- April 25, 2024
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PALM COAST — Two teenagers were jailed on gang-related charges based on an incident that occurred April 12, at a Flagler Palm Coast High School bus stop.
Marquez Peck, 18, and Giuseppe Verdone Jr., 19, both of 27 Pinto Lane, approached a juvenile victim at 2:30 p.m., April 12, after the victim got off a Flagler Palm Coast High School bus.
According to a Sheriff’s Office report, Peck and Verdone approached the victim and asked, “Are you flagging?” The report states that the term means, “Are you representing your gang?”
Peck then lifted the victim’s shirt to expose red stitching in his pants. Verdone brandished a baseball bat and threatened the victim, who denied that he was part of a gang and was allowed to leave.
The next day, at 2:30 p.m. April 13, a deputy observed the victim at the corner of Pine Grove and Pin Oak drives. The deputy then saw Verdone retrieve a baseball bat from the bushes and conceal it in his clothing as the victim was again getting off the bus.
Peck and Verdone then approached the victim to see whether he was wearing any colors that they had claimed to represent their “Grove Street” gang and threatened to beat him if he was. The deputy observed Peck and Verdone standing face to face with the victim and pointing at him.
Fearing that a fight was imminent, the deputy called for a marked patrol car to come to the area, and as it approached, the crowd dispersed.
Peck and Verdone were stopped near the corner of Pinto Lane and Pin Oak Drive, and a baseball bat was recovered from Verdone.
The report from the Sheriff’s Office states that Peck’s Facebook page indicates he was part of the “blood criminal street gang,” while Verdone was already on felony probation.
Peck was charged with directing activities of a criminal gang and aggravated assault. Verdone was charged with aggravated assault, carrying a concealed weapon and violating probation.
The two men were arrested at 3:58 p.m. April 13, and are being held at the Flagler County Inmate Facility.
