Crime · Osceola County
Osceola County Deputy Arrested Over Sept. 25 DUI Arrest Force, Falsified Records
Osceola County Sheriff's Office arrested Deputy Joseph Billittier on Tuesday for battery on a person over 65, official misconduct, perjury in an official proceeding, and falsifying public records stemming from the Sept. 25 arrest of a 67-year-old woman suspected of DUI. OCSO alleged Billittier used "an unnecessary amount of force" during the arrest and falsely claimed the woman attacked him, with supervisors raising concerns after reviewing body-worn camera and in-car video. Sheriff Christopher Blackmon said Billittier would be terminated and stated no one is above the law. The State Attorney's Office asked OCSO not to release the video, and it remains unclear how the deputy's arrest will affect the woman's DUI case.