NASSAU COUNTY, FLORIDA, Fla. — A former Nassau County Sheriff's Office deputy was arrested Nov. 7 after the agency said he exhibited an "unnecessary and unjustified" use of force toward an intoxicated person lying on the road and later provided false statements.
NCSO said there was an investigation initiated in October regarding an incident in Callahan from August, an arrest warrant said, where Hutcherson, 40, encountered an intoxicated individual lying in the roadway.
"While escorting the person out of the road, Hutcherson used a level of force that was unnecessary and unjustified, as there was no physical altercation or imminent danger that warranted that level of force," a press release from NCSO said.
The agency said Hutcherson then provided false statements in his report about the events prior to the use of force.
Sheriff Bill Leeper said Hutcherson's behavior was unacceptable and the agency has "strict policies and training in place regarding use of force," that they expect deputies to follow. He was charged with official misconduct, a felony, and misdemeanor battery.
“We are extremely disappointed to have to arrest one of our own deputies, but we have an obligation to hold all of our employees accountable when they break the law and violate the public's trust,” Leeper said.
