Published on: January 16, 2026, at 10:47 AM.
Updated on: January 16, 2026, at 10:47 AM.
- St. Petersburg officer enrolls in a diversion program that may nullify felony charges
- Investigation linked to Hard Rock Casino explosives case concluded
- Prosecutors allege officer disclosed sensitive police database information to a suspect
According to The Tampa Bay Times, felony charges against a St. Petersburg, Florida, police officer who allegedly misused police database information for a man involved in an explosive incident at the Hard Rock Casino Tampa may be dismissed.
Brandon Klaiber, aged 41, faces charges stemming from an incident in April of last year, involving two felony counts for Offenses Against Intellectual Property. It is alleged that he provided Robert Eckley with vehicle tag numbers and driver’s license details upon Eckley’s request. The link between this information sharing and Eckley’s alleged bombing attempt at the Hard Rock remains unclear.
According to prosecutors, Eckley placed two homemade devices in a restroom at the Hard Rock on September 29 and 30, 2024. He was charged with creating, possessing, deploying, or discharging a destructive device intended to cause harm; however, he has since passed away under circumstances his legal representative described as ambiguous.
Potential Light Sentence?
In related news, The Times reported that Klaiber has been accepted into Florida’s Pretrial Intervention (PTI) program, a prosecutor-directed diversion initiative designed for low-level, first-time, or non-violent offenders.
Instead of facing a trial, the accused accepts supervision and specific conditions. Successful completion of the program may lead to dismissal of the charges. Typical conditions include a designated supervision period, during which any breaches, including new arrests, could result in reinstated prosecution.
Public Safety Concerns
The rationale behind Eckley’s explosive placement remains uncertain, with police describing the devices as “crude concealed device[s] with firework components” that were remotely controlled.
According to an arrest warrant, one device was located near a gas line, and both were strategically positioned such that, if detonated, they would pose a significant threat of serious injury to nearby individuals.
Law enforcement later identified Eckley through surveillance footage and apprehended him in late October. A search of his residence uncovered firearms, a stun gun, chemical grenades, and flashbang devices, according to investigators.
A review of Eckley’s phone revealed text communications with Klaiber, during which the officer shared sensitive information.
Long-time Acquaintances
St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway remarked last year that it remains uncertain whether Klaiber was aware of Eckley’s alleged intentions involving the Hard Rock.
Investigators identified that Klaiber initially shared information with Eckley in June 2024, about three months before the casino incidents.
Klaiber and Eckley had maintained a friendship for over 15 years, with the information sharing being described as “an ongoing affair,” Holloway noted.
Klaiber has been on unpaid administrative leave since December 3, 2025.