FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – Charges have been dismissed against a Flagler County Sheriff’s Office detective who was arrested last week in Ormond Beach after being accused of fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement, according to FCSO.
Detective Ardit Coma was in his unmarked assigned agency vehicle on his way to work when the incident happened.
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He was “immediately suspended without pay” following the arrest, but after the charges were dropped, he was reassigned to administrative non-law enforcement duties, pending an internal investigation by the agency.
“As we said initially, we believe in the criminal justice system. The case was dismissed just like it would be for any citizen based on the evidence and facts of the case presented to the State Attorney’s Office by the Ormond Beach Police Department,” said Sheriff Rick Staly.
Staly said that after reviewing Coma’s arrest report, he “was surprised that an arrest was made based on the lack of evidence showing he was intentionally trying to flee while driving an agency vehicle.”
Staly said that although the criminal charge was dismissed, “the facts appear clear that Detective Coma was speeding in an agency vehicle.”
“I believe in accountability for everyone in our agency and transparency with our community, and our internal investigation will determine what policies were violated, and he will be held accountable,” Staly said. “In fact, he will likely be held accountable to a higher standard than an average driver committing a traffic infraction.”
Coma joined FCSO in June 2023 and serves in the Major Case Unit.
The sheriff’s office said Coma has received many commendations, including a Life Saving Award in 2024.