By-Line: Joseph Bober, Public Information Office, FCSO
Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies made 16 arrests this past weekend between 6 p.m. on Friday, June 27, 2025, and 6 a.m. on Monday, June 30, 2025. Deputies handled 526 calls for service and made 141 traffic stops.
Man with Prior Domestic Violence Conviction Arrested for Domestic Battery, False Imprisonment
At approximately 3:30 a.m. on Saturday, deputies responded to a domestic disturbance at a hotel on Kingswood Drive in Palm Coast. Before their arrival, dispatchers notified deputies that the suspect had fled the scene.
When deputies arrived, they located a male matching the suspect’s description on the ground behind the hotel. When deputies asked why he was on the ground, the male stated that he was afraid of the police.
Deputies then interviewed the victim and the male, identified as Bertrand LaForest, 60, of Palm Coast. According to the victim, LaForest punched her in the face and kicked her during an argument. He then blocked the doorway to prevent her from leaving. The victim told deputies she then made her way past LaForest and ran out of the hotel room to call 911. Additionally, the victim told deputies that LaForest had struck her forearm with a bottle during a previous incident the day before.
LaForest denied the allegations, telling deputies the argument was only verbal and that he did not prevent the victim from leaving.
During their investigation, deputies observed injuries to the victim’s face and forearm with obvious swelling consistent with the abuse described. Deputies also reviewed the 911 call, during which they heard the victim state “let me out” to LaForest multiple times, as well as “he won’t let me leave” to dispatchers.
A review of LaForest’s criminal history showed he had been previously convicted of domestic battery in April 2024.
Based on their investigation, deputies determined LaForest struck the victim and made attempts to prevent her from leaving. Deputies arrested LaForest for domestic battery and domestic false imprisonment. Under Florida law, the domestic battery charge was upgraded to a felony due to LaForest’s prior conviction.
Bertrand LaForest (Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility mugshot)
“Laying your hands on someone during an argument is never okay,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “This is not the first time that this guy has done this, and now he’s headed to the Green Roof Inn again. Love does not attack. If you are in a violent relationship, seek help before it’s too late.”
LaForest was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where he is being held on a $5,000 bond.
Drunk Driver Arrested After Crashing into Parked Car
In the early morning hours on Sunday, deputies responded to investigate a crash with injuries that later developed into a drunk driving arrest.
At approximately 3:50 a.m., the FCSO Communications Center received a 911 call from a vehicle’s emergency contact system that a crash had occurred on Renfro Lane in Palm Coast. When deputies arrived, they found the driver had crashed into a parked vehicle.
During the crash investigation, the driver, Jordan McCoy, 24, of Palm Coast, told deputies that she had gotten into an argument with her passenger. As she attempted to pull her vehicle over during the argument, she struck a vehicle parked on the side of the road.
While deputies spoke with McCoy, they noticed she had bloodshot, watery eyes; slurred speech; a strong odor of alcohol on her breath; and difficulty maintaining her balance. Deputies then conducted a series of field sobriety tests, which McCoy failed. Deputies then arrested McCoy for DUI with property damage.
Jenna McCoy (Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility mugshot)
“Driving under the influence is incredibly irresponsible,” said Sheriff Staly. “This driver is lucky that she only hit a parked car and that she and her passenger only had minor injuries, because drinking and driving can often lead to serious injuries or death. Hopefully, she thinks about that and doesn’t risk driving drunk again.”
Due to her involvement in a crash, McCoy was transported to a local hospital for medical evaluation. At the hospital, deputies conducted a breath test, which indicated that McCoy’s blood-alcohol content was 0.150 — almost twice the legal limit in Florida. After McCoy was medically cleared, she was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where she was later released on a $1,500 bond.
View bodycam footage from McCoy’s arrest.
