Tyler Williams, a former deputy with the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office, has been found guilty by a federal jury of violating an individual’s civil rights and obstructing justice. United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced the verdict.
The charges stem from an incident on July 4, 2023, where, while on duty, Williams used unreasonable force against an individual, throwing him to the ground and causing injury. He then compounded the offense by writing a false justification for the use of force in an official incident report, thereby obstructing justice.
READ: St. Petersburg Man Gets Over 14 Years In Prison For Multi-Million Dollar Vehicle Fraud Scheme
Williams faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison for the civil rights violation and up to 20 years for the obstruction of justice charge. His sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Tampa Field Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Patrick L. Darcey and Jesus M. Casas.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.