A Flagler County Sheriff’s corrections deputy was hospitalized Friday afternoon after being assaulted and beaten by two inmates at the Flagler County jail. The agency is not releasing the deputy’s name, citing the provision of Marcy’s Law that protects the identities of victims of crime.
One of the alleged assailants is Marion Gavins, the 20-year-old man facing a first-degree murder charge in the shooting death of 18-year-old Curtis Gray in April 2019 in Palm Coast.
The other is Carlos Dupree, 34, arrested last December, when he was on federal probation out of St. Louis, Mo., on charges of home invasion robbery with a firearm, grand theft, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment, resisting arrest and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The Friday incident resulted in new charges for both men: aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, depriving an officer of means of protection or communication, and resisting an officer with violence, all felonies.
The incident took place at 1:23 p.m. Friday.
Both men were being prepared for a meeting and had requested to bring religious items with them. They were allowed to do so, but had to go through the normal procedure of having the items searched first. Gavins submitted to the search. But Dupree would not allow the deputy to search his Koran, though the deputy told him the search was necessary if Dupree was to carry the book with him. When the deputy reached for the book, “Dupree, with his free hand violently shoves [the deputy] away from him to prevent him from taking the” book, Dupree’s arrest report states.
A violent encounter followed, Gavins jumped in, shoving the deputy against a wall, and the deputy was struck at least 25 times, according to Sheriff Rick Staly, who reviewed the video. The arrest reports state he was struck in the head, losing consciousness and the ability to defend himself for a brief moment. He’d attempted to reach for his radio but the violence of the blows prevented him from doing so.
“These are both very violent offenders that our deputies feed them, they take care of them, and they didn’t appreciate it,” Staly said this morning. “The deputy was just doing his job, and they attacked him.”
“Dupree and Gavins struck [the deputy] so many times and with such force that [the deputy]’s duty belt became unsecured from his person, further preventing him from calling for emergency assistance,” the arrest report states. “During the attack, Dupree was yelling ‘Allahu Akbar!’ with each blow that he delivered to [the deputy]. Deputy Meyer eventually heard the attack taking place and was able to render assistance in taking the two subjects into custody. However, even with Deputy Meyer’s assistance Gavins continued to resist the deputies by continuously striking [the deputy] in his back and the right side of his head with his closed fist.”
Myers “did a great job getting both inmates under control as other deputies were responding to the cell block. This was a very violent encounter,” Staly said. He said the deputy was in his right to search the books, which can be hollowed out and used to carry weapons. Muslims consider the Koran holy and have protocols about its handling.
“I don’t care what an inmate thinks, I’m going to follow the law, and the law says that we have the right to search their belongings,” Staly said. “It doesn’t matter to me what the hell book it is, it could be a Bible , it could be a Koran, it could be one of these romance novels, we’re going to search it. It is very well known that inmates hollow out books and hide contraband out, and it doesn’t matter if it’s a Bible, a Koran, or what it is, what a great way to try to hide something, to try to hide behind your religious rights.” Staly said he expanded religious rights at the jail since becoming sheriff, but would not jeopardize safety over such rights.
Staly said video footage of the encounter will not be released. He cited an exemption in law that allows footage not to be released if it reveals security procedures. “This shows a significant portion of the security operation inside the jail,” he said.
The deputy was transported to AdventHealth Palm Coast. “It’s very fortunate the deputy was not more seriously injured,” Staly said. “He does have some injuries consistent with a violent attack.” The sheriff said physicians reported he may have had a slight concussion. The deputy was released after a series of tests and was recovering at home. He’ll be out for a few days, depending on doctors’ determinations. The inmates were not injured either during the confrontation with the deputy or subsequent to their arrest, Staly said. “These two violent offenders were just trying to test the system, and they lost, and I was very fortunate that the deputy was not more seriously hurt,” he said.
Dupree had been on federal probation out of St. Louis, Mo., where he’d been convicted on felony and gun charges. He was to be on federal probation until early 2023. His listed address at the time was 4612 San Francisco Avenue in St. Louis.
