Ardit Coma, a detective with the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, is suing the City of Ormond Beach alleging wrongful arrest. Coma was taken into custody on December 4 after allegedly continuing to drive after an Ormond Beach police officer attempted to pull him over for speeding.
In the aftermath of his arrest, Coma was suspended by the FCSO. He has since paid his speeding ticket. Coma has said he didn’t see the Ormond Beach officer’s lights behind him. Furthermore, Coma recalled that he pulled over when he saw stop sticks deployed so that he could offer assistance, not realizing that the sticks were deployed to stop him.
Once he finally stopped, Coma was placed under arrest by Ormond Beach Police Sergeant Caleb Braun. Braun is a co-defendant in Coma’s lawsuit, along with the City of Ormond Beach. Coma’s attorney, Lake County’s Anthony Sabatini, is alleging that Braun’s decision to arrest Coma was improper and has led to personal damages.
“As a direct and proximate result of Defendants’ actions, Plaintiff suffered and continues to suffer loss of liberty; emotional distress, anxiety, humiliation, and mental anguish; reputational harm; lost wages and other economic losses; out-of-pocket expenses including bond and legal fees; and other compensatory damages in amounts to be determined at trial,” the lawsuit states.
The lawsuit concedes that Coma was driving above the speed limit. It then claims that Coma “did not engage in any conduct intended to flee, elude, or avoid law enforcement”. Instead, the text states that Coma pulled over once he was safely able to do so and complied with law enforcement’s commands.
“Despite the absence of any conduct constituting fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer, Defendant Sergeant Braun arrested Plaintiff for fleeing and eluding,” the suit states. Coma’s arrest report tells a different story. It claims that Coma weaved through traffic and drove around stop sticks.
Coma is seeking compensatory damages plus punitive damages against Sgt. Braun, as well as interest, attorney’s fees, and whatever other relief the court decides to award him.
Anthony Sabatini, who represents Coma, is no stranger to representing Flagler County plaintiffs in lawsuits against government bodies. He brought forth Palm Coast Mayor Mike Norris’ suit against his own city last year alleging an improperly appointed City Council seat. Now, Sabatini is representing a former Flagler Beach city employee in a wrongful termination lawsuit.
Chris Gollon is a Flagler County resident since 2004, as well as a staple of the local independent music scene and avid observer of Central Florida politics, arts, and recreation.
