BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – According to the 18th Judicial Court, a Cocoa man has been sentenced to prison for pretending to be in law enforcement during a failed robbery that resulted in a death.
Prosecutors revealed that Brian Vogel, 33, was involved in a scheme with others to steal money from a competing cocaine dealer in March 2021.
The group, armed and wearing masks, tactical gear, and clothing resembling law enforcement attire, was caught on home security footage breaking into a residence on Hall Road.
However, the rival dealer shared a home with another man — identified as Matthew Nicol, 25 — leading Vogel and his cohorts to zip-tie Nicol to keep him out of the way, the release notes. Nicol worked as a swimming pool cleaner and was only home that morning due to rainy weather.
But while one member of the crew tied up Nicol, he discharged a rifle and shot Nicol through his upper back, prompting Vogel and the others to flee without any money, the 18th Judicial Court announced.
In addition, prosecutors said that Vogel had instantly killed Nicol’s protective German shepherd, named Mako — a planned step in the robbery.
“This was about greed and rivalry — about taking what was not theirs,” said Assistant State Attorney Bernadette Serafinowicz. “Although there was no intent to kill a human being, there was intent to kill Mako. If you dress as law enforcement officers and go into a house armed with guns and a hammer, things could go wrong in a hurry — and they did.”
As a result, Vogel was convicted under a plea agreement of second-degree murder, armed burglary, and animal cruelty. He was ultimately sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Investigators also said that Vogel’s associates were as follows:
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Chase Harrison, 32: Awaiting trial on charges of second-degree murder and armed burglary
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Cory Cabaniss, 29: Awaiting trial on charges of second-degree murder and armed burglary
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Anthony Davila, 27: Awaiting trial on charges of second-degree murder and armed burglary
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David Foreman-Taylor, 23: Sentenced to 15 years in prison after accepting a plea agreement in 2022
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