Man Arrested for Allegedly Swinging Rifle in Streets of West Flagler County

BUNNELL – 72 year-old Manuel Almeida was arrested in the Mondex this week for allegedly swinging a rifle in the streets, in view of passing motorists. The incident occurred around Mahogany Blvd, when the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office received several 911 calls about what Almeida appeared to be doing. According to the FCSO’s report, a deputy located Almeida and demanded that he drop the gun. She yelled the command at him repeatedly, as shown in the bodycam footage below, apparently to no avail. He is said to have fired a shot into the air during the exchange, with the deputy readying her own AR-15 in case the situation became dangerous. Eventually deputies arrested Almeida and recovered the .22 caliber rifle from the grass on the side of the road. Almeida was charged with six felonies for the incident: criminal mischief under $200 with previous conviction, open carry of a weapon, discharging a firearm in public, using a weapon during a felony, and two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was additionally charged with a misdemeanor count of resisting an officer without violence. Prior to this latest incident, Almeida was convicted of lewd assault/sexual battery on a victim under 16, and burglary of an occupied conveyance in 1997, earning him a sex offender designation. Additional charges may still come according to police. Almeida has been at the county jail since Thursday morning, and his bond is listed at $54,500. “DFC Prevatt showcased the extensive training our Deputies go through to diffuse a hostile situation while using the physical and virtual equipment available to them to ensure the safety of themselves, other Deputies, and the public,” said Sheriff Rick Staly of the incident. “I also commend the citizens that called in ‘seeing something, saying something’ of the subject’s reckless behavior. The actions of our deputies and the callers likely prevented a more serious incident from occurring.” The following bodycam footage was provided by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office. Be advised of strong language and intense circumstances.