Mission Bay Apartments in the early hours of July 4 to sell marijuana to the 16-year-old. The Sheriffโs Office said investigators found the gun used in the shooting in a stolen vehicle Ramos-Figueroa was a passenger in on July 7. Ramos-Figueroa and Sugar are both in the Brevard County Jail on a bond of $500,000. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the Sheriffโs Office at 321-633-8413.
Criminal defense attorney on why heโs running for Brevard County sheriff
For the first time in eight years, Brevard County will cast their vote for sheriff. Sheriff Wayne Ivey, who was first elected in 2012, is facing a Democratic challenger this year after running unopposed in 2016. Alton Edmond, a criminal defense attorney, explained why he decided to run for sheriff on โThe Weekly on ClickOrlando.com with Justin Warmoth.โ โAs a public figure itโs important to understand who you answer to and who your bosses are, and those bosses are the taxpayers of Brevard County,โ Edmond said. The incident was caught on jail surveillance, but Sheriff Ivey has not made it public after several requests from the community. โAs sheriff, I will release the Gregory Edwards video,โ Edmond said.
Brevard Jail reports no confirmed active COVID-19 cases, but questions remain
โWe have a lot of people in the jail, a lot of close contact that goes on between not ... only employees but inmates,โ Goodyear said. In the first several months of the Pandemic, from March through July 29 when the first inmate tested positive, just 9 tests had been carried out at the Jail. โThose are tests we may not know about,โ he said, clarifying the any positive cases were certainly reported. This means that 63 tests have been conducted since the first DOH round of testing on Aug. 6. โI canโt guarantee anything in any place with that this virus is is very evident in the community,โ he said.