The earlier charges were the result of an incident involving two teens (16 and 15) and Dupree who’d allegedly invaded a Palm Coast house on Prospect Lane, robbed several residents then fled in a car that crashed at Palm Coast Parkway and Colbert Lane. The incident at the house allegedly involved violence by the assailants against the residents and threats of shooting them. At least one gunshot was fired. (Depree’s arrest report listed four assailants.) Two handguns were later recovered from bushes as sheriff’s deputies arrested the two boys and Dupree. (See details here.)
Inevitably when encounters between law enforcement and individuals, in jail, prison or elsewhere, involves religious items, expression or symbolism, the incident potentially takes on a different cast–the more so when those involved are Muslims, given the ideologically fraught atmosphere of the last two decades and the association of Allahu Akbar-type exclamations in the middle of violent encounters with militancy. Regarding Friday’s incident, Staly said: “I’m absolutely convinced my deputy did everything by the book and followed the procedures. The deputies’ actions were professional. The inmates’ actions were violent. They brought this on themselves.”
Back the Blue, Green, Gray, Yellow says
This is what happens when the leader of the jail cares more for the inmates then his CO’s. I have friends that are more like family that work in there and I couldn’t tell you how many times they call me to vent because of the wardens actions. There was another attack no more then a month ago on a female CO. What will it take to make a change. Unfortunately a CO got hurt badly but maybe this will make the Sheriff look into his leader at the jail. Please fix the problem before theirs another name on the memorial wall.
oldtimer says
So who still thinks defunding the police is a good idea?
NY says
And who thought enslaving people was a good idea?
Keep Flagler Beautiful says
You’re about 160 years late with that comment.
MikeM says
People have been enslaved for thousands of years. Reda your history. Ans what does this have to do with CO’s getting beat up ?
Whathehck? says
It means reallocating funds toward underfunded social services. It then means that the police will not have to spend so much time and resources when confronted with a mental case. It does not mean dismantling the police and it would have no bearing on this incident involving 2 criminals. All the best for the CO fast recovery.
Steve says
Trying to compare apples to oranges nice try
Mattie says
Maybe more funds should be allocated to train as to how to properly handle such situations. Two known violent criminals should not have such freedom to bring ANYTHING to a meeting except themselves. SIMPLE!!
OrganizedBrainwashingNeedsTaxation says
Would he have searched it if it was a Bible? He searched it because it was a Koran. Bible beaters are just as violent. Bombing abortion clinics. Following behind their false deity named Trump. In the minds of many Koran=terrorist. Xenophobic much?
I’ve read the Koran, like I’ve read the Bible, like I’ve studied Buddha, and Hindu, and Judaism. I’ve read the book of Enoch and the Gnostic Gospels. They’re all the same. Every one tells the same general stories. They all talk of a great flood. They all have rules. The only difference is Enoch and the Gnostics talk of a loving God that wanted to protect humans not the vengeful God in books put together by Emperor Constantine and King James.
There’s a reason they left those books out — they preach love and tolerance and happiness. Can’t control people and instill fear in them if they know God loves them no matter what and that God wants people to love all people and animals regardless of who they are. That’s not the narrative that best controls the minds of people. Until you read all religious texts you’ll never understand how they’re all connected and really one in the same.
Coyote says
“Would he have searched it if it was a Bible?”
Yes, because it was a BOOK … and books can be used to hide contraband. Any book is searched.
“I’ve read the Koran, like I’ve read the Bible,” – but you obviously haven’t read the news article – “Both men were being prepared for a meeting and had requested to bring religious items with them. They were allowed to do so, but had to go through the *normal* procedure of having the items searched first.”
You are preaching at the wrong pulpit .. please move along
Resident says
What?? It’s a shame you didn’t read the article.
Don says
Read it again sir. They both took religious items. First guy submitted to the search without resistance. I Wish people would stop the BS. They are wrong no matter what. I pray for a speedy recovery for the Deputy.
Fund Blue says
I hope these two attend many “special” meetings to correct their behavior and radical Islamic ways in the near future deep within the walls of the Green Roof Inn.
Old Guy says
Both inmates should be placed in 23hr segregation for the maximum time allowed or in the case of the older inmate the rest of the time held at FCIF.
blondee says
Shouldn’t handcuffs be in use anytime inmates are being moved through the facility??
