A longtime St. Augustine police supervisor is on the wrong side of the law after officials say he sent written or electronic threats to kill or seriously hurt someone. Darrick Brandon Embrey, a 25‑year veteran of the department who had been serving as a patrol supervisor, was booked into the St. Johns County jail in mid‑April and has since resigned from the force, according to city officials. Police leadership says the alleged conduct happened while he was off duty and was not tied to his official role.
Department statement
In a press release posted by the St. Augustine Police Department, Assistant Chief Jeffrey Collins said the agency was notified on April 20 that the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office had opened a criminal investigation involving Embrey. The release states that once notified, department leadership placed Embrey on administrative leave, stripped him of all law‑enforcement authority while the investigation is underway, and emphasized that the incident "was not connected to his official position or law enforcement responsibilities."
Charges and legal context
According to the department’s release, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office has charged Embrey with two counts of felony intimidation for "written or electronic threats to kill or cause bodily harm," and he "was booked into the St. Johns County jail." The same statement confirms that Embrey has resigned from the St. Augustine Police Department.
Under Florida law, sending written or electronic threats can be prosecuted as a second‑degree felony under Florida Statute 836.10. A second‑degree felony in Florida carries a statutory maximum penalty as outlined in s. 775.082.
What’s next
The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office will continue to handle the criminal investigation, and the State Attorney’s Office will decide whether to move forward with prosecution. For media inquiries, the department directed questions to the contact listed in the release: 904‑825‑1082 and [email protected].
