An on-duty Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office deputy ended his shift in handcuffs across the county line after a late-night domestic altercation in Port Richey that left one person seriously hurt, authorities said. The arrest has triggered both criminal charges and an internal review as investigators sort out what happened inside the home.
The deputy, identified as Dayton Thomas, 35, a 10-year HCSO veteran assigned to the Department of Patrol Services, was taken into custody by the Pasco Sheriff’s Office on March 24 after a 911 call reported an altercation at about 11:41 p.m., according to the Tampa Free Press. Thomas has been charged with domestic aggravated battery involving serious injuries, and the victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Booking and charge information were detailed in the Tampa Free Press report.
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister did not hold back, telling the Tampa Free Press, "This type of behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated under any circumstances." The sheriff’s office has suspended Thomas without pay while the criminal case moves forward alongside an internal administrative investigation.
Department Response And Recent Personnel Arrests
The case lands as the sheriff’s office is already fielding questions about other recent employee arrests. HCSO’s public affairs site reported the arrest of a detention deputy cadet in Zephyrhills on March 22 and said the agency would investigate that matter, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. The agency has publicly stressed that employees are held to high standards and that administrative action follows criminal developments.
A 2024 case in which Pasco prosecutors later dropped an aggravated battery charge against a different Hillsborough deputy shows how these cases can wind their way through the system, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
What The Charge Means
Under Florida law, aggravated battery is charged when a battery causes great bodily harm, involves a deadly weapon, or results in permanent disfigurement. It is generally classified as a second-degree felony and can carry a prison term of up to 15 years, per the Florida statutes. The "domestic" tag reflects the relationship between the people involved and can bring extra scrutiny and consequences for anyone working in law enforcement.
The criminal investigation remains active and the HCSO administrative review is still open. As with any pending case, the charge is an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
