Updated Feb. 3
TAMPA â How could a respected cop be accused of threatening to shoot a detained man, only for prosecutors to conclude he committed no crime?
In the case of former Hillsborough County Sheriffâs Sgt. Janak Amin, a defense attorneyâs probe suggests a rushed and flawed investigation, one that may have been influenced by politics.
Although three of Aminâs fellow sheriffâs deputies claimed he threatened a man deputies were trying to restrain during a July 9 arrest, at least seven others said they never saw or heard the sergeant do anything wrong, according to the attorneyâs summary of the case. Use-of-force experts likewise opined that the sergeantâs actions were consistent with standard law enforcement practices.
Hillsborough deputies cleared in fatal Riverview shooting
Deputies were justified when they shot Dylan Ray Scott during a standoff in December after a crash on Bloomingdale Avenue, prosecutors said.
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A pickup truck that authorities say was driven by Dylan Ray Scott is seen following a crash and a Dec. 8 standoff in which Hillsborough County Sheriff s deputies fatally shot Scott. [ Hillsborough State Attorney s Office ]
Updated Feb. 1
RIVERVIEW â Prosecutors have cleared four Hillsborough County Sheriffâs deputies who shot and killed a man during a December standoff that followed a Riverview car crash.
The four â Sgt. Michael Hannaford, Cpl. Steven Schneider, and Deputies Devin Wooden and Timothy Miskell â were justified in shooting Dylan Ray Scott, the office of Hillsborough State Attorney Andrew Warren said Monday.
Body cameras captured Brandon disturbance call before deputyâs death
Prosecutors played recordings that showed Travis Garrett scuffling with deputies before they say he rammed a car into Cpl. Brian LaVigneâs patrol cruiser.
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Travis Zachary Garrett can be seen in this screenshot from body camera video captured by a Hillsborough County Sheriff s Office deputy on Jan. 11, 2021. Prosecutors say after this encounter, Garrett drove away in the Nissan and intentionally rammed the patrol car of sheriff s Master Cpl. Brian LaVigne, killing him, Hillsborough prosecutors say. The body camera video was shown by prosecutors at a pretrial detention hearing for Garrett on Jan. 25. [ Hillsborough State Attorney s Office ]
Prosecutors to seek Premeditated Murder charge against man accused of killing deputy
Accused of intentionally ramming into deputy s car
Prosecutors to seek Premeditated Murder charge against man accused of killing deputy
By: Sean O Reilly
and last updated 2021-01-22 07:46:34-05
TAMPA, Fla. â Prosecutors plan to seek the most serious charges possible against the man accused of killing a Hillsborough County deputy.
Hillsborough State Attorney Andrew Warren plans to ask a Grand Jury to indict Travis Garrett for first-degree premeditated murder of a law enforcement officer and eight other charges.
âThis was a deliberate attack on law enforcement; he targeted a cop. When you commit a crime like this â when you cause pain like this â you should expect consequences like this,â Warren said. âDespite losing a friend, the detectives handling this case are completely focused. Theyâre doing an incredible job working with our prosecutors
Man accused of ramming Hillsborough deputy faces murder charge
Travis Zachary Garrett âtargeted a copâ when he drove a car into Sgt. Brian LaVigneâs patrol car, Hillsborough State Attorney Andrew Warren said.
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Hillsborough sheriff s Sgt. Brian LaVigne s crumpled patrol car sits at the scene in Brandon where prosecutors say 28-year-old Travis Garrett intentionally rammed it while fleeing from other deputies on Jan. 11. Garrett faces nine charges including first degree premeditated murder of a law enforcement officer, Hillsborough State Attorney Andrew Warren announced late Thursday. [ LUIS SANTANA | Times ]
Updated Jan. 22
TAMPA â The man accused of ramming the patrol car of Hillsborough Sheriffâs Sgt. Brian LaVigne will be prosecuted on nine charges, including premeditated murder of a law enforcement officer, Hillsborough State Attorney Andrew Warren announced late Thursday.