​Sheriff's Deputy Fired For Inappropriate Contact With Women

PINELLAS COUNTY. FL — A Pinellas County Sheriff's Office patrol deputy has been fired after two investigations concluded he had inappropriate contact with women after investigating cases in which they were involved.

According to the administrative investigation division, on July 3, the sheriff's office received a complaint from a woman regarding "unsolicited and unwelcome text messages from Deputy Brian Overton." She said she met Overton during an investigation into her father's death. The first text messages were related to the investigation, however, she said they quickly became personal and included sexual remarks.

Overton admitted to sending the text messages and was issued a written reprimand on Aug. 8.

Then, on Feb. 5, Overton was sent to a call concerning a child abuse complaint. After completing the call, he contacted the complainant by telephone to inform her of the outcome of the investigation, using a phone application that concealed his personal number.

On Feb. 6, investigators said Overton used the same number to send a text message to the woman requesting information regarding the earlier child abuse call. He then engaged in a series of text personal and sexual messages with the woman, including making comments about her body and appearance. He also told the woman he had a vasectomy.

The text messages were not related to the call for service nor were they in the performance of his patrol duties. The woman said the text messages were "unprofessional, creepy and scary." She felt she was being sexually harassed but was hesitant to report Overton because she was concerned about retribution and how it might impact her case.

During the administrative interview, Overton admitted the text messages were improper, did not serve a legitimate law enforcement purpose, and were not ethical. He said the messages were intended to engage the woman in conversation and should not have been sent.

The administrative review board found Overton abused his position of authority and demonstrated a pattern of being unable to practice self-restraint. The board concluded that Overton put his own personal wants before the welfare of citizens who were in vulnerable situations.

As a result of the investigation, Overton was fired Monday.

"Deputy Overton's conduct was reprehensible and, instead of honoring his oath to help others, he tried to take advantage of women in vulnerable situations for self-serving sexual gratification," said Pinellas Sheriff Bob Gualtieri. "Overton's conduct is inconsistent with how a deputy sheriff should conduct himself and he has forfeited the privilege of being a law enforcement officer."