An Osceola County Sheriff's deputy was arrested Tuesday on a warrant after being accused of using unnecessary force during a traffic stop then making a report otherwise.
Deputy Joseph Billittier, 29, is charged with battery on a person 65 years or older, felony official misconduct, perjury in an official proceeding and falsifying a public or court record. He is being held at the Osceola County Jail without bond.
Per OCSO, Billittier, who has been on the force for three years, has been relieved of duty pending formal termination proceedings, and the department is working with the State Attorney’s Office regarding prosecution.
The arrest stems from a traffic stop on Sept. 25 when the Sheriff's Office says Billittier self-dispatched to a call for a possible impaired driver after a 911 report of a driver driving the wrong way on Royal Palm Road. Deputies arrived on scene and Deputy Billittier conducted a DUI investigation, arresting the 67-year-old female driver, who informed deputies that she had broken her clavicle in May of this year and had an arm in a sling, for DUI.
The interaction between Billittier and the suspect reportedly became physical as she was placed in the patrol car and transported to the jail, where staff wanted her medically cleared and she was again placed into the patrol car and transported to the
hospital. After reviewing body worn and in-car cameras assigned to Billitier, his supervisors raised concerns over his allegation made against the suspect as well as the physical treatment of that suspect after she was placed in custody. While Billitier alleged the suspect battered him during their interaction, review of the video, it was determined that the deputy was not battered by the suspect and that Billittier used an unnecessary amount of force in handling the arrested suspect.
Sheriff Chris Blackmon released a statement Wednesday regarding the arrest.
"The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office operates under a single standard of equal accountability. The badge represents the public trust, and no one is above the law—especially those sworn to enforce it.
Following a thorough investigation, an Osceola County deputy was arrested today and charged with battery on an individual 65 years of age or older, as well as falsification of official records. This conduct is completely intolerable. Just as our agency acted decisively and without hesitation to hold eleven students accountable for their criminal actions in our schools earlier last week, we apply that exact same standard within our own walls.
Accountability is not selective. If we demand lawfulness and responsibility from the youth of this community, we must demand an even higher level of integrity from the men and women who wear our uniform. Falsifying documents and harming vulnerable citizens strikes directly at the foundation of our justice system ... The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office remains uncompromising in our pursuit of justice, whether the wrongdoing occurs in our classrooms or from behind a badge."
