Sheriff remains mum on deputy arrest

The sheriff will delay making a public statement about the arrest of one of his deputies until after the conclusion of the criminal case and internal affairs investigation, a department spokeswoman said.
Jeffrey P. Swartz, 34, was arrested at his Spring Hill home Saturday and charged with misdemeanor domestic battery.
The victim called the Hernando County Sheriff's Office after Swartz pushed her onto the floor, placed his arms around her neck and grabbed both of her arms during a scuffle, according to an arrest report.
Swartz is on paid administrative leave as his case goes through the judicial system, said Sgt. Donna Black, a sheriff's spokeswoman.
"We can't take any type of action until after the case is over," she said.
That includes the internal affairs investigation, which won't begin until after the criminal case is dismissed, settled or reaches a verdict, Black said.
Sheriff Richard Nugent will consider making a public statement after both cases are complete, she said.
"There are actually more sanctions for a (deputy) than for the public," Black said. "It essentially goes through another court. We are held to a higher standard ... That's the way it should be. We are regulated to be above reproach."
The sheriff's office released a photo of Swartz a couple days after the arrest.
Swartz requested the removal of the mug shot from the Web site and the agency obliged under a Florida law that allows the agency to withhold information and/or images that identify a law enforcement officer, Black said.
The booking photo was no longer available on the Web site after 10 a.m. Friday, she said.
Assistant County Attorney Don Barbee said it is "very rare" for a local deputy or police officer to be charged with a crime.
He recalled two cases last year in which law enforcement officers were investigated, but neither resulted in a criminal charge, he said.
Whenever a Hernando County deputy or Brooksville police officer is charged locally, an assistant county attorney from another jurisdiction is asked to handle the case, Barbee said.
Paul Norville, who works in Citrus County, will prosecute Swartz.
Black cited the case of Tommy Harris, who had a battery charge dropped in June 2008 after the alleged victim, Tara Whitaker, recanted her testimony.
Whitaker later was charged with perjury and making a false report.
Harris was placed on paid leave following his arrest, but was reinstated the day his charge was dismissed.
In Swartz's case, the victim suffered injuries to her neck and right arm, which were consistent with her allegations, according to the arrest report.