Crack pipe sets off Brevard courthouse alarms

A 40-year-old man remained jailed today after investigators said his crack pipe set off a courthouse metal detector, prompting a fight with a security guard.

The incident happened about 8:50 a.m. Wednesday at the Brevard County branch courthouse at 51 S. Nieman Ave. in Melbourne.

Brevard County sheriff's deputies said Cecil McKay was headed to an unrelated misdemeanor hearing when something on his body set off the metal detector.

One of the private security guards at the checkpoint tried to find what set off the alarm but McKay grabbed the guard's hand and twisted it back. He then tried to get past the security checkpoint, said Sgt. Randy Davis.

Courthouse deputies located along the complex, which hears mostly misdemeanor and traffic cases, rushed to the front entrance after hearing an alarm. Corrections officers bringing in inmates from the county jail also responded along with a man standing in the checkpoint line, he said.

"McKay was trying to fight to get away from them. We got there pretty quick, from the time the alarm went down, we were there in no more than a minute. My guys did a fantastic job," Davis said.

The crackpipe, still dusted with rock cocaine residue, was found in a front pocket and had a metal piece, officials said. The guard, identified as Carmen Reyes, suffered a sprain, officials said.

McKay was charged with battery on a person 65 years or older, possession of controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting arrest.

He was taken to the Brevard County Detention Center where he was being held on a $2,000 bond. He is expected to have a first appearance in the jail's courtroom later today.

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