Off-Duty Sergeant Arrested for Assaulting Elderly Couple at Bar

An off-duty sergeant from a central Florida sheriff’s office has been arrested after an elderly couple was allegedly assaulted by him at a bar, as shown in surveillance footage.

Jason Stickels, aged 44, was at Merck’s Bar & Grill on Monday when he reportedly “made unwanted contact” with a couple seated nearby, according to the Volusia Sheriff’s Office, where he has been employed since 2004.

Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood, in office since 2016, expressed his disappointment regarding Stickels’ actions. He issued an apology to the couple affected by the incident.

“What a way to ruin a career as a law enforcement officer in just two minutes. Off-duty, intoxicated, and stumbling around, bothering folks who are just trying to enjoy their day,” Chitwood stated on social media. “I want to extend an apology to the soon-to-be former sergeant for his reckless behavior.”

Following the incident, officers from the New Smyrna Beach Police Department were alerted around 4:20 p.m. and later arrested Stickels, charging him in relation to the altercation. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

According to the sheriff’s office, Stickels first hit a 71-year-old woman sitting at a table and then attacked her 77-year-old husband when he stepped in to defend her. Surveillance footage from the bar reveals Stickels approaching the woman, who reacted by backing away and standing up from her chair. She later told investigators that he attempted to kiss her.

The situation escalated further when the woman’s husband confronted Stickels, leading to another outburst from him towards a waitress who intervened. A bystander, witnessing the chaos, moved in from a nearby table and put Stickels in a chokehold, bringing him to the ground until police arrived.

When officers arrived, Stickels reportedly declared, “You know who I am,” while showing his badge to the sheriff’s office personnel.

As a consequence of the incident, Stickels has been placed on administrative leave and will need to surrender his law enforcement gear pending investigation, which could lead to termination. He now faces two counts of felony assault against individuals over 65. After posting bond, he was released on the same day of his arrest.