YULEE, Fla. – News4Jax has obtained the video of a Nassau County corrections deputy hitting an inmate -- video that cost that deputy his job and lead to a criminal change of battery
The Nassau County Sheriff's Office is not commenting on the investigation into Andrew Sasser, who was a four-year veteran of the department.
According to documents from the investigation, Sasser claimed the 40-year-old inmate made a comment about a female inmate he was escorting to a pod on July 1. Sasser said when he came back to the inmate's cell to talk with him about it, the man took an aggressive stance toward him, prompting the altercation that took place.
Two cameras recorded what happened next.
A man investigators said is Sasser can be seen standing in front of an inmate inside a holding cell at the jail. You can see the verbal altercation turn physical, with Sasser pushing and striking the inmate.
Sasser admitted hitting the inmate with his knee one or two times.
UNCUT: Watch surveillance video
No one answered the door at Sasser's home. His attorney only said he didn't think it was appropriate to discuss pending cases with media.
Citing that it was an active investigation, Sheriff Bill Leeper also wouldn't talk about the case, but in a letter dated July 10, Leeper told Sasser he was fired, noting instances of conduct unbecoming of a law enforcement officer.
Sasser asked for a hearing to address information that will be placed in his file and possible reinstatement of employment at the Nassau County Sheriff's Office. Leeper told Sasser that he'd already declined his option to address the agency's findings during a meeting last month.
As Sasser prepares to face an Aug. 25 hearing on a misdemeanor battery charge, his family said he is moving forward as best he can.
The inmate that was struck is now in a Kentucky in jail for violating probation, but his family is in Nassau County. The family did not want to speak at this time.