A New York man is facing serious charges in Florida after what police described as a violent, alcohol-fueled meltdown inside a liquor store that ended with him spitting blood at deputies. The bizarre outburst, which alarmed customers and staff, left a trail of chaos before deputies managed to restrain and arrest him.
Charges Against the Suspect
The Flagler County Jail confirmed that 38-year-old Jeffrey Kimmel, from Wappingers Falls, New York, has been charged with:
Burglary
Burglary with assault or battery
Resisting an officer with violence
Breach of the peace
Criminal mischief (over $1,000)
Eight counts of battery on an officer
His bond has been set at $236,000.
What Sparked the Outburst
The incident took place at Sharps Discount Liquors in Palm Coast, Florida, around 2 p.m. on Wednesday.
According to deputies, Kimmel first bought four shots of liquor and left. When he returned for more alcohol, the clerk refused to sell to him. That’s when he allegedly erupted in anger—climbing onto the counter, spitting, and throwing glass bottles across the store.
The clerk and several customers locked themselves in a back room while waiting for police to arrive.
Deputies Confront the Suspect
When deputies arrived, Kimmel was still standing on the counter in an “erratic state.” After being escorted outside, he allegedly began kicking, screaming, and spitting blood at deputies, injuring his hands in the earlier rampage.
To protect themselves, deputies placed a spit mask over his head.
Bodycam Footage Released
Body-worn camera footage shows the encounter starting calmly, with deputies asking why Kimmel had been on the counter. At first, he responded with sarcasm, but soon began shouting bizarre phrases like:
“Boogie-dee, boogie-dee, boogie-dee. Beat my ass. Pepper spray me. Tase me.”
“Do it again. Do it again. I like the rough stuff. I’m gonna bite your hands – and spit on you.”
He then spat on deputies multiple times before being forced to the ground and taken into custody.
Sheriff’s Response
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly praised his deputies for stopping Kimmel before anyone was seriously hurt.
“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,” Staly said. “If you attack a Deputy Sheriff, we will subdue you and take you to the Green Roof Inn.”
What began as a denied liquor sale turned into a dangerous confrontation, ending with multiple felony charges for Jeffrey Kimmel. His actions not only put deputies at risk but also left a business damaged and customers terrified. With his high bond and long list of charges, he is now likely to spend significant time behind bars.
