Video: Pinellas Detention Deputy Fire For Harassing Inmate

CLEARWATER, FL — A Pinellas County Jail detention deputy was fired Friday after being accused of harassing and intimidating an inmate at the jail at 14400 49th St. N., Clearwater.

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said, on Dec. 10, Deputy Roy Harper was working in a maximum security housing area of the Pinellas County Jail, supervising the distribution of commissary to inmates.

According to the sheriff's office, inmate 22-year-old Quentin Jhagroo, unintentionally made contact with Harper's left arm while walking past him.

Harper responded by asking Jhagroo, "Do you want to handle this like a man?," "Do you want me to write you up on a D.R. (disciplinary report)?," "Do you want me to press charges?" and "You know that's an assault on an officer."

Investigators say, during this conversation, Harper removed the agency-issued 911/Rescue Tool from his duty belt, a specially designed hooked-shaped blade used in emergencies for fast cutting. Harper opened the tool, approached the inmate and briefly held it to Jhagroo's chest as a threat.

The interaction was captured on the jail's video surveillance system.

During the course of the administrative investigation, Harper admitted his actions were inappropriate. The Administrative Review Board determined that Harper violated sheriff's office policy.