A Florida career criminal has been described by a police chief as “pure evil” after he suffered a crime that ultimately ended in the death of a 69-year-old man.
Justin Giampanco, 31, was serving a four-and-a-half-year sentence for burglary when he was released early from prison after serving just 18 months.
After his release in October 2022, it wasn’t long before he was in trouble with the law again – and was later arrested on April 15th on charges of striking a police officer and trespassing.
However, despite the violent nature of the arrest, he was again released on bail the following day. Since his release last fall, Giampanco has resumed patterns of behavior that landed him in prison in April 2021.
In total, he has 22 criminal charges along with 24 misdemeanor charges to his name.
He’s a suspect in several Palm Bay-area robberies – but his alleged connection to a recent murder in the area could land him in jail for a longer period.
Justin Giampanco, 31, is a man with a history of criminal behavior in Florida
Giambank, 31, was released early from prison and ended up killing a 69-year-old man
“This 31-year-old suspect is pure villainy,” Palm Bay Police Chief Mario Augello said, noting that he should not have been released so early given his violent history.
He is a repeat violent felon who, while charged with prior arrest, targeted the citizens of Brevard County.
“Since his last release, this individual has been a suspect in numerous burglaries within our county and his heinous actions thus far, the brutal murder of a 69-year-old Palm Bay resident just a few days ago,” he said.
“We are seeing far too many violent offenders being released too early, whether for short sentences or for minimal offences,” Augello told a news conference.
“The suspect in this case is just another example of the failure of our current criminal justice system to keep our community safe,” he added.
“To be exact, he has 22 criminal charges along with 24 misdemeanor charges, and yet, somehow, this person is roaming freely within our community, terrorizing our citizens,” Augello said in apparent disbelief.
“This 31-year-old suspect is pure villainy,” said Palm Bay Police Chief Mario Augello, noting that he should not have been released so early given his violent history.
Giambanco has been released after serving just 18 months of a 53-month sentence for burglary.
Giambanco had a violent past and was arrested earlier this month on charges of beating a police officer
The murder investigation began when Palm Bay police responded to a home on the 2700 block of Palm Drive NE around 7 a.m. on April 20 to place a 911 call.
The 69-year-old victim was found dead at the scene by officers who arrived minutes after the 911 call.
Giampanco’s criminal record shows that he filed 22 felonies and 24 misdemeanor counts, which should have been enough to prevent his early release.
He was initially jailed after being found guilty of throwing a rock through the window of a home he had previously violated in 2017.
Augello said the current criminal justice system fails to keep communities safe by releasing violent offenders too early because of shortened sentences or because they receive the lightest sentences.
A murder investigation was launched when Palm Bay police responded to a home located on the 2700 block of Palm Drive NE around 7 a.m. on April 20. A 69-year-old man was found dead at the scene.
Giambanco was released on bail before committing more robberies and alleged murders
Although the man who allegedly killed him was not identified, police say they immediately recovered evidence linking Giampanco to the murder.
He now faces charges of second-degree murder with a firearm, false imprisonment, grand theft with a firearm, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
He was a good neighbour. “My dear friend,” said Richard Ridwanowsky Wish He knew the victim and lived around his house. It won’t hurt anyone. He’s a very nice guy.
“He was on oxygen, so he was kind of weak,” said Radwanowski. I made something for him and his son helped me get him there so that’s the last time I saw him.
