OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – An Osceola County deputy was fired and arrested following accusations that he covered for his cousin in a domestic violence case, officials said in a Tuesday news conference.
Deputies launched an investigation into Kevin Encarnacion, a deputy employed with Osceola County since August 2017, in October, eventually leading to his arrest on Tuesday.
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The investigation stemmed from a domestic violence incident when Encarnacion’s cousin was arrested for throwing a brick at a victim on Oct. 2.
Enrique Davis, the deputy’s cousin, fled the scene and faced aggravated assault charges, according to Sheriff Marcos Lopez.
Prior to Davis’s capture and arrest, Encarnacion began feeding his cousin information via text, providing the location of sheriff’s personnel in relation to where he was and advice to not take any phone calls from law enforcement officials.
“Pretty much they go back and forth, exchanging information in order for him evade the arrest,” Lopez said. “ ... And now we have a guy who is in my uniform, using my equipment, trying to help his family member to get away with the crime.”
Lopez said the domestic violence victim discovered the series of Apple watch messages between Encarnacion and Davis and brought it to investigators.
“(Encarnacion) was on duty during the time of these messages, you know, he was informing him of my police report,” Davis’s wife told News 6.
In an interview with News 6, she said she found Encarnacion’s actions hurtful.
“It’s hurtful because it is like family and you know, you don’t expect those things,” she said.
Encarnacion further tried to dismantle the case against his cousin, trying to impact deputies.
“The officer reached out to our deputies and actually told them that the victim had mental health issues trying to discredit her,” Lopez continued. “He also researched our computers and reports on what was being collected or taken in as evidence to affect your arrest.”
Lopez applauded the victim for coming forward with this information.
“This is a strong message that we’re going to send ... anybody in a uniform that conducts itself in this manner is going to be held accountable here,” Lopez said. “If anybody here in the community ever feels that there is a deputy that’s conducting himself in a manner that it shouldn’t be and it’s not lawful, reach out to us immediately.”
Encarnacion is facing accessory after the fact, misconduct and obstruction of justice charges.
“I am grateful that they did do their job and you know, the justice system did do the right thing,” the victim said.