Woman Incited Riot At Brandon Astro Skate: Hillsborough Sheriff

BRANDON, FL — A woman faces charges for inciting a riot outside the Brandon Astro Skate in May, according to a Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office news release.

Stephanie Pedroso, 36, was charged with inciting a riot, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, and driving with a license that’s been suspended, canceled, or revoked (third offense).

An off-duty deputy told the agency’s communications center on May 18 around 9:20 p.m. about a crowd of about 500 people that had shown up to the Astro Skate, where several fights had broken out.

• Also Read: Hundreds Gathered In 'Violent Disturbance' At FL Astro Skate

Pedroso booked the roller skating rink for an “after-hours birthday party” for her party days earlier, on May 14, HCSO said. “She shared the event on her daughter's social media, which gained considerable attention and hundreds of likes.”

In breach of the Astro Skate contract, she failed to secure the required off-duty deputies for the after-hours party. Due to the failure to meet the contract requirements, Astro Skate canceled the reservation on May 17 and Pedroso was issued a refund.

That's when Pedroso used her daughter's social media to make a live video encouraging friends to show up to inflict violence in the community, which included many of the businesses around Astro Skate, the sheriff’s office said.

"Using social media to weaponize our youth is absolutely deplorable," Sheriff Chad Chronister said. "As a parent, I cannot fathom what went through this woman's mind when she put lives at risk to provoke this mayhem."

• “For y’all, if y’all still go up there, tear the (expletive) out of them. I’ve got some money for y’all, and I’ll pay y’all (expletive).”
• “I hope everybody still show up and tear this (expletive) up tomorrow.”
• “Stress them the (expletive) out.”

Once on scene, it took deputies nearly six hours to contain the behavior that led to one injury and five local businesses sustaining damage. Deputies arrested 23 juveniles and three adults for the escalation of the chaos at the scene.

"I want to be clear: using social media to encourage people to riot and destroy businesses is completely unacceptable, and we will not tolerate that here in Hillsborough County," Chronister said. "This serves as a stark reminder of how quickly situations can spiral out of control and show the importance of responsible behavior and the consequences of inciting violence."

Pedroso’s husband, James Knight II, 38, was arrested on an unrelated charge of driving with a license that was suspended, canceled or revoked (third offense).