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, aged 38, is facing multiple charges, which include burglary, burglary with assault or battery, resisting an officer with violence, disturbing the peace, criminal mischief over $1,000, and eight counts of battery on an officer. These details are documented in the Flagler County Jail records.
Officials report that Kimmel originates from the small upstate village of Wappingers Falls in New York. However, the incident took place at Sharps Discount Liquors in Palm Coast, a small city situated about 60 miles southeast of Jacksonville.
At approximately 2 p.m. on Wednesday, deputies responded to reports of “a verbal disturbance,” only to find that the situation was more serious than it initially appeared, as noted in a press release from the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
“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 onto the floor,” the press release details.
Kimmel was reportedly “still on top of the counter” and behaving erratically because the clerk refused to sell him additional alcohol. Deputies subsequently proceeded to escort him 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.”
