The house cleaning continues at the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office.
Three weeks after two members of the organization were arrested in connection with the unauthorized use of computer databases to look up sensitive department information, another arrest has been made, according to an OCSO press release.
Jeffrey Alan Curtis II, 25, who has been employed by OCSO since October 2020 and was assigned to veteran’s outreach services, was arrested and charged with one count of unauthorized access to a computer system.
It stems from a September 2022 incident when, according to the Sheriff’s report, he “knowingly and without authorization accessed computer systems and electronic databases to obtain information, not relevant to his official duties … “This access was unrelated to any assigned casework or authorized duties within the scope of his employment. This is a direct violation of agency protocols and Florida law, governing offenses against computer systems and electronic records.
On Aug. 12, the Sheriff’s Office initiated a criminal investigation after internal affairs reviewed a complaint on a deputy sheriff, later identified as Curtis. On Aug. 15, Curtis was placed on administrative leave. A warrant was issued for his arrest on Wednesday, and OCSO said he turned himself into the Osceola County Jail Friday morning on a $1,000 bond.
Sheriff Chris Blackmon, who said during the announcement of the last arrests that his administration would continue to investigate any cases like this that occurred during the watch of former Sheriff Marcos Lopez, stated that the badge “represents profound trust.”
“Unfortunately, a member of our agency has violated that trust and failed both the Sheriff’s Office and our community, which we have continually vowed to protect, Blackmon said. “I want to remind the community that my commitment, from the very beginning, has been rooted in integrity and honesty. If criminal activity is discovered within the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, we will take prompt action to ensure the appropriate measures are taken.”
