Former Lee County sheriff’s deputy accused of stealing from motorists during traffic stops
A former Lee County sheriff’s deputy faces several charges after authorities say his body camera recorded him stealing from motorists.
Tyrese Jackson, 37, faces one count of scheme to defraud and two counts of official misconduct in a public agency. He was booked into the Lee County Jail on Sunday and released Monday on $7,500 bond.
It is at least the second such incident involving deputies in an apparent “shakedown” in the past decade, that one in Bonita Springs and resulted in a prison sentence.
According to his arrest affidavit, Jackson became a Lee County sheriff’s deputy on July 11, 2022. He was issued a body camera approximately 17 months later. Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno had announced in October 2023 the sheriff’s office began its rollout of body cameras.
Internal affairs personnel gathered Jan. 30 and began reviewing 120 hours of footage, according to the arrest affidavit.
Court documents list nine victims throughout seven encounters with Jackson between Jan. 2 and Jan. 22. The 25-page report says Jackson targeted Hispanic motorists, “with little to no valid identification” and a language barrier.
The documents say evidence shows Jackson removed money from motorists’ wallets and purses during his shifts. The report says Jackson carried out the acts while he trained other deputies.
Internal affairs documents say Jackson removed two $100 bills from one of the victims. The reports indicate Jackson asked for the victims’ wallets, even after they provided their identification.
Sheriff makes announcement: Lee County Sheriff hopes to boost trust with 615 body cameras
While the victims stood beside their parked vehicles, the report says, Jackson returned to his cruiser, where his body camera repeatedly recorded him going through the victims’ wallets and what appeared to be the removal of their cash.
Some of the footage cut out momentarily, the report says.
Internal affairs documents indicate Jackson met with supervisors Feb. 8, when they replayed the footage and asked that he explain what happened. Jackson was later escorted to meet with an internal affairs lieutenant and sergeant to discuss the administrative process.
Jackson is next due in court Aug. 26 for his arraignment.
Second similar incident in 11 years involving a Lee County sheriff’s deputy
In December 2015, former sheriff’s deputy Michael Ronga, 52, who, while on duty, beat a man and left him bloodied in a Bonita Springs woods, was sentenced to six years in prison.
According to court documents, on May 5, 2013, Ronga took the Rodolfo Lopez Castaneda’s cellphone and money after the beating. According to court documents, Lopez Castaneda, 29, reported he had approximately $170 in cash.
Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at [email protected] or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Threads @tomasfrobeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran and Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Former Lee County sheriff’s deputy accused of stealing from motorists
#Lee #County #sheriffs #deputy #accused #stealing #motorists #traffic #stops