NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. – A former Nassau County Sheriff’s Office deputy was charged Tuesday with battery and official misconduct during an arrest after an internal investigation, the agency said.
NCSO said the charges for Deputy William Woods, 32, stem from an incident that happened July 6.
Recommended Videos
Officials said Woods responded to a report of a drunk man found in his car at the Amelia Hotel by the Sea. The man couldn’t complete field sobriety tests and was arrested. NCSO said that while he was handcuffed in the patrol car, he began striking his head against the door.
Investigators said Woods opened the car, pulled the man out, causing him to fall on the pavement, resulting in a head injury and loss of consciousness. Nassau County Fire Rescue took the man to the hospital.
NCSO said the incident came under review after the Public Defender’s Office notified the State Attorney’s Office of inconsistencies between Woods’ written report and body-worn camera footage.
The sheriff’s office said Woods claimed the arrestee lunged from the car and fell, but investigators said video showed him forcibly pulling the man out, causing him to fall. It was determined that since he was handcuffed, he was unable to break the impact.
“Integrity is at the core of the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office’s mission, and that applies to every member of this agency,” said Sheriff Bill Leeper. “Deputy Woods had been a good deputy during his years of service, which makes this outcome especially disappointing. But when actions fall short of our standards and the public’s trust is compromised, we have a duty to hold our own accountable.”
Woods had been with the agency since August 2016, has been terminated as a result of these charges.