By-Line: Joseph Bober, FCSO
Man Arrested Following Weapons Disturbance, Another Teen Arrested for Threats over Social Media
Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies made 15 arrests this past weekend between 6 p.m. on Friday, November 22, 2024, and 6 a.m. on Monday, November 25, 2024. Deputies handled 613 calls for service and made 155 traffic stops.
Man Arrested After Breaking into Residence, Throwing Chair During Argument
On Saturday, November 23, deputies responded to a reported disturbance with weapons in the B-Section of Palm Coast.
Upon arrival, deputies heard a verbal argument going on inside the residence. As they approached the open front door, they observed a male holding a chair and heard him yelling threats that he would hit the male victim with the chair. Deputies ordered the male suspect, later identified as Tommy Banks, 38, to put down the chair and come to the front door. After multiple commands, Banks finally complied and was secured by deputies.
Deputies then spoke with the victim, who claimed that Banks, who is also his cousin, arrived at the residence under the influence and kicked in the front door. According to the victim, Banks then began yelling at him and approaching aggressively, causing the victim to retreat to his bedroom, close and lock the door, and call 9-1-1.
However, Banks knocked the door off its hinges and brandished a pocketknife. After a struggle in the hallway, the victim escaped to the kitchen. Banks picked up a chair and threw it at the victim, striking him in the leg and foot. The victim then obtained pepper spray and sprayed Banks just before deputies arrived on the scene.
Deputies then spoke to Banks, who stated that he was attempting to retrieve clothing the victim had washed for him and spend the night. He claimed when he arrived at the residence, nobody answered, leading him to kick the door in. He then stated the argument occurred because the victim did not want him at the house, even though he had spent the night in the past. While speaking with deputies, Banks could not answer why he thought he would be allowed to spend the night since he does not live there.
Banks was arrested for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon without Intent to Kill, Burglary with Assault or Battery, Criminal Mischief – Over $1,000, and Battery (2nd Offense). He was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where he is being held without bond due to a violation of probation from a previous offense.
Tommy Banks (Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility)
Banks has a criminal history, including prior arrests for Aggravated Assault, Home Invasion with a Deadly Weapon, Grand Theft, Racketeering, and Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer.
“This argument got way out of control because, as his prior offenses show, this guy cannot control his temper,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “Now he’s in the Green Roof Inn, where I hope he can learn to control his anger and alcohol.”
Teenager Arrested for Making Threats to Kill on Social Media
On Sunday, November 24, deputies arrested a 14-year-old male for threatening to harm another juvenile male through threatening messages sent on Instagram.
The threats occurred because the victim allegedly owed the suspect money. During a conversation through direct messages on Instagram, the suspect told the victim to meet him and his “hbs” (meaning homeboys) at a location to exchange the money. During the exchange, the suspect told the victim that his homeboys would pistol whip him if he did not provide the money.
Later in the conversation, the suspect also sent photos of himself holding a firearm towards the camera with his face visible in the background. After the victim claimed the gun was fake, the suspect sent a picture of the gun with two loaded magazines.
When deputies made contact with the suspect, he claimed that he had been grounded and was not allowed to have his phone. His parents stated they did not know how or when the messages could have been sent to the victim, as the suspect was in their presence all day without access to his phone and did not believe he would have access to firearms. The parents stated they had owned two firearms, but they were stored in a safe that the suspect did not have access to. However, deputies noticed the suspect was wearing a black headband on his right hand, which was present in the photo sent to the victim.
FCSO detectives responded and obtained a search warrant for the home. The search warrant was served, and additional electronic devices were located and seized.
The 14-year-old male was arrested for Written or Electronic Threats to Commit Bodily Harm and Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device and was transported to the jail for processing. Upon being processed, he was turned over to the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, who later released him to his parents.
“For the second time in a week, we had to arrest a child because they threatened someone on social media,” said Sheriff Staly. “I again urge parents to be the Sheriff in your home and teach your children that threatening to hurt or kill someone is not OK. Make sure they understand there are serious consequences, and they could end up arrested. I commend the parents in this case for trying to discipline an incorrigible youth, but clearly, he found a way to circumvent his parents’ grounding.”
