BAY COUNTY, FL – A Bay County Sheriff’s deputy has been arrested on a charge of sexual battery by a person in a position of authority.
According to the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Gabriel Medina, 35, was taken into custody after a woman reported that a uniformed deputy came to her home around 2:50 a.m. Sunday and used his position to intimidate her into a sexual encounter. The woman said Medina was wearing his uniform and firearm at the time and that she had previously interacted with him during earlier calls for service.
Investigators determined Medina was at her residence from 2:50 a.m. to 3:03 a.m. They also noted he had deactivated his body camera and failed to notify dispatch of his location. During questioning, Medina gave inconsistent statements before eventually admitting to the encounter.
He was booked into the Bay County Jail and will be terminated from his position with the sheriff’s office.
“We will continue to uphold the high standards expected of us and maintain the trust of the people we serve,” said Sheriff Tommy Ford. “One person’s actions do not define who we are or the incredible work being done by 99 percent of the men and women of the agency.”
Medina is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
