A Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office detention deputy cadet was arrested Sunday after a domestic dispute in Zephyrhills, Pasco County, authorities said. The cadet, identified as Ivan Feliciano Heredia, was taken into custody on a charge of domestic violence battery following a police response to a residential disturbance Sunday evening.
According to Tampa Free Press, officers were dispatched to the 6800 block of Shelby Lynn Way at 5:31 p.m. Sunday and arrested Heredia on the battery charge. Records reviewed by the outlet show Heredia began his cadet role with HCSO on December 8, 2025. Sheriff Chad Chronister, in a statement quoted by the paper, called the conduct "unacceptable" and said "no one is above the law."
Officials refer questions to Zephyrhills police
Because the incident occurred within Zephyrhills' jurisdiction, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has directed specific inquiries about the case to the Zephyrhills Police Department, as reported by Tampa Free Press. The sheriff's office said it holds employees to high standards and that any alleged criminal conduct will be addressed through the proper legal channels.
Broader context and past staff incidents
This arrest comes amid separate controversies involving law enforcement personnel in the Tampa Bay region. ABC Action News reported an investigation earlier this year into allegations against a Hillsborough deputy, and the Tampa Bay Times covered a 2024 case in which another deputy faced video voyeurism charges. Those incidents have renewed calls for transparency and stronger oversight of personnel.
What happens next
The Zephyrhills Police Department will handle the criminal investigation and any filings in Pasco County, while the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office can pursue internal administrative action independently. The HCSO's website outlines the agency's mission to "serve, protect and defend" the community while maintaining standards of professionalism for employees; see Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.
