SARASOTA, Fla. — A Manatee County Sheriff's Office corrections deputy is facing aggravated assault charges after the agency says he got into an argument with another man and pointed a gun at his head.
On Tuesday, officials arrested Benjamin Sampey, 21, after he was reportedly involved in an altercation on Friday, June 21 at Ackerman Park in Sarasota.
Sampey told deputies with the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office he was breaking up a fight before pulling out his agency-issued handgun for self-defense, according to investigators.
Investigators say they later learned from witnesses that Sampey was actually arguing with another, unidentified man and pointed a gun at his head.
After his arrest, Sampey reportedly resigned from his position. He first joined the organization in February 2023.
He is now facing one charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill.
“This is not acceptable behavior for any employee of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and will not be tolerated,” Sheriff Rick Wells said in a statement. "I commend Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office for taking swift action on this case.”
An internal investigation and active criminal investigation into this incident is ongoing.