NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. – A former Nassau County Sheriff’s Office deputy has been arrested and charged with assault and using “unnecessary and unjustified” force on an intoxicated person, according to the Nassau County Sheriff’s Department (NCSD).

An investigation began last month into an incident in Callahan in which Dale Hutcherson, 40, encountered an intoxicated person lying in the road.

The sheriff’s office said Hutcherson used excessive force while escorting the person off the road. There was no physical altercation or imminent danger to warrant excessive force, NCSD said.

In his report, Hutcherson also provided false statements about the events leading up to the excessive force.

“We are extremely disappointed to have to arrest one of our deputies, but we have an obligation to hold all of our employees accountable when they break the law and violate the public trust,” said Sheriff Bill Leeper. “This type of behavior is unacceptable and goes against everything we stand for at the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office. We have strict policies and training in place regarding the use of force, and we expect all of our deputies to follow these guidelines without exception.”

Hutcherson worked for the sheriff’s office for about two years.

On November 7, the State Attorney’s Office issued an arrest warrant for Hutcherson, who was immediately arrested.