POLK COUNTY, Fla. – An Orange County deputy has been relieved of all law enforcement duties and reassigned to administrative duties after he was arrested for domestic battery in Polk County, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office says.
Deputy James Waters, 35, was taken into custody on Sunday.
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According to his probable cause affidavit, Deputy James Waters, 35, and his wife arrived home around midnight after attending a Christmas party. The victim stated both of them had been drinking and both had fallen asleep in the living room.
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After attempting to wake him up, the victim stated she went to bed and was followed by Waters. The two then began arguing and Waters “muffed” her face with his hand and grabbed her left arm using “cop moves” against her will, the affidavit states.
According to Polk deputies, the victim had bruises on her upper arm. Waters advised he had been drinking and the victim was mad at him. He also advised there was no physical altercation or verbal threats between them.
Waters was arrested on one count of domestic violence battery. He was hired in May of 2018 and worked in the Uniform Patrol Division.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office says once the criminal case is complete, it will conduct its own internal investigation and when completed, it will be made public.
“I have a zero-tolerance policy toward domestic violence. These allegations will be thoroughly investigated and the results will be made public,” said Sheriff John Mina. “At the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, we are committed to ensuring that those who serve the community as deputies follow the laws they are responsible to uphold.”
If you need help getting out of an abusive situation, or getting someone you care about out of an abusive situation, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233, or text “START” to 88788.
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