Anonymous says
Yes especially with high risk dirt bags. But new leader new ways.
Steve says
One would think so especially with a violent past. If not I bet they will now.
We the People says
I don’t care if the pieces of sh*t where in jail or on the street. Using the muslim “cry of death” should be understood as an ENEMY COMBATANT against America……….. And with that being said, should be ERADICATED with EXTREME PREJUDICE !!!
GoneButNotForgotten says
It’s always been like that. I used to work there. Got a walker thrown in my face, punched the guy back ONCE, was accused of excessive force, put on six month investigation, then forced to resign. I was told before I left it will only get worse, and it has. They work you to the bone, then throw you out when you are tired of being a “Do Boy”, or fight back. Now one of my brothers/sisters in arms is in a damn hospital because an inmate has more right to beat us down than we do defending ourselves. Over a book. It hurts to see this crap n the paper!
Trailer Bob says
Thanks for the personal insight.
Welcome to the world of “black is white” and “left is right”.
GoneButNotForgotten says
The treatment of both CO and Inmate was, and probably still is, that of manure on the bottom of one’s shoe. It all falls on the leadership up top, as it should. All they care about are putting more road deputies on the road, (God bless them and protect them), and fewer rules in the jail to handle the overflow. They don’t have enough help there, and the administration does not care. When I was there, leadership showed up once in a blue moon just to save face. Might as well be Biden in there. FYI, there must have been another secret policy change because those inmates should have been restrained before all that happened. It’s sad to say, but that CO had no chance with how that jail is run. I’m willing to bet money…screw it my right hand, that he got hurt because he had to follow some stupid new rule, and a hospital visit was his reward. Meanwhile, the leaders are safe up in Mount Olympus Crime has gone down thanks to our brothers and sisters on the road, but the ones who are tasked to keep them contained off CAMERA AND FACEBOOK, never have their voices heard. All you see are the results in the paper when they get hurt or fired.
Charlie Hoarse says
Nothing to do with religion. Just animals not liking being told what to do.
Surprised to hear about an officer being isolated like that.
Lance Carroll says
Without the release of video/audio of incident, we the public cannot derive any reasonable conclusion to the accusations within this article. I did not read anything in this article that outlines the search of the said reading material. Was there a search of the reading material that is worthy of being reported on? Was any contraband, within reading material, discovered? Can we please have a report of this Correction Officer’s evaluations, during his entire career as a Corrections Officer? Again, the lack of release of video/audio footage is, at least, lacking transparency. Although, what do I know?
She knows best says
Exactly! There are always two sides to every story, but the truth would be told w the video.
Steve says
These two low lifes have nothing to lose knowing that their time is up and the chance at being free again are slim to none. I take great pleasure knowing Gavin will get his due here shortly. Hoping the CO has a quick complete recovery.
Mark says
Sounds like officer made some mistakes here. Must have been a rookie.
Skibum says
There is an obvious security issue at the jail that needs to be addressed to improve the safety of detention deputies when an incident of this nature occurs. Just look at the reported incident: 2 violent felony inmates in an area inside the jail with only 1 detention deputy? The detention deputy was outnumbered by allowing those violent offenders within striking distance of him, which they took full advantage of. It is a miracle that he didn’t receive more serious injuries! I hope that this incident results in a comprehensive review of policies and procedures inside the jail as they pertain to the safety and security of the jail and more specifically to staff safety. Those inmates could, and should have been handled individually, their property searched separately without both being unrestrained with only one detention deputy there to try to protect himself against 2 violent felony inmates. While I fully support our law enforcement, I have to say come on Sheriff Staley, you must ensure your staff are protected better than that inside the jail environment, so a review and update of safety protocols are warranted to minimize the potential for a repeat of that type of violent encounter that caused one of your jail staff to be hospitalized.
Mythoughts says
Why aren’t there camera’s that could have picked this up sooner before a Deputy got severely beaten? Something wrong with this picture.
ASF says
Nice to see that these inmates know so much about what the Koran really teaches. NOT.
k says
Fight in the cause of God those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for God loves not transgressors. And slay them wherever you catch them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out; for tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter. . . But if they cease, God is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful. . . If they cease, let there be no hostility except to those who practice oppression” (2:190-193).