BRADFORD COUNTY, Fla. – A Bradford County deputy was arrested Tuesday and charged with sexual battery on a victim 18 years or older “with special circumstances” in connection with a reported incident in late September, the Sheriff’s Office said.
According to investigators, Deputy Dalton Sumner was accused of sexual battery on a woman while off duty, and the Sheriff’s Office “received information” about the reported incident on Sept. 26, 2022.
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The Sheriff’s Office began an investigation by interviewing the woman and other witnesses and then interviewed Sumner, with his attorney present.
Investigators said they confirmed the victim’s account, which was that Sumner, a friend, was staying the night with her and that when she was asleep in the bed she woke up to the sound of a camera taking photos with a flash and realized Sumner was groping her without her consent.
She told investigators her cat scratched Sumner and he threw the cat off the bed.
The woman showed investigators a text she sent Sumner in which she indicated she had explicitly told him “no sex.”
Sumner was placed on administrative leave without pay, and the State Attorney’s Office was consulted on the case.
When they finished the investigation, the case was formally presented to the State Attorney, who initiated the warrant process and Judge William E. Davis signed an arrest warrant Feb. 28 with a $200,000 bond.
BCSO worked with Sumner’s attorney to have him surrender at the jail on the charge of sexual battery on a victim 18 or older with special circumstances.
On March 1, Sumner walked into the Union County Jail. He was processed, posted bond and was released.