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PALMBAYPD

Palm Bay Councilman Pete Filiberto arrested with 10.6 grams of Cocaine, Extensive traffic infarctions since 2006

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By Kevin Vaccianna

Update: Mayor Rob Medina request the resignation of Councilman Pete Filiberto:

As Mayor of the City of Palm Bay, I want to share with the members of our community that I encourage Councilman Peter Filiberto to voluntarily resign.
Per Florida Statutes, City Council does not have authority to remove a fellow councilman. At our Regular Council Meeting this Thursday, Council will be discussing sending a letter to the Governor regarding suspension pursuant to Florida Statutes 112.51.
Today the State Attorney’s Office made a filing decision in this case. I want to commend our Palm Bay Police Department for their diligence and professionalism in addressing this matter.
As public officials serving our City, it is incumbent upon us to reflect on how our actions affect those we serve. This situation has cast a shadow over the good work that our City Council and leadership team are accomplishing. It has become a distraction as we conduct our City business. As a City, we are striving every day to serve our citizens in a transparent and accountable manner, and I feel strongly that resignation would be in the best interest of our community.
Please know that I have not come to this decision lightly, and my prayers continue to go out to Pete and his family. I truly hope that he will get the help that he needs to overcome his personal challenges.
Restoring and maintaining the public trust is critically important for our City. Part of restoring the public trust is doing the right thing. In this situation, I believe that voluntary resignation would be the right thing for Pete to do.

Disclaimer: Councilman Pete Filiberto is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

In a probable cause affidavit issued by the Palm Bay City Police Department, Palm Bay City Councilman Peter J Filiberto was arrested on Saturday, February 11, 2023. The inciting incident occurred on Sea Grape Street at 9:05 p.m. when the Palm Bay Police Department attempted to pull Filiberto over for a high rate of speed while driving a motorcycle.

Filiberto was taken into custody for reckless driving when he lost control and fell over on the motorcycle. The affidavit briefly lists what can be described as evasive movements, including accelerated speed in a 25-mile-per-hour zone, running a stop sign, and attempting a U-turn when Filiberto acknowledged the officer’s presence. When Filiberto declined to take a Standardized Field Sobriety Test, he was further charged on suspicion of Driving Under the Influence.

Furthermore, a search of Filiberto’s license shows that his license was suspended in September of 2022 due to failure to pay an outstanding judgment for $134. The search of Filiberto’s history also showed a failure to submit to a previous breath/urine/blood test in 2008 and that he did not have an endorsement on his license to permit him to operate a motorcycle. During a search of Filiberto at booking in the Palm Bay Police Department, a white powdery substance was found in Filiberto’s shoe, and additional white rocks were found in his socks. The total weight of the substances is 10.6 grams, and both tested positive for cocaine.

Total charges listed on the affidavit for Filiberto include reckless driving, driving under the influence, no motorcycle endorsement, refusal to submit (1 Prior), driving with a suspended license (with knowledge), and possession of a controlled substance (10.6 g cocaine). Filiberto was taken to Palm Bay Community Hospital for medical clearance before booking and turned over to the Brevard County Sherriff’s office for secured detention.

Who is Councilman Peter Filiberto?

The Palm Bay City website has a biography summarizing Filiberto as “born and raised in Palm Bay” and a graduate of Bayside High School. He studied political science at Florida International University and is currently a federal contractor working with cybersecurity support and infrastructure for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

Watch our 2020 interview with  Councilman Pete Filiberto

Filiberto’s biography includes a multitude of services to the community, including serving as a dispatcher for the Surfside Police Department, public liaison for the tourist development department, serving on boards including Brevard County’s Planning & Zoning, Brevard County’s Local Planning Agency, and Palm Bay’s Bayfront Community Redevelopment Agency.

