Video: Body Cam Captures Man Pummeling Pasco Deputy

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — While many law enforcement agencies are just now considering the use of body cameras, the Pasco County Sheriff's Office has used them for five years — with good reason.

On Wednesday night, body cameras worn by sheriff's deputies captured a man pummeling a deputy on video.

Pasco Sheriff's deputies responded to Auto Zone at 4448 Grand Blvd. in New Port Richey when the manager complained that a man kept entering and exiting the store for no reason.

The body cam video showed the man, later identified as Jerome Alexander Ealy, 30, of Tampa, being cooperative with a deputy who explained that he couldn't keep going in and out of the business.

Later, when Ealy attempted to go back into the Auto Zone, a second deputy stopped him and explained again that, while Ealy was not under arrest, he could not go back into the building.

During this conversation, the body cam video showed Ealy suddenly becoming violent, knocking the deputy to the ground and punching him several times before the Auto Zone manager and additional deputies were able to subdue him.

The deputy who was attacked sustained only minor injuries. Ealy was arrested and charged with battery on a law enforcement office and resisting arrest without violence.