Release posted on 03-14-23 at 4:16 p.m.

On March 11th just before 4 pm employees of Cocktail, located at 2355 Central Avenue, observed a homophobic slur written on their business window. Their surveillance video shows a suspect writing the derogatory comment with a marker overnight.

William Yacko (DOB 09/09/1965) has been identified as the suspect. He was already booked into the Pinellas County Jail on unrelated charges. Yacko has been charged with Felony Criminal Mischief (Prior Conviction). Due to the nature of the derogatory comments towards the LGBT+ Community, this charge will have a hate speech enhancement added.

The investigation is still ongoing. No additional information is available at this time.