Off-duty Florida sheriff's sergeant arrested for battery on elderly couple at bar

A Volusia County sergeant was arrested on felony battery charges after a drunken altercation with a senior couple at a New Smyrna Beach bar. The 22-year veteran has since resigned.

Off-duty Florida sheriff's sergeant arrested for battery on elderly couple at bar

Volusia sergeant charged with felony battery after bar attack on couple aged 71 and 77

Google News MT — Crime (en) reports that a Volusia County Sheriff's Office sergeant has been arrested on two counts of felony battery after video footage captured him assaulting an elderly couple at a Florida bar while off-duty.

New Smyrna Beach police responded to Merk's Bar & Grill at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Monday. Jason Stickels, 44, is alleged to have instigated the confrontation by making unwanted contact with a couple seated near the bar.

Witnesses and video footage indicate Stickels first struck a 71-year-old woman at the table, then turned on her 77-year-old husband when he stepped in to intervene. A bystander subdued Stickels, taking him to the ground before police arrived.

Sheriff Mike Chitwood condemned the conduct on social media, labelling it "idiotic behavior."

"I have a 77-year-old Vietnam Veteran in a bar with his wife and what you see in that video is thoroughly disgusting; it's sickening, and doesn't represent what this organization stands for," Chitwood told News 6 on Tuesday.

Stickels, who joined the sheriff's office in 2004, was charged on two counts of felony battery on a person 65 or older. He was released after posting bond.

Chitwood confirmed that Stickels has since resigned his position and voluntarily admitted himself to a rehabilitation centre.

"Everyone wants to see him grounded into dust. You have to take into account that I hire from the human race; we're all human, he made a horrible mistake, his career is over, and he's embarrassed publicly," Chitwood said.

Authorities are asking anyone with additional information or footage of the incident to contact New Smyrna Beach police through the department's non-emergency line.

Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)