Flagler County Detention Deputy Hospitalized After Being Beaten By Inmates

Bunnell, FL – A detention deputy at the Flagler County Jail is recovering at home after being beaten unconscious by two inmates yesterday (June 4). Thirty-four-year-old Carlos Dupree and 22-year-old Marion Gavins now face additional charges aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest with violence, and depriving an officer of means of protection or communication. The detention deputy, who is not being identified because he is considered a victim under Marsy’s law and a recent Florida court decision forbids the release of his name under this law, said the pair attacked him while he was checking items they were taking to a meeting. They had requested to bring their prayer items to the meeting. As is standard procedure, the detention deputy began to search through them as he was instructed to do so for safety reasons. He checked through Gavin’s items without issue but when he turned to Dupree’s items, Dupree is seen on camera stating to the detention deputy that he would not allow him to search his Quran. The detention deputy tells Dupree that he needs to search the Quran for him to bring it with him. The deputy reached for the book, which is when the scuffle began. The entire incident is caught on camera, showing Dupree violently shoving the detention deputy into a wall.  Both Dupree and Gavins repeatedly punch him "in the head until he loses consciousness and is unable to defend himself." FCSO law enforcement deputies watched video footage capturing the attack on the Detention Deputy in slow motion revealing approximately 25 successful punches to the Detention Deputy’s face and back. At the hospital, the detention deputy told Falger County Sheriff’s (FCSO) deputies "that during the attack, he attempted numerous times to reach for his radio, but due to the continuous, violent blows to his head and back his radio became unsecured, rendering him unable to call for emergency assistance." Detention deputy Meyer heard the commotion and came to the victim’s aid, securing Dupree and Gavins. Even though secured, Gavins continued stiking the victim in the back and head with a closed fist. The detention deputy was taken to the hospital with head and back pain along with lacerations to his head, back, and forearm. It’s possible that the detention deputy suffered a concussion. He underwent numerous medical tests before being released. According to an FCSO press release, "Inmate Dupree has been in jail since December of 2020 for the role he played in a home invasion robbery where he was charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, False Imprisonment, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Home Invasion with a Firearm, Wearing a Mask While Committing a Felony, and Resisting without Violence." “These are serious and violent offenders who attacked my Deputy and I thank God he was not more seriously injured than he was,” said Sheriff Staly. “Every member of the Sheriff’s Office is a vital part of this organization and I will not tolerate anyone attacking them. Our deputies on the road go out and arrest criminals everyday but it’s our dedicated Detention Deputy’s that have to deal with them day in and day out knowing they could be attacked by an inmate anytime. I commend Detention Deputy Myers for quickly coming to the aid of his fellow Deputy. It is rare that we have an issue like this in our jail but the Detention Deputy that was attacked did nothing wrong, was following standard operating procedures, was treating these inmates with respect and had every right to search the inmate’s personal effects for contraband. These two dirtbags are both in jail because they have no regard for the law, human life and don’t think twice about using violence. I am also thankful the Judges have kept both these violent offenders behind bars where they belong and not out in our community. I will also be talking with our State Attorney to ensure they are both prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and I hope the judge puts them away for a very long time. No plea bargains, go to prison!”