By ELGIN JONES
FORT LAUDERDALE – A Broward Sheriff’s deputy has been arrested on burglary, battery, criminal mischief, and theft charges related to a 2011 road rage incident.
Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) deputy Paul Pletcher surrendered yesterday, Monday, at the Broward Main Jail and has since been released on bail.
Pletcher, 37, who has been with the sheriff’s office since 2004, has been involved in several controversies during his career. He was on leave with pay over the May 23, 2011, incident, which was investigated by Plantation police, in whose jurisdiction it took place.
His status has now been changed to suspension without pay, BSO Media Relations Director Jim Leljedal said.
Pletcher’s attorney, Eric Schwartzreich, could not be reached for comment.
At the time of the incident, Pletcher was off duty but was armed and driving his patrol vehicle. A female motorist alleged he berated her with profanity and yelled racial slurs at her over a traffic misunderstanding.
The Hispanic woman said Fletcher then pulled her over and continued the insults. When he noticed a passenger in the woman’s truck was recording his actions on a cell phone, he used force to seize the phone and then drove away.
The woman called 911 and when Plantation police arrived she described to them what happened. The phone was discovered broken into pieces and scattered over several blocks.
The phone’s memory was not damaged and the video captured Pletcher’s actions, resulting in his suspension.
*Pictured above is BSO Deputy Paul Pletcher
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