St. Johns County deputy fired, charged with aggravated battery

Jacksonville, FL — A former St. Johns County deputy was fired and faces charges of aggravated battery stemming from a December traffic stop.

According to a warrant affidavit, Deputy Anthony Deleo, 51, hit the victim 19 times with his baton and kicked him twice in head/facial area.

Action News Jax reporter Dani Bozzini spoke to Teri Morgenstern in January, who said her son Christopher Butler, 30, was seriously hurt in the incident and didn’t deserve what was done to him.

Butler’s family attorney John M. Phillips released the following statement about Deleo’s charge:

“On December 29, 2019, Christopher Butler was going through a medical episode when pulled over by police. Instead of helping him, they tazed and beat him mercilessly. With no body cameras telling the story, police told lies in their reports. Today one of the officers was arrested (for aggravated battery) and fired from St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office. We hope more arrests are coming. We hope reform is coming. This is the first step towards justice. If you have information or have been abused by this office, please come forward.”

The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office said it cannot speak about this case since it is an ongoing investigation.

Morgenstern said Thursday her son was having a medical episode in the car and that’s why he didn’t initially stop for police.  “It’s the worst thing I’ve seen, let alone experience,” Morgenstern said. “That was my child that was beat like a dog going after an infant.”

Morgenstern wanted more than an aggravated battery charge, saying her son could’ve been killed.

“My son was in critical condition at the end of that evening, so absolutely, my son could’ve died,” Morgenstern said. “If that was you or I we’d be in prison, so I believe that’s where Deleo needs to go.”

Thursday, Action News Jax made repeated attempts to contact Deleo, but didn’t hear back.  Two deputies remain on leave as this investigation is ongoing.