ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.- A veteran St. Petersburg Police Department officer was arrested today following an investigation into the alleged sharing of confidential law enforcement information. Officer Brandon Klaiber was taken into custody by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office based on an arrest warrant obtained by his own department.
The investigation began late last year when the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) alerted the St. Petersburg Police Department (SPPD) to potential criminal activity involving Officer Klaiber. FDLE indicated that Klaiber might be sharing protected information from law enforcement databases with Bryan Eckley, a suspect in one of their investigations.
READ: Florida Investigation Leads To Arrest Of Accused Elderly Pop-Up Scammer In New York
Eckley had been arrested in October 2024, accused of planting explosive devices at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Tampa. According to SPPD, investigators discovered text messages between Eckley and Officer Klaiber, suggesting Klaiber provided Eckley with information obtained from restricted databases when requested.
In response to the FDLE notification, SPPD launched an immediate internal investigation. On December 2, 2024, Officer Klaiber was placed on administrative leave, and his police credentials and access to departmental computer systems were suspended pending the outcome.
Working in conjunction with the Pinellas Pasco State Attorney’s Office, SPPD detectives developed sufficient evidence to secure an arrest warrant for Klaiber. He was arrested today, April 15, 2025, and faces two counts of “Offenses Against Intellectual Property,” a third-degree felony.
READ: Woman Charged With Attempted Murder After Largo Smoke Shop Stabbing
Florida state law strictly governs access to personal information contained within police databases, limiting its use to officers acting solely in their official capacity. Unauthorized access or dissemination of this private information constitutes a criminal offense for the officer involved.
Officer Klaiber, who was sworn in as an SPPD officer in November 2008, has now been placed on administrative leave without pay.
The criminal investigation remains active and ongoing. Additionally, the SPPD’s Office of Professional Standards will conduct a separate administrative investigation into the alleged policy violations.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
