SEBASTIAN, Florida – A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a former Sebastian city councilman who will spend 45 days behind bars.
Damien Gilliams, 63, was convicted of a misdemeanor after violating Florida’s Sunshine Law in June 2023. He was ordered to spend 45 days behind bars as part of his sentence, but was released on 13 June. A judge had reinstated an appeal bond that allowed Gilliams to remain out of jail following his conviction.
However, on 25 October, Gilliams was booked back into the Indian River County Jail at 12:17 p.m. According to records, Gilliams must serve 45 days.
In April 2020, Gilliams and two other council members held a secret meeting that violated the Sunshine Law and fired the city manager, city attorney and city clerk, while also appointing Gilliams as Sebastian’s new mayor. On 16 June 2020, Gilliams and fellow council member Pamela Parris were taken into custody and charged with perjury.
In July 2022, the rest of the council voted to have Governor DeSantis intervene and remove Gilliams and Parris from the council following their arrests. In a four-to-one vote, members authorised the city attorney to send a letter to the governor’s office requesting their immediate removal.