Boca Raton Man Faces Felony Charge Over Incident at Downtown Library

Cody Demarco Brown (Photo: Palm Beach County Jail)

A Boca Raton man is facing felony charges after he allegedly threatened a security officer at the downtown library and later spit on a police officer, according to a Boca Raton Police Department probable cause affidavit.

Cody Demarco Brown, 48, faces charges of battery on a law enforcement officer and assault on an officer stemming from the incident, which occurred Saturday at the downtown library, located at 400 NW 2nd Avenue, the report states. Police were dispatched about 4:56 p.m. to a reported assault. Upon arrival, officers spoke with a male security officer who said he had been sitting on a bench near the library entrance when Brown sat next to him.

A female security officer then approached Brown and asked him to move, citing a rule that no one was supposed to be within 150 feet of an election zone, according to the affidavit. The downtown library branch was a designated site for early primary voting. A male security officer told police that Brown began arguing, stood up and “got in her face in a threatening manner,” saying, “Do you know who I am? I am not gonna move or listen to you.”

Brown continued to be “rude and disrespectful,” the male officer said, and the female officer attempted to back away because she appeared “visibly uncomfortable.” Brown then got up and walked toward her with his fists balled up “as if taking up a fighting stance,” the affidavit states.

The female security officer, who was wearing a blue shirt with visible “security” markings, a patch on each sleeve, “security” written across the back and a “security” baseball cap, told police that Brown “got up and came into her face” and said, “Let me tell you who I am.” She said she backed up while Brown continued approaching with his fists clenched.

Brown was already detained by other officers when the investigating officer made contact with him and read him his Miranda rights. After being advised of his rights, Brown said he did not recall the incident but acknowledged that a security guard had been sitting next to him and that another security guard “came near him” and walked off. He said the female officer only said “how are you doing” and denied that she had asked him to leave, the affidavit states.

Brown was arrested and taken to Boca Raton police headquarters following the incident. While in booking and attempting to take a booking photo, the investigating officer saw Brown look at a police officer standing about a foot away and intentionally spit on the officer’s foot, the report states. Brown was then additionally charged with battery on a law enforcement officer.

Brown remained lodged at the Palm Beach County Jail on Wednesday in lieu of $3,000 bond for the aggravated battery charge.