Osceola County deputy arrested after punching teen in face, police say

An Osceola County deputy was arrested after investigators say he punched a teenage girl in the face.

According to a St. Cloud police report, deputy Michael Cabassa was getting ready for work when he said he reprimanded a teen inside his home.

According to the police report, the girl was acting out and he told her to stop,

The report says the teen kicked Cabassa in the groin after he reprimanded her for her language. The deputy told responding officers that it was after that that he hit the teen in the face.

In court, the deputy’s attorney tried to make the case that he didn't mean to hurt her.

“She actually assaulted the defendant. The defendant just in a reflex moment did not intend anything and the mother and the alleged victim requested that he return home. This defendant is a contributing member of the community,” the attorney said.

According to the police report, Cabassa said that he did it in defense because she was "trying to physically attack him," but the judge said he found probable cause for the arrest.

The deputy was released and is now on administrative leave pending an internal investigation and his criminal case.

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