Deputy Charged in Domestic Violence Case

A Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputy faces domestic violence charges after fellow officers say a dispute at his home became heated.

The incident unfolded just after 1 a.m. Christmas Eve, according to an email from the sheriff’s office. Deputies say Ricardo Alves, 50, and his live-in girlfriend got into a verbal fight that ended with the girlfriend being pushed into a wall. Alves is also accused of stepping on her foot, leaving minor red marks behind.

The sheriff’s office is not releasing the location of the incident, but said that Alves is a patrol deputy in District II, which covers northeast Hillsborough. Alves is a 13-year veteran of the agency. He was booked into the Orient Road Jail Wednesday morning.

Alves has also been placed on unpaid leave pending the outcome of an investigation.

Photo of Deputy Ricardo Alves courtesy of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office