Manatee County Sheriff’s Office deputy arrested

MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. (WWSB) - A Manatee County Sheriff’s Office corrections deputy was arrested Tuesday, July 2 in Sarasota and charged with Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon (without intent to kill). He resigned from his position shortly after the incident.

According to the report, Deputy Benjamin Sampey was involved in an altercation at Ackerman Park on June 21, 2024.

Sampey initially told the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office that he was breaking up a fight when he pulled out his agency-issued handgun in self-defense.

According to SCSO, after further investigation, witness statements revealed that Sampey was not breaking up a fight, but instead was in a verbal argument with another man when he pointed his gun at his head.

“This is not acceptable behavior for any employee of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and will not be tolerated,” said Sheriff Rick Wells.

Sampey was hired by the MCSO in February 2023 and assigned to the Corrections Bureau.

An internal investigation and an active criminal investigation are still ongoing.