Create And Track Police Department History
Written by CBKN76
In February 2019, an unnamed deputy was suspended after a video of an exchange between the deputy and a resident circulated online. The video captured the deputy allegedly assaulting a man who was walking down the sidewalk. Sheriff Sam St. John ordered an internal affairs investigation, and the deputy was placed on administrative leave pending […]
Written by CBKN76
In January 2019, Captain John Mills was placed on administrative leave following an incident where he confronted a videographer filming outside the Suwannee County Jail. Mills instructed the individual to stop filming, citing security concerns, and issued a verbal trespass warning. The encounter was captured on video and led to an internal affairs investigation ordered […]
Written by CBKN76
On May 7, 2021, Detective Knight, along with Detective Voss, responded to a report that an individual was trespassing at The Villages-Sumter County Service Center. Knight and Voss detained the individual based on a complaint from a county official without conducting an independent investigation. The individual filed a lawsuit alleging violations of First Amendment rights […]
Written by CBKN76
On May 7, 2021, Detective Voss, along with Detective Knight, responded to a report that an individual was trespassing at The Villages-Sumter County Service Center. Voss and Knight detained the individual based on a complaint from a county official without conducting an independent investigation. The individual filed a lawsuit alleging violations of First Amendment rights […]
Written by CBKN76
On September 26, 2019, Deputy Katich, along with Deputies Hartmann and Otero, entered Earl Lee Dorey’s property without a warrant or probable cause. The deputies’ actions led to a confrontation resulting in injuries to Dorey and his pregnant girlfriend. A lawsuit was filed against Katich and the other deputies, alleging excessive force, false arrest, and […]
Written by CBKN76
On September 26, 2019, Deputy Otero, along with Deputies Hartmann and Katich, entered Earl Lee Dorey’s property without a warrant or probable cause. During the incident, Otero allegedly used a Taser on Dorey’s pregnant girlfriend’s stomach and kicked Dorey in the ribs while he was on the ground. A lawsuit was filed against Otero and […]
Written by CBKN76
On September 26, 2019, Deputy Hartmann, along with Deputies Otero and Katich, entered Earl Lee Dorey’s property without a warrant or probable cause. They startled Dorey, who was sitting in his car, leading to a confrontation where Hartmann allegedly struck Dorey on the head with a flashlight and punched him multiple times in the face. […]
Written by CBKN76
Detention Deputy Caitlyn Tighe resigned following an internal investigation that uncovered an improper relationship with inmate Sean Zambrano. Tighe purchased a ‘burner’ phone and engaged in 226 calls over 34 days, totaling more than 68 hours, many involving phone sex. The investigation determined that Tighe violated policies by associating with a known criminal and exhibiting […]
Written by CBKN76
Detention Deputy Veronica O’Brien resigned after an internal investigation revealed she had an improper relationship with inmate Dustin Shepard. Investigators found 242 phone calls spanning 53 hours between O’Brien and Shepard, discussing topics including marriage and sex. The investigation concluded that O’Brien violated policies by associating with a known criminal and displaying unbecoming conduct. ## […]
Written by CBKN76
Deputy Christopher Newman was involved in the fatal shooting of Gregory Hill Jr. on January 14, 2014. Deputies responded to a noise complaint, and during the encounter, Newman shot Hill through his garage door. A federal civil rights lawsuit was filed by Hill’s family, alleging wrongful death. In July 2022, a jury cleared the Sheriff’s […]
Written by CBKN76
Former Sheriff Ken Mascara resigned in December 2023 amid a ‘ghost candidate’ scandal. He admitted to ethics violations for promoting a candidate during the 2020 election, leading to a public censure and a $5,000 fine. Additionally, a lawsuit alleges that in October 2022, covert surveillance devices were discovered in the office of Commander James Wills, […]
Written by CBKN76
Sgt. Michael Kunovich was involved in a May 2024 incident where he initiated a stop of Virgilio Aguilar Mendez without clear reasonable suspicion. During the encounter, Kunovich tased Aguilar Mendez six times over two minutes. Kunovich collapsed and died from natural causes shortly after the incident. His actions are part of a federal civil rights […]
Written by CBKN76
In May 2024, Deputy George Montgomery participated in the arrest of Virgilio Aguilar Mendez, during which he body-slammed and repeatedly struck Aguilar Mendez. This conduct is cited in a federal civil rights lawsuit alleging excessive force and violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act. ([cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com](https://cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com/2024/02/civil-rights-lawsuit-filed-against-st.html?utm_source=openai)) ## Officer Forum Links: – [George Montgomery](https://watchaudits.com/forums/topic/george-montgomery/)
Written by CBKN76
Deputy Gavin Higgins was involved in a May 2024 incident where he applied a chokehold to Virgilio Aguilar Mendez during an arrest. The use of force is part of a federal civil rights lawsuit alleging excessive force and violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act. ([cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com](https://cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com/2024/02/civil-rights-lawsuit-filed-against-st.html?utm_source=openai)) ## Officer Forum Links: – [Gavin Higgins](https://watchaudits.com/forums/topic/gavin-higgins/)
Written by CBKN76
In May 2024, Lt. Jose Jimenez was named in a federal civil rights lawsuit filed by Virgilio Aguilar Mendez, a Guatemalan immigrant. The lawsuit alleges that Jimenez violated Aguilar Mendez’s rights by interrogating him without providing an interpreter, despite Aguilar Mendez’s limited proficiency in English and Spanish. This action is claimed to be in violation […]