Inset: Jeffrey Kimmel (Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility). Background: Kimmel”s arrest at a liquor store in Palm Coast, Fla. (Flagler County Sheriff’s Office).
A New York man is behind bars over an alcohol-fueled fracas with deputies in Florida, according to Sunshine State law enforcement.
Jeffrey Kimmel, 38, stands accused of myriad crimes, including one count each of burglary, burglary with assault or battery, resisting an officer with violence, breach of the peace, criminal mischief in an amount over $1,0000, and eight counts of battery on an officer, according to Flagler County Jail records.
Authorities say the defendant hails from the small upstate village of Wappingers Falls in the Empire State – but that the incident occurred at the Sharps Discount Liquors in Palm Coast – a small city located roughly 60 miles southeast of Jacksonville.
Around 2 p.m. on Wednesday, deputies responded to “a verbal disturbance,” but found the words were just the start, according to a press release issued by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
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“While en route, dispatchers informed deputies that a customer with a large knife in his waistband was standing on top of the counter spitting and throwing glass bottles all over the floor,” the press release reads.
Kimmel was allegedly “still on top of the counter” and in an “erratic state” because the clerk refused to sell him more alcohol. Deputies then went on to remove the man from the store.
“While outside the store, Kimmel — whose hands were still bleeding from his earlier outburst — began resisting deputies by violently kicking, screaming, and spitting,” the press release continues. “Due to Kimmel actively spitting blood at deputies who were restraining him, deputies placed a spit mask over his head to protect themselves from his bodily fluids.”
The store clerk said the interaction began innocently enough.
First, the defendant came in to make a purchase of four shots of liquor and left, according to the clerk. Then, Kimmel returned to get more booze. This time, however, the store turned him down.
That denial allegedly set the man off. Kimmel is said to have screamed at the clerk, jumped on the front counter, and started kicking items onto the floor, according to the sheriff’s office.
During this alleged outburst, the clerk and several other customers locked themselves in the back room to wait for help to arrive.
In body-worn camera footage of the ensuing arrest, the defendant initially appears calm.
“We’re just trying to figure out why you were up on the counter,” one deputy says.
To which the man identified as Kimmel responds: “That’s your job to figure out.”
“Alright, bro,” the deputy replies. “As long as you’re cool with us, we’ll be cool with you, bro.”
Moments later, the arrested man replies as he visibly begins to struggle: “Boogie-dee, boogie-dee, boogie-dee. Beat my ass. Pepper spray me. Tase me. Woo. Wee haw. Wee haw. F– you, sir.”
“No,” a deputy responds.
Then the man says: “Do it again. Do it again. I like the rough stuff. I’m gonna bite your hands – and spit on you.”
Then, the man spits.
Next, the man is placed on the pavement and continues to spit at multiple deputies while continuing to verbally address and curse at them. A spit hood is placed on the defendant before he is lifted and put in the back of a patrol car.
Kimmel is currently being detained in the Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility on $236,000 bond.
“This guy must have really wanted another drink, but he found out he’s not in New York, and we won’t tolerate behavior like this in Florida,” Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said. “This individual’s violent outburst placed innocent people in danger and caused significant damage to a local business. Thanks to the actions of our deputies, he was taken into custody before anyone was seriously hurt. He also found out that Florida is not a catch and release state, and if you attack a Deputy Sheriff, we will subdue you and take you to the Green Roof Inn.”
