An Osceola County sheriff's deputy has been arrested and dismissed from the force on allegations of domestic battery by strangulation. As reported by FOX 35 Orlando, Deputy John Macerelli, 38, is in the center of this critical internal issue, with the sheriff’s office stating the investigation into these claims began after reports emerged last Thursday. The Criminal Investigations Division, acting upon the received reports, gathered sufficient evidence to arrest Macerelli, detailing that the incident occurred while he was not on duty.
Despite the seriousness of this case, there were no prior reports of misconduct tied to Macerelli, which is a piece of information that the Osceola County Sheriff's Office found startling. Having been on probation, Macerelli was terminated upon the execution of the arrest warrant, which is a standard procedure for newly hired deputies, according to ClickOrlando. Sheriff Marcos Lopez, occupying a role where trust and the enforcement of the law hold sway, stated, "I have zero tolerance for domestic violence and zero tolerance for law enforcement violating the same laws they are sworn to uphold."
The details of the undisclosed case include the evidence obtained by the investigation that led to Macerelli's warrant and the victim's identity and condition.
The Osceola County Sheriff's Office encourages anyone with further information about this case or similar incidents to call (407) 348-2222.
