POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A deputy with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office was arrested for driving under the influence on Saturday and is no longer employed by the agency.
Deputies said 26-year-old Josiah Perry was arrested after a single-vehicle crash on K-Ville Avenue near Pinter Road in Auburndale around 8:15 p.m.
According to deputies, Perry had been driving a silver 2017 Ford Explorer when he drove off the road and flipped the truck.
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Perry initially told deputies that someone else had been driving, but then later admitted he was the driver.
“Perry has lost my trust and faith, as well as that of the community. He can no longer serve as a law enforcement officer as a result of his conduct and untruthfulness,” said Sheriff Grady Judd.
According to the arrest report, deputies observed that Perry’s eyes appeared bloodshot and watery, and Perry admitted that he had recently consumed a glass of vodka and cranberry juice.
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A sobriety test was conducted by deputies and Perry was arrested for driving under the influence.
During his processing, Perry provided two breath samples of 0.128g/210L and 0.129g/210L (breath alcohol content). The legal threshold is 0.08g/210L.
Perry was charged with driving under the influence and DUI with property damage.
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He has since bonded out of jail, deputies said.
Perry was hired by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office on July 23, 2019.
He resigned from PCSO effective immediately after his arrest.
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Had he not resigned, his employment would have been terminated, deputies said.
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