Deputies Arrest Four Suspects for Illegally Harvesting 200 Pounds of Palmetto Berries in Brevard County
By Wayne Ivey, Brevard Sheriff // August 30, 2026
Message from Sheriff Wayne Ivey
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Four people were arrested after Brevard County Sheriff’s Office deputies allegedly discovered them harvesting approximately 200 pounds of palmetto berries from private property without the owner’s permission.
According to Sheriff Wayne Ivey, deputies were patrolling when they spotted two vehicles parked on private property in an area without vehicle access.
As deputies approached Daniel Depace, they reportedly saw several other individuals hiding behind bushes. Depace told deputies he possessed a permit to harvest palmetto berries, but investigators determined the permit did not apply to the property where the group was found, Ivey said.
Deputies also detained Sonya Sloan, Ivan Flores and Shyeim Campbell. According to the sheriff’s office, none of the three had permits authorizing them to harvest the berries.
Authorities said Sloan was already serving felony probation at the time of the incident.
Sloan was charged with harvesting palmetto berries without permission, resisting an officer without violence and violating probation.
Campbell, Flores and Depace were each charged with harvesting palmetto berries without permission.
The sheriff’s office said the group had already collected approximately 200 pounds of berries before deputies intervened.
Palmetto berries are commonly used in dietary supplements and products marketed for prostate and urinary health. Florida regulates their harvesting, and individuals must obtain permission from the property owner as well as any permit required by the state.
Ivey warned that people who enter private property to harvest and sell the berries could face serious criminal charges.
“There is a right way and a wrong way to do it,” Ivey said. “Get your permit, get the property owner’s permission, and you’ll have no problems.”
