January 25, 2016 update: The charges against Rick de Yampert were dropped on Jan. 20, 2016.
Rick de Yampert, for 23 years a reporter and columnist covering arts and culture for the Daytona Beach News-Journal until his move to FlaglerLive in the same capacity this fall, was arrested on Christmas Eve on charges of domestic battery and false imprisonment.
The incident took place at de Yampert’s Kannapolis Place home in Palm Coast in early morning hours. It followed an argument with his 31-year-old step-daughter that started over the posting of a family image of de Yampert’s late wife, his step-daughter’s mother, on Facebook. he and his step-daughter, visiting from Germany, were spending their first Christmas without his wife, who died of cancer in April.
His step-daughter, according to a Flagler County Sheriff’s report on the arrest, told deputies that after she got upset over the posting, he “began to raise his voice loudly and point his finger in her face, which scared her, at which time she grabbed a laptop cord out of fear.” The two then began to fight over the cord when he allegedly “pushed her to the ground in his living room and restrained her to the ground against her will.” She told police that she “tried grabbing everything she could, causing her to knock down several things in the hallway.”
He told police he got upset when his step-daughter grabbed his laptop, which he described as his livelihood, and that he had restrained his step-daughter “because she was destroying everything in his home and he wanted his laptop back.”
When deputies arrived the alleged victim declined shelter at a safe house, saying she felt safe at the house, and said she hadn’t intended for her step-father to be arrested. De Yampert was taken to the Flagler County jail and held the rest of the morning on $5,000 bond, which he posted by mid-afternoon. He subsequently described the incident on his Facebook page as making it “a traumatic, horrifying and utterly heartbreaking Christmastime.”
A long career in journalism aside—he covered music for the Tennessean in Nashville before joining the News-Journal in 1992—de Yampert is also a professional musician who plays sitar, among a half dozen instruments, and performs regularly across Central Florida. The Volusia County Council declared last Nov. 18 Rick de Yampert Day “for his enduring contributions to arts and culture.”
Bc says
Sounds to me this guy is getting a raw deal. They should have arrested her she took his property and started to trash his house. Yea the men always get taken 90 percent of the time. when the woman knows that when they call 911 They usely lock up the guy. SHAME!!!
groot says
A stressful time for all. I hope it works out for this family.
scott says
What surprises me is the “in depth” account of the incident and no arrest of his stepdaughter.
Outsider says
It’s hard to tell what happened other than he said she said. It sounds like an unfortunate situation between two people under an enormous amount of stress at what is normally an emotional time of year to begin with. Hopefully they can work this out.
Sandie says
This is just wrong and I agree with the above comment from Bc.
THE VOICE OF REASON says
Grabbing at everything she could, which is why items were broken in the hallway.
What a load of crap! The incident began where his laptop was, not in the hallway. My guess is she starting breaking **** on her way out the door, and THAT is when he restrained her, to protect his possessions.
PJ says
The man just lost his wife and she lost her mother AND it is the holidays a stressful time for families that may be having struggles.
It is still very sad for them both.
Gkimp says
I’ll defer to the Deputies who were actually in scene.
confidential says
I agree with BC too. Why to take this man to jail…maybe they should have both taken to jail or none. After all the lady was a guest on this man’s house and she was damaging things?. For sure I can understand that the laptop is the very tool this man can’t afford to have damaged or destroyed as he makes his living as a writer with it…very sad event.
Anita says
Although I never met him, I remember reading and enjoying Mr. de Yampert’s reviews in the News Journal. Sorry to learn of his wife’s passing, but I have to agree with Outsider that it seems as though this first Christmas without this central figure in their lives left emotions raw. I feel for both Rick and his step-daughter and hope that they can get past this and honor her memory as a family.
Dave says
Her words against his words. Sounds like they both were a little out of control based on their statements.
CL says
He was arrested because in this state they have privatized prisons and they are required to fill them up to at least 85% capacity or face hefty taxpayer fines. The german daughter should have respected his property and his posting of his late wife and her late mother in honor. Sounds like she should just go back home to Germany.
Anonymous says
The law is the law….Don’t take the law in your own hands if you don’t want the consequences.
footballen says
It must completely suck for this to have happened in the first place but then to have it posted up out here for all to see and chat about has to be worse than anything other than the loss of his wife. I feel dirty for even commenting yet here I am.
Geezer says
Mr. De Yampert: I hope you salvage your holiday season.
I think that you may have gotten the short end of the stick.
Viel Glück!
Sandie says
I totally agree Geezer. I don’t think this citizen should have been arrested. And to Mr De Yampert…Call Atty. Tanner.
Pat Patterson says
Man wrongfully charged. It was his house and she was destroying his possessions. He had the right to protect his property. Sad situation for all.
layla says
Good luck to both. You have much to work out. Hope that you get the help that you need.
Gee eye says
Attorney tanner and or lambert…
Anonymous says
HIS home HIS stuff damaged or broken and HE gets arrested???