Sheriff ‘troubled’ over actions in viral video.
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James Hodges (left) is placed in handcuffs in this still from body camera footage taken on Oct. 31. (COURTESY)
The actions of a Columbia County sheriff’s deputy in arresting a legally blind man on Halloween are under investigation.
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office said Monday morning that the incident is being reviewed after body camera footage of the arrest of James Hodges around 8 a.m. on Halloween went viral. The man, reportedly, was leaving the Columbia County Courthouse from jury duty when it was canceled just prior to being stopped. He was arrested for resisting without violence.
“Sheriff (Mark) Hunter is troubled by what he has seen in the video and the matter is being addressed,” the sheriff’s office posted on social media Monday, noting an administrative investigation began Thursday when they became aware of the incident. “If policy violations are sustained at the conclusion of that investigation, appropriate action will be taken.
“While we understand the frustration and concern associated with this event, please know we are working to resolve this matter as quickly as possible.”
Sgt. Steven Khachigan, a spokesman with the CCSO, said he was not certain if the deputy involved, Jayme Gohde, is on administrative leave while the investigation is being conducted.
Charges against Hodges were dropped Monday, according to Columbia County court records. John Durrett, the Third Judicial Circuit state attorney, declined to file information in the case, stating it did not warrant prosecution.
According to the CCSO report, Hodges was stopped at 8:08 a.m. on Oct. 31 near the intersection of Marion Avenue and Duval Street in downtown Lake City became the deputy believed he had a firearm in his back pocket.
When the deputy stopped Hodges, he informed the deputy that it was a walking stick, showing the deputy a folded up stick.
In the body cam footage of the arrest, Hodges asked Gohde is she was a tyrant?
“Yeah I am, actually,” Gohde responds before asking for his identification.
When Hodges refused to comply, the deputy told the man that “you don’t have to be a dick to me.”
“Well, you’re being one to me,” Hodges responds.
In refusing to comply, Hodges said the deputy had no reason to request his identification since it was only necessary if he was committing a crime, about to commit a crime or had already committed a crime.
Once a supervisor, Sgt. Randy Harrison, arrived, Hodges was handcuffed and officers found his ID in his front pocket.
Hodges told the officers that he was legally blind but did not need the walking stick all the time. However, he had used it on his way to court for jury duty.
The report states that it was foggy and overcast when the man was detained.
Hodges requested the names and badge numbers for both officers.
Harrison, the video shows, instructed Gohde to arrest him for resisting.