Filiberto’s history with Brevard County Courts goes back to sixteen instances since he turned 16 in 2006. Most are minor traffic citations, including not wearing a seatbelt, speeding, and a parking violation with the Honda Motorcycle in June 2020. However, some charges were more severe, including citations for street racing, attaching tags not assigned to vehicles, and driving with a suspended license. For the most part, the citations were reduced to lesser charges such as speeding with penalties including community service or fines, but court records also show that Filiberto has often failed to pay fines, including his 2021 judgment for $134; the failure to pay resulted in a suspended license. Brevard County court records also show that this is the third DUI arrest for Filiberto, dating back to February of 2008, shortly after he turned 20 years old. The records show he received nine months of probation, completed DUI school, served fifty hours of community service, and paid over $750 in fines for the offense. His second arrest for DUI resulted from a boating incident in May 2019, where the minutes show the case was disposed and the court waived the $500 civil penalty.

In 2020, Filiberto made his first run at Palm Bay City Council Seat 2. He was defeated by Donny Felix, who now serves as Deputy Mayor. In a May 2022 special election, Filiberto was placed in seat 5 on City Council, and in the scheduled election of November 2022, Filiberto won unchallenged as the incumbent for seat 5. Palm Bay City council is composed of a total of five city council seats.

What’s next for Palm Bay City Council?

Palm Bay Live reminds readers that all suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. As Filiberto faces many charges, he will be allowed to continue serving his four-year term in the community as a Palm Bay City Councilman.

Palm Bay City policy addresses vacancies for City Council in Section 3.06 of City Statutes. Section 3.062 specifically addresses forfeiture from office as such:

“If, during the term of office, the state commission on ethics finds that a councilmember has violated any provision of this charter or is found guilty by a judge or jury or pleads guilty or nolo contendere to any felony or a crime involving moral turpitude whether or not adjudication is withheld, such councilmember shall be deemed to have forfeited his office. Forfeiture of such office shall be affirmed and ratified by a resolution duly adopted by the other members of the city council.”

Filiberto is set to serve on the Palm Bay city council until 2026. If Filiberto is removed from office a special election to find a replacement would be necessary. The next Palm Bay City Council meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 16, 2023, at 6 p.m. The agenda packet is linked here.

Disclaimer: Councilman Pete Filiberto is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

PALMBAYPD

Palm Bay Police Activity

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Palm Bay Police-

Update 11:05pm | There is no longer a threat to the public. The scene is secure and the victim is in stable condition at a local hospital. We appreciate the community’s patience and assistance.
 
 
There is a large police presence in the area of Malabar Rd and Eldron Blvd in response to a shooting investigation. We’re asking citizens to be on the look out for a white male, 40 years old, with a full beard, dark shirt and jeans. He may be on foot and should be considered armed and dangerous. If you see this male do not approach him, please call 911.
PALMBAYPD

2 teenagers found dead at the Compound in Palm Bay

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Palm Bay-

Official Police news release:

On December 25, 2022, at approximately 2030 hrs., officers responded to the area known as “the Compound” in the southwest section of Palm Bay after a citizen called in reference to a report of a deceased body found in the wood line.  On arrival, it was determined the deceased suffered from at least one gunshot wound.  A second deceased body was located suffering from gunshot wounds as well.  Both victims were juveniles, ages 14 and 16 years old.  The families have requested their names and information not be released under Marsy’s Law. 

 

All available resources are being dedicated to finding the motives and person(s) responsible for this crime. 

 

This is an ongoing and active investigation.  Anyone with information is urged to call the Palm Bay Police Department at 321-952-3456, or contact Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS. 

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City of Palm Bay Executes Purchase Contract for Pelican Harbor Marina

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PALM BAY, FLORIDA – On Friday, August 6th, City staff joined Mike Timmons from Space Coast Marinas, LLC to execute the purchase contract of the three parcels known as Pelican Harbor Marina located on Dixie Highway in the Bayfront area in Palm Bay.
 
