By-Line: Chief Matt Doughney, Flagler Beach Police Department

On Sunday, March 2, 2025, Mr. Jeffrey Gray was arrested in Flagler Beach for Armed Trespass on Property Other than a Structure or Conveyance. The 7th Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office filed a “No Information or intent to prosecute” on the aforementioned criminal charge on March 6, 2005.

On Wednesday, March 5, 2025, Flagler Beach Police Chief Matt Doughney, in the interest of transparency, officially requested that the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office conduct an independent internal affairs investigation into the arrest of Mr. Gray. The internal investigation request was granted, and the internal investigation concluded on July 9, 2025.

The investigation determined no violations on the part of Officer Luttrell, and the findings were considered “Not Sustained”. The investigation “Sustained” two (2) violations against Sergeant Yelvington for violation of Department Directives concerning “Arrest Procedures”. Sergeant Yelvington will serve a (3) Day Suspension (without pay), and he has been mandated to attend a Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) verbal de-escalation training course.

Chief Matt Doughney of the Flagler Beach Police Department stated, “I’d like to thank Sheriff Rick Staly and his Staff at the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office for conducting the internal investigation, as having an independent investigation into these types of incidents is extremely important. Since receiving the investigation from the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, it has been reviewed, and we concur with the findings, and discipline has been imposed.”

Chief Doughney continued by stating that “The investigation revealed that Mr. Gray’s arrest was made without ‘Probable Cause”, but it was also stated that it was made with “no personal bias or malice”. The investigation also identified a significant weakness in our Department’s “Field Training” of new Police Officers, and that deficiency was at the core of this incident. The training deficiency has been corrected thanks to the detailed information provided by our City Attorney on trespassing and the freedom of speech on public property”.

Flagler Beach City Manager Dale L. Martin stated, “Sergeant Yelvington’s actions on March 2, 2025, were disappointing. As a seasoned veteran Officer, his training and experience should have resulted in a less confrontational interaction. The responsibilities of serving as a local Law Enforcement Officer are significant, but the ultimate purpose of safety and protection cannot be undermined by impulsive actions. The expectations of Flagler Beach officials, residents, and visitors are higher and must not be jeopardized as they were during this incident”.

Chief Doughney concluded by stating, “On behalf of the Flagler Beach Police Department, I’d like to issue a public apology to Mr. Gray. I cannot go back and change the events that occurred on March 2nd, but since that date, we as a department have capitalized on educational opportunities with regard to First Amendment Rights. We will continue to explore additional training opportunities in the future, so that we can continue the education of our Police Officers on First Amendment rights, so that we can protect the public, their rights, and civil liberties moving forward”.