James Hodges (2022)

From LEO Ratings
 
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Overview

Id refusal 4th Amendment violation

On October 31, 2022, Columbia County Florida Sheriff's Office Deputy Jayme Gohde stopped Hodges to investigate an item in his back pocket as he was walking. Sergeant Randy Harrison also responded. Hodges showed the deputies that the item was a folding cane.[1] Hodges refused the deputies' requests to identify himself. The deputies handcuffed Hodges, searched him for ID, and ran his information through dispatch. As Hodges continued to demand the deputies' identification, Harrison chose to arrest him for resisting an officer.[2][3]

The incident was captured on Gohde's body-worn camera.[1]

On November 3, 2022, the department opened an internal investigation.[1]

On November 7, 2022, the charges against Hodges were dropped.[3]

On November 8, 2022, the department finished their internal investigation. Harrison was demoted and suspended for seven days without pay. Gohde was suspended for two days without pay.[4][5]

On November 20, 2023, Hodges filed a lawsuit against the Sheriff, Harrison, and Gohde, for violation of his rights under the First and Fourth Amendments and other charges.[6]

On August 26, 2024, the civil lawsuit was dismissed. 

On November 4, 2024, LEO Ratings reached out to Mr. Hodges' lawyer for more information on the case.

Video

Columbia County sheriff gives update after arrest of visually-impaired man goes viral

Officers Involved


Public Comments

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Aaron Adelson, Video of legally blind man's arrest after jury duty troubles Columbia County Sheriff, CBS 4, 2022-11-07
  2. ↑ Alex Galbraith, Florida deputies arrest blind man for carrying cane, CL Tampa, 2022-11-07
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 CCSO investigating blind man’s arrest, Lake City Reporter, 2022-11-07
  4. ↑ Columbia County Sheriff suspends deputies who arrested legally blind man with cane, CBS 4, 2022-11-08
  5. ↑ Please see the following message from Sheriff Hunter regarding the arrest of James Hodges, Columbia County Sheriff's Office, 2022-11-08
  6. ↑ Complaint, U.S. District Court, 2023-11-20

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