Former JSO officer arrested in Clay County, accused of sexual activity with 17-year-old girl
A former JSO officer was arrested in Clay County, accused of meeting up with a 17-year-old girl for illegal sexual contact. Former Jacksonville Sheriff's Office officer, Josue Garriga, has been arrested in Clay County, Florida, accused of meeting with a 17-year-old girl for illegal sexual contact. Garriga resigned from JSO following an investigation by the Clay County Sheriff's office. The victim's mother contacted the sheriff's office after finding inappropriate communications on her daughter's cell phone. Garrigra was arrested and had a bond hearing where his lawyer stated that he has close ties to the community and has no prior record. He is also the same officer involved in a deadly shooting in Jacksonville in 2019 that led to claims of police misconduct and a legal settlement.
:quality(70)/d1hfln2sfez66z.cloudfront.net/03-28-2024/t_66e0d1dd0e8f4f01a7f75f9ff42cd59d_name_file_960x540_1200_v3_1_.jpg)
Published : 4 weeks ago by Alexus Cleavenger in
GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. — A former Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office officer was arrested in Clay County, accused of meeting up with a 17-year-old girl for illegal sexual contact.
The former JSO officer resigned from JSO following an investigation by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office.
Garriga was arrested Wednesday and had a bond hearing Thursday morning. Garriga’s lawyer told the judge he has close ties to the community, while also noting that Garriga is a Jacksonville native and has no prior record.
Deputies said the 17-year-old victim’s mother contacted the sheriff’s office in early March. She found inappropriate and concerning communications on her daughter’s cell phone.
According to CCSO, the teen told investigators she met Garriga at church. He told her to download the WhatsApp application on her phone so they could communicate. Investigators said he then used WhatsApp to send nude photos of himself and asked her for pictures in return.
Read: Former JSO officer arrested in Clay County, accused of sexual activity with 17-year-old girl
Back in 2017, Garriga was a Putnam County K9 Deputy, and he was hired by JSO in 2018.
Garriga is also the same officer involved in a deadly shooting in Jacksonville in 2019. That was the case of Jamee Johnson, which drew claims of police misconduct and resulted in a legal settlement. The State Attorney’s Office, however, determined the shooting was justified.
Garriga was also tied to the controversial arrest of Le’Keian Woods last year.
JSO sent Action News Jax a statement from Sheriff T.K. Waters regarding Garriga’s arrest:
“Former Officer Josue Garriga was arrested by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. Any questions about the facts and circumstances of this investigation should be directed to CCSO. While Garriga is no longer a JSO employee, this agency fundamentally believes in accountability.”
Garriga’s bond is set at $375,000. Court records show his next court date is set for April 23.
Read: Buyers Beware: Troubling trend for homebuyers continues across Jacksonville, US
Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.