St. Pete Police Officer Arrested for Sharing Confidential Data with Bombing Suspect
ST. PETERSBURG — A long-serving officer with the St. Petersburg Police Department has been arrested and faces felony charges after allegedly leaking sensitive law enforcement data to a criminal suspect involved in a bombing attempt.
According to St. Pete Police Chief Anthony Holloway, Officer Brandon Klaiber was taken into custody after an investigation revealed he shared confidential information from restricted law enforcement databases with Bryan Eckley, a suspect accused of attempting to plant explosive devices at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Tampa.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) initially alerted the St. Petersburg Police Department (SPPD) in 2024 about possible misconduct. FDLE investigators discovered communications between Klaiber and Eckley that included requests for and transmission of protected data.
Eckley was arrested in October 2024 after employees at the casino discovered suspicious devices, prompting an evacuation and bomb squad deployment. The devices were rendered safe before causing any harm. During the subsequent investigation, authorities uncovered incriminating text messages exchanged between Klaiber and Eckley.
“He would use the confidential database system here at the police department — it’s only for law enforcement use — and he shared that information with a suspect. That’s why he was arrested on a third-degree felony,” Chief Holloway stated during a press briefing.
Officer Klaiber was placed on administrative leave in December 2024, shortly after the investigation began. His computer and database access were immediately revoked.
The investigation revealed Klaiber had used the law enforcement system to search for driver’s license details, vehicle registration tags, and other sensitive information unrelated to his official duties.
“We’re now reviewing every entry he made into the system to determine if it connects to a legitimate case or traffic stop,” Chief Holloway added. “If not, we’ll investigate who he might have shared that information with.”
Klaiber, who joined the department in November 2008, now faces two counts of offenses against intellectual property, a third-degree felony under Florida law.
The St. Petersburg Police Department’s Office of Professional Standards is also launching a separate administrative investigation, which may determine further disciplinary action, including potential termination.
The case underscores serious concerns about internal misuse of law enforcement tools and the potential compromise of public safety. Authorities are urging anyone who may have received information improperly from Klaiber to come forward.
As of now, no further charges have been announced, but both local and state agencies are continuing their investigation.
