Create And Track Police Department History
Written by CBKN76
As the former commander of the DeSoto County Jail, Raymond Kugler was implicated in a cover-up following the repeated beating of inmate Jody Holland in 2013. Kugler refused to send Holland to an outside hospital and lied to FBI agents investigating the assaults. He resigned from his position and was sentenced to three years’ probation. […]
Written by CBKN76
Deputy Jonathan Mause was involved in falsifying records and obstructing justice related to the assault of an inmate by Deputy Steven Rizza on May 25, 2013. Mause altered incident reports to conceal the misconduct and provided false statements to federal investigators and a grand jury. He was indicted on charges including obstruction of justice, falsifying […]
Written by CBKN76
On May 25, 2013, Deputy Steven Rizza assaulted an inmate at the DeSoto County Jail. Following the incident, Rizza falsified records to conceal his actions and made false statements to investigators and a federal grand jury. He was indicted on charges including civil rights violations, obstruction of justice, and perjury. If convicted, Rizza faced up […]
Written by CBKN76
In February 2022, Detention Officer Pyle was investigated for allegedly introducing contraband into the Columbia County Detention Facility. Placed on administrative leave, Pyle left Florida during the investigation. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement conducted a criminal investigation, leading to Pyle’s arrest in Illinois. He was extradited to Florida, booked into the Columbia County jail […]
Written by CBKN76
On October 31, 2022, Sergeant Harrison was involved in the wrongful arrest of James Hodges, a legally blind man, after Deputy Gohde mistook Hodges’ walking stick for a firearm. Harrison, present during the incident, supported the arrest despite Hodges’ explanations. An administrative investigation found policy violations, resulting in Harrison’s demotion, a seven-day suspension without pay, […]
Written by CBKN76
On October 31, 2022, Deputy Gohde arrested James Hodges, a legally blind man, after mistaking his folded walking stick for a firearm. The incident, captured on body camera, showed Gohde detaining Hodges despite his explanations. Following an administrative investigation, Gohde was suspended without pay for two days and required to undergo remedial civil rights training. […]
Written by CBKN76
In July 2017, Deputy Kinney was involved in an incident where he allegedly used excessive force and conducted an unlawful arrest of an individual named Denson. Denson filed a lawsuit claiming that Kinney twisted his arms behind his back, handcuffed him, and confined him to a jail cell without probable cause. The case also alleged […]
Written by CBKN76
In August 2024, Deputy Pasztor was sued by an individual named Clark, who alleged false arrest and excessive force during a traffic stop. Clark claimed that after a verbal exchange, Pasztor forcibly grabbed his wrist, handcuffed him, and detained him without probable cause. The charges against Clark were later dismissed, and he filed a lawsuit […]
Written by CBKN76
Deputy Brian Tarazona was involved in the September 17, 2020, incident where Nicolas Morales was fatally shot and subsequently mauled by a K-9 unit. Morales’ family filed a federal lawsuit alleging excessive force and a pattern of violence within the Collier County Sheriff’s Office. Internal investigations exonerated Tarazona, and no disciplinary actions were taken against […]
Written by CBKN76
On September 17, 2020, Corporal Nathan Kirk released his K-9 unit on Nicolas Morales after Morales had been shot by another deputy. The K-9 mauled Morales while he was gravely injured on the ground. This action was part of the events leading to a federal lawsuit filed by Morales’ family, alleging excessive force and a […]
Written by CBKN76
On September 17, 2020, Corporal Pierre Jean fatally shot Nicolas Morales, a 37-year-old Immokalee resident experiencing a mental health crisis. Within 21 seconds of arriving on the scene, Jean fired three shots at Morales, who was holding a shovel and garden shears. The incident led to a federal lawsuit filed by Morales’ family, alleging excessive […]
Written by CBKN76
In 2013, a Clay County deputy was disciplined after wrongfully arresting a 17-year-old high school student due to a name mix-up. The student spent over a month in jail charged as an adult in a sexual battery case before the mistake was discovered. The deputy received formal counseling for failing to confirm the suspect’s identity […]
Written by CBKN76
Deputy Morris was named in a 2019 lawsuit alleging that he, along with another deputy, handcuffed a plaintiff in a manner that resulted in physical injuries. The plaintiff accused Morris of intentional misconduct and violating his rights during the arrest process. This case raised questions about the conduct and training of deputies in handling detainees. […]
Written by CBKN76
In 2019, Deputy Holcomb was involved in a lawsuit where the plaintiff alleged that Holcomb handcuffed him in a manner that caused physical injuries to his back, ankle, and wrist. The plaintiff claimed that Holcomb’s actions were intentional and violated his rights. The case, Schoonover v. Clay County Sheriff’s Department, highlighted concerns about the use […]
Written by CBKN76
Lt. Christopher Coldiron was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) in December 2021 after causing a crash in Bradford County. He pleaded no contest and was convicted in July 2022, serving a two-day jail sentence and a 45-day suspension from the sheriff’s office. During this suspension, he was arrested for a second DUI in […]