Space Coast Marinas submitted a counteroffer of $1.7 million to purchase the Marina for the development of a dry dock boat storage and service facility, boat launch and wash service, boat club, ship store, tiki bar with an outdoor entertainment venue, restaurant, and retail amenities to include a valet service. Space Coast Marinas intends to renovate the existing marina slips and construct and maintain a public boardwalk along the waterfront. Space Coast Marinas anticipates the overall capital investment for this development project to be at least $10-12 million and create approximately 302 new jobs. The developer has also purchased two privately owned parcels, a vacant 0.37-acre site located at 4200 Dixie Highway NE, and has under contract the Bait & Tackle located at the southwest corner of Dixie Highway and Pospisil Avenue NE.
 
Under current plans, the buyer will retain Paddling Paradise, which is currently in a month-to-month lease with the City to operate out of the existing 1600 SF facility at 4220 Dixie Highway NE. Paddling Paradise has offered kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals and tours at this site for nearly two years, generating ecotourism to Turkey Creek and the Indian River along Palm Bay’s bayfront. “This is an exciting development project for the City,” said Joan Junkala-Brown, Deputy City Manager. “The proposed development will add value to what currently exists and further create an environment for residents and visitors to gather, eat, shop, and listen to live music whether arriving by boat or vehicle. This project will encourage further redevelopment of the area and hopefully serve as a catalyst to implement the City’s vision for a Bayfront Village, a quaint waterfront downtown district for the community to enjoy.”
mccormick

Recall Alert-McCormick & Company recall 3 of its seasoning due to possible Salmonella contamination.

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McCormick & Company, Inc. is initiating a voluntary recall of McCormick Perfect Pinch Italian Seasoning, McCormick Culinary Italian Seasoning and Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Ranch Seasoning due to possible contamination with Salmonella.

Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

The four products subject to this recall include:

McCormick Perfect Pinch Italian Seasoning 1.31 oz bottle
UPC NUMBER: 052100049731
MCCORMICK ITEM NUMBER: 901582629
AFFECTED DATE CODES: BEST BY MAY 26 24 K, BEST BY MAY 27 24 K, BEST BY JUN 04 24 K, BEST BY JUN 05 24 K

McCormick Perfect Pinch Italian Seasoning 2.25 oz bottle
UPC NUMBER: 052100038254
MCCORMICK ITEM NUMBER: 901455463
AFFECTED DATE CODES: BEST BY JUN 30 24 H, BEST BY JUL 01 24 H

McCormick Culinary Italian Seasoning 1.75 lbs. bottle
UPC NUMBER: 52100325743
MCCORMICK ITEM NUMBER: 932574
AFFECTED DATE CODES: BEST BY Jun 12 24 H

Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Ranch Seasoning 153g bottle
UPC NUMBER: 066200021047
MCCORMICK ITEM NUMBER: 901543520
AFFECTED DATE CODES: BB / MA 2022 SEP 06

The four products were shipped to the following locations:

SHIPPING DATES: June 20, 2021 through July 21, 2021
STATES SHIPPED TO: AL, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WI
INTERNATIONALLY SHIPPED TO: Bermuda, Canada

The potential risk was brought to McCormick’s attention by FDA during routine testing. This recall affects cases that were shipped of the affected date codes.

McCormick has alerted customers and grocery outlets to remove the product with the affected date codes from store shelves and distribution centers immediately, and to destroy this product in a manner that would prevent any further consumption

Consumers do not need to return the product to the store where it was purchased. Instead, consumers are urged to dispose of the recalled product and its container. Please contact McCormick Consumer Affairs at 1-800-635-2867, weekdays from 9:30 AM to 8:00 PM (Eastern Time), for a replacement or full refund, and with general inquires.

Jerkchicken

Business of the Month: Palm Bay’s JamRock Grill Offers Authentic Jamaican and Caribbean Fare

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Hungry for a taste of the Caribbean right here in Palm Bay, or maybe you’ve always wanted to try traditional favorites like Jerk Chicken or Pork, Curried Goat of Chicken, Oxtail, and then wash it down with one of Jamaica’s traditional sodas or juices? Then you should definitely try Palm Bay’s JamRock Grill, a casual restaurant with a laid back and friendly Caribbean vibe, where you can find all of your favorites and maybe discover some new ones. We spoke with JamRock’s owners Garth and Michelle Williams via telephone to learn more about them and their restaurant. 

