An off-duty deputy accused of being intoxicated and starting a fight at a bar in New Smyrna Beach was arrested last week, authorities said.
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Jason Stickels, 44, was charged with two counts of felony battery on a person 65 years or older.
According to the Volusia Sheriff’s Office, on July 6, officers with New Smyrna Beach Police arrived at the bar after reports of a fight that broke out.
Witnesses told officers that Stickels approached a couple at the bar and started to harass them.
Surveillance video from the bar shows Stickels talking to the couple, and then he appears to lean over the woman, prompting her to stand up, as well as her husband.
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Stickels then appears to attack the woman’s 77-year-old husband after he intervened.
During the confrontation, a customer in the bar went behind Stickels and put him in a chokehold and lowered him to the ground.
No injuries were reported.
After he was arrested, the sheriff’s office placed him on administrative leave and made him surrender his law enforcement equipment pending final discipline up to and including termination.
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VSO said Stickels has been employed with the sheriff’s office since 2004.