Former Lee County deputy arrested for stealing money during traffic stop

LEE COUNTY, Fla. – The Lee County Sheriff’s Office says it has arrested one of its own and charged a deputy with fraud and abuse of office.

In January 2024, the LCSO received a complaint about a deputy accepting money during a traffic stop. The deputy was identified as Tyrese Jackson, who was immediately placed on leave.

Major Crimes Unit investigators reviewed approximately 120 hours of body camera video footage to search for evidence of the alleged crime, the sheriff’s office said, which occurred between Jan. 2 and Jan. 22, 2024.

In the videos, the sheriff’s office said, incidents involving multiple victims were found. Investigators say Jackson stopped people “with the intention of extorting money from them because he felt they wouldn’t report him,” according to the sheriff’s office. The arrest warrant says Jackson took money from wallets and purses.

According to LCSO, during this time the officer also tampered with his body-worn camera to prevent the recording of certain events.

The victims shown in the video were contacted to obtain their statements, “which reinforces investigators’ belief that criminal activity is suspected.”

On February 8, 2024, Jackson resigned from his position as sheriff and moved to Maryland. He joined the LCSO in July 2022.

“During his tenure with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, former Deputy Jackson demonstrated a pattern of abuse of power, misappropriation of agency time and policies, and preying on those he targeted because he believed they would not report his criminal activities,” the arrest warrant states.

He was arrested on two counts of abuse of office and one count of attempted fraud, both of which are capital crimes.

“It disgusts me when someone I consider a family member abuses the trust of the great people of Lee County and tarnishes the badge,” said Sheriff Carmine Marceno. “Jackson will be held accountable for his actions and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office will continue to provide concierge service.”

Jackson was extradited to Lee County to face the charges against him.

There were no disciplinary actions or other complaints against the deputy at LCSO prior to this incident.

The warrant states that Jackson was a field instructor. Online records show that Jackson also appeared on the show “On Patrol,” formerly known as “Live PD.”