Domestic Battery Charges Filed Against Pinellas Sheriff's Deputy

LARGO, FL — A Pinellas County detention sheriff's deputy is facing domestic battery charges after being accused of striking a woman several times.

According to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, Ryan Mullen, who was hired by the sheriff's correction department to serve as a detention deputy on Jan. 28, 2002, was charged Friday with one count of domestic battery at his home in Largo.

Detectives learned that, on June 14, Mullen got into an argument with the victim that escalated into a physical fight in which he is accused of grabbing the victim by the hair and striking her multiple times in the head and face.

According to detectives, the victim suffered a split and swollen lip and significant bruising and swelling around her eye and cheekbone area that was still visible 10 days later.

Mullen denied any knowledge of the victim's injuries.