An off-duty sergeant with a sheriff's office in central Florida was arrested after police say surveillance video showed him assaulting an older couple in a bar.Jason Stickels, 44, was at Merk's Bar & Grill on Monday afternoon when he "created unwanted contact with a couple seated near the bar," according to a statement from the Volusia Sheriff's Office, where Stickels has been employed since 2004.Mike Chitwood, the Volusia sheriff since 2016, put out a statement criticizing Stickels and apologizing to the couple in the bar."How to throw away your law enforcement career in 2 minutes.Off duty, stumbling drunk, harassing people who are just trying to enjoy their afternoon," Chitwood said in a social media post.
"I apologize for this soon-to-be former Volusia Sheriff's Office sergeant's idiotic behavior today."VIRGINIA OFFICER PLACED ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE AFTER MALICIOUS WOUNDING CHARGE TIED TO OFF DUTY INCIDENTJason Stickels, an off-duty sergeant with the Volusia Sheriff's Office, is seen assaulting a 77-year-old man in a bar on Monday, according to police.(Volusia Sheriff's Office)Officers with the New Smyrna Beach Police Department responded to a report of a fight at around 4:20 p.m.
and arrested Stickels on charges related to the incident, the sheriff's office said.No injuries were reported."Stickels first battered a 71-year-old woman seated at a table, then battered her 77-year-old husband when he intervened," said the Volusia Sheriff's Office.Surveillance video from the bar released by the sheriff's office showed Stickels standing in between the couple before leaning in close to the woman, who backed away and got up from her chair.The woman later told police that Stickels had tried to kiss her, according to a charging affidavit.The surveillance video from the bar shows a bystander putting Stickels in a chokehold after police say he assaulted the older couple.
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