Florida cop committed battery on a suspect, then lied about it, investigation says

A former Franklin County Sheriff’s Office deputy’s conduct during and after an arrest got the deputy charged, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement announced Tuesday.

Steven Osburn resigned from the sheriff’s office Tuesday, FDLE said. He’d been on administrative leave since Nov. 10, when is when the sheriff’s office asked FDLE to look into one of Osburn’s arrests.

FDLE said its investigation found that Osburn “committed battery on a suspect, then falsified reports of the incident.”

So, he’s been charged with battery, falsifying records and official misconduct. FDLE said Osburn turned himself in and posted bond.

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office had no comment when reached Wednesday.

This story was originally published December 16, 2020 at 9:52 AM.

David J. Neal

Miami Herald

305-376-3559

Since 1989, David J. Neal’s domain at the Miami Herald has expanded to include writing about Panthers (NHL and FIU), Dolphins, old school animation, food safety, fraud, naughty lawyers, bad doctors and all manner of breaking news. He drinks coladas whole. He does not work Indianapolis 500 Race Day.