Former Marion County, Florida, Deputy Sheriff Charged with Excessive Use of Force

Former Marion County, Florida, Deputy Sheriff Jesse Alan Terrell, 33, was indicted late yesterday on charges of violating the civil rights of “D.P.”, an unnamed victim, by using excessive force during an arrest.  The indictment was returned by a federal grand jury in the Middle District of Florida, and was announced by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta, head of the Civil Rights Division, and U.S. Attorney A. Lee Bentley III of the Middle District of Florida.

The indictment alleges that on Aug. 7, 2014, Terrell, while working as a deputy sheriff with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, assaulted “D.P.,” resulting in bodily injury.  The indictment alleges that Terrell repeatedly struck, kneed and kicked the victim in the head, neck and shoulder area.

If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

An indictment is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Jacksonville Division, and is being prosecuted by U.S. Attorney A. Lee Bentley III of the Middle District of Florida and Mark Blumberg and Maura White of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section.