What brought you to Palm Bay?

“We were in Washington D.C. and we wanted a better place for our kids to grow up. My wife’s family was here, and when I visited, I fell in love with Palm Bay! And I knew this was a good place to do business,” Garth said.

Where did the idea for JamRock come from?

“We opened a music venue called Sugar Kane Lounge, and I grew tired of the party scene, and I had always wanted to open a place where people could come and enjoy good, authentic jamaican food. So I went back to the drawing board and we opened JamRock.” Garth explained.

Tell us about your menu, which items are most popular, and if there are any secret or family recipes?

Mr Williams explained that he’s always loved cooking and that all of the recipes are his own that he has put together over the years. Michelle added, “The most popular item we’re doing right now is the Jerk Chicken. Garth loves to grill, and we put the chicken on the grill outside so it gets that smokiness and tastes just like the chicken you would get in Jamaica. And people love our signature rum punch.” “I do the chicken on authentic Jamaican Jerk drum like it’s supposed to be, and the oxtail and the Curry Chicken are popular, too. The restaurant is a few blocks from Winn-Dixie, and people walking to Winn-Dixie smell the chicken and come into the restaurant!” Garth said.

How would you describe the vibe/atmosphere of JamRock Grill?

“The vibe is a love vibe, the colors are the colors of the Jamaican flag, and I love the look of wood, and it’s pretty much my design. The atmosphere is really good, and when you walk into JamRock you just feel love, and we get a lot of compliments on our customer service,” Mr. Williams said. Said Mrs. Williams, “Our daughter is our head cashier and she is really good at customer service, which we really strive for. We want people to leave smiling.”

What’s running a business in Palm Bay like, have you been well received by the community?

Garth answered, “I love my community and Palm Bay is a great place to run the kind of business that I am running. The people that I meet, all kinds of people from different cultures, and I get to talk to them, that’s really special for me. So yes, Palm Bay is definitely a great place for the kind of business we have. The majority of our clients are not from the Caribbean, we have a very diverse clientele.”

You opened your current location in July of 2020, during the heart of COVID. What was that like?

“It actaully gave me a lot of time to think and reflect on my plan. We were going so fast before the pandemic and then the pandemic hit really slowed us down. The slow time really helped to clear my mind and focus on the plan and the things that I could control,” Mr. Williams explained.

What’s in the future for JamRock Grill?

Garth explained. “We definitely want to expand and put in a full bar in, maybe bring in Caribbean  comedians and bands for live entertainment, and we really want to turn this into a Caribbean sports bar where folks can come in and watch their soccer or football or cricket or whatever, and drink some beer and shoot some pool. We want to expand what we offer so people will want to come for a happy hour and just enjoy themselves, maybe have some rum punch and good food. When I get this one just the way we want it, we definitely want to open the next location and we are thinking about franchising.”

JamRock Grill

160 Malabar Rd SW

Palm Bay, FL 32907

321 327-3036

http://jamrockgrillorder.com/

https://www.facebook.com/Jamrockgrill.321/

jamrockgrillinc@gmail.com

jamrock
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oaxtail
currychicken
patty
Counter
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Palm Bay Set to Consider Changes to Ordinance for City Council Vacancies

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7.14.2021- New update- Our city clerk has just confirm that the cost for the special election will be $253,628.04

Palm Bay- A change to the method by which Palm Bay fills vacant Council seats will be considered at the City of Palm Bay Regular Council meeting on Thursday, July 15, taking place in Council Chambers beginning at 7:00 P.M. The proposed change calls for vacant council seats to be filled by a majority vote of Council members rather than a special election, as the ordinance currently calls for.

This amendment to Chapter 50, Elections, of the City Code, was proposed by and the result of a collaboration of the Palm Bay Charter Officers, according to Terese Jones, Palm Bay City Clerk. According to Ms. Jones, the cost of the election to replace outgoing Councilman Jeff Bailey is unknown at this time.

 

For additional information about Thursday’s Regular Council meeting and to download the meeting agenda, click https://www.palmbayflorida.org/government/agendas-minutes/-folder-6003#docan1526_8367_2078

Kearse

West Melbourne-Violent Double Robbery Suspect in Custody

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West Melbourne-Randall Keith Kearse was arrested this afternoon after a crime spree through West Melbourne and Melbourne today. Just after 10AM, Kearse entered the Walmart on Palm Bay Rd and filled up two carts of merchandise totaling over $1,500.00. He then exited the store without paying and was confronted by an employee. After a brief struggle over the merchandise, Kearse punched the employee and leaves prior to police arriving.

Unable to leave with the merchandise, Kearse made his way to the Home Depot on US 192. Once at the store, Kearse again selected multiple items and attempts to leave the without paying. A Home Depot associate identified Kearse due to his priors and attempted to stop him from leaving with the merchandise. Kearse once again became violent. He punched a 74 year old female cashier, knocking her to the ground and stabbed another associate with a screw driver. He then is seen getting into a white 4 door vehicle and leaving the area. Officers from West Melbourne, Melbourne and Brevard Sheriff’s Office conducted an extensive search for Kearse and the vehicle. Kearse then went to the Best Buy in Melbourne where he was able to steal several high dollar pieces of electronics and fled the area. Just before 12:30PM, the vehicle and Kearse were located by Melbourne Police department on Reddick St. where Kearse was taken into custody.

West Melbourne Police have charged Kearse with armed robbery, robbery, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, two counts of felony battery, grand theft, resisting a merchant and violation of probation. He will be held at the Brevard County Jail on no bond.

Kearse has an extensive criminal history in Brevard County:

Attempted Robbery Burglary Felony Battery
Grand Theft (Multiple)
Dealing in Stolen Property
Giving False Verification of Ownership to Pawnbroker
Violation of State Probation (Multiple) Violation of State Community Control
Criminal Mischief Retail Theft (Multiple) Trespass Fail Leave Property Upon Warning By Owner
Driving while License Suspended (Multiple)
Resisting Arrest without Violence (Multiple)

Andre Hutchinas

West Melbourne-Murder on Columbia Lane

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West Melbourne– During the late evening hours of Friday, June 26th a large party of 50 to 100 people gathered near the end of Columbia Lane. While at the party, Gregory Stefan Alan Barr II (07/08/1994) and another individual engaged in a verbal argument which escalated to Barr pulling a knife and placing it to the individual’s throat.

Andre Deloria Hutchinas (11/27/2001) went over in an attempt to break up the altercation. That is when Barr turned the knife towards Hutchinas. Hutchinas punched Barr striking him in the face. Barr then retrieved a Glock 19 9MM handgun from his waistband and shot Hutchinas one time, striking him in the neck.

West Melbourne Officers, with the assistance of Brevard County Sheriff’s Office responded the area. Upon arrival Barr surrendered to Officers and was taken into custody. Hutchinas was taken to a local hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. Barr was arrested and charged with Second Degree Murder and Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. He is currently being held at the Brevard County Jail on no bond status. 

Watch the video of the arrest here:

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Brevard County Association of Chiefs of Police Annual Award Winners

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PALM BAY, FLORIDA – On behalf of the Brevard County Association of Chiefs of Police, Chief Nelson Moya, current president of the association, announced the winners of the 2020 Officer of the Year and 2020 Communications Officer of the Year. The awards ceremony was held yesterday, June 23rd, 2021.

 
The 2020 Officer of the Year was presented to Melbourne Police Department’s Detective Jennifer Frost.
 
The 2020 Communications Officer of the Year was presented to Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Communications Officer Monica Mahl.
 

For more information on those award recipients, please contact their respective agency directly.

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