NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. — The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday it has arrested former Deputy William Woods on charges of battery and official misconduct following an internal investigation.
The arrest stems from an incident on Sunday, July 6 at the Amelia Hotel by the Sea, where Woods’ use of force during an arrest came under review after authorities discovered “inconsistencies between Woods’ written report and body-worn camera (BWC) footage,” according to a news release from NCSO.
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On that day, Woods responded to a report of an intoxicated person at the Amelia Hotel by the Sea. That person was found in his vehicle and was unable to complete field sobriety exercises, leading to his arrest, NCSO said.
NCSO said while the man was handcuffed in Woods’ patrol vehicle, he began striking his head against the door.
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In his written report, Woods originally claimed “the arrestee lunged from the vehicle and fell,” NCSO said.
Investigators found that Woods actually opened the vehicle door and pulled the individual out. NCSO said this caused the man to fall onto the pavement, as he was handcuffed and could not break his fall. This resulted in the man’s head injury and loss of consciousness.
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Nassau Sheriff Bill Leeper released the following statement:
“Integrity is at the core of the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office’s mission, and that applies to every member of this agency. 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.”
As a result of the investigation and charges, Woods, who had been with the agency since August 2016, has been terminated from his position, NCSO said.
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