
BY SARA WARD
Update, January 31: Two of the three boys who had not yet been arrested were taken into custody. A third, a juvenile, still has an active warrant.
Bond has not yet been set, pending their first appearances in court.
Original story: Ten boys ranging in age from 16 to 20 years old have been charged in connection with multiple fights, including one where nine of the boys allegedly attacked one individual in DeLeon Springs. The 10th boy was charged with robbery after he was “seen on video taking [the victim’s] wallet from his pocket while [the victim] was being violently beaten and appeared unconscious,” according to the charging affidavit.
Four of the 10 are juveniles.
The violence began in Deltona at a bonfire Jan. 24 around 11 p.m. There, two boys were attacking in two separate incidents — one incident involved a boy with brass knuckles who was involved in all three fights. The other fight involved the whole group. In both cases, the victims were left with significant injuries, including in one case a punched-out tooth, and in the other, significant facial lacerations.
At another party later that night in DeLeon Springs, the 10 boys were captured on video, shared widely on social media, stomping onto the limp body of a boy who suffered a concussion. Another boy was also allegedly attacked by the group and sustained a dislocated shoulder, among other injuries.
There is no one main reason as to why the fights occurred, Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said at a news conference Jan. 29.
“There’s alcohol involved,” Chitwood said. “There’s a lot of testosterone involved.”
Two of the alleged instigators of the violent attacks are being charged with three counts of aggravated battery and one count of inciting a riot. Seven others are charged with one count of aggravated battery and one count of inciting a riot. The last person charged is accused of robbery in connection with the removal of the wallet, and inciting a riot.
As of Jan. 30, seven of the teenagers and young adults have been brought into custody. Three, including one juvenile, have not yet been arrested.
The seven boys age 18 or above are currently held at the Volusia County Branch Jail with bond amounts ranging from $35,000 to $80,000. The arrested juvenile boys are in custody with the Department of Juvenile Justice, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Those 18 and older who have been arrested are Christopher Sappa, 20, of DeLand, Drake Meyers, 19, of DeLand, Devon Heil, 20, of DeLand and Skylar Degroff, 18, of DeLand. An active warrant is out for Dillon Harris, 18, of DeLeon Springs, and Dalton Bellantoni, 20, of DeLeon Springs.
The Beacon does not publish the names of juveniles accused of crimes unless they are charged as adults.