Off-duty Florida sergeant charged with felony battery on elderly pair

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.”

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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.

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The woman’s husband got up and confronted Stickels, according to the video and the charging document. Stickels charged and grabbed the husband’s throat seconds after a waitress got in the middle of the men, police said.

As this was happening, a bystander sitting at a nearby table came from behind and put Stickels into a chokehold, taking him to the ground and subduing him, the video showed.

When police arrived, Stickels told the responding officer “you know who I am,” before showing his badge with the sheriff’s office, according to the charging document.

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Following the incident, Stickels was immediately put on administrative leave. He was also forced to surrender his law enforcement equipment pending final discipline, which could mean termination.

Stickels was charged with two counts of felony battery on a person 65 years of age or older. He was released from jail on Monday after posting a surety bond, according to court records.