A 21-year-old corrections officer with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office was arrested in Manatee County on an attempted sexual battery charge, authorities say. The officer, identified as Erik L. Zapata, resigned from the department after a warrant led to his arrest.
According to News4JAX, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office opened an investigation that resulted in a warrant for Zapata’s arrest, then tracked him down in Manatee County. He was booked on one count of attempted sexual battery, and JSO’s Special Assault Unit and Integrity Unit are assisting Manatee County investigators with the case. JSO said it learned of the arrest on Thursday.
Agency response and context
News4JAX reports that Zapata had worked with JSO for two years before resigning. His arrest lands in the middle of a year already marked by internal shakeups and personnel cases inside the agency, with local outlets tracking both the incidents and the sheriff’s public push on accountability. Coverage such as Jacksonville cops cuffed has highlighted related arrests and a broader integrity review inside the department.
What the charge means in Florida
In Florida, attempted sexual battery is usually charged under the general attempt statute together with the sexual battery statute. Prosecutors typically rely on F.S. 777.04 in combination with the definitions and aggravating factors in F.S. 794.011. Those laws define sexual battery, outline circumstances that can increase penalties, such as the age of the victim or the level of force, and address enhanced treatment when the alleged offender is in a position of authority.
Because the arrest took place in Manatee County, all processing, including booking and Zapata’s initial court appearance, will move through that county’s system. The Manatee County State Attorney will decide whether to formally file charges. For those seeking updates, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office posts booking and jail information on its website, according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.
Detectives from the agencies involved are continuing to investigate, and only limited information has been released publicly so far. This story will be updated as new court filings, official statements or booking